Chapter 679


    "Mom, don''t build up his ego at the expense of our own pride."


    "What do you mean ''his''? Jeffrey''s practically family now, with the engagement around the corner."


    Karen chuckled so hard she had to lean back to catch her breath, musing to herself that Jeffrey


    really had a way with people. He''d managed to turn his image around in such a short time; the guy


    was seriouslymitted.


    She shouldn''t have doubted his intentions.


    At that moment, Karen felt an unexpected flutter of pre-wedding bashfulness, the kind that sneaks


    up on you without any clear reason.


    ...


    In the car, Jeffrey''s lips were pressed into a tight line, his silence deafening.


    Paige, sensing the mood, didn''t dare make a sound. She sat shrunken in the back seat, stealing


    nces at Jeffrey''s profile.


    After driving for miles, far from the city center, Paige finally mustered the courage to speak up.


    "Do you want to see the baby? It''s a girl."


    "What the hell are you thinking!" Jeffrey''s temper red, his patience finally snapping. He mmed


    on the brakes and pulled over to the roadside.


    This remote area was naturally quiet, with few people around, especially in the dark of night.


    "Get out," he said, his tone far from friendly.


    Paige didn''t hesitate, quickly opening the door and stepping out.


    Jeffrey lit a cigarette, his profile illuminated by the flicker of his lighter, his jawline sharp and striking


    in the dim light.


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    That was part of the reason Paige couldn''t let go.


    Aside from being a cad and a heartbreaker, he had so much going for him – looks, height, family


    background, career, and his prowess in bed.


    They sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity until Jeffrey, on his third cigarette, finally spoke


    in a deep voice, "How much do you want?"


    "Do you think I''m only here for the money?"


    "Do you expect me to marry you? Don''t be delusional."


    "My family isn''t short of money either." Paige retorted. Though her family''s wealth didn''t hold a


    candle to Jeffrey''s, they were well-off by any standard.


    "Paige."Jeffrey calmed himself down as much as he could and said to her, in a smooth tone. "Are


    you sure the baby is mine?"


    She trembled, disbelief etched on her face. "You know I was a virgin before we slept together. And


    I''ve given you everything. Do you have any idea how hard it was to hide the pregnancy? I was


    terrified my parents would make me abort, or that one of your friends would see me and tell you. I


    only breathed a sigh of relief when our daughter was born."


    Jeffrey wanted to explode at her absurdity.


    He wished the situation were different, that maybe she was still pregnant so he could use some


    leverage to make the problem go away.


    But a child already born? What was he supposed to do, wish her dead?


    "I don''t want to hear it. Just tell me what you want to do." His mind was racing towards a standstill.


    "I want you to marry me. I want us to be a family," Paige stated her terms outright.


    "That''s impossible!" Jeffrey raised his voice, ring at her. "I''m getting engaged. What you''re asking


    for is out of the question."


    Paige looked at him, dumbfounded. "So you''re nning to keep our child a secret from your


    fiancée?"


    "That''s my business. It has nothing to do with you."


    "Jeffrey, you''re such a jerk. If she finds out—"


    Suddenly, Jeffrey turned and strode toward her, his hand shooting out to clutch her throat. He


    snarled menacingly, "If you let her find out, I''ll make sure your family can''t show their face in Eldorria


    City ever again."