Want My Womb? I'll Make You Childless novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Since Ethan needed to return to the Carter Group, he had the driver take Margaret back to the Old Estate.

The car glided smoothly along a tree–lined avenue in Chicago, the windows shutting out the city’s noise but not the heavy atmosphere

inside.

Leaning back against the leather seat, Margaret absently traced the texture of her crocodile skin handbag, Clara’s words at the Courthouse echoing in her mind.

Her face grew even more grim as she thought about the evidence in Clara’s possession – the evidence that could ruin Ethan and even shake the entire Carter family.

It wasn’t until the car slowly pulled into the Carter Estate and the ornate iron gates closed behind them that Margaret snapped out of her thoughts, opened the car door, and stepped out.

The butler greeted her as she approached.

“Mrs. Carter, Mrs. Davis and her daughter, along with Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Wilson, have arrived.”

Margaret stopped in her tracks, her eyebrows furrowing slightly, a clear sign of displeasure flashing in her eyes. “What do they want?”

With Mr. Carter barely cold in his grave, her mind was consumed by the evidence in Clara’s hands and the safety of the Carter Group. She had no patience for dealing with these socialite wives.

The butler hesitated, then quickly explained, “Madam, the funeral hasn’t taken place yet. According to custom, today is the day for the ladies to pay their respects.”

Only then did Margaret remember that Chicago did indeed have such a custom. However, in the past, when elders from other families passed away, the Carter family didn’t need to be overly involved, so she hadn’t paid much attention.

Despite her preoccupation and reluctance to deal with these women, Margaret suppressed her irritation and nodded, heading towards the reception room.

She knew that the Carter family was in a sensitive period, and she couldn’t show any weakness in front of outsiders. Any misstep could be used as leverage for speculation.

Inside the drawing room, several elegantly dressed women in muted tones sat around a mahogany tea table. They held delicate porcelain teacups in their hands, appearing to engage in quiet, domestic conversation, but their eyes constantly darted towards the doorway.

The moment Margaret Carter entered, the women immediately rose to their feet, their faces etched with carefully measured expressions of sorrow.

“Mrs. Clark, we’re so sorry to intrude like this. We hope you don’t mind us dropping in unannounced,”

Mrs. Clark said first, her tone laced with a hint of trepidation.

“I apologize for the delay. I had an errand to run. I’m sorry to have kept everyone waiting.”

Margaret Carter smiled, pleased with their attentiveness.“Please, everyone, have a seat. Don’t stand on ceremony.”

“And this must be Hannah, is it?”

Margaret’s gaze settled on Hannah Grant, standing beside Mrs. Grant, and her smile softened even more.

A young woman amidst a group of older ladies was striking and, naturally, rather endearing.

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“Hannah, you’ve really blossomed. Last time I saw you, you were just a little girl with pigtails. Now, your features are so delicate, like something out of a painting. I can only imagine the hearts of the young men you’ll capture.”

Hannah’s cheeks flushed pink at the compliment.“You’re too kind, Mrs. Carter,” she said softly.

“Oh, she’s just shy,” Mrs. Grant said, a glint of shrewdness in her eyes as she seized the conversational baton.

“Come to think of it, it’s been years since Hannah and Ethan last saw each other.”

“Yes, it has.”

Margaret sighed, recalling the days when Hannah used to tag along with Ethan and his friends. She casually inquired, “Hannah, did you just return from abroad? What are your plans for the future?”

Mrs. Grant and Hannah exchanged a look.“She might join the company. You know our situation–she’s our only child. I’m afraid she’ll need Ethan’s help in the future.”

“Hannah saw Ethan at a gala recently and couldn’t stop talking about how much presence he has now. She was too intimidated to even say hello.”

Margaret understood Mrs. Grant’s implications perfectly well, but her biggest fear was Ethan and Clara divorcing and Clara exposing all the things Ethan had done.

She had no headspace to think about any of that, so she remained noncommittal to Mrs. Grant’s enthusiasm.

Besides, the Grant family mainly dealt in medical equipment in Chicago, which had nothing to do with Carter Group’s focus on artificial intelligence.

Clara’s mother–in–law replied with a measured tone, “As you know, Ethan was completely swamped after his grandfather passed. Once things settle down, I’ll talk to him about offering assistance with business ventures whenever needed. We’re happy to help.”

Mrs. Grant certainly picked up on the refusal in Margaret’s words. She was about to press further when Hannah, looking mortified, tugged at her sleeve.

Mrs. Grant shot Hannah a look of exasperation, then reluctantly fell silent.

“You’ve been through so much lately, Mrs. Carter. I heard about Mr. Carter’s sudden passing. My deepest condolences.”

The earlier exchange had created an awkward atmosphere in the parlor, which Mrs. Clark, usually so adept at navigating social situations, broke with a sympathetic comment.

“With Mr. Carter gone, Carter Group needs Ethan to hold things together. You must stay strong, Mrs. Carter. The family needs you to keep things steady.”

Margaret took a sip of her tea and sighed.“You can say that again.”

Judging from what she saw today at the courthouse, Ethan didn’t want to divorce Clara, and his mind was preoccupied with winning

her back.

He wasn’t giving a thought to what would happen if Clara was determined to divorce him. If he pushed her too far and she leaked the evidence she had, how would he clean up that mess?

It seemed she was the only one who was thinking clearly.

She glanced around, noticing the absence of Mrs. Taylor, who was usually closest to her.“Where’s Mrs. Taylor? Why isn’t she here?” she

asked.

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Given Jackson Taylor and Ethan’s close friendship since childhood, Mrs. Taylor was naturally aware of the relationship between Clara

and Ethan.

She would usually seek her advice on various matters, so her absence today was unexpected.

Mrs. Clark glanced around the room and lowered her voice.“Haven’t you heard, Mrs. Carter? The Taylor family has been in quite a commotion lately!”

“Oh?”

Margaret asked.

“A while ago, the eldest son of the Taylor family became infatuated with some starlet and was pushing for a divorce.”

“You know how capable their eldest daughter–in–law has always been. Without her, the Taylor household would be in chaos. Mrs. Taylor must be beside herself with worry!”

“How did I not hear about this?”

Mrs. Clark, who loved gossip, quickly chimed in, “They haven’t already quietly divorced, have they?”

“Of course not. If they had, wouldn’t we have heard something?”

Mrs. Clark chuckled.“Their eldest daughter–in–law discovered she was pregnant with their second child–a girl, I hear. The eldest son was overjoyed and immediately broke things off with the starlet. He took his wife and Mrs. Taylor abroad for prenatal care. That’s why

she’s not here.”

Margaret’s hand jerked, scalding tea splashing onto the back of her hand, but she barely registered it.

Pregnant?

Exactly!

How had she not thought of that?

If she could just get Clara pregnant again with Ethan’s child, she wouldn’t insist on a divorce, not with a baby involved.

Even if she still wanted to leave, she’d have to wait until after the baby was born, right?

That was ten months right there, plenty of time to figure out how to get rid of all that evidence Clara had.

“That’s right.”

Mrs. Reynolds swirled the tea in her cup, her tone carrying the certainty of someone who’d been there.“A woman’s weakness is always her children.”

“When old Mr. Reynolds had an affair and I found out, I was ready to divorce him, but then I found out I was pregnant with our son, and that put an end to that.”

“I can turn a blind eye to what men do outside the home, as long as my son is his only child.”

Hearing this, a faint smile touched the corners of Margaret’s lips.

It seemed getting Clara pregnant again was the key to stopping the divorce between her and Ethan.

But what reason could she give Clara that she couldn’t refuse?

She walked the ladies to the garden and saw Lucas kicking a ball nearby, and her eyes lit up.

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Nova Al Research and Development Team.

Clara Bennett walked into the R&D lab and saw Ryan Walker, unusually not at his computer, but sitting on the break room sofa, looking at a file.

“You’re back?”

Seeing Clara enter, Ryan stood up and handed her the file.

“The National Security Agency caught a foreign man at the airport last night. He was carrying the fake data you created.”

“This is his confession from the overnight interrogation. Take a look.”

Clara took the file and quickly scanned it. A look of mockery crossed her face.“The person behind it is a Carter Group executive?”

“Interesting. I wonder if Ethan Carter knows that Natalie Parker is trying to pin this on him.”

“Hmm.”

Ryan watched the glint in her eyes, a flash of admiration crossing his own.“Whether it’s to protect Natalie Parker or for some other reason, he vehemently denied that Natalie knew anything about it. Instead, he said he was acting on instructions from a Carter Group

executive.”

“Has Ethan Carter been notified?”

Clara looked up at Ryan, her eyes meeting his deep gaze. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she looked away.

She wondered how Ethan would react, knowing he’d been sold out by Natalie Parker’s people.

“The National Security Agency went there early this morning. We just have to wait for news.”

there’s a transnational Ryan didn’t call her out on her embarrassment, instead picking up an invitation from the desk.“By the way, technology exchange conference tomorrow morning, hosted by the EU Chamber of Commerce. They’ve invited a lot of industry bigwigs and investors, and I’d like you to come with me.”

Clara looked up, a little hesitant.“Me? But I’m not very familiar with the field of international technology cooperation. I’m afraid I’ll be a burden to you.”

“It’s okay.”

Ryan walked over to her, placing the invitation in her hand.“I’ll be there. There are quite a few venture capitalists interested in the transformation of traditional enterprises at this conference.”

“I heard your company is short on funds. It wouldn’t hurt to go take a look.”

Clara felt a warmth in her heart. She hadn’t expected Ryan to consider even these things for her.

“Okay, thank you.”

Ryan’s smile deepened.“Then it’s settled. Tomorrow morning at nine, I’ll pick you up downstairs from your apartment. Don’t stay up all night studying the materials. Get some rest.”

At the same time, at the top floor of Walker Venture Partners.

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Emma had just returned from the hospital after her prenatal check–up, feeling like she was covered head–to–toe in the smell of disinfectant, even her mouth tasted bitter.

“It’s now confirmed that this child has XYY syndrome. I advise you to make a decision to terminate the pregnancy as soon as possible.

“Otherwise, waiting a few more weeks when you’re further along, the abortion will be much harder on your body.”

Thinking of the doctor’s words, even though she had long decided against keeping the baby, she still felt a bitter pang in her heart.

She went to the break room, made a cup of coffee, intending to bring it to Mason Walker and test the waters.

“Is Clara Bennett going to the conference tomorrow morning?”

Unexpectedly, before she could even push open the office door, Mason Walker’s voice floated out, filled with elation and excitement.

She hadn’t seen him this happy in a long time. His attitude towards Clara was a complete turnaround from when he had just returned to

the States.

“Yes, Mr. Walker, Ms. Bennett’s name is on the invitation list from the organizers.”

The assistant’s voice was respectful.

“Push all my meetings tomorrow. I have to go to this exchange event.”

Mason instructed, “Also, have them get that navy blue suit I had custom–made ready, and order a bouquet of white tulips to be

delivered to the venue.”

Emma stood outside the door, feeling as though her blood had instantly turned to ice.

White tulips were Clara’s favorite flower. He remembered even that small detail so clearly.

Yet he’d forgotten that today was her prenatal appointment!

She touched her barely–there baby bump, a bitter feeling rising in her chest, knowing the life growing inside her was destined for a difficult start.

Since her earliest crushes, Mason Walker had been the object of her affection, even back when Clara Bennett was the one by his side.

No one knew how much she resented Clara every time she heard her recount little moments between them!

So, when she found out Mason was going abroad, she chased after him, refusing her father’s plan to marry her into the Carter family. Instead, she suggested her father drug Ethan Carter and send Clara to his bed.

Forcing Clara to marry Ethan Carter and break up with Mason.

She stayed by Mason’s side, sleepless for a week, while he was in critical condition, finally earning a sliver of his attention.

Ultimately, she got what she wanted: an engagement and his child.

But just when they were about to get married, he found out everything!

His heart went back to Clara.

Only then did she realize that Clara Bennett was the only woman Mason had ever truly loved!

He was even retaliating against her for Clara’s sake, ignoring her years of devotion. Her power was slowly being stripped away, and now she was just a shareholder in name only, left with some insignificant shares.

How could she accept that!

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The hatred grew in Emma’s heart like a vine. She took a deep breath, swallowed the lump in her throat, and turned to leave silently,

Back in her empty office, she dialed her assistant. “Could you double–check the address and time for the conference tomorrow morning? And please, remind me again… Yes, I’ll be there on time.”

Hanging up, she looked at the ultrasound report, a cold smile playing on her lips. Mason Walker, Clara Bennett, you’ll pay for what you owe me, bit by bit!

The next morning at the conference venue.

Clara stepped out of the car, arm–in–arm with Ryan Walker.

She wore a champagne–colored, floor–length gown today, with tiny rhinestones scattered across the skirt, shimmering softly in the light.

Ryan had traded his usual jacket and cargo pants for a light–colored suit, standing tall and looking every bit the match for Clara.

Together, they were the perfect couple, handsome and beautiful, perfectly in sync. The moment they stepped out of the car, they drew

attention.

Mason stood outside the venue, his eyes locked on them.

But Ryan and Clara acted as if they didn’t even see him, walking straight into the conference hall.

He was dressed in a carefully chosen navy suit, clutching a bouquet of white tulips, but now, the flowers felt like a cruel joke.

Seeing Clara give Ryan that tender smile–the one that, in their youth, had been exclusively his–hit him hard.

A heavy weight seemed to press down on Mason’s chest, making it hard to breathe.

He watched Ryan gently brush a stray hair from Clara’s shoulder, saw the light in her eyes as they spoke quietly, and jealousy blazed within him like wildfire.

He gripped the bouquet tighter, his knuckles turning white, the cheerful chatter of the other guests grating on his ears like noise. Ryan seemed to sense his gaze, looked up, and met his eyes with a calm yet subtly defiant expression, as if declaring Clara as his possession.

Mason’s face darkened instantly, his entire demeanor turning stormy, and he strode toward Ryan, who was currently introducing Clara to some other guests.

Feeling the shift in his energy, the surrounding guests instinctively moved out of his path.

Emma stood not far away, taking it all in.

She was wearing a black dress that only made her already pale complexion look even more wan.

She watched Mason lose control and then glanced at Clara, whom Ryan was protectively standing in front of, the smile on her lips growing colder.

Gently caressing her lower abdomen, she took a pill from her clutch, put it in her mouth, grabbed a champagne flute from a passing server, and downed it in one gulp, a single tear tracing a path down her cheek.

Now that things had come this far, the baby had to go. Might as well let it serve one last purpose!