Ch. 1821..1830

Married by Mistake: Mr. Whitman’s Sinner Wife chapter 1821 Carter’s heart trembled when he heard that.

He kept a steady gaze and looked at Shirley, who still wore a cold expression in her eyes. “Why are you only telling me this now?” Shirley laughed indifferently. “I’ve come here with a purpose, of course. I want to strike a deal with you. Otherwise, I might not have bothered to let you know.” “ ” Carter pursed his lips when he heard her reply. He could not think of a retort.

Camille’s expression darkened. “ Shirley, are you saying that you’d use the baby as a bargaining tool in exchange for benefits?”

“You’re absolutely right, Mrs. Gray. I’m indeed here today for some benefits,” Shirley admitted openly without refrain.

Carter and Camille were stunned; Ada was burning with rage, but she felt less threatened now because of Shirley’s attitude.

“What do you want?” Carter asked directly.

Shirley threw a glance at Ada, then replied, “I’d like to talk with you in private. After all, some matters aren’t suitable to be discussed in the presence of outsiders.” Ada knew that Shirley was referring to her as the “ outsider”.

Ada’s temper instantly exploded, and she pointed a t Shirley and cursed, “How could you be so shameless, Shirley?! You’re the one who came looking for my husband, and yet you speak such outrageous things. You’ve got such thick skin!” Shirley looked at Ada uncaringly. “You should know best whether my skin is thick or thin, right?” “ ” Ada understood the hidden meaning behind Shirley’s sarcastic words, but she could not care less at the moment. Ada just wanted to vent her anger. “ Shirley, you…” “Shut your mouth, ” Carter brusquely cut her off. “ ” Ada, startled, immediately closed her mouth.

“You’d like to speak with me privately? Alright then. Come with me,” Carter said to Shirley, then turned around and headed directly toward the staircase.

Shirley raised her head and looked at Cathy. “ Stay here and wait for me, Cathy.

Mrs. Gray is a hospitable person. She won’t make things difficult for you.” Cathy nodded. “Don’t worry about me. Just shout for me if anything happens.” “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. ” Shirley calmly said and steered her wheelchair toward the elevator.

She knew the manor very well, even better than Ada.

As Ada watched Shirley and Carter head upstairs one after another, Ada felt even more annoyed.

“Mom, are you going to let Shirley get her way? Look at how she was acting.

She’s clearly here to provoke me. She can’t be pregnant with Carter’s baby.

Carter isn’t even fond of her! ” Ada kept on denying because she was feeling unsettled.

Carter and Shirley had been together for over ten years. It would be difficult to explain their relationship clearly.

Camille ignored Ada. She had not liked Ada in the first place. She had only agreed to the marriage so that Carter could officially inherit the right of succession.

Cathy had sat down quietly in the same spot after Shirley went upstairs.

Camille took a measured look at Cathy for a while, then asked, “Miss, is your last name Jordan?” Cathy kept quiet but nodded her head timidly.

Camille pondered for a few seconds and spoke again, “I think I’ve met you before somewhere. You look familiar to me.” When she heard this, Cathy gave Camille a serious look. “I believe we’ve never met, Mrs. Gray.” “I guess you’re right,” Camille said with a smile but kept her gaze on Cathy’s face.

At this point, Ada was feeling even more like an outsider.

Married by Mistake: Mr. Whitman’s Sinner Wife chapter 1822 She was clearly the hostess of this family, but she seemed to be nothing more than just that title.

The second floor.

Shirley entered Carter’s study room with a sense of familiarity.

Although it was daytime, Carter had drawn the curtains. He also closed the door behind Shirley after she entered.

He turned around and looked at Shirley who was seated in a wheelchair. He closed his eyes, hoping this was merely a figment of his imagination.

 

Unfortunately, when he reopened them, Shirley remained in the wheelchair.

Suddenly, it occurred to him that Shirley had always been seated when they met the last few times.

Evidently, it was due to the loss of ability in her legs.

Unable to comprehend the situation, Carter was upset, and the rage within him continued to grow.

“What exactly is going on? Your legs… how did it happen?” Carter spoke from behind Shirley; the anger in his voice was suppressed.

“You seem concerned about my legs, Mr. Gray. There’s nothing much to say, except that I may have committed too many bad deeds. This is retribution.” “….” Carter refused to accept such a reply. He strode up to her and grasped the back of her neck just like before, then placed his face directly in front of her sight.

“Tell me the truth, Shirley. What exactly happened to your legs?” Carter repeated his question. He appeared to be in a foul mood.

Shirley restrained her trembling heart, and in her usual tone, she responded, “As I’ve said, I was hit by a car, and that’s the truth. Don’t you think that’s retribution?” “Don’t lie to me! Did Jeremy do this to you?” Carter questioned her angrily. “When you left without returning that time, it was Jeremy who took you! ” “You’re right. He was the one who took me that day, but he didn’t hit me with a car,” Shirley answered honestly, “he only injected me with the anti-toxoid test reagent. It was the same type as the one you’d placed in Madeline’s wine.” After hearing what Shirley said, Carter’s expression became even more solemn; his eyebrows looked like they were tied together.

Shirley continued in her calm tone, “That’s why I’m here today. To make a deal.” Carter resentfully glared at Shirley. “What deal?” “Do you want the baby?” “What do you mean?” “If you want the baby, I’ll let the baby remain, but you have to provide me with the anti -toxoid test reagent formula for AXT6g. I’d like to develop the anti-toxoid test reagent myself. Should you not want this baby, I’ll have an abortion immediately, and our deal will end here.” Carter’s grasp tightened on the back of Shirley’s neck. “What did you just say, Shirley?! Are you aware of what you’re saying?! You’re using our child to bargain!

” Looking at Carter’s angry expression, Shirley could not decide if she should feel happy.

Did he care?

Was he just upset by her attitude?

Shirley had no way of knowing what Carter was thinking, but she was certain he would want to keep the child.

Even if Carter was truly ruthless and did not want the baby, Camille would never agree to it.

Shirley quietly weighed all her options in her heart before responding indifferently to Carter.

“You’re wrong, Carter. This is your baby. Do you think I’ll care about such an insignificant little thing? To me, he’s just a bargaining chip to acquire the anti toxoid test reagent.”

Married by Mistake: Mr. Whitman's Sinner Wife chapter 1823

Carter narrowed his eyes and involuntarily loosened his grip on the back of Shirley's neck.

He was stunned by her indifference. This was not right.

Shirley would never behave like this in the past.

Now, the way she looked at him, and the way she spoke, were that of enemies—cold and hostile.

“Hah.” Carter laughed softly and released Shirley's neck.

“You want the anti-toxoid test reagent formula for AXT6g? I'll never give it to you, ” Carter rejected with a cold laugh.

He had thought his answer could frighten and unsettle Shirley. He had not expected Shirley to be abnormally calm instead.

“Since you're not interested in this deal, let's pretend I didn't come by today.” Shirley steered her wheelchair around the second she finished speaking.

When Carter saw this, he reached out and grabbed Shirley's wrist.

Shirley, whose wheelchair had been moving forward when Carter yanked her back, instantly fell off her wheelchair.

Her legs, which could not support her at all, caused her to collapse helplessly onto the floor.

Carter froze at the unexpected turn of events.

He had not intended to yank her out of her wheelchair. He never imagined that she could not even stand up with her own legs.

Dumbfounded, he stared at Shirley, who was struggling to get up from the floor, and he felt needles prickling his heart.

Shirley, noticing the dazed Carter, quickly slipped her wrist free from his grip, held onto the edge of the table, and tried to stand up with all her strength.

Perhaps she was mentally distracted, she was unable to stand up despite all her efforts.

Of course, how could she stand up? Her legs were useless now.

Shirley gritted her teeth, refusing to give up. She tried endlessly but still failed.

Shirley was about  to run out of  strength when Carter suddenly lifted her and held her horizontally in his arms.

Shirley glanced sideways at Carter, who had a conflicted expression on his face, and pretended to be unbothered and shifted her gaze away.

Carter placed Shirley down on the sofa, then stood back up and stared at her legs.

Shirley was 1.7 meters tall and had a proportionate, slender figure. She had beautiful legs too, but now...

Shirley saw that Carter kept staring at her legs.

She felt an ache in her heart, but she could already see through him. It would be pointless to be sad now.

Carter, my reason for being here today is clear. If you don't give me the ingredients for the anti- toxoid test reagent formula, this baby will definitely die.

Carter was truly shocked by Shirley's cold and inhumane behavior at this moment.

“You've really opened up my eyes, Shirley,” Carter countered sarcastically. “Given that you're really pregnant, don't even think about handling the baby alone. I won't give you the chance."

Carter reached out and lifted Shirley's chin, and his cold eyes narrowed.

"Now that you're here, and you've shared such wonderful news with me, don't even think about leaving.”

Carter, I'm not sure you've completely grasped the situation."""

“Listen carefully. The poison in my body has reached the third stage. If the anti-toxoid test reagent is not developed soon, this little thing will be the first to be affected by the poison.”

This little thing.

Married by Mistake: Mr. Whitman's Sinner Wife chapter 1824

Carter's eyebrows snapped together.

He stared into Shirley's cold eyes which saw him as an enemy. Without warning, he reached over and attempted to pull off her mask.

Shirley, I'm really curious to see your expression when you say such things, he said furiously.

Shirley immediately moved her head away to evade and raised her hand to block Carter's hand.

“You'd better not remove my mask. Don't blame me if you catch my flu."

Hah! Carter chuckled dismissively; his gaze was so piercing that it seemed like he was about to engulf her.

In one swift motion, he pushed Shirley's hand aside and ripped her mask off.

Shirley felt her heart stopped for a split second. She hurriedly turned her face sideways, exposing the unscarred side to Carter.

Carter was enraged when Shirley avoided his gaze.

Reaching over, he grasped Shirley's chin and turned her head firmly in his direction.

His anger and dissatisfaction vanished the moment he saw her whole face.

He unknowingly loosened his grip on her chin as well.

“Your face... Who did this?”

Carter was clearly suppressing his anger, but he was unable to hold it for long.

“Who did this?! ”

Shirley had anticipated Carter to be shocked, and maybe even disgusted, at her hideous face, but she had not expected him to be infuriated.

She was uncertain if this was his way of showing that he cared about her.

Even if he cared, how would things change?

Shirley grabbed her mask and swiftly put it back on and then, as if nothing had happened, responded,  " I told you not to remove my mask. I won't be held accountable for your fright.”

Carter exploded in rage when he saw Shirley's impassive attitude.

He grasped Shirley's shoulders, and in a cold tone, he probed, "Shirley, I'm asking you who did this?

Who did this to your face? Was it Jeremy? It's him, wasn't it? There's nobody else except him! ”

“It wasn't Jeremy, ” Shirley denied without hesitation, “Jeremy only injected me with the

«xT6g. He didn't do anything else.”

Carter briefly paused, and his expression darkened. "If it wasn't him, then who could it be? Are  you on his side now? Have you fallen in love with him now that you're spending so much time together every day? That's why you're acting so heartless toward me.”

Upon hearing Carter's questioning, Shirley stared a t him and laughed aloud. "You're wrong. I love myself most.”

“Shirley...”

Do you still don't get it? I came looking for you today because I don't want to suffer again. I need the anti-toxoid test reagent. I don't want to experience the fourth stage's torment. I don't mind if you won't give it to me. You can just wait until this tiny thing dies with me.

Shirley's cruel words opened Carter's eyes.

Carter had no choice but to conceal his burgeoning anger.

All these years, he knew Shirley was unaware that he cared for her.

Years ago, he had brought her home out of kindness, but over time, he grew to love her. The feeling was something he had no control over.

He was not bothered by her background or the fact that she was older than him. His only concern was that he was not good enough for her, that she

would not like him.

He had once heard that the first thing that happens when falling in love was a feeling of inferiority. He had not believed it in the past, but now he did.

Regardless of how good he had become, she still walked away without hesitation back then.

As a result, he "hated" her.

He glared at Shirley with suppressed anger and dissatisfaction.

After taking a deep breath, he asked, “I can give you the formula and ingredients for the anti-toxoid test reagent, but first, you need to tell me who did this t o your face and legs.”

Married by Mistake: Mr. Whitman's Sinner Wife chapter 1825

Ada, who was listening to their conversation behind the door, was frightened by Carter's furious questioning, and her face turned pale.

'If Shirley told the truth, how would I explain myself?'

She anxiously thought. Suddenly, she realized that the study room had become unusually quiet.

Feeling uneasy and curious, Ada leaned closer to the door, her ears practically pressing against it.

She heard a soft “click, ” and the door abruptly swung open.

Carter was standing right in front of Ada, and she turned rigid, unsure of what to do. After a few seconds, she regained her composure and adopted a n awkward demeanor; her face also feigned a gentle smile.

“Carter, I... I was just worried about you. I wasn't eavesdropping.” Ada smiled forcefully as she tried to explain, but she noticed Carter's unusually dark expression at the moment.

She intended to peep into the study room to see what was happening with Shirley, but her gaze was met by Carter’s cold, icy stare.

“Car…Carter?”

“It seems you are much smarter that I expected.”

Upon hearing Carter’s word, Ada froze, and her heart skipping a beat.

Carter, I…I’m not sure what you’re talking about. I….

“You don’t have the right to address me by name. Did you really believe that we got married because I’ve changed my perception of you? You’d never have joined this family if it weren’t because of your family’s worth to me.”

Although Ada already knew that her marriage and her title as Carter’s wife were predicated upon her family ties, hearing it directly from Carter was still an emotional blow to her.

“You’re very brave. You actually dared to harm my woman behind my back.”

Carter’s words pierced through Ada’s heart.

Ada knew that Shirley must have told Carter the truth, thus, he was behaving this way toward Ada.

She shook her head rapidly, acting as if she had been wronged. "Carter, I have no idea what you're talking about. When did I hurt anyone? Who're you referring to? Is it Eveline?”

Hah. Carter laughed coldly. "There's only one woman I care about, and she's the one who is carrying my child."

“   .” Ada had not expected Carter to bring up his relationship with Shirley this way. Ada's heart sank once again.

She could not accept this; her heart was burning with jealousy.

However, Ada knew that she must control her emotions lest she put herself into a disadvantageous position, so she could only feign sadness, forcing tears out of her eyes.

“Really? Do you love Miss Brown? Why are you doing this to me? Carter, you know how I feel about you. All these years, I've loved you with all my heart. I was willing to marry you despite knowing that you're using me for your purposes. All I ever wanted was to be your wife...”

“Stop acting. Did you think I'm unaware that you're seeking the viscountess title? Your family's only helping me so that you can gain a higher power and position. We married for mutual benefit. You don't have to act innocent."

Ada's expression darkened as she listened to Carter's extremely blunt words.

She used her peripheral vision to glance into the study room while putting on a look of disappointment on her face.

“Carter, I know you won' t believe anything I say now, but the feelings I have for you are genuine.

I'm truly heartbroken. I'll just get going. I'd rather not disturb you while you both catch up."

She pretended to wipe away some tears before turning around to leave.

However, Shirley's voice broke through the study room before Ada could even take a step.

Married by Mistake: Mr. Whitman's Sinner Wife chapter 1826

"Are you going to leave just like that?”

Ada abruptly stopped in her tracks. She felt awfully uneasy, but she still turned around, feigning innocence and a wounded expression on her face.

She saw Shirley, who was seated in her wheelchair, approached the doorway slowly.

“Ms. Brown, you've won. I don't want to stay and be humiliated."

“ I've won?” Shirley was confused when she heard this.

Carter had intentionally kept his voice down during his conversation with Ada, especially when he had spoken those few sentences. He had not wanted Shirley to hear them.

As a result, Shirley was not aware of how important she was to Carter.

Now, she merely found Ada's words amusing.

“Mrs. Gray, do I look like a winner to you? My legs are crippled, and my face is disfigured. I'll be useless for the rest of my life. How am I a winner? Should I be honored that you did all of this personally?”

Sure enough, Shirley revealed it!

Ada flinched and immediately denied, “Ms. Brown, what do you mean? Are you trying to say that I'm responsible for your predicament? Why would... why would I do such a thing to you? Carter, don't listen to her nonsense. I've never done such

harmful things. Ms. Brown is falsely accusing me."

As Ada's voice fell, another voice followed.

“She's not falsely accusing you. I saw everything that night.”

Ada turned around sharply and saw Cathy walking down the corridor with Camille.

This time, Ada was at a loss.

Slowly, Cathy approached Ada, pointing at the cut on Ada's hand.

That cut on your hand came from your struggle with Shirley when you used a knife to hurt Shirley back then. Not only did you hurt her, but you broke her legs as well. She lost the ability to walk because she got hit by a car while trying to escape.

Cathy provided a clear account of the incident.

Shirley had been the one who had told Cathy these details after the incident.

Cathy had decided to believe Shirley after seeing the sincerity in her eyes.

Shirley had indeed changed.

Camille, hearing Cathy's statement, and seeing the knife wound on Shirley's face, was enraged

“What?! Ada, have you gone mad?! How could you possibly do such a thing?! " Camille questioned reprovingly.

Camille was indeed upset when Shirley had left without a word back then. All those years, however, she had treated Shirley like her own daughter. In addition, Shirley was now pregnant. It was only natural for Camille to be on Shirley's side.

Ada, realizing that everybody was watching her, was beginning to panic when her reinforcement promptly arrived.

Ada's mother had rushed over as soon as she received her call. Now, she raced up the stairs and stood in front of Ada, shielding her.

Ada's mother was emboldened by the knowledge that she was of some value.

“So, this is how you treat my daughter in my absence. You bully her together as a group!" Ada's mother glared at Shirley.

“Who do you think you are, Shirley? You were just a stinky beggar that the Gray family took in years ago. How dare you seduce my son-in-law? I'll have to teach you a lesson or you'll assume you can get away with anything!"

Following her furious rebuke, Ada's mother gave Shirley a tight slap directly across the face.

Married by Mistake: Mr. Whitman's Sinner Wife chapter 1827

The slap resounded loud and clear.

Further, she had deliberately hit the side of Shirley's injured face.

The scene had unfolded too suddenly. Camille and Cathy had not expected it, while Ada's mother was satisfied with her "feat,” and Ada was secretly delighted.

However, Ada could only enjoy the moment briefly before she similarly received a hard slap across her right cheek.

“Ouch!” Ada shouted in pain as Carter slapped Ada so hard that she could barely stand up. She also tasted the blood trickling from the corners of her mouth.

Ada and her mother froze, eyes widened. They had not expected Carter to make such a move.

He had actually slapped Ada! Shirley too had not anticipated that.

The burning pain on her cheek seemed to have immediately subsided. Was Carter trying to protect her?

“How dare you slap my daughter, Carter?!” Ada's mother demanded anxiously.

Carter appeared impassive, but his gaze was icy. "I hit your daughter because you slapped my woman. It's only fair."

“ .. Wh... what? Did you just call this stinky beggar your woman?” Ada's mother could not believe her ears.

Shirley too was astonished. She stared at the man who had a cold expression on his face. She briefly wondered if she was dreaming.

He seemed so real in this dream as if he could truly belong to her.

Camille was also surprised by Carter's heartfelt words.

"Would you believe that I could send your entire family to beg on the streets of St. Piaf if you call her a stinky beggar one more time?” Carter warned in a chilling tone.

He glared at Ada as her face paled.

You'd better watch out. Whatever you did to her, I'll do to you as well.”"

“ ….” Ada trembled in fear. When Ada thought about all the things she had done to Shirley, and when Ada took another look at Shirley's current condition, Ada dared not imagine that one day, she too would look like Shirley.

Carter, don't threaten my daughter! Ada's mother commanded. She then spoke in a similarly threatening tone. "Don't forget. If you wish to inherit St Piaf's right of succession, you'll have to depend on our family. If you mistreat Ada, you can bid goodbye to that right."

Carter did not react to the warning from Ada's mother; he continued to fix his gaze on Ada, whose eyes squinted and shoulders narrowed.

If you think I'm joking, you certainly could give it a try.

“….” Although Ada had not dared to look directly at Carter, she knew he was speaking to her.

As for Carter, he turned around as soon as he finished speaking and pushed Shirley's wheelchair forward.

Shirley, momentarily stunned, took a while to react. “Carter, where are you taking me?”

“Didn't you want the ingredients for the anti-toxoid test reagent? I'll give it to you.” Carter's cold voice returned. She could no longer sense the warmth he had shown her a minute ago.

Cathy had intended to follow them, but after some thought, she decided against it.

“Ada, don't be upset or frightened. You're the daughter-in-law of the Gray family now. You're also the honorable Viscountess. Shirley is merely seeking death if she truly dares to challenge your position," Ada's mother assured her, then lifted her eyes to meet Camille.

“Am I right, Camille?”

“…” Camille had always disliked Ada's mother for her arrogant attitude. Over the past few days, Camille had shown Ada's mother some respect for the sake of the marriage. However, Ada's mother was now taking advantage of Camille, so Camille had no intention of backing down.

Married by Mistake: Mr. Whitman's Sinner Wife chapter 1828

“It's best not to offend Carter. There are other ways for him to obtain the right of succession. You're merely a stepping stone, at best. Don't confuse your position with your value. Otherwise, your family won't come to a good end.”

Camille finished speaking coldly before patting Cathy on the shoulder.

“Miss Jordan, I believe that Carter and Shirley have more to discuss. Let's take a seat downstairs in the meantime.”

Cathy too did not want to stay with Ada and her mother, so Cathy followed Camille downstairs.

Ada held her burning cheek that Carter had slapped. She gritted her teeth with extreme displeasure.

After Ada returned to her room, she clenched her fists at the sight of the swelling on her cheek and the blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

“He actually hit me for that stinky beggar! ” Ada gritted her teeth. “I can't let this go. Mom, what should I do now? Would Carter really disfigure my

face and break my legs if I went against him?” “He wouldn't dare!”

Ada's mother had a domineering and arrogant gaze.

“Don't be afraid, Ada. Remember your current status. That Shirley is nothing in comparison to your family background! ”

“She's pregnant, though. Carter has accepted the child, and even called Shirley his woman...” Ada said, simultaneously feeling resentful and upset.

Ever since they married, Carter had never shared a room with her.

Even if she desired to produce a child for the Gray family, she had not been given the chance.

She dared not tell her mother this. It was too shameful.

“Don't worry, Ada. I won't allow that stinky beggar to give birth to that vile spawn!” Ada's mother promised solemnly.

Ada immediately understood her mother's meaning, but Ada kept silent and pretended not to understand. She was afraid that the walls had ears, and she did not want to be involved when anything happened to Shirley.

Carter pushed Shirley into the laboratory.

That laboratory was unfamiliar to her. It was not the usual laboratory where she had conducted her research and experiments.

Carter walked straight to a small refrigerator not far away. He swiftly entered the password and opened the refrigerator's door, then pulled out a rectangle box and handed it to Shirley.

Impassively, he looked at Shirley squarely and said, “All the necessary ingredients are in this box.”

Shirley stared at the box skeptically before opening it. With her professional expertise, she confirmed that it did indeed contain all the ingredients required for AXT6g.

She silently breathed a sigh of relief.

Shirley was about to put away the box when Carter grabbed it.

She stared at Carter in confusion. “What's the meaning of this, Carter?”

Carter laughed. “I'm sure you know how valuable this formula is.”

“And that's why this formula is more valuable than this little thing that's growing inside me?” Shirley asked with a chuckle.

As soon as he heard her words, Carter's eyebrows tightened, and the expression on his stone-cold face darkened instantly.

“Shirley, just keep your mouth shut if you can't speak properly. What's this little thing? He's your child too!"

“You're wrong. This isn't my child.” “What did you just say?"

Married by Mistake: Mr. Whitman's Sinner Wife chapter 1829

Carter thought he had a hearing problem, but Shirley did, in fact, say those words.

“This isn't your child? Shirley, do you even know what you're saying?” Carter asked with restrained anger.

Shirley remained indifferent as she smiled and responded, “Aren't you forgetful at times, Carter? Earlier in the study room, I had clearly said that the baby was just a bargaining chip in exchange for the anti-toxoid test reagent formula. Just a bargaining chip. Do you understand?”

“You...”

For the first time in his life, Carter was tongue-tied because he was too furious.

While he was distracted, Shirley took the opportunity to grab the box from his hands

Having been jolted out of his daze, Carter found Shirley grasping the box firmly.

He found that ridiculous.

She would not even get a chance to touch it if he had no intention of giving it to her.

“Shirley, now that you're here at the Gray Manor, don't think about leaving. You can develop the anti- toxoid test reagent if you want. You'll find this laboratory the ideal place to work on it. Don't even think about going anywhere else except the Gray Manor.”

Carter demanded sternly.

Shirley's eyebrows creased. “Are you putting me under house arrest?”

Carter bent down and got close to Shirley's face.

He raised his eyebrows and tugged the corners of his lips.

“You're now the mother of my child. Even if you go against my wishes again, the child in your womb is still the first grandchild of the Gray family.”

Carter's words drifted around Shirley's ears and plunged straight into her heart, leaving her with a sharp pain.

There would be no mother of any child. There would be no grandchild either.

Adam had explained clearly that this child could not be born, and if he were, there would be birth defects.

Adam had not meant to frighten her, and Shirley too was fully aware of that.

This was her sin to bear; she had no right to blame anyone.

Cathy was chatting with Camille in the living room when Cathy saw Shirley entering, then Cathy immediately stood up and approached Shirley.

She had intended to bring Shirley home, but Shirley interrupted her.

“Cathy, I have something to tell you. You'll be heading home by yourself later.”

Cathy was momentarily taken aback. “You're... not coming with me?”

Shirley smiled and shook her head. “There's food and clothing here for me. I'll even have people waiting on me. Why would I want to leave?”

“…” Shirley's words left Cathy speechless.

However, Cathy could sense that something was amiss from Shirley's abrupt change in behavior.

Cathy pretended not to notice. “If you'd like to stay, then go ahead. I've nothing more to say to you.”

“You might not have anything to say to me, but I do.”

Shirley looked askance at Carter, who had been following her closely, then turned to face Cathy.

“I'll see you out.”

Understanding Shirley's meaning, Cathy immediately stepped forward to push Shirley's wheelchair.

Camille glanced at Carter with concern. She watched Carter standing still as Shirley left the room, and Camille decided to stay silent.

Once Cathy had pushed Shirley out of the entrance and ensured that nobody followed them, Cathy then spoke.

“Are you really going to stay here? Why?”

Shirley, in response to Cathy's skepticism, explained in an unusually calm manner, "It makes sense for me to stay here. Carter's laboratory is perfectly equipped with all the resources I need, so staying here would allow me to develop the anti- toxoid test reagent quickly.”

Married by Mistake: Mr. Whitman's Sinner Wife chapter 1830

At first, Cathy had assumed that Shirley decided to stay because Shirley still had feelings for Carter.

She had not expected Shirley's decision to be predicated on such considerations.

Nevertheless, Cathy remained concerned.

“But if you don't go home, Adam will not see you and be worried.”

Hearing Cathy's words, Shirley raised her head and looked ahead. There was a gust of fresh spring breeze, and the corner of Shirley's lips seemed to quirk up.

An unusually gentle smile adorned her face.

I know he's actually very worried about me. He always had a soft heart and had looked after me without letting me know. But I must pay the  price for my  sins. It's time  to stop  troubling  my brother.

When Shirley spoke, her tone was peaceful, as opposed  to the hostility she had when facing Adam.

At this point, Cathy began to feel that Shirley was not a cold-hearted person.

In fact, Shirley cared.

“You don't have to tell Adam anything. Just let him assume I sneaked out by myself.”

“Why won't you let me tell him the truth?” Cathy was baffled.

Shirley smiled brightly. Despite the visible scar on the right side of her face, her smile was exceptionally pure at that moment.

“It's not necessary. Just let him think I'm that kind of person. It'd make more sense then. I've said everything I needed to say. Be careful on your way back.”

“Since you have everything thought out, I'll just follow your instructions. I won't say anything, ” Cathy agreed. Cathy then looked at Shirley, “Take care of yourself.”

Cathy turned around after she had finished speaking.

However, before she could even take a single step, Shirley's voice came from behind.

“Cathy.”

Shirley called out to her.

Cathy stopped and turned to look at Shirley again,

who smiled at her.

Thank you, Shirley said sincerely.

Cathy was caught off guard by her unexpected gratitude.

When she regained her composure, Shirley had already turned away.

As Cathy looked at Shirley's figure as Shirley steered her wheelchair by herself, Cathy could not help but feel that Shirley was lonely.

In contrast, Shirley felt deeply content when she thanked Cathy earlier.

Shirley only now realized that she had never been alone.

There were still people in this world who truly cared for her.

Despite their scolding, they sincerely cared about her.

She smiled as she touched her abdomen with her hand.

It was a pity that the child had to pay for her sins.

Shirley finally experienced what anguish is when she realized that the child would soon disappear forever from her womb.

Soon after, Shirley returned to the house alone. Carter had left, leaving Camille seated alone on the sofa in the living room.

Camille's attitude had changed after seeing Shirley again. Her hatred and disdain were less evident, especially after seeing Shirley's crippled legs and disfigured face. Camille also felt regret and sadness.

Nevertheless, her words were still dripping with blame and dissatisfaction.

If you hadn't left without a word back then, you would already be the Gray family's official daughter-in-law. Are you aware that, by returning here pregnant with Carter's child, the child might not be legitimately recognized when born?

In response to Camille's sharp words, Shirley smiled confidently. “I don't believe Mr. Gray would let that happen to his child.”

As soon as Shirley's voice fell, a woman's unspeakably mean voice rang from the stairs.

“You're wrong! The child in your womb can only be regarded as a vile spawn! ”