Chapter 1286:

Later, at the mall, Brad excused himself and headed to the restroom. He turned on the tap and splashed cold water over his face, his hands shaking violently as the fear he had been suppressing finally broke through. He stared at himself in the mirror for a long moment, then drove his fist into the tiled wall, releasing everything he had been holding back.

In that moment, the regret was overwhelming. He should never have saved Luther all those years ago. No one on earth wanted the man dead more than he did right now.

Safely out of danger, Rylie’s expression remained composed. She already knew this wasn’t the end. She needed to be prepared for whatever came next—most likely without any warning.

With a clear understanding of how serious things had become, the Owens spent heavily to hire elite bodyguards within the Indoria Federation, and brought in a specialized security team from Eshea to guard her around the clock. Her residence was placed under tight lockdown. Every item she consumed or used was carefully screened, and every member of the household staff underwent rigorous background checks.

𝘙𝘦a𝖽 𝖿𝗋ee n𝗈𝗏e𝗅s 𝗼ո g𝖺l𝗻оv𝖾𝗅𝘀.𝖼оm

Rylie had no intention of going outside anytime soon. Her stomach was growing visibly larger with each passing day, and moving around had become increasingly difficult. The pregnancy left her feeling drained and heavy for most of each day. For her own safety, she remained indoors, focused entirely on the pregnancy, quietly counting down the days until the baby arrived.

Around that time, Kari noticed something she hadn’t anticipated.

Her period was already a full week late. When she turned it over in her mind, she recalled that the only time she hadn’t used protection had been that night with Brad.

Her heart quickening, she reached for a pregnancy test.

Kari held her breath as she waited for the result. The moment two lines appeared, her fingers trembled—she was going to have a baby.

Too excited to sit with the secret for even a minute, she rushed straight to Brad’s office.

Inside, Brad and Sherwood were deep in a private, serious discussion about several important clients. When Kari walked in, both men looked up, their expressions tight and unreadable.

Her face was flushed, but the excitement bubbling inside her refused to settle. Ignoring how out of character she was acting, she crossed the room and sat herself down on Brad’s lap. “You’re taking me out tonight,” she said with a grin. “I’ve got something big to tell you.”

The instant she settled against him, a flicker of annoyance rose in Brad’s chest. His eyes lingered briefly on her slender neck, and for one brief, unsettling moment, a dark thought crossed his mind.

“I’m busy,” Brad said flatly, brushing her off. “Another time.”

Kari refused to back down. “You can’t spare even a little time for me?”

“Your father is about to transfer control of the Arindel-Miraquayan region to me,” Brad replied coolly. “I can’t afford any mistakes right now. Dinner can wait—we’ll have other opportunities.”

Kari couldn’t hold it in any longer. She produced the pregnancy test and held it up between them. “I’m pregnant,” she said, her eyes shining. “Isn’t that worth making time for?”

“Pregnant?” Sherwood blurted out before Brad had even the chance to react.

Kari shot him a cold look. “Stay out of it. This doesn’t concern you.”

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