Chapter 3

Their foul-smelling maws opened right in front of me. I raised my arms to block them, and sharp teeth pierced straight through my flesh.

In the midst of searing pain and terror, my lower abdomen began throbbing with cramping pain.

IVF had been difficult enough, and my pregnancy symptoms had been particularly severe. The doctor had warned that if I didn't take care during pregnancy, I'd most likely lose the baby.

In just this short time, I'd already started bleeding.

Someone, afraid of serious consequences, quickly urged her, "Don't let this become a death. Just throw her out."

Lily snorted coldly. Immediately, someone tried to curry favor.

"Miss Lily is Mr. Quinn's precious darling. Last time someone outbid Miss Lily for jewelry at an auction, they were kneeling and apologizing to her the next day!"

"Even if something does happen, with Mr. Quinn backing you, what's there to fear?"

That man took the lead, dragging me toward the exit while cursing foully.

"Lily's my cousin, which makes Mr. Quinn my cousin-in-law! Bitches like you who destroy families deserve to be taught a lesson!"

Searing pain shot through my scalp. Lily looked at my face, a flash of jealousy in her eyes.

"Even his wife couldn't beat me, and now some mistress thinks she can dream!"

I was shocked.

"You know he has a wife?"

Lily sneered coldly.

"Some old, washed-up woman. Ethan got sick of her ages ago! Why else would he send her abroad?"

Ethan hadn't told her that I'd gone abroad for IVF to give him a child.

Before I could say anything, Lily's face twisted with viciousness.

"You bitch, trying to use pregnancy to climb the ladder! Let me tell you—you don't have that fate!"

She kicked me in the stomach. The pain in my abdomen made me collapse to my knees immediately.

Feeling my child's life force growing weaker inside me, I panicked.

"The child in my belly really is Ethan's! Get me to a hospital now! If I lose this baby, he won't let any of you off!"

Seeing the blood on the ground, the crowd stirred. The burly man turned and shouted, "This is Quinn family business! Who dares call the police?"

He pinned me firmly to the ground, forcing me to lift my head, and said to Lily ingratiatingly, "Hit her however you want. Don't upset yourself!"

Lily rained down a series of slaps on me. My face had gone numb from the pain, swelling beyond recognition.

A flash of satisfaction crossed her eyes. She looked at the watching crowd and warned them, "This is what happens to mistresses! If I catch anyone else seducing Mr. Quinn, they'll die worse than her!"

Then she commanded the security guard, "Go strip her clothes off and throw her onto the street outside! She's shameless enough to be a mistress—why does she need clothes?"

I clutched my collar desperately, using my last bit of strength to struggle.

"Let go of me! I'm not a mistress!"

As they were about to drag me out of the neighborhood, I quickly shouted a number to the watching crowd.

"Whoever can call this number for me and tell them what's happening, I'll pay them a million dollars!"

Someone clicked their tongue.

"Is she trying to call for backup?"

The spectators laughed mockingly.

"Backup? Who would dare come! Is there anyone in New York more powerful than the Quinns?"

Lily pinched me hard.

"Little bitch, still playing games? Look at those cheap rags you're wearing—what kind of person could you possibly call?"

Ignoring the struggle, I looked at the doubting crowd and raised the stakes.

"Whoever makes this call for me, I'll give ten million!"

Before I'd finished speaking, Lily slapped me several times across the face.

My head spun, and I spat out a bloody tooth.