A shiver ran down Fiona''s spine.


    That''s right. Just a few days ago, she''d tried to kill Amara but was caught in the act. In that situation, there was no way she could show off in front of Amara; she had made a serious mistake.


    She bit her lower lip, ring at Amara with hatred in her eyes, but she truly didn''t dare say another word.


    Seeing that they had finally quieted down, Amara gave them a brief nce before returning to her own room.


    Shey on the bed for a while, feeling unbearably restless.


    Even though she had managed to push back against Larry in the end—and maybe even stirred a bit of sympathy in him-old habits die hard. Larry was a man who cared deeply about appearances, rigid and traditional. A few words from her wouldn''t be enough to change the way he felt about her being pregnant before marriage. So what would Larry do now?


    After a short while, she couldn''t stay lying down any longer and decided to go outside for a walk.


    Larry was no longer downstairs; she wasn''t sure if he had gone to his own room or left the house entirely.


    Amara nned to take a stroll in the garden outside the vi, but as soon as she stepped out, she saw Finnian''s car parked there.


    She froze for a moment-Finnian hadn''t left yet?


    "What brings you out here?" Finnian asked as he walked over. "How did things go with your father?"


    Amara was in no mood to talk and just shook her head before heading off on her own walk.


    Finnian could guess what had happened inside, so he didn''t press her for details. He simply followed behind her in silence.


    Before long, a housekeeper came outside, looked around, and when she spotted Amara, approached her. "Ms. Amara Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan would like to see you."


    Amara nodded. “I''ll go with you.” She apanied the housekeeper to Larry''s study.


    After resting there for a moment, Amara noticed that Larry looked a bit better than before, though there was a newyer of exhaustion on his face he seemed to have aged


    several years all at once.


    When Amara entered, he motioned for her to sit. She pulled out the chair in front of his desk and sat down, facing him.


    Larry studied her for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Were you forced into this?"


    Amara was taken aback, and then realized that Larry was implying she must have been taken advantage of for this pregnancy to have happened-—just as Mr. Kevin Everly had assumed.


    She was silent for a moment. "Something like that."


    After all, she truly had been forced by Finnian that night.


    Larry let out a heavy sigh. "Have the baby terminated. Once you''ve taken care of it regardless of whether you ever get married, give you I''ll the majority shares in the family business."


    Amara was stunned. She hadn''t expected that, under these


    barry would still be


    circumsther the


    willing to give her


    shares though with such a


    ele


    condition. Was he so ashamed by


    the thought of a child with no known background?


    Amara steadied herself and said, “Dad, I want to keep this baby."


    Larry''s expression darkened immediately. "This child has no name, no identity. Why would you want to keep it?”


    His face was stern. "My condition is non-negotiable. As long as you get rid of the child, I''ll give you the shares. It''s your decision."


    With that, Larry stood up and strode out of the study.


    Amara felt a surge of anger, but in truth, this oue was much better than she had expected.


    She had thought that once Larry learned she was pregnant out of wedlock, he would not only refuse her the shares but also force her to have an abortion. Now...