Chapter 32

"Jennifer?" Emily called out softly. snapping Jennifer out of her thoughts.

Just then. two kids. a boy and a girl. ran over. one holding a hot dog and the other a burger,laughing and playing.

Emily watched them with a tender smile, but the smell of the hot dog made her stomach churn. and she felt an overwhelming urge to vomit.

"What's up with you?" Jennifer asked. frowning with disdain.

"Nothing." Emily replied. trying to suppress her morning sickness.

Jennifer's intuition kicked in. "Hold on... Are you pregnant?"

"No!" Emily quickly denied. She didn't want her child to have any ties to the Rivera Group.

"Well. no matter how much Patrick likes you. he'll only marry someone from a suitable background. You don't stand a chance,"Jennifer said firmly.

Emily took a deep breath. "Jennifer. you're overthinking it! Even if you begged me. I wouldn't marry into the Rivera family!"

"Good! Keep it that way," Jennifer snapped, standing up and walking away.

As soon as she got into her car. Jennifer called her private investigator. "I need you to check Emily's recent medical records.ASAP."

The information came back quickly-Emily was pregnant!

Jennifer was deep in thought. She had longed to be a grandmother,but she never imagined the mother of her grandchild would be someone like Emily.Keeping the child and discarding the mother seemed like a viable option.

At the office, Shirley pretended to clean Patrick's desk. While wiping it down, she accidentally saw a transfer contract-Patrick had transferred ownership of an apartment to Emily.

Clutching the contract. Shirley trembled with rage. "If I can't deal with you,someone else can!"

Shirley stood at the Rivera family mansion and rang the doorbell.The butler opened the door, and she walked in without even looking up, as if she owned the place.

Seeing Jennifer sipping tea on the sofa, Shirley quickly approached and clung to her arm.

"Jennifer, you have to stand up for Patrick!" Shirley's eyes filled with tears.

"What happened, Shirley?" Jennifer asked gently.

"Jennifer,that Emily forced Patrick to transfer an apartment to her!"Shirley said angrily, handing over the contract.

Jennifer glanced at it briefly.

"Emily must have used some trick to deceive Patrick!" Shirley continued.

Jennifer recalled seeing Emily in the city and realized Patrick likely initiated the transfer. Emily probably didn't even know about it yet.Given that she was pregnant. Patrick's actions made sense.

Seeing no reaction from Jennifer. Shirley added fuel to the fire."Maybe Emily just wants a place to fool around with other guysand pop out a bastard.!"

Before Shirley could finish. Jennifer slapped her hard across the face.

"Enough! This was Patrick's decision! Now get out!" Jennifer said firmly.

Shirley was stunned. Jennifer, who had always been kind to her.had suddenly turned hostile. She didn't know what to do.

"Out!" Jennifer pointed to the door. "You can say whatever you want about Emily. but you will not speak ill of my grandchild!" Jennifer was visibly agitated.

Shirley stood outside the Rivera family mansion. the door that once held so much hope now closed, shutting her out completely.

Her eyes filled with disbelief and disappointment as memories of her time there flashed by like a movie.

From childhood to adolescence, she had grown up in that house with

Patrick, often fantasizing about becoming the lady of the house,being accepted by everyone.

As time passed, she became more brazen, enjoying everything in the house without hesitation. Patrick and Jennifer's tolerance made her believe she was already part of the family, her position unshakable.

But reality hit hard. The closed door was an insurmountable barrier.bluntly telling her she was just the daughter of a foolish driver.nothing more.

Shirley laughed bitterly, tears glistening in her eyes. "What am I to them?"

She muttered angrily, her voice filled with rage and resentment."When they looked down on Emily, they used me as a shield. Now they think she's better? They're insane. What's so great about her? She's just a whore."

Shirley buried her anger deep inside. Having lived under someone else's roof for so long, even when furious, she had to suppress her emotions.

"A child?" Shirley muttered. "Emily doesn't deserve to have a child.Patrick is mine! His child should be mine!"

Her eyes gleamed with madness as she clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, oblivious to the pain.

Consumed by anger and jealousy, she was certain she hadn't misheard Jennifer mention the child.

Shirley thought. 'No wonder Emily's been leaving the company and moving out of the apartment. She's trying to get everyone's attention.

Now that she's carrying Patrick's child. she has to act all high and mighty. After all, the Rivera family and I have humiliated her plenty.Of course, she wants revenge! Shirley convinced herself that Emily was flaunting and taunting her.

"Emily. I won't let you have him. There's no way you're bringing Patrick's child into this world! And forget about stepping into the Rivera family! As long as I'm here. you'll never set foot in the Rivera mansion!" Shirley spat out her words with venom. glancing at the setting sun. The warm light did nothing to ease her cold heart.

Grabbing her bag from the ground. she turned and walked away. her silhouette lonely and desolate in the fading light.