Want My Womb? I'll Make You Childless novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12

“Yep. Every single word.”

Attorney Brown’s voice grew serious.“I’ll need time to gather more evidence, to verify everything. Can you wait, Ms. Bennett?”

“How long?”

“Half… no, at least a month. I’d need about a month, Ms. Bennett, if you can give me that.”

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And for this next month, to keep Mr. Carter from getting suspicious, you absolutely cannot let him know you’ve found out about him using you as a surrogate.”

“Otherwise, with Mr. Carter’s influence, you… you know. It’d be easy for him to shred our entire chain of evidence.”

A whole month, huh?

Clara hung up, lost in thought.

“Patient 076, IV drip. Name for confirmation?”

The nurse pushed the door open, glanced at Clara’s IV.“What happened to your IV? Did someone bump it?”

Clara’s gaze dropped to her IV. Right, Lucas must’ve hit it when he snatched the thermos.

“Yeah.”

“I’ll re–do it for you.”

The nurse grabbed a new needle and re–inserted Clara’s IV. She gave Clara another look.“You look terrible. Didn’t eat lunch?”

Clara remembered the measly bit of porridge left in the thermos. Not nearly enough.

She didn’t want to bother Mia again. Her only option was to call her aunt, Patricia.

Patricia heard Clara was hospitalized, asked about her, got the room number, and promised to bring porridge that afternoon.

But Clara hadn’t expected it: her aunt wasn’t alone. Uncle Robert was with her.

“Clara, how are you feeling?”

Robert glanced at the IV drip.“Did you tell the doctor you’re pregnant? Can you even take this medicine?”

“Yeah, I told them.”

Clara caught the troubled look on Robert’s face.“What’s wrong, Uncle?”

“Uh…”

ALT

Robert hadn’t expected her to notice. He hesitated.“Clara, you know about the East City project, right? It’s about to get rebooted.”

Clara knew all about that project. The Anderson family had sunk a ton of cash into it, only for rare minerals to be found underground. That stalled everything, and their finances had almost tanked.

Restarting now means the Anderson family’s current mess could finally turn around. That’s good news.

But what’s Uncle Robert’s hang–up?

“The project’s being restructured, and we need to re–bid on it. Clara, you know how tight the company’s cash is right now. Could you talk to Lu and see if he can help us out?”

Clara looked down. So that’s what this was about.

“How much more?”

“Close to a hundred million dollars.”

Robert said.

Clara froze. Still that much?

Seeing Clara hesitate, Robert pressed.“Consider this a loan from the Anderson family, Clara. You have to talk to Ethan. Once we get the bid, the advance payment will come through, and we will pay it back. I promise.”

Clara thought it over. She wanted nothing to do with Ethan, but the company was her grandpa’s and mom’s legacy. As the legal representative, she couldn’t just abandon it.

“I’ll figure something out.”

With Clara’s promise, Robert and Patricia told her to rest up. They watched her finish her porridge before finally leaving.

Three days later, Clara was discharged. She’d barely walked through the door when her phone dinged. A text from Professor Lewis.

< Chapter 12

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It included a company name–Nova AI Labs–and a detailed address. The message ended:“Report directly tomorrow. Ask for Benjamin Hayes.” Clara stared at “Nova AI Labs” for a moment. They were a huge name in Al development. She’d never expected they’d be the ones buying the management system she’d created.

She heated up a quick bowl of oatmeal, ate it, then swallowed her meds with water. No emotion, just back to bed.

Dreamless night. Woke up the next day feeling way less tired.

She changed into a sharp black suit, pulled her long hair back into a neat low bun, and drove to Nova Al, following Professor Lewis’s address.

Nova Al Labs was in an office building downtown, in the Global Business District.

She parked the car and walked into the mall next door.

Professor Lewis had mentioned Benjamin was an old friend. First impressions, right? She figured a small gift was a good idea.

After checking out a few shops, she finally stopped at a Porcelain specialty store.

Inside the display case, a Cobalt Blue glaze plum vase caught her eye. Its color was like the deep sea, with white–space carved plum blossoms standing proud. Perfect for an elder.

“I’ll take that one, please.”

She was about to speak when a super sweet voice from behind gushed, “Oh my god, this vase is stunning!”

Emma strutted closer, her purse dangling. Her eyes zipped over the plum vase, then locked onto Clara, like she’d just spotted her.

“Clara, you like this one too? Wow, our taste is still so similar.”

“Anyway, this plum vase is totally perfect for our new home’s entryway. Can you just let me have it?”

Clara checked her watch. Less than ten minutes. No time to get, another gift.

“Sorry, cuz,” Clara said.“This is a gift I already bought for someone. I’m really short on time…”

“Come on, Clara.”

Emma took two steps forward, grabbing Clara’s arm and wheedling.

“Just let me have it, please? You’re the best, Clara. When we were little, you always let me have whatever I wanted, didn’t you?”

Clara squeezed her eyes shut.

Yeah, she was only seven or eight when her mom died. Her dad already had a new woman and left her to her own devices.

Her uncle took her in, feeling sorry for her. But living under his roof, she always had to walk on eggshells.

“What’s wrong?”

Clara was about to speak. A man’s voice cut in. She turned, her eyes locking with a familiar gaze.

“Mason, you’re here.”

Emma saw Mason and immediately let go of Clara. She latched onto his arm, a whine in her voice.

“I loved this vase. Perfect for our wedding home. But Clara likes it too…”

Mason patted her hand. “Seriously? It’s nothing. You and Clara are so close. She’d never say no to you.”

“You’re not feeling well. Go wait in the car. I’ll grab it for you.”

Emma walked away. Mason turned to Clara, his eyes full of cold fury.

“You’ll give it up, right?”

It was phrased as a question, but his tone was a flat–out demand.

Clara’s fingertips curled.“Mr. Walker,” she pleaded, “I bought this as a gift. I’m really short on time, no way I can pick out another one. Please, let me have it. I’ll get my cousin an even better one, I promise, and have it sent right over to you both.”

Mason chuckled softly.“Let you have it? Why should I?”

“Back when you were so focused on getting your hooks into Ethan, you even drugged him to do it… did you ever wonder where I was?”

“I was in the ER, almost died!”

“If it wasn’t for Emma, I wouldn’t have made it.”

“Anything she wants, no matter what, I’ll make sure she gets it.”

“Clara, don’t forget how you really got into the Research Institute!” Clara’s face drained of color, her fingernails digging into her palms.

< Chapter 12

“Fine, take it.”

Mason smirked, satisfied, and nodded at the salesperson nearby:“Wrap it up for me. Now.”

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The sales associate snapped to it. They rushed over, wrapped up the plum vase, and had an assistant follow Mason as he headed for the elevator. Clara watched him leave, let out a breath, then turned to the sales associate. “Do you have anything similar? I need a gift for an elder.” “Yes, please follow me.”

The associate led Clara to another display case.“We just got in a new celadon tea set. It’s master–crafted, perfect for an elder or a friend. You might want to take a look.”

Clara looked at the blue and white floral pattern tea set. The glaze was warm and smooth, the pattern elegant.

But Professor Lewis had mentioned his friend preferred plum blossoms.

Disappointment flashed in Clara’s eyes. “Do you have anything with plum blossom patterns?”

The associate shook her head.“I’m sorry, miss. Our store only gets one handmade piece with plum blossoms in stock each month.”

Clara checked her watch.

“I’ll take this one, then.”

She paid, then hurried out of the mall, the gift box clutched in her hand.

A

gust of wind ruffled her hair. She smoothed it back, pushing down all the emotions from moments before.

Nova Al Labs‘ offices were bright and spacious. AI models and data stream screens were all over the place.

Clara introduced herself. The receptionist led her to the director’s office.

Inside, a man in his fifties sat. He was dressed in a light gray casual suit, thin–rimmed glasses perched on his nose. It was Benjamin, the guy in charge.

“Clara?”

Benjamin blinked in surprise when he saw Clara.

“Wow, didn’t expect the ‘StarTrail‘ developer to be so young.”

The woman in front of him looked barely twenty–seven, maybe twenty–eight. To have built a top–tier management system like StarTrail five years ago? She was a bonafide genius in the AI field.

Benjamin rose, extending a hand, a warm smile on his face.“Quite impressive for someone so young.”

“You’re too kind, Mr. Hayes.”

Clara set the gift box she was holding on the table. “Just a little something.”

“Come on, we’re practically family now. No need for the formalities.”

Benjamin waved it off with a hearty laugh, then pulled a file from his desk drawer and handed it over.

“This is our ‘Urban Traffic AI Dispatch System‘ we’re developing. We hit a wall, so we brought you in to help us figure it out.”

Clara took the file and skimmed through it. Ten minutes later, she looked up, her gaze scrutinizing Benjamin.

The system was comprehensive, even accounting for rural traffic jams. If it was just for urban traffic, it’d be seriously overkill.

But that wasn’t her place to question.

Clara pulled a tablet and stylus from her bag and started calculating furiously.

“The system’s biggest problem is the blind spots in the travel trajectory data collection. Also, this algorithm feels way too redundant. We could do this instead…”

Benjamin’s eyes lit up as he listened. Once she finished, he couldn’t help but clap.

“Brilliant! Professor Lewis really didn’t recommend the wrong person. You’re definitely his most prized student, and you totally live up to the hype.”

Come on, come on! Let’s head to the tearoom and talk more.”

With that, he led Clara out of the office.

Clara blinked.

She always thought Professor Lewis saw her as a total washout, someone who’d just thrown in the towel. But then…. “Mr. Hayes, hey. I’m Alexander Taylor, from Taylor Enterprises. Here for our meeting, as planned…”

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< Chapter 12

“Fine, take it.”

Mason smirked, satisfied, and nodded at the salesperson nearby:“Wrap it up for me. Now.”

The sales associate snapped to it. They rushed over, wrapped up the plum vase, and had an assistant follow Mason as he headed for the elevator. Clara watched him leave, let out a breath, then turned to the sales associate.“Do you have anything similar? I need a gift for an elder.”

“Yes, please follow me.”

The associate led Clara to another display case. “We just got in a new celadon tea set. It’s master–crafted, perfect for an elder or a friend. You might want to take a look.”

Clara looked at the blue and white floral pattern tea set. The glaze was warm and smooth, the pattern elegant.

But Professor Lewis had mentioned his friend preferred plum blossoms.

Disappointment flashed in Clara’s eyes.“Do you have anything with plum blossom patterns?”

The associate shook her head.“I’m sorry, miss. Our store only gets one handmade piece with plum blossoms in stock each month.”

Clara checked her watch.

“I’ll take this one, then.”

She paid, then hurried out of the mall, the gift box clutched in her hand.

A gust of wind ruffled her hair. She smoothed it back, pushing down all the emotions from moments before.

Nova Al Labs‘ offices were bright and spacious. Al models and data stream screens were all over the place.

Clara introduced herself. The receptionist led her to the director’s office.

Inside, a man in his fifties sat. He was dressed in a light gray casual suit, thin–rimmed glasses perched on his nose. It was Benjamin, the guy in charge.

“Clara?”

Benjamin blinked in surprise when he saw Clara.

“Wow, didn’t expect the ‘StarTrail‘ developer to be so young.”

The woman in front of him looked barely twenty–seven, maybe twenty–eight. To have built a top–tier management system like StarTrail five years ago? She was a bonafide genius in the AI field.

Benjamin rose, extending a hand, a warm smile on his face.“Quite impressive for someone so young.”

“You’re too kind, Mr. Hayes.”

Clara set the gift box she was holding on the table.“Just a little something.”

“Come on, we’re practically family now. No need for the formalities.”

Benjamin waved it off with a hearty laugh, then pulled a file from his desk drawer and handed it over.

“This is our “Urban Traffic AI Dispatch System‘ we’re developing. We hit a wall, so we brought you in to help us figure it out.”

Clara took the file and skimmed through it. Ten minutes later, she looked up, her gaze scrutinizing Benjamin.

The system was comprehensive, even accounting for rural traffic jams. If it was just for urban traffic, it’d be seriously overkill.

But that wasn’t her place to question.

Clara pulled a tablet and stylus from her bag and started calculating furiously.

“The system’s biggest problem is the blind spots in the travel trajectory data collection. Also, this algorithm feels way too redundant. We could do this instead…”

Benjamin’s eyes lit up as he listened. Once she finished, he couldn’t help but clap.

“Brilliant! Professor Lewis really didn’t recommend the wrong person. You’re definitely his most prized student, and you totally live up to the hype.”

“Come on, come on! Let’s head to the tearoom and talk more.”

With that, he led Clara out of the office.

Clara blinked.

She always thought Professor Lewis saw her as a total washout, someone who’d just thrown in the towel. But then…

“Mr. Hayes, hey. I’m Alexander Taylor, from Taylor Enterprises. Here for our meeting, as planned…”

<Chapter 12

Just as they stepped out, a guy in a custom black suit stood by the front desk. He stopped mid–sentence when he spotted Clara. “Clara, what are you doing here?”

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The woman who’d pulled every stunt to marry Ethan – what was she doing at Nova AI? Shouldn’t she be home, washing clothes and cooking dinner?

Clara frowned. Ugh. What rotten luck.

Alexander. Jackson’s older brother. The same guy who, when he found out Ethan was marrying her, pointed a finger and screamed she’d ruin Ethan’s entire life.

“Still trying to get Ethan’s attention, huh?”

Alexander shoved his hands in his pockets, looking down at Clara with a mocking glint in his eyes.

“Couldn’t hack it at Lewis Al, so now you’re trying to worm your way into Nova AI?”

“Even if you both share the Bennett name, it’s a shame. No matter what you do, you’ll never measure up to Olivia.”

Clara ignored Alexander. She gave Benjamin an apologetic smile. “My apologies, Mr. Hayes. Didn’t mean for you to witness that.”

Alexander always saw red whenever he saw Clara. Her words snapped him out of it. He realized his actions were a little out of line.

He shot Clara a furious glare, dropped his cavalier act, and turned to Benjamin.

“Mr. Hayes, sorry to interrupt. Regarding our previous discussion about jointly developing the AI scheduling system…”

Benjamin glanced at Clara, whose expression remained calm. He said, slowly, “Mr. Taylor, Ms. Bennett is currently in charge of the scheduling system project. You can discuss the specifics of our collaboration with her.”

Alexander scoffed, like he’d just heard the funniest joke.“HER in charge? Mr. Hayes, are you serious? Her?”

He raked his eyes over Clara.“A woman who only knows how to chase men, does she even know what AI is?”