Hearing that, Thea felt a slight headache. Under Max's intense gaze, however, she braced herself, walked to Jake's side, and answered Simone with actions, kneeling beside Jake. This didn't mean she would obey blindly.

Simone and Max exchanged a look of unconcealed satisfaction and relief.

Jake looked at Thea in surprise, his gaze complex—a mixture of guilt and tenderness. "It's true I haven't treated you well in the past, neglecting your feelings. But from now on, Thea, I will treat you right. You've always been the only wife in my heart," he said.

Thea almost laughed coldly. Blinking, she said, "What about Madelyn? She's pregnant with your child. I heard from both sets of parents that they plan to keep the child and get rid of her."

Jake avoided her gaze. "I'm not that ruthless. After Madelyn gives birth, I'll send her away, somewhere you can't see. I won't upset you. Her child will be yours, sparing you the pain of childbirth."

Thea was amused. Can his scheme be any more obvious? Does he think I'm easily fooled?

Jake planned to send Madelyn away, but he didn't guarantee he wouldn't see her again. So, not only do I have to raise my husband's mistress's child, I also have to face the possibility of them getting back together, Thea thought. If that happened, she doubted Simone and Jepson would support her. She considered Jake's family foolish and cruel.

Frowning, Thea stated, "I refuse. From now on, Madelyn remains under the Rowland family's control. Furthermore, you must send the child away—I don't care where. The three of you are never to meet again. And I intend to expose Madelyn's actions online and make her pay."

Madelyn, listening from the side, widened her eyes. Clutching her stomach, she knelt before Thea, sobbing, "Miss Rowland, I harbor no ill will toward you. Why do you want to destroy me? How can I possibly live with this?"

Thea stood and arrogantly kicked Madelyn's shoulder. "If you had the audacity to seduce my husband, you should have anticipated the consequences. I'm being merciful. Blame yourself for your shamelessness," she said.

Madelyn cried out in pain, falling to the ground, supporting herself to protect her belly. Thin and helpless, she trembled with fear and anger, looking pitiable.

Thea inwardly clicked her tongue. Madelyn, you're not trying hard enough. This isn't enough to make Jake feel sorry for you.

Rolling up her sleeves, Thea slapped Madelyn across the face, looking down at her as if she were trash. She was the very picture of an evil woman. "Why are you crying? If you don't stop, I'll have you dragged away and locked up! This is entirely your fault. Who are you trying to pity-party for?"

Simone and Jepson exchanged uneasy glances. Thea's words were true, but her behavior felt wrong.

When the bodyguards dragged Madelyn away, Jake could contain himself no longer. He shoved Thea aside, rushing to hold Madelyn in his arms, treating her with extreme care.

Madelyn smiled miserably in his arms. "Jake, please don't be angry with Miss Rowland. She's right. Someone like me doesn't deserve to bear your child. Perhaps I was wrong from the start."

Jake felt a knife twisting in his heart.

Thea, however, had no time for their melodrama. With a cold expression, she moved forward, intending to escalate the conflict.

"Jake," she said furiously, "didn't you say you wanted to reconcile? Now that I'm dealing with Madelyn, you should step aside. I'll handle it since you can't bear to hurt her. I promise to get rid of her for good."

Jake glared at her fiercely, as if she were an enemy. "Thea, I said that because I thought you might be willing to change after our recent time together. But you're still vicious and selfish! Fine, hate Madelyn, but why won't you let the child be?"

Thea smirked nastily. "I'm sorry, but a child whose mother is like Madelyn isn't worthy of being raised by me. It's a waste of the Hendrix and Rowland families' resources."

Jake urgently looked at Simone, unhappy. "Mom, are you just going to let Thea run wild? Let me tell you something—I had Madelyn get a gender test. She's carrying a boy."

Simone's eyes lit up. She looked at Madelyn intently, her first serious look of the day. "Really?" she asked.

Madelyn, tears still in her eyes, nodded shyly and obediently. "Yes. The doctor said the baby is healthy, a lively boy."

Simone beamed, and even Jepson's expression softened. Thea, however, was also pleased.

Stepping forward, she winked at Simone. "Mrs. Hendrix, you said Jake and I are one. Who does Madelyn think she is? Besides, my decision is for Jake's good. An illegitimate child will hurt his reputation."

Simone grew impatient. "Then just announce publicly that the child is yours!"

Thea's eyebrows twitched. She glanced at Max; his expression had darkened. The Rowland family respected the Hendrix family, but that didn't mean they lacked dignity.

Thea looked aggrieved. "Mrs. Hendrix, how can you say that? Not just anyone can be a Rowland child. My bottom line is that Madelyn and her child must go."

"No!" Jake and Madelyn exclaimed simultaneously.