Chapter 35
Eric’s expression was so sincere that, if I didn’t know we were putting on an act, I’d almost believe him. Although my parents showed no signs of anger, they still gave me a stern lecture. They thought I had acted recklessly. Even if I had fallen in love with someone else, I should have waited until I was divorced from Jeremiah before taking the next step. I listened quietly without arguing. After seeing my remorseful demeanor, they stopped talking and sighed. They told me to go home and have a good rest so as not to harm my baby.
As Eric and I were about to leave, Elsa hurried after us.
“Jane, how are you feeling? After being in the water for so long, you should go to the hospital to check on the baby’s health.”
I looked closely at her face, which was filled with fake concern, and suddenly smiled. “Don’t worry. My baby is as strong as I am. We won’t die so easily.”
Elsa’s gaze flickered toward my belly. “You shouldn’t say things like that! It might come true. You and the baby must stay safe and sound.”
“If you really wish for us to be safe, you wouldn’t have pushed me into the water,” I replied sharply.
The color drained from Elsa’s face upon hearing my words. She was about to open her mouth to say something, but I was in no mood to listen. I bent down and climbed into Eric’s car.
Eric was a steady driver. I closed my eyes and slowly fell asleep. By the time I woke up, we had already arrived. I opened my eyes and met Eric’s deep, black eyes. He was leaning against his seat, leisurely watching me. It seemed he had been watching for quite some time.
I composed myself and awkwardly avoided his gaze. “Why didn’t you wake me up when we arrived? Anyway, thanks for today.” I kept dragging him into my mess over and over again. A few dinners would not be enough to repay him.
“You don’t have to thank me. We’re in the same boat now,” Eric quipped. He leaned in closer, his hand reaching for the seat belt buckle to unfasten it for me. The close proximity made me tense up, and I gulped nervously. Eric glanced down at me for a second, and a devilish grin spread across his face. “This is pretty fun! But the next time you have any ideas, please tell me ahead of time, or I’ll blow our cover.” With that, he leaned back into his seat.
The heavy tension in the air lifted a little, and I relaxed. “Most people tend to avoid trouble like the plague. Aren’t you a special one?” I teased. “But I understand. If I have any plans, I’ll inform you beforehand. I’m going in now.” I stepped out of the car, waved goodbye, and entered my house.
Once the news of my pregnancy came out, I knew it was only a matter of time before the Cornells found out, but I did not expect them to know so soon. The next morning, I was still half-asleep when my family’s housekeeper called and said that the Cornells were causing a scene at my family’s house over my alleged affair. I jumped out of bed, quickly cleaned up, and rushed over to my family’s home immediately. The moment I entered the door, I heard voices arguing loudly.
“This is not up for discussion! It was Jane who wronged the Cornells in the first place. What right do you have to cancel the cooperation? You’re making it look like the Cornells did something wrong!”
“If you want us to keep this a secret, reinstate the Westin project now!”
Hearing this, my expression turned cold. “No way! The Browns will never work with Cornell Group ever again!” I shouted. On the surface, Cornell Group wanted to continue the partnership, but in reality, the project was a ploy to make the Browns shoulder Cornell Group’s massive financial losses.