Dowager Vance was already asleep, deep in a dream.

Twenty-one years ago.

Inside Vance Manor.

Quinton Vance and Dowager Vance were eating in the dining room.

Suddenly, Quinton put down his fork and looked at Dowager Vance. "Mom, I have something to tell you."

"Go on." Dowager Vance also set down her utensils.

Quinton hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'm in love with Carey Richards."

Carey Richards?

Hearing the name, Dowager Vance paused, then asked, "You mean Miss Richards?"

Miss Richards was famous throughout Neon Spire.

She was known as the city's greatest beauty!

Previously, Quinton thought it was just an empty title, until he happened to see Carey in person.

In that one fleeting glance, Carey left a deep impression on his heart.

He felt that in this lifetime, he would marry no one but Carey.

Upon hearing this, Dowager Vance was overjoyed. "If you like her, then go after her. The Richards family are the uncrowned kings of Neon Spire, and her eight brothers are all exceptional men. If you can win Carey over, half of the Richards family will be yours in the future!"

The Richards family was wealthy and well-connected. Of course she'd want a daughter-in-law from a catch like that!

If Quinton married Carey, the Vance family's path would be much smoother.

"What about Flavia?" Quinton glanced into the courtyard at the young woman watering the plants.

Flavia Cartwright was a ward of the Vance family, raised to be Quinton's bride.

She had been living with the Vances since she was ten and was very close to Quinton.

"What's there to worry about?" Dowager Vance narrowed her eyes, a look of deep disgust flashing within them. "You two don't even have a marriage certificate!"

If it hadn't been for Old Mr. Vance's insistence on keeping Flavia Cartwright as a future bride for Quinton, Dowager Vance would never have allowed such a person into her home.

Quinton's face was etched with hesitation.

Although he and Flavia Cartwright weren't married, they had already been intimate.

The thought of abandoning Flavia Cartwright now made Quinton feel a pang of guilt.

"She's... she's pregnant," Quinton finally said after a long pause.

Pregnant?

Dowager Vance's expression changed instantly. "Pregnant? Since when!"

"It's been a month," Quinton replied, his own face grim.

Dowager Vance's brow furrowed tightly.

That little vixen was certainly cunning!

Knowing she was not favored, she had resorted to such a despicable method to carry a Vance heir.

Shameless!

What a shameless little whore!

Dowager Vance took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "So what if she's pregnant? Does a child born from a commoner like her deserve to be the firstborn grandson of the Vance family? Take her to the hospital for an abortion

immediately!" Content bétongs to FindNovel.net

Before Quinton could reply, Dowager Vance added, "No, don't take her to a hospital for the procedure. I'll arrange for a private clinic."

A hospital would leave a record.

The Richards family was no ordinary family. If Quinton succeeded in wooing Carey, the Richardses would surely investigate his background thoroughly.

If they found out that Flavia Cartwright had been pregnant with Quinton's child and had an abortion, would they still let Carey marry him?

Therefore, they couldn't take Flavia Cartwright to a hospital.

Quinton frowned slightly. "Mom, isn't a small clinic unsafe?"

Dowager Vance sneered, "What's there to be afraid of? That little wretch is tough as nails! She won't die."

If she did die, it would save her a lot of trouble.

Dowager Vance had disliked Flavia Cartwright for a long time.

She looked at Quinton and continued, "Quinton, you just focus on pursuing Miss Richards. Leave the matters at home to me."

"Alright." Quinton nodded, then added, "But Mom, don't get your hopes up too high. I heard Miss Richards already has a boyfriend."

Dowager Vance was unconcerned, scoffing, "Having a boyfriend isn't the same as being married. What's there to fear? Just keep pursuing. her! Apersistent suitor can win any woman! This is a new era; everyone has the freedom to pursue love."

Dowager Vance's words encouraged Quinton, instantly filling him with confidence

in his pursuit of Carey.

And so, a month later.

Flavia Cartwright had her first child aborted.

But during that time, Quinton not only failed to court Carey, he couldn't even

manage to see her. The love letters he sent went unanswered.

In the spring of the following year.

Flavia Cartwright was forced to abort her and Quinton's third child at the small clinic.

This time, Flavia was not as fortunate as the previous two times. During the procedure, she suddenly

began to hemorrhage massonce

The cinic owher advised the Vance family to transfer her to a hospital immediately, or her life would be in grave danger. Content bétongs to FindNovel.net

But Dowager Vance was overjoyed. "Then let her die!"

She had been wondering how to get rid of Flavia Cartwright.

It was at that moment that news of Carey and Stuart Gonzales's engagement

broke.

Upon hearing this, Quinton became like a rabid dog, his eyes bloodshot as he roared, "How can she get married? How can she marry someone else? I lost three children for her! Three children! And she betrayed me!"