"I will compensate her. As for the child, I will get engaged to Chloe as soon as possible and keep her out of the public eye. Once Victoria Kingsley gives birth, I will announce that the child is mine with Chloe. Then, we will get married."
He had already planned everything out.
Elder Madam Carter sighed deeply and remained silent for a long time before waving her hand. "Fine, fine. I'm too old to control you. But don't mistreat that girl Victoria. She may not be much to look at, but she's a rare gem."
Meanwhile, Victoria, who had just resigned from the Velvet Club, was completely unaware that her fate was being orchestrated by Leo. She was out enjoying street food with Lucas Harper.
…
At the same time, in the Turner Family residence.
When Harvey received the investigation report, he rushed back to the family home to share the findings with Chloe and Grace. "Victoria is pregnant with Leo's child. It's been over two months."
"What? Pregnant? That's impossible! Victoria is so plain-looking. How could Leo ever be with her?" Chloe couldn't accept the news no matter what. She grabbed the investigation report from the table. It included various medical checkups and photos of Leo and Victoria at the hospital.
"I heard that Elder Madam Carter drugged Young Master Carter to ensure he had a child. Victoria stumbled upon him by accident, and they ended up together," Harvey explained.
His dark, square face was filled with anger. "That girl sure is lucky." Grace sat on the couch, carefully examining the report without saying a word.
But Chloe couldn't contain her frustration. "No, absolutely not. If Victoria gives birth to that child, how can I marry Leo?"
"Chloe, calm down!"
Seeing Chloe's agitation, Grace snapped, "You've been getting along well with Leo these past couple of months. He speaks highly of you, which means he doesn't like Victoria. Why are you so angry?"
"But Victoria is pregnant with Leo's child! I can't let her have that baby."
Chloe's face turned red with fury, her eyes filled with a murderous intent that was truly terrifying.
"Are you crazy? Don't forget your current status. The issue with Victoria's adoptive parents hasn't settled yet, and you want to go after Leo's child? Do you still want to marry into the Carter Family?"
Grace scolded her sharply, "If you don't curb your arrogance and impatience, you'll never achieve anything great in life."
After the reprimand, Chloe finally quieted down. Sitting on the couch, her eyes reddened with grievance, she couldn't help but feel an intense hatred for that wretched Victoria.
Just as the room fell into silence, Chloe's phone rang. She sniffled, pulled out a tissue to wipe her tears, and saw that it was Leo calling.
Chloe immediately composed herself and answered the phone in a soft, gentle voice, "Leo?"
"Do you want to marry into the Carter Family?"
Leo's straightforward question left no room for ambiguity.
"Huh? What? I... I didn't hear you clearly, Leo," Chloe stammered. How could she not have heard it clearly?
She distinctly heard Leo asking if she wanted to marry into the Carter Family!
But the news was so sudden that it caught her completely off guard.
It was like a windfall from the heavens, leaving her utterly stunned.
"Do you want to marry me?"
"I... I, of course, of course I do," Chloe stammered in excitement. "But... Leo, your proposal is so sudden, I wasn't prepared at all..."
At this point, all thoughts of playing hard to get or maintaining the poised demeanor of a noble lady were thrown out the window.
Because Leo had asked her if she wanted to marry into the Carter Family?!
"If you agree, I will announce our engagement to the public in four days." Victoria was already over two months pregnant, and Leo knew that the matter could not be delayed any longer. He had to get engaged quickly.
This way, when Victoria's baby is born, he could marry Chloe under the pretense of a shotgun wedding, and the timing would be just right.
Chloe was overjoyed, suddenly feeling that all her past efforts had been worth it.
She nodded eagerly, "I do, I do agree."
No one knew how thrilled and happy Chloe was at that moment.
Becoming Leo's bride was the greatest honor for the Turner Family and her deepest wish fulfilled.
"Hmm. I'll have George discuss the other details with your family," Leo said coldly. Even when discussing his engagement with Chloe Turner, his demeanor remained as icy as ever, making it impossible to read his emotions.
After hanging up the phone, Chloe, overwhelmed with emotion, looked at her mother, Grace, with teary eyes. The next moment, she threw herself into her mother's arms. "Mommy, Leo is going to get engaged to me! He said we'll be engaged in four days!"
"Really?"
"Yes, I'm sure. I'm absolutely sure."
"That's wonderful, just wonderful. Our Chloe is a lady of high standing, and marrying Young Master Carter is a match made in heaven."
Grace patted her daughter's shoulder with great satisfaction, feeling genuinely pleased.
It took a while for the excited Chloe to calm down. The joy that had lit up her face moments ago faded away.
Staring at the investigation report on the table, a dark, murderous intent filled Chloe's eyes. "Leo is going to get engaged to me, so does Victoria's baby still need to be around?"