Want My Womb? I'll Make You Childless novel Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Jackson hadn’t even lit the cigarette between his fingers when he heard Ethan aggressively flipping through his file.

Jackson looked over. Ethan’s jawline was taut, a clenched line. His profile, shadowed by the car window, looked even colder, harder.

“What’s up?”

Jackson shoved the cigarette pack back in his pocket, nudging Ethan’s arm.”Who pissed off our Mr. Carter?”

Ethan looked up. His eyes were dark and deep, like a frozen lake.

“That drug back then? Clara didn’t give it to me.”

His voice dropped low.”And she didn’t marry me willingly.”

Jackson’s jaw dropped, nearly losing his cigarette. His eyes went wide.

“What did you say? You serious?”

He remembered everyone saying back then that Clara had drugged Ethan, doing whatever it took to marry into the Carter family.

Ethan’s coldness towards Clara after their marriage pretty much confirmed that story.

“If not her, then who? Who in all of Chicago would dare to scheme against you?”

Ethan tapped his finger on the file.”I don’t know.”

Menu

“I sent someone to investigate,” the voice murmured.”All they found was the hotel waiter from back then. But it’s been years. He’s gone, no trace

of him.”

“And it’s so hard to find one guy?” Another voice, sharper this time, scoffed.

Jackson puffed out his chest.”Just give me the intel. As long as they’re breathing, I’ll track ’em down for you within three days.”

He shot Ethan a weird glance. Clara hadn’t married him willingly back then. Shouldn’t he be stoked to just divorce her already?

So what’s the hang-up?

As they were talking, Natalie pulled open the back car door. Her white suit had a smudge of dust, and the smile on her face was noticeably

dimmer.

What happened?”

Jackson glanced back. “You’re rarely back in the States. Wanna grab a drink or something tonight?”

“Sorry, I probably won’t have time,” Natalie said.

Natalie forced a smile.”Nova AI didn’t agree to the partnership.”

She rubbed her temples, a touch of anxiety in her voice.”I came to Chicago specifically for this. If I can’t pull this off, HQ is gonna be all over my ass.”

Jackson tsk-ed, dismissing it.”No big deal. Just have Eth make a call for you. It’ll totally work.”

“I mean, in Chicago? Nobody says no to him.”

Natalie looked at Ethan, a hint of expectation in her eyes, and smiled playfully,

“Ethan, a little help?”

Ethan stared straight ahead. The Nova Al building’s glass facade caught the blinding light.

‘Hmm. I’ll see what I can do.”

A burst of clear laughter drifted in through the car window.

Clara walked past the car, hand-in-hand with a little girl in pigtails, heading towards the Nova Al building.

Ethan sat up straight, unconsciously glancing at Natalie.

For some reason, he didn’t want Clara to see him with Natalie.

The little girl looked up, chattering away, and Clara leaned down to listen, a faint smile curving her lips.

Jackson clicked his tongue.”Didn’t realize Clara was so into kids. She really dotes on Lucas, would give him the moon and stars if he asked.”

“Wow, she’s so patient with that girl. And that smile? Way more genuine than anything she ever gave you.”

He was saying this when he suddenly felt something off. He turned to look at Ethan.

Ethan shot him a cold glare, not saying a word.

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Lately, Clara had been pretty cold to him because of Olivia. And on top of that, Lucas’s kick had caused her to lose the baby.

Clara’s pale face in the hospital, his grandpa’s endless sighs-it all slammed into him. A suffocating weight settled in his chest, leaving him restless.

“Drive.”

Ethan’s voice sliced through the air, ice-cold.

Jackson didn’t dare say another word. He hit the gas.

In the rearview mirror, Clara led the little girl into the Nova AI building. From the shadows, a tall figure approached.

Lila’s free hand took Ryan’s. The three of them walked into the Nova AI building.

Ethan instinctively glanced back, catching the sight. His brows furrowed. An inexplicable irritation bloomed like wildfire in his chest.

Clara handed Lila’s small backpack to Ryan. “I’ll handle the data. You take Lila home to rest.”

Ryan took the bag, his gaze lingering on her face for a few seconds. His eyes were deep, holding an unspoken meaning.

“You’re working so hard.”

didn’t notice his strange vibe. She waved a hand.”Go get some rest. Kids shouldn’t stay up too late.”

Once she was upstairs, Lila tugged on Ryan’s jacket. She looked up, her little face serious. “Dad, you looked at Auntie kinda weird just now.”

“Did you guys fight?”

Ryan snapped out of it. He ruffled Lila’s hair, hiding the intensity in his eyes.”It’s nothing, let’s head home.”

got back to the R&D lab. The moment she booted up her computer, a warning flashed on the screen.

Her computer was hacked!

Her gaze sharpened. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, tracing the hacker’s path.

But the intruder was slick as an eel, leaving no useful trace.

She frowned. She shot Ryan a message:”R&D lab computer got hacked. Couldn’t trace it, but I’ve encrypted everything.”

Once she sent the text, she stared at the screen for a bit, a nagging feeling in her gut.

The next day was Saturday. It was barely dawn when Ryan showed up with a groggy Lila.

The little girl was in pink teddy bear pajamas, her eyes still shut, cradled in Ryan’s arms, her little head nodding off.

“You should head back and get some sleep,”

“I’ll take care of the hack.”

Clara glanced at Lila. The little girl was snuggled into Ryan’s arms, breathing evenly

“You’re way too early. She’s barely awake.”

Clara gently stroked Lila’s cheek.”If you’re fine with it, I can take her back to my place to sleep a bit more. It’s the weekend; nobody’s really around here to watch her.”

Ryan froze for a second, then nodded. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

Clara carried Lila out of Nova AI and drove back to her apartment.

The moment she stepped off the elevator, she saw Ethan at her door. He stood there like a statue, his face stone cold.

Lucas, meanwhile, looked annoyed, shuffling his feet on the floor.

Seeing Clara holding Lila, Lucas, already fed up with waiting, absolutely lost it.”Mom, where the hell were you this morning?”

‘I’ve been waiting forever! No breakfast! Hurry up and make me some. I want egg tarts, and…”

“Luke.”

Ethan’s voice was low. His eyes shot Luke a warning.

“What did I tell you at home?”

Lucas pouted, lowering his head reluctantly. He kicked the floor, his voice’a mumble. “Mom, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kicked you before. And

I shouldn’t have purposely gotten close to Aunt Clara to embarrass you.”

“I-I just wanted to get your attention…”

Clara, holding Lila, looked at him. Her face was blank.

Lucas didn’t do all that for her attention. He just liked whoever Ethan was into.

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< Chapter 48

Clara just gave a flat “Mhm. No forgiveness, no denial. She punched in the code, opened the door.

“Wait.”

Ethan stepped in front of her. “I’ve got a busy day. Can you watch Lucas for me? I have a table booked at The Penthouse for dinner, I’ll pick you both up later.”

Clara looked at him like he’d just told a joke.”The Carter family has like, a million nannies. You’re telling me you’re short-staffed for one kid

“You know Grandpa hasn’t been well,” Ethan said, “and Mom’s swamped trying to handle everything alone.”

Ethan’s lips felt a little dry.”You haven’t come to see Luke in ages.”

Clara glanced at Lucas. The boy’s face was a mask of pure reluctance, and you could see the anger still simmering in his eyes.

“Take him,” she said flatly.

Ethan stared at her, silent for a few seconds.”Just watch him for the day. Tonight, I’ll come over, and that necklace is yours.”

Clara froze. She looked up at Ethan, who remained expressionless.

Lila stirred in her arms, giving a tiny pout.

“Come in,” she said.

Clara pushed the door wide open.