Dumped When Pregnant, Chased by Ex-Husband

Locking her card was nothing but a tactic to force her back to the villa. He had never anticipated that the timid and usually soft-spoken woman could do something like this.

But indeed, time changes people, and she had earned his newfound respect.

One billion, she really had the nerve to ask for it!

Edward Harper stood up, fastening the bottom button of his suit jacket before heading out, with Secretary Johnson hurriedly rushing ahead to call the elevator.

The car pulled up to the bank, where Clara Knox and Isaac Turner were just coming out, both cursing under their breath for not being able to withdraw any money.

Watching them about to get into their car, Edward Harper opened his door and strode over quickly.

"Are you planning to take the money and cut ties with me?"

Clara was pushed back step by step by his imposing presence until her back was against the car door.

Edward Harper's right eyelid twitched uncontrollably, infuriated by her, this woman really had such a ruthless heart to just take the money and leave without a second thought for this home.

A heartless woman, she must have wanted to leave long ago, hadn't she?

Clara stared at him bewildered and retorted,

"Isn't it because you locked my card?"

"If you hadn't run away from home, would I have locked your card? The fine dining at home isn't good enough for you, and you want to suffer out here instead?"

"You have no right to lock my card, every single cent in it was earned by me, what right do you have?"

Edward Harper was taken aback for a moment; it was the first time since their three-year marriage that he had seen her speak to him so defiantly, usually as docile as a rabbit.

"What money have you earned? Out of 365 days a year, you spend 300 attending jewelry shows."

His insinuation was clear: without me, you'd have starved to death long ago.

Unable to stand by and listen to this, Isaac interjected, "What nonsense are you spouting? Our Clara is..."

"A freeloader, yes, that's what I am."

Clara interrupted Isaac, her anger surging within her.

She was an internationally renowned jewelry designer, who only published her work under an artistic pseudonym. Only he did not know it.

She had never intentionally hidden it; sometimes she even designed some pieces at home, but he never cared about her affairs, nor would he look at her drawings, to him they were just her whimsical doodles.

In their three years of marriage, she had focused on her family, only to be met with his disdain. In his eyes, she was good for nothing but spending his money.

Only now did Clara realize how self-deluded she had been.

The silence was broken by the sound of a phone ringing.

It was Grandfather calling.

"Clara, come back with Edward for dinner today. The lobsters air-freighted from New Zealand have just arrived, and Grandfather knows they are your favorite. I haven't let anyone touch them, I've saved them all for you."

"Grandfather, I..."

Clara found it so difficult to seek solace away from him; she had no way to refuse Grandfather, who loved her as his own granddaughter.

Edward Harper snatched the phone from her, "Grandfather, we'll be back tonight."

"Let's go, what are you waiting for?"

After hanging up, Edward Harper asked impatiently.

Clara stood rooted for a few seconds, then was pulled by Edward Harper and shoved into the car.

As soon as she settled in, Edward Harper tossed a delicate little box at her.

Clara held the forcefully given item, looking at him with confusion.

"The main feature of the company's coming season, after the launch event, it'll be available for limited sale. Take it and play with it."

Clara opened the box, and the contents left her speechless.

Wasn't this the gem pendant she designed just last month? The manuscript had vanished mysteriously after being eighty percent completed, and she couldn't find it even after turning her study upside down.

How has it suddenly become the Harper Clan's main design for next season?

"May I ask, who is the designer of this gem pendant?"

Edward Harper was extremely pleased with her reaction,

"It was designed by Aria. She signed with Harper Jewelry yesterday and has become the chief designer. This necklace is her trump work since returning to the country, and it will surely be an instant hit."

After praising Aria Knight, he didn't forget to take a few digs at her, "Take a look, the difference from those scribbles you draw is quite significant."

Edward Harper had an inadvertently smug look on his face when he talked about Aria Knight, probably even he didn't realize that he was showing off in every word, as if he were introducing some rare treasure to someone else.

Clara Knox felt a tingling on her scalp; the only thought in her mind was that her work had been stolen. As for how that unfinished draft ended up in Aria Knight's hands, it boggled her mind.

Edward Harper was arrogant; he would not stoop to stealing, and he had no regard for her drawings.

And her manuscript had vanished from her study at home, could it have grown wings and flown into Aria Knight's hands?

Clara was so lost in her thoughts she probably felt car sick; nausea washed over her like a tidal wave, and she covered her mouth and nose, gagging a few times.

Thanks to him, she didn't have money for lunch; she felt like vomiting out her stomach, yet nothing foul came out.

Edward Harper passed her a pack of tissues and asked with confusion, "You... Is it that time of the month?"

Clara was brought up short by his question. Had she had her period this month?

Her brain felt all muddled; she couldn't remember when her last cycle was, just that it had been a long while.

Still feeling awful, "Dizzy... car sick."

"Hurgh—"

After saying so, she gagged again.

She used car sickness as an excuse, and Edward Harper dismissed his suspicions, ordering Liam Johnson,

"Pull over for a bit."

Liam Johnson found a place where they could temporarily park. Just as the car had stopped, and Clara hadn't recovered, Edward Harper's phone rang.

"Edward, I'm feeling so unwell right now, can you come over?"

The car was too quiet. The coquettish female voice echoed in the ears of the three people, stabbing Clara's already battered heart once more.

Edward Harper glanced sideways at the woman who had just vomited without any semblance of image, then turned and instructed Liam Johnson,

"Drive to Jade Dragon Bay Apartments."

The car that had just stopped now turned back onto the main road, heading towards Jade Dragon Bay.

As the car started, Clara vomited violently again.

If she remembered correctly, Edward Harper owned a high-end apartment at Jade Dragon Bay, a wedding gift from Grandfather Harper, registered in both their names. It had been empty for three years and was now being used by him to stash his mistress.

The irony wasn't lost on her.

As the car got moving, Clara vomited even more fiercely, her eyes moist, her brows tightly furrowed, and a fine layer of sweat beaded at her nose, looking pitiful.

Edward Harper, feeling unusually remorseful towards her, reached out to stroke her back,

"It's tough, but try to hold on. Aria has a heart condition that can't be delayed. Would you like to lean on me?"

Clara shifted away from him, pressing herself against the door, alienated and distant.

"I'm asking you, please let me out. I'm getting car sick and it's making me feel very unwell."

Edward Harper furrowed his brows and leaned in, forcefully pulling her into his embrace,

"What temper are you throwing? Why are you being petty with someone who has a heart condition? It's a dangerous illness when it acts up, not as simple as just throwing up."

Clara struggled hard a few times, trying to push him away, but the disparity in strength between men and women meant her attempts were futile.

Edward Harper looked at the restless person in his arms and whispered in her ear,

"Is it uncomfortable to lean on me? Or do you prefer to sit on my lap?"