A flicker of hope ignited in Mina's eyes.

She looked toward the doorway as if grasping at a lifeline.

Marcus's body tensed instantly.

He whirled around.

Third Master Valentine strode purposefully into the living room.

He positioned himself directly between the two.

Marcus clenched his fists.

The usually defiant man now had red-rimmed eyes.

"Uncle," he rasped, his voice hoarse.

Third Master Valentine frowned deeply.

Marcus's parents rushed in close behind.

His mother spoke urgently.

"Marcus, what on earth is going on?"

"Mina, is the child really Marcus's?"

Mina gave a bitter, faint smile.

She looked directly at Marcus.

Her hands were clenched into white-knuckled fists.

"It's his."

Marcus roared in fury.

"Shut up!"

Even now.

Mina persisted in claiming the child was his.

Was she so desperate to keep this baby?

Had she abandoned all dignity?

Did this child mean that much to her?

Mrs. Valentine frowned deeply.

"Marcus, is the child yours or not?"

Marcus stared fixedly at Mina, his eyes bloodshot.

Mina lay collapsed on the sofa, looking up at him.

Her eyes were filled with a stubbornness and sorrow he couldn't comprehend.

Marcus pressed his lips tightly together and remained silent.

Mrs. Valentine sighed.

"Marcus, I don't know why you doubt the child is yours."

"Perhaps it's because of that file."

"But the baby is almost three months along."

"An amniocentesis after three months will reveal everything."

"Don't be impulsive today, alright?"

She walked over to Marcus.

"I know this is embarrassing for you."

"But a man's honor isn't earned through a woman."

"Marcus, calm down."

"If you force her to take this medicine today."

"The baby will truly be gone."

"If it turns out to be yours later."

"You'll regret it for the rest of your life."

"This will also cause irreparable damage between you."

Marcus's knuckles were white from clenching.

Mrs. Valentine turned to Mina.

"Mina, let me say one more thing."

"We don't want to dwell on what happened before the marriage."

"It's the twenty-first century now."

"People are very open-minded."

"But if the child isn't Marcus's."

"Please drink this medicine."

"We will take this secret to our graves."

"If the child is Marcus's."

"Then we'll do the amniocentesis in three months."

"Can you accept that?"

Mina looked at her with gratitude.

"I choose the amniocentesis."

"Just one more week until three months!"

Mrs. Valentine nodded.

"Good."

She looked at Marcus.

"It's settled then."

"Stop making a scene."

"Everyone, come out now."

"It's time for dinner."

She turned to leave.

But Marcus remained rooted in place.

Mrs. Valentine looked at him.

Marcus seemed frozen.

He stared intently at Mina.

"Do you have to push it this far?"

Mina met his gaze, her own eyes red-rimmed.

Marcus suddenly lowered his head.

"Whether the child is mine or not."

"We both know the truth."

"Why pretend to be wronged?"

"There are no choices in this matter today."

His voice was gravelly.

His eyes held an unprecedented ruthlessness.

If he wasn't harsh with Mina now.

She would leave after giving birth.

She had already prepared the divorce papers!

This thought sent a wave of agitation through Marcus.

He loosened his tie and looked at Mina again.

"You must drink this medicine today."

"If you won't drink it, I'll make you."

He snatched the bowl from the nanny.

He walked over to Mina.

He looked down at her from his height.

"Mina, will you drink it yourself, or shall I help you?"

Mrs. Valentine was alarmed by his demeanor.

"Marcus, can't you wait just one more week?"

Ethan Valentine quietly stepped forward.

"Aunt, don't ask."

"Big Brother knows what he's doing."

"He knows what he did."

"Please don't interfere in their matters."

Mrs. Valentine was taken aback.

Had Marcus never been intimate with Mina?

If that were true.

Then the child truly couldn't be Marcus's…

As both a mother and mother-in-law.

She really shouldn't interfere too much in the young couple's life.

She frowned and ultimately chose silence.

Mr. Valentine also said nothing.

Only Third Master Valentine looked at Marcus.

"Are you sure you won't regret today's actions?"

Marcus gave a low laugh.

"No."

He knew forcing Mina to drink the medicine would send their relationship to a freezing point.

But it was better than losing her.

Let her hate him.

At least they could remain entangled for the rest of their lives…

Third Master Valentine's face was stern.

Seeing Marcus's determination.

He could only sigh.

"This is ultimately the couple's private matter…"

Mina clenched her fists, staring at Marcus.

Her gaze fell on the bowl of medicine in his hand.

She wanted to say something.

But she was tired of repeating that the child was his.

No one believed her.

Because her reputation was too tarnished.

So tarnished that everyone believed the post the moment they saw it.

Mina's eyes gradually reddened.

Tears welled up.

She looked at Marcus again.

The boy who had stood up for her when she was bullied.

His halo gradually faded.

Finally morphing into Marcus's current ferocious expression.

She clenched her fingers tightly.

Her lips trembled.

"Marcus, I can drink the medicine."

"But after I drink it, I want you to do a paternity test with the… remains."

"Do you dare?"

She would make him regret this for the rest of his life!!

Marcus was stunned by her stubbornness.

Penelope suddenly spoke.

"Mina, what do you mean by this?"

"Big Brother's attitude is already very clear."

"The child isn't his."

"If there was even a sliver of possibility it was his."

"Why would he force you to abort?"

"So what's the point of doing a test?"

Ethan chimed in.

"Sister-in-law, after you drink the medicine, we won't look down on you because of today."

"Stop being stubborn."

Penelope nodded.

"You've tarnished the Valentine family's reputation."

"The Valentines have been lenient enough with you."

"What more is there to hesitate about?"

But Mina stared fixedly at Marcus, enunciating each word slowly.

"Do. You. Dare?"

Marcus frowned.

A sudden sense of powerlessness and panic surged within him.

It was as if he had just lost something immensely important…

He wanted to grasp it firmly.

He spoke directly.

"I dare!"

"Fine, then I'll drink it."

Mina took the bowl from his hand!