Hearing this, Sophia wanted to p her. She hissed in frustration, “Joanna, I''ve been swallowing my pride and helping you from the shadows, and this is what you do? Didn''t I tell you to hold onto Sebastian? I know you don''t like his gloomy personality, but everything that man possesses is what you need most."


    "If it''s not his child, you can''t take this risk. You have to get rid of this baby. I will not let you end up like me, with your child being illegitimate.”


    "If you try to pass off another man''s child as a Griffith, you''ll end up dead."


    Sophia was so angry her eyes turned red, tears streaming down her face.


    Joanna had been wrestling with this herself, which was why she came to her mother for advice.


    Her expression darkened. "But, I want to use this baby."


    Sophia immediately shot down the idea. “Joanna, you can''t risk it. It will be impossible to clean up the messter. You''ve always been so smart, why would you ruin your future over a child?"


    "If you are determined to marry Sebastian, I can help you, but this baby absolutely cannot stay. Nothing has ever happened between you two. Even if you manage to trap Sebastian now, it''s toote. The truth coulde out at any moment."


    "And don''t forget, many of the medical systems are developed by the Griffith family. It would be easy for them to find out how far along you are."


    "I''ll go with you to the hospital tomorrow to take care of it. This is your best option. Besides, your career is on the rise. If people find out you''re pregnant out of wedlock, your acting career will be over."


    Sophia was both anxious and angry. She had learned a few tricks over the years, but she had never taught her daughter to be so reckless.


    She sobbed, “Joanna, I encouraged you to learn all thedylike arts, to study music and literature, all to use Wendy as your ticket into high society."


    "And this isn''t the oue I wanted. Wendy is still alive and well, and only one of her four sons is dead. You got herpany, but why does it feel like we haven''t gained anything at all?"


    Sophia had this feeling, an ethereal sense that none of it was real.


    Joanna touched her belly. "Mom, look into Robert''s family. What do they do?"


    Sophia stared at her, frowning. "Aren''t you supposed to marry Sebastian? And what about that man you ran off with all those years ago? Right, almost forgot, wasnt he the one you loved most? Are you going to marry Robert?"


    Joanna closed her eyes in pain. After a long moment, she said, "Mom, I think he''s using me too."


    "What?" Sophia''s eyes widened with shock, pain, and disbelief.


    This was not the ending she had envisioned.


    She wanted Wendy''s entire family dead, leaving her to reap the


    rewards to be the m


    Mrs. Scott with billions in


    But now? She was still a rat, hiding in the shadows.


    Now that Wendy had discovered her and Nathan, if their affair was exposed, her two children would be branded as illegitimate.


    "Mom, this baby can go, but Natalie has to take the fall for it."


    "How?” Joanna''s smile was chilling. "I''m going to make it look like Natalie is the one getting an abortion."


    Sophia was speechless.


    She was furious. Was her daughter so obsessed with Natalie''s demise that she''d lost her mind?


    "Joanna, I''m begging you, stop this madness. If you get caught, you''ll be ruined. Your face alone won''t be enough to get you out of it. You have to fisten to me on this, do you understand?"


    Joanna said, "No, Mom. I have a way."


    Sophia was wary. "What way?"