"She won''t show her face. She''s given the Huber family one week to think it over. In a week, we either meet her to sign the marriage license, or we wait to receive the remains of the abortion."


    The tant threat infuriated Tarquin. He asked, his face grim, "If she''s so sure the baby is yours, why won''t she agree to a paternity test?"


    Keaton was agitated. "I asked. She won''t exin. She just said the Huber family can choose not to believe her. Just give her a straight answer, and then wait for the package to arrive."


    Beatrix knew perfectly well that Richard and Janelle were soft-hearted and desperate for a grandchild. They wouldn''t dare take that risk. And Keaton, being a dutiful son, wouldn''t risk it either. The sight of a dead fetus would utterly destroy his parents; it might even kill them.


    "...So what are you going to do?" Tarquin asked coldly.


    Keaton ran a hand through his hair. "I don''t know. But there''s no way I''m marrying her. As for the baby... sigh..." He couldn''t figure out a solution.


    He had never thought about having kids before, but seeing how much his parents longed for a grandchild made him soften a little. It might be nice to give them a descendant. But marrying Beatrix? Absolutely not.


    Tarquin took a drag from his cigarette and said slowly, "Whether the baby is yours or not, you''re the one who gave Beatrix the confidence to act this way."


    Any other woman, even if she were genuinely pregnant with Keaton''s child, wouldn''t dare threaten him so brazenly. Keaton was a flirt who was all smiles around women, but he had a temper. When dealing with enemies, he was ruthless. He could easily bring the Sutton family to ruin. For Beatrix to be so audacious meant she was confident that no matter what she did, Keaton wouldn''ty a hand on her.


    Keaton smoked his cigarette, not refuting Tarquin''s words. He knew, deep down, that Beatrix was so bold precisely because she was banking on him not hurting her.


    Keaton didn''t borate on his history with Beatrix, and Tarquin didn''t press. He just asked, "Where is Beatrix now? Shouldn''t you try to talk to her in person?"


    "She''s in hiding," Keaton said.


    "Hmm? Why hide?"


    "Probably afraid I''ll force her to have


    an I


    tion. And even if I found h


    there''s nothing to talk about. She''s burned


    her bridges on the


    Tarquin didn''t understand. "She doesn''t even like you. Why is she so desperate to marry you?"


    Keaton flicked his ash. "She wants the status of being Mrs. Huber."


    Before Tarquin could ask, Keaton exined, "The title of Mrs. Huber would solidify her position within the Sutton family."


    Tarquin''s brow furrowed slightly. "Is she not doing well in the Sutton family?"


    Keaton paused before answering. "She''s the illegitimate daughter of the Sutton family. She''s not exactly weed with open arms there."


    Tarquin was speechless.


    The Suttons were not in the same social circle as the Bradfords or the Hubers, and they had no business dealings. Tarquin had never paid much attention to them. He had no idea Beatrix was an illegitimate child. When Keaton had first told him he was getting engaged to Beatrix, all he knew was that she was the young daughter of the Sutton family, a highly educated woman.


    At the time, Keaton had said they were just pretending to be together to appease their parents, so Tarquin hadn''t bothered to learn more about her. Anillegitimate daughter who was an outcast... that would exin her desperation totch onto


    Keaton. With her status, she couldn''t hope to marry into a family better than his. In high society,


    open minded patents like Richard and Janelle were rare. Most prominent families insisted on marrying within their own social ss.