Want My Womb? I'll Make You Childless novel Chapter 112

Chapter 112

Natalie stole national secrets?

Hearing the officer’s words, Ethan’s pupils contracted sharply, and the color drained from his face at an alarming rate, leaving him frozen in place.

“Impossible…”

“That’s impossible. Natalie isn’t like that. You must have made a mistake!”

He had known Natalie for so many years, and he couldn’t know her any better. How could she possibly have the nerve to do something

like that?

“Mr. Carter, the evidence against Natalie is conclusive.”

The investigator looked at Ethan.“Don’t worry. If you’re not involved, we won’t do anything to you.”

It’s just that in this case, the higher–ups want to make an example, and it will probably be made public. It will definitely affect the Carter Group.

“Oh, right, this case also involves your mother, Margaret Carter. We’ve already sent people to the Carter Estate to bring her in.”

“What?”

He looked up, his eyes filled with disbelief.

“How could this involve my mother?”

Seeing that his expression didn’t seem fake, the investigator knew that he was probably kept in the dark by Margaret, so he told him the recording he had just heard in the observation room.

Ethan was momentarily dazed after listening.“You’re saying that my mother and Natalie worked together to steal the data?”

“Even my grandfather was killed by Natalie, and my mother knew about it?”

Then why did his mother say that Clara had harmed Grandpa back then?

Was it because she had reached some kind of agreement with Natalie?

The thought of those days in the ICU, when Margaret had insisted that Clara was responsible for James’s condition, even pushing him

to call the police, sent a chilling wave from his toes to the top of his head.

So, his mother had known all along that Clara was innocent when she urged him to call the police?

Why?

Why would she do that?

Ethan’s mind reeled. He looked up at Clara, but her face was calm, as if she had known all along.

“You knew?”

Clara met Ethan’s bloodshot eyes and nodded, her voice steady.“Yes.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?!”

Ethan couldn’t help but roar,“If you had said something sooner…”

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He could have prepared himself and wouldn’t have ended up in this irreversible mess!

“I did tell you.”

Clara looked directly into his eyes, unflinching.“I told you, Ethan.”

“I told you Natalie was a problem, that Nova AI shouldn’t partner with Apex. You didn’t believe me and had Commander Evans

pressure us.”

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“I told you I didn’t kill Grandpa. You didn’t believe me. You called the police, threatened me, and said if I insisted on a divorce, you’d send me to jail.”

“In the end, you just didn’t trust me. You brought all of this on yourself.”

“As for Margaret and Natalie,” Clara paused, “they didn’t succeed, so there was no need for me to tell you.”

Ethan’s spine slumped little by little, his tall frame now radiating a sense of dejection.

“Clara, are you ready?”

The interrogation room door was knocked on, and Ryan pushed it open, poking his head in and looking over.

“Yeah.”

Clara lifted her foot and walked towards Ryan, “I’m troubling you again.”

“It’s nothing.”

Ryan smiled, stepped forward, and supported Clara, who was visibly unsteady on her feet.

Ethan’s gaze landed on Ryan’s hand supporting Clara’s arm. His mind kept replaying Clara’s words, “no need to tell you.” An inexplicable fire surged up, overwhelming his remaining reason.

“Ryan Walker, let go of her. Clara is my wife. It’s not your place to act concerned here!”

Ryan glanced sideways at Ethan, “Can’t you see she’s barely holding on?”

Clara looked back at Ethan, her eyes showing no emotion, not even a trace of resentment.

She felt terribly weak all over and was indeed close to collapsing.

“Clara!”

Stung by the indifference in Clara’s eyes, Ethan roared, “We’re not divorced yet! Don’t forget Lucas is waiting for you to save him! What do you think you’re doing?”

With that, he started walking towards them.

“Mr. Carter, you can’t leave right now.”

An officer stepped forward, blocking Ethan’s path, and Ethan rolled his eyes.

Could this man not see that Clara was about to collapse? And here he was, still fussing about whatever was going on between her and Ryan.

Where was his concern when he was scheming to have his own wife be a surrogate for another woman?

Ryan glanced back at Ethan.“Let’s go. I’ll take you home.”

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Clara didn’t look at Ethan again, simply nodding as she allowed Ryan to guide her out of the interrogation room.

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Carter Estate.

Margaret stared at the credentials before her, her body stiffening.

“Mrs. Carter, I’ve already explained the situation. We need you to come with us.”

The National Security Agency agent put away the credentials and gestured for her to proceed.

“How could I possibly steal state secrets!”

Margaret recoiled, taking a step back, her eyes filled with panic.

She couldn’t believe that the small black box Natalie had asked her to slip into Clara’s pocket was actually a transmission device!

Even less did she imagine that doing such a simple task could drag her into this mess!

She glared at the butler and snapped, “What are you waiting for? Get them out of here! I’m not going anywhere with the National Security Agency!”

“Besides, what proof do you have that I put that thing in Clara’s pocket?”

“Maybe Clara is just trying to get off the hook by pointing fingers at me!”

“Anyone who knows she’s my daughter–in–law knows we don’t get along!”

The agent from the National Security Agency smirked, encircling Mrs. Carter.“Mrs. Carter, I didn’t say it was because you put something in Clara’s pocket.”

“Since you’ve admitted it yourself, you can come with us and explain everything clearly!”

The lead agent glanced at the butler standing nearby.“At this point, no one can save you.”

With that, they ignored Cynthia Evans’s struggles, each grabbing an arm and forcibly dragging her into the car.

By the time they arrived at the National Security Agency, Mrs. Carter was weak and her legs were like jelly. She was practically carried

out of the car.

As they entered the National Security Agency, they happened to see Ryan Walker helping Clara Bennett walk out.

The lead agent had worked with Ryan Walker before on the Apex executive’s capture. They exchanged nods as they passed, a silent acknowledgment.

Realization dawned on Margaret, and she spotted Clara. Desperate, she twisted in the agents‘ grip, shouting towards Clara, “Clara! Help me!”

“I don’t know what was in that little box, and I had no idea Natalie Parker was a spy!”

“I was wrong, I’ll never go

after

you again. Please, put in a good word for me!”

“Luke is all alone at the Old Estate, you can’t just abandon him, can you?!”

Margaret thought that mentioning Lucas would sway Clara, that even if Clara disliked her, she would help for Lucas’s sake.

But Clara didn’t break stride. She didn’t even glance her way, as if she hadn’t heard a thing. Ryan Walker guided her out of the National Security Agency building.

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Ryan Walker, however, did look back at Margaret. His gaze held so much, it made her heart skip a beat.

It was like he knew something, and a wave of panic washed over her.

In that moment of stunned silence, the officers led Margaret into the interrogation room where Ethan Carter was being held.

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Ethan had already been interrogated once. Now, the investigators were taking his statement to the interrogation room where Natalie. Parker was being held.

When Ethan saw Margaret being dragged in by two officers and plopped onto a chair, he was momentarily stunned. Then, as if nothing had happened, he lowered his head again.

“Eth, what on earth is going on? Why did they bring me here? Did you do something?”

Ethan slowly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot, and stared intently at Margaret.“Mom, was Grandpa killed by Natalie Parker?”

“Did you help Natalie Parker plant something in Clara’s pocket?”

“Why would you help Natalie Parker?”

Margaret was taken aback and subconsciously avoided his gaze.“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“The Old Master was clearly killed by Clara. What does it have to do with Natalie Parker?”

“Besides, I didn’t know what that thing was for. I just thought I was doing Natalie Parker a small favor. How was I supposed to know

she had such nerve!”

Guilt gave way to panic as she spoke. Margaret looked at Ethan, her tone urgent.“All of this was done by Natalie Parker. It shouldn’t have anything to do with us, right?”

“And to think, it’s all Clara’s fault. If she’d just put in a good word for me at the door, I wouldn’t be stuck here like this.”

“Enough!”

Ethan shot to his feet, kicking the table in front of him in frustration. The deafening bang echoed through the interrogation room, making their ears ring.

“Even now, you’re still trying to throw dirt on Clara? She’s my wife, your daughter–in–law, a Carter!”

“Didn’t Grandpa see you before he died? Didn’t he tell you himself that Natalie was the one who killed him?”

“She’s no daughter–in–law of mine.”

Margaret sneered dismissively.

“What did you say?”

Ethan hadn’t caught it and asked her to repeat herself.

“I said she’s not a Carter.”

Margaret gave a cold laugh.“You’ve been married for years, and when have you ever treated her like a wife?”

“A tramp who drugged her way into this family has no right to call herself a Carter!”

“Mom!”

Her words were like daggers, stabbing Ethan’s heart.

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Margaret was right. He hadn’t seen Clara as a Carter, as his wife, but as a means to please the old man and smoothly inherit the Carter Group.

As a result, he had never bothered to consider her feelings, even turning a blind eye to the disrespect others showed her.

Even now, as he became aware of his feelings and wanted to mend his relationship with Clara, he still failed to consider things from her perspective, which only pushed her further and further away.

“Quiet down, what’s all the commotion?”

An officer walked into the interrogation room, giving them a cold look.“This is an interrogation room, not your living room. Whatever you have to say, save it for the interrogation!”

“Now, be quiet!”

Ethan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger and disappointment in his heart, and slumped back into his chair.

The events of the past few weeks flashed through his mind, and he felt utterly ridiculous.

For so many years, he had never truly seen Natalie for who she was. Not only had she manipulated him, but he had also ruined the Carter Group by vouching for her!

Half an hour later, despite Margaret’s constant denials that she had no knowledge of the situation, she was formally arrested for her involvement in stealing national core data. The evidence was irrefutable, and her uncooperative attitude and refusal to confess only

made matters worse.

As for Ethan, although he had vouched for Natalie, it was verified that he had no knowledge of her criminal activities. Ultimately, he was cleared of suspicion and allowed to leave.

But in Chicago, so many eyes were on the Carter family, and multiple versions of what Margaret and Ethan had done were already circulating by the time Margaret was brought into the National Security Agency.

The next morning, Carter Group’s stock plummeted at the opening bell, the share price nosediving and the market value evaporating by billions of dollars, resulting in devastating losses.

At the Carter Group’s board meeting, several directors were livid, their eyes filled with anger and dissatisfaction, all pointing the finger at Ethan, who was notably absent.

“Looks like even Ethan is screwing up now that James is gone.‘

”

A board member sitting at the head of the table spoke first, breaking the heavy atmosphere in the meeting room.

“This matter has had a huge impact on the company. The stock price has plummeted, partners are withdrawing investments, and we’re losing customers. No matter what, action should be taken against Mr. Carter.”

“Indeed.”

Another board member nodded in agreement.“Because of his personal affairs, the company has suffered such huge losses. If we just let it go like this, the entire Carter Group will be dragged down by him sooner or later!”

“I suggest we re–elect the chairman! Only by changing the leadership can we restore the company’s reputation!”

“Alright.”

Someone chimed in, “I agree.”

“Me too!”

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In the conference room, a show of hands commenced, and the majority of the board members voted in favor of removing Ethan Carter from his position as chairman.

Meanwhile, upon hearing the news, Emma Anderson rushed back to her family home early in the morning.

“I can’t believe Ethan Carter would go this far for a woman!”

Emma paced back and forth in the living room, her face flushed with an unnatural red, whether from excitement or sheer shock.

“Stop pacing, you’re making me dizzy.”

Patricia Anderson, her head spinning from Emma’s movements, said, “What do we do now? Clara Bennett walked away from the National Security Agency without a scratch, but your father is still locked up, and no one but his lawyer can see him!”

“With all this chaos, what leverage do we have to negotiate with Clara?”

“Of course, we have leverage!”

Emma narrowed her eyes.“Anderson Industries is facing a severe cash crunch. Do you think we can withstand the Carter Group’s fury?”

“We’ve accumulated quite a bit of wealth over the years. If Anderson Industries’s cash flow truly dries up, we could approach Clara under the guise of injecting capital into Anderson Industries. Do you think she would agree to drop the charges?”

“In her mind, Anderson Industries is probably more important than her own life!”

“Perfect!”

Patricia clapped her hands.“That way, your father can get out!”

“But how do we pull this off?”

“I have a plan.”

Emma’s eyes darted around before she went to sit next to Patricia, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Mom, leave it to me. We’ll all be together again soon.”

Just past noon, news that Clara Bennett had been married to Ethan Carter for some time, but that Ethan harbored feelings for a past love, leaving Clara feeling like a ghost within the Carter family, spread like wildfire through Chicago’s high society circles.

Ethan and Natalie Parker’s relationship had been quite the spectacle back in the day, a fact known by many in Chicago, and while Clara’s marriage into the Carter family hadn’t been public, whispers had certainly made their rounds.

So, upon hearing that Clara had orchestrated a scheme to frame Natalie, even implicating Margaret Carter and Ethan in the process, those unaware of the full truth found Clara’s actions somewhat justified.

After all, no woman would stand for her husband sacrificing her reputation for another woman.

Naturally, this news reached the ears of the Carter Group’s board of directors, who felt that Clara Bennett was indeed acting like someone from a poor background, completely lacking in decorum and dragging Carter Group into a petty lovers‘ quarrel.

They immediately decided to take retaliatory measures against Anderson Industries, as they believed that Anderson Industries had inextricable links with Clara, and suppressing Anderson Industries would be a way to get back at Clara.

The Carter Group, leveraging its powerful resources, began an all–out assault on Anderson Industries.

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They didn’t just snatch away several of Anderson Industries‘ key projects; they also colluded with major partners to terminate their collaborations, even at a loss, just to cut off Anderson Industries‘ lifeline.

Anderson Industries, already struggling with a tight cash flow, was hit even harder by Carter Group’s relentless assault.

The company’s order volume plummeted, warehouses overflowed with unsold goods, cash flow became a nightmare, and employees, filled with dread, began handing in their resignations en masse.

“You always know how to handle things!”

Seeing this, Patricia looked at Emma with relief.

This daughter of hers was quick–witted, always a source of pride.

Emma smiled at Patricia, saying, “Mom, text Clara and ask her if Anderson Industries can still stay afloat.”

“Tell her we can inject capital, but only if she drops the lawsuit.”

“Alright, I’ll send it right away.”

Clara was in the Anderson Industries office, listening to Noah’s report on the company’s current situation, when she received the message from Patricia.

She glanced at the message, tossed her phone onto the desk, and closed her eyes.

Anderson Industries‘ cash flow was indeed on the verge of collapse, but even so, she didn’t want to let Robert’s family off so easily.

Just as she was debating whether to respond, someone knocked on her office door.

“What is it?”

Seeing Evan Taylor, Clara Bennett was taken aback, a pang of guilt rising within her. The person behind him had just spent a fortune acquiring shares from his shareholders, doing her a huge favor, and now this had happened.

Not only had it failed to generate a profit for them, but the money they’d invested previously was likely to go down the drain.

“Yeah.”

Evan nodded, handing Clara the document in his hand:“This is my boss’s authorization of funds.”

“No matter how much, you can use it as long as Anderson’s needs it.”

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