Mina trembled as she took the phone Penelope handed her.

The screen was lit.

The document title was today’s date.

She opened the file.

Justin had been changed to Justin Evans.

Mina became Mina Sherwood.

Their relationship was described in the crudest language.

It was filled with words like "breasts" and "buttocks."

Mina’s vision darkened.

In the story, she was a high-end escort.

She only served the five major families of New York.

She seduced Justin Evans relentlessly.

She even followed him to his hotel room and begged.

All to secure a business deal between their families.

The details were too graphic to read.

Mina’s fingers shook.

She felt as if she had been stripped naked.

It was all fabricated.

Yet it felt terrifyingly real.

Even the hotel suite number for the meeting was accurate.

There were anonymous comments below the document.

Someone confirmed the Ye and Evans families had met there that day.

Mina and Justin were indeed alone in the suite.

Another claimed to have seen them leaving together in a car.

Mina’s breathing quickened.

She wanted to defend herself.

But no words came out.

She instinctively looked at Marcus.

Others followed her gaze.

Ethan spoke first.

"Marcus, your wife has done this. And it's public knowledge now. The Valentines must give an explanation to the world."

Charles immediately agreed.

"This can't be ignored. Mina, did you or did you not have an affair with Justin?"

Mina shook her head desperately.

"No."

Penelope asked gently.

"Then why would a hotel employee testify otherwise? Mina, if you calculate the timing... could this child be Justin’s?"

Ethan remembered the oligospermia report.

He glanced at Marcus.

His brother was gripping his teacup so tightly his knuckles were white.

Ethan stayed silent.

Charles turned to Marcus.

"Marcus, if this child really is Justin’s, it cannot be kept! How would the Valentines save face?"

Ethan nodded in agreement.

"Just arrange an accident. Make her miscarry. That preserves our reputation. People will forget in time. If the child is born, the truth will always be in question."

Penelope looked at her third brother in surprise.

She didn’t understand why he was being so extreme.

She looked at Marcus.

Her eldest brother’s face was cold.

He seemed like a different person.

Her heart sank.

Could the child really not be his?

She spoke with feigned concern.

"Stop pressuring Marcus and Mina. The child is innocent. It’s almost three months. We can do a DNA test after the birth."

Ethan immediately objected.

"No DNA test!"

That would ruin everything.

Everyone looked at him.

Marcus lifted his eyes.

Ethan cleared his throat.

"I mean, a test would only give people more to talk about. The priority is to terminate the pregnancy. The child’s origins are unclear."

Mina listened to them.

She felt cold all over.

She looked at each Valentine family member.

Finally, her gaze settled on Marcus’s face.

"I will not have an abortion."

Marcus’s expression was dark.

Even now.

She still protected the bastard.

Who was the man?

Was he worth this?

Marcus’s eyes reddened.

He let out a cold laugh.

"It’s not me asking you to abort. The Valentines need to give the world an explanation!"

Mina was stunned.

She clenched her jaw.

"The child is yours. We can do an amniocentesis at three months to prove it."

Marcus stood up abruptly.

"Do you want the Valentines to become the laughingstock of New York?"

He rushed to Mina.

He lowered his voice.

"You know who the father is. Why make me say it? Mina, terminate the pregnancy. You can remain a Valentine."

Tears welled in Mina’s eyes.

Her reputation wasn’t great.

But she never expected this humiliation.

She lowered her gaze.

"If the Valentines are ashamed, we can divorce. I won’t drag you down."

She turned to leave.

Marcus grabbed her wrist.

"You think you can just walk away? Let the Valentines be mocked by everyone?"

Mina struggled fiercely.

"What do you want me to do?"

Marcus stared at her.

His eyes fell on her abdomen.

This child was like a thorn.

Piercing his heart.

Every time Mina defended it.

He felt the father must mean everything to her.

Marcus smiled bitterly.

After today.

She would probably hate him.

But he couldn’t take it anymore.

Hatred was fine.

They would still spend their lives together.

He looked at a servant.

"Prepare the abortion pill."

The servant trembled in fear.

She hurried away.

Mina’s eyes widened in disbelief.

She clenched her fists.

"Marcus, don’t..."

"Mina, it will be over soon. Once it’s done, everything will be clean. I’ll treat you well from now on."

Marcus held her tightly.

He refused to let go.