Natalie was firm in her decision. No matter what the Langley family''s secret was, she would never get involved with Marcus out of mere curiosity.


    Upon seeing Natalie''s resolute attitude, Olivia stopped pressing the issue. She reached over and hugged Natalie.


    "Let''s sleep," she said softly. "Nat, I''m so d you''ve finally escaped the clutches of the Langley family''s vampires."


    "Yeah."


    "Nat, it hurts knowing how Mrs. Langley Senior deceived and used you, doesn''t it?"


    Natalie fell silent. After a long pause, she gently caressed Olivia''s hair. "What''s there to be hurt about? I''m just relieved. Enough. Let''s sleep."


    "Okay!"


    They settled under the covers, exchanged a few more words, and drifted off to sleep.


    A white Mercedes E300 slowly drove into Holden Residence in the dead of night.


    The door opened after the car stopped at the gate, and Cassie, dressed in high- end luxury fashion, stepped out.


    Behind her, Sophia, wearing a ck trench coat and hooded cloak, also got out of the car.


    "I already called Marcus in advance," Cassie said, ncing at Sophia. "He''s waiting for us in the study. Sophia, don''t be afraid."


    She looked at Sophia with a gentle expression. "Don''t worry! Marcus will definitely help you. You two had a good rtionship before, so he won''t just stand by and let you suffer."


    Sophia''s face was hidden beneath the cloak under the moonlight, but it was still clear how pale and worn out she looked. She seemed frail and uneasy.


    Cassie''s gaze shifted downward, noticing the slight roundness of Sophia''s stomach.


    "Don''t worry."


    "Thank you, Ms. Holden," Sophia said, her voice weak. She instinctively ced her hands on her stomach, her eyes filled with unshed tears.


    She was Sky''s girlfriend, and they dated in an orderly manner. However, she had not spoken to him since bing pregnant.


    He had only been going along with the rtionship to fulfill his duties, not out of love.


    The child in her womb wasn''t Sky''s, and she feared that if the Sinir family found out, they would kill her.


    On Sky''s side, the engagement would most likely be called off. While the families might try to preserve the marriage for their business interests, Sophia feared a loveless marriage and dreaded what would happen next.


    She had no idea what to do and even thought of ending it all. But when she was about to jump into the river, Cassie happened to pass by and saved her.


    Since then, Cassie had stayed by her side,forting and advising her. Cassie even promised to find the best, most reliable doctor to perform an abortion for her. That was when Sophia gave up on her suicidal thoughts and agreed to stay at Cassie''s house, waiting for the procedure to be arranged.


    Sophia was the heiress of the Sinir family, but she was neglected and had little presence in the family. If it weren''t for the marriage contract between Phillip and Isaac and her being Sky''s girlfriend, Ivan would have probably kicked her out by


    now.


    Sophia had hoped to meet Elim for the procedure thest time Cassie took her to meet Charles.


    "Sophia, I won''t go in when we meet Marcuster. You''ll handle it yourself, okay?" Cassie led Sophia into the mansion, which was almost silent at night, with only the on-duty helpers and security personnel around.


    Since Cassie had informed Marcus in advance, their entry was unhindered.


    Elijah, who was guarding outside the study, immediately approached when he saw them.


    "Madam Holden, Ms. Sinir, Mr. Holden is waiting for you inside."


    Cassie was quite displeased with Elijah''s manner of addressing her, but she couldn''t do much about it, so she shot him a look of disdain.


    Noticing her re, he pretended to be concerned. "Madam Holden, why is your eye twitching? Should I rmend an eye doctor?"


    "Shut up." She snapped back at him. "You''re the one who should see an eye doctor, not me!"


    Clearly not backing down, Elijah retorted, "Madam Holden, my vision is 5.0. I have the eyesight of a fighter pilot!"


    "You!" Cassie was about to lose her temper but decided it wasn''t worth it to argue with Elijah.


    "Take Ms. Sinir in," she said with a sigh.


    "Ms. Sinir, this way, please."


    Elijah lightly knocked on the study door three times, and after receiving permission, he opened it for Sophia.


    "Thank you," Sophia politely thanked Elijah before walking in.


    Marcus was sitting behind his desk, rubbing between his eyebrows. A faintyer of exhaustion covered his features. When he saw Sophia enter,


    he raised his chin slightly, signaling Elijah to get some warm milk


    Since she was pregnant, her health was of utmost importance, regardless of her


    wishes.


    "Sophia, have a seat," Marcus said.


    Sophia removed her cloak and sat on the couch.


    "I''m sorry for disturbing you at such ate hour." She sped her fingers


    nervously, feeling out of ce.


    "Who''s the father of the child? Does he know you''re pregnant? What do you n


    to do about Sky?" he asked calmly, his gaze steady.


    Her face grew even paler. "Can I not say?"


    "You can," Marcus replied without pressing further. "But Sophia, have you really thought this through? I just think that since you''re pregnant, it''s not just your business. The father has the right to know."


    "This is my business," she responded without hesitation. "I don''t want this child. The father doesn''t deserve to know. As for Sky, he doesn''t love me, and I don''t love him. We''re just fulfilling a marriage contract made by our grandfathers. When the time is right, we''ll break it off.


    "Marcus, I''m too afraid to undergo the procedure in any hospital in Dithoria State."


    Sophia''s eyes welled up with tears. "I want to minimize the risks. I want to live."


    After hearing this, he paused for a while before giving a slight nod. "I can help you. We won''t do the procedure in Dithoria State, but I can''t guarantee that we''ll be able to get Elim."


    "Okay." She stood up, her gratitude apparent. "Thank you, Marcus."


    Marcus rubbed his be. "You should stay with my aunt tonight. Tomorrow morning, we''ll visit the Walker family."


    "Why go to the Walker family? Are you going to tell Sky?" She grew cautious. "If you''re going to tell him, you can pretend I was never here."


    "Natalie, the heiress of the Walker family, is a good friend of Elim''s." Marcus paused briefly. "She has more say in front of Elim than even


    Elim''s assistant. Since you don''t want Sky to know, I won''t say anything."


    Sophia finally rxed after she heard this. "Sorry, I was being too sensitive just


    now."


    "It''s fine. I''ll have Elijah take you to rest."


    Just then, there was a knock on the door.


    "Mr. Holden, Ms. Sinir''s milk is here."


    Elijah had just arrived at that moment.