Want My Womb? I'll Make You Childless novel Chapter 64

< Chapter 64

Chapter 64

“What’s wrong?”

A deep voice came over the line.”Why the sudden interest in Clara’s medical records?”

Hearing her brother’s voice, Olivia couldn’t help but sound a little plaintive.

“Clara had Ethan’s baby aborted and pinned it on me, saying I made her miscarry.”

Meno

“Now the Carter family has gone public with it, and everyone online is blasting me. She even sent reporters to camp out in front of my place…”

Victor paused, his fingers tapping against the desk, and frowned.”Don’t worry. I’ll take care of the reporters.”

After hanging up, Victor’s office wasn’t silent for long as a familiar yet distant figure flickered in his mind.

If Olivia hadn’t mentioned it, he would have almost forgotten about his sister, Clara.

Years ago, his mother divorced his father and left Boston with Clara.

The next time Clara returned to Chicago, they only saw each other once at their mother’s funeral.

He resented her for being headstrong and reckless, blaming her for the car accident that killed their mother. He slapped her across the face then and there, showing no mercy.

Since then, he had deliberately tried not to think about her.

It was only recently, when Olivia mentioned her during a phone call, that he learned she had married into the Carter family and become a Carter in name only.

But why would she have terminated Ethan’s pregnancy?

Was it because Ethan wasn’t treating her well?

Victor shook his head. What did he care?

However, since she was using this to frame Olivia, he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

With that thought, he dialed the internal line.”Notify the media in Chicago that Olivia is not someone they can mess with.”

“Also, book me the next flight to Chicago.”

“But, sir,”

His assistant’s voice was hesitant.”We have a project negotiation meeting with Weichang Tech scheduled for tomorrow…”

“Move it online. If they have any questions, cancel the partnership. This project isn’t indispensable.”

Chicago.

Hearing the commotion outside the door gradually fade away, Olivia breathed a sigh of reliéf, a smug smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

So what if Clara Bennett had the Carter family backing her!

She had her brother, and with the way he doted on her, he could smooth things over for her, no matter what!

With James Carter stepping in, the online backlash died down quickly, and within days, hardly anyone remembered the drama.

Clara Bennett was at Anderson Industries, listening to the company managers James Carter had sent, when Benjamin Hayes called to reinstate

her.

Married into the Carter family for seven years, she was experiencing the benefits of power for the first time. Problems that had seemed impossible to solve were now being taken care of one by one. The company was stabilizing, and even those who had been eyeing Anderson Industries for acquisition had given up.

After all, no one in Chicago wanted to cross the Carter family.

Knowing she could continue working on Blade’s development, Clara Bennett wrapped things up at Anderson Industries and headed to Nova

Ryan Walker came out of the conference room with some data and smiled when he saw Clara Bennett.

“Perfect timing. We haven’t been able to fix the compatibility issues between Blade and Skyline, and I’m at my wit’s end.”

Clara Bennett took the data he handed her, flipping through it as she walked towards the research lab.

“There’s too much data fluctuation here. It must be insufficient data matching.”

The two of them walked into the research lab, oblivious to the resentment that flashed in Sophia Davis’s eyes behind them.

While Clara was away, Ryan had gradually started delegating some important tasks to Sophia.

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She had been pulling all-nighters for several days straight to ensure the smooth compatibility of the two projects.

Mers

In this kind of top-secret national defense research, the higher your name appears on the list, the more it showcases your abilities. Once the research concludes and the project is unveiled, Sophia’s name should rightfully be listed first, naturally elevating her influence within the Al industry.

She had assumed that Clara, suspected of leaking secrets, would never return to the research team.

But not only had Clara been reinstated, Ryan had also handed over Sophia’s tasks to her.

As a result, she would revert to her previous state of idleness, and her name would undoubtedly be relegated to the end of the list after the research was completed.

At this thought, a hint of resentment flickered in her eyes. Standing at the entrance of the research lab, she took out her phone and sent a message to an unfamiliar number.

“Clara’s back on the research team. You said you could make her lose everything and leave Nova AI. What do you need me to do?”

Clara pushed open the door to the research lab and immediately noticed the glaring red dots on all the instruments, causing her to pause, brow furrowing slightly.

“Is this…an intrusion?”

Ryan Walker sat at his desk, idly twirling a pen between his fingers. When he looked up, a nonchalant smile played on his lips.

“It’s nothing.”

her

He gestured with his chin towards another row of terminals lit with green dots, his voice low and pleasing.”The red dots are bait. The green dots are the real data.”

“A sting operation?”

Clara Bennett sat down beside him, her gaze sweeping over the screen. The tense line of her shoulders gradually relaxed.”Then I’ll leave this to you. I’ll take care of the compatibility issues.”

Her fingers landed on the keyboard, the crisp tapping sound filling the room.

Ryan didn’t look away, his gaze fixed on her profile as she worked, then drifting to her slightly pursed lips. His Adam’s apple bobbed.

He shook his head, banishing the inappropriate thoughts. Ryan quietly slipped out of the lab.

Clara, sitting at the computer, didn’t notice Ryan’s odd behavior, her fingers flying across the keyboard.

By evening, she’d resolved most of the compatibility issues.

Relieved, she massaged her stiff neck and reached for her water bottle to refill it, only to find it already full. A note was tucked underneath.

“The Old Estate called, asking us to come back for dinner. I’ll pick up Lila and we can head over together.”

Clara picked up the water, took a sip, and found the temperature to be perfect.

She smiled, her gaze returning to the screen.

By the time she emerged from the R&D lab, the sky had turned completely dark.

She called Ryan to confirm his location, then drove to pick him and Lila up before heading to the Old Estate.

The white SUV pulled into the Old Estate and parked in the courtyard. Clara noticed a familiar car parked beside the gingko tree.

Her brow furrowed involuntarily. She couldn’t believe her uncle had the audacity to show his face at the Carter family’s after everything that had happened.

“Aunt Clara, what’s wrong?”

Feeling the soft touch in her palm, Clara’s brow relaxed slightly.”Nothing, sweetie.”

Robert Anderson’s presence at the Carter family’s must have been at James Carter’s request. Regardless, she’d face whatever came her way.

“Aunt Clara, is Great-Grandpa strict?”

Lila, hand-in-hand with both Clara and Ryan, stepped across the threshold and into the courtyard.

Clara considered for a moment, then said, “Great-Grandpa loves children. He’ll be delighted to see you.”

“Well, look who decided to show up!”

Lucas was on the swing beneath the tree, his gaze fixed on Clara and Lila holding hands, his face contorted into a frown.

Ethan, who had been outside smoking, overheard Lucas’s words. He glanced over and felt a pang as he took in the three of them, looking every bit like a family unit.

“Straight from the office?”

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His tone was indifferent.”Grandpa’s waiting for you inside.”

“Okay, I’ll head over now.”

Clara released Lila’s hand, playfully tapping her nose.”Auntie’s going to see Great-Grandpa, I’ll come find you in a bit.”

“Okay.”

Lila nodded obediently.

Watching Clara walk toward James’s courtyard, Ethan stubbed out his cigarette. He shot a glance at Ryan and followed Clara.

Menu

Ryan watched them walk away, one after the other, his eyes clouding over. He picked up Lila and, guided by a servant, headed toward the main hall.

In the courtyard, James was slowly strolling with the aid of a servant.

His health was failing day by day; he had to stop and catch his breath every few steps.

Seeing Clara enter the courtyard, James’s eyes lit up. He chuckled, “I thought you’d see your uncle’s family and just leave, ignoring this old man.” “Just a bit of overtime, sorry to keep you waiting.”

Clara stepped forward to help James settle into a recliner.

“You must have a reason for inviting my uncle and his family.”

“I have no right to interfere.”

After everything that had happened, Clara couldn’t bring herself to give James her true feelings again.

Maintaining a polite facade and seeing him through his final days was the most she could manage.

James patted the back of Clara’s hand.”Grandpa knows you don’t want to see Robert’s family, but blood is thicker than water. Some things are better aired out.”

Clara lowered her gaze.”Grandpa, if they wanted to sever ties with me, then we shouldn’t have anything to do with each other.”

She didn’t want Robert’s family to leech onto her again, sucking the Carter family dry

James understood her meaning all too well, and sighed.”Clara, you’re in charge of Anderson Industries now. If you cut ties with Robert, what will outsiders think of you?”

“I know you don’t want to associate with them, but at this crucial moment, appearances matter.

“Grandpa believes they’ve learned their lesson from this. Even if they wanted to do something to you in the future, they’d have to think twice.”

Clara knew James was only looking out for her.

Clara looked at the old man, who in the past had treated her like a tool for procreation, and was now doing everything to protect her, and her heart was filled with mixed feelings.

“James.”

Ethan walked into the yard and saw Clara sitting obediently next to James, looking as peaceful as could be. A smirk played on his lips.

It had been a long time since he’d seen Clara like this.

James Carter raised his eyelids slightly. “Is Spencer here yet? Did he bring his girl?”

“Yes, they’re in the front yard.”

Hearing Ethan’s words, James perked up considerably. He got up from the lounger.”Ull go see the girl. You two have a good talk.”

He glared at Ethan.”Don’t be a fool.”

“I know, Grandpa.”

Ethan helped James over to a servant, then sat down next to Clara, pulled a jewelry box out of his pocket, and held it out to her.

“See if you like it.”

Clara didn’t take it. She looked up at

him.

Throughout their marriage, Ethan had never given Clara a gift, and she had no idea what he was up to now,

Ethan assumed she was still upset about what had happened before. He placed the jewelry box on the side table and said softly, “About what happened before, I didn’t really intend to abandon you.”

“I just wanted you to move back in.”

“If

you don’t want more kids, we don’t have to. Lucas is enough.”

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He was already looking for a surrogate mother overseas who was a blood type and physical match for Natalie.

It didn’t necessarily have to be Clara who did it.

Only he knew that when he heard his grandfather say that Clara had dropped the charges, he had actually felt a sense of relief.

“Now that Grandpa isn’t doing well, and Mom is taking care of him and Lucas, it’s a lot for her. If you move back home, we can bring Lucas back, and we can be a family again. What do you say?”

Ethan rarely humbled himself in front of Clara, waiting for her answer.

But Clara found it all incredibly ridiculous. For so many years, she had begged Ethan so many times to bring Lucas back, but he had always refused.

Now she didn’t want Lucas or Ethan, and he was having these thoughts.

“Ethan, let’s just leave things as they are.”

“You know, marrying you wasn’t my choice in the first place, and I’m fine living alone now.”

Hearing Clara say these words so calmly, Ethan felt a surge of panic he had never experienced before.

“Clara…”

“Mr. and Mrs. Carter, dinner is ready.”

A servant approached from the hallway, pausing as she passed a small path, her gaze fixed on the bushes.”Mr. Walker, what are you doing here?”

Clara and Ethan turned simultaneously to see Mason standing in the shadows, a cigarette between his fingers, the ember glowing in the night. Noticing their attention, he crushed the cigarette under his heel, his expression unreadable.”Just came out for a smoke. Guess I got a little lost.” No one knew how long he’d been standing there, or how much he’d overheard.

Clara wasn’t surprised to see Mason here. Without a second thought, she rose to her feet.”Let’s go. Don’t want to keep Grandpa waiting.” Inside the dining room, the table was already set.

James sat with Lucas on his left and Lila on his right, happily placing food on their plates.

Robert and Patricia were seated at the opposite end of the long table, Emma between them. As Clara and the others entered, the three exchanged glances, and Patricia offered a forced smile.

“Clara, you’re here.”

“Yeah.”

Clara’s expression remained indifferent, but remembering James’s earlier words, she added, “Uncle, Aunt Patricia.”

“Oh, hey Clara.”

Patricia gave an awkward laugh, glancing at Robert.

Robert Anderson’s face darkened, and he wanted to lash out, but he met James Carter’s gaze and, startled, he suppressed his anger.

“Clara, come sit down quickly.”

After the recent events, Margaret Carter realized that James Carter was protective of Clara, so she didn’t dare criticize Clara for being late, and instead gestured for them to sit down.

“Okay, Mom.”

Clara sat down in the middle of the long table, her seat directly across from Mason Walker. She didn’t look at him, but instead smiled at Lila Walker, who was looking at her expectantly.

Lucas Carter’s expression turned gloomy for a moment, then he said, “Great-Grandpa, I want to eat fish.”

“Alright.”

James Carter used the serving chopsticks to put fish on his plate, and said, “Let’s start eating.”

Just as Clara picked up her chopsticks, her phone suddenly vibrated. The screen lit up, and she glanced at it. It was a message from Mason

Walker.

“What did you mean when you said you didn’t marry Ethan Carter/willingly?”

Clara pressed the lock button and placed her phone face down on the table.

A peeled shrimp suddenly landed in her bowl. Clara looked up and met Ethan Carter’s deep gaze. He casually wiped his hands with a wet wipe while asking in a calm tone, “Who sent you a message?”

“Nobody.”

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Clara lowered her eyes and took the shrimp out of her bowl.

Menu

Clara didn’t care for freshwater seafood; she always found it had a muddy taste. Yet, throughout their marriage, Ethan had never once noticed. Emma was surprised to see Ethan, so high and mighty, actually peeling shrimp for Clara. A flash of envy crossed her eyes, and she turned to

Mason.

“Mason, could you peel some shrimp for me?”

Her voice was soft, but Mason didn’t seem to hear, his gaze fixed on Clara, his brow furrowed slightly.

Emma’s face instantly fell, her grip on her chopsticks tightening until her knuckles turned white.

A servant, sensing the awkward atmosphere, quickly stepped forward and placed several peeled shrimp on Emma’s plate.

After the meal, the men retired to the tea room, while Margaret led Patricia to the greenhouse to show off her newly cultivated plants.

That left Clara, Emma, Lucas, and Lila chasing butterflies in the yard.

“Clara.”

Emma broke the silence, her tone deliberately sweet.”It’s my first time at the Carter Estate. Would you show me around the grounds? I heard there’s a little garden in the back.”

“I’m busy.”

Emma’s smile faltered. She sat down next to Clara and lowered her voice.

“Are you still angry about what happened before?”

“We didn’t have a choice, really. Things blew up so big. If Dad hadn’t cut ties with you, people online would’ve found out about our connection sooner or later, and his new company would’ve been ruined.”

Clara raised an eyebrow, finding it incredibly ironic. Wasn’t it them who had created that whole spectacle?

Now, they were blaming her, as if she was the one holding them back.

Too tired to argue with Emma, she stood up to leave, only to hear a loud sob from behind her.

Clara’s heart clenched, and she turned back.

Lila was on the ground, her little body shaking with each sob, blood welling up on her forehead, trickling down her cheek and staining her

collar red.

The swing behind her was still gently swaying, and Lucas stood next to it, his face filled with rage, his little fists clenched tightly as he glared at

Lila.

Clara was about to step forward when her phone chimed.

A text message from an unknown number.

“Clara, it’s Victor Bennett. When are you free to meet?”