Chapter 1 The Substitute on the Wedding Night

"Are you a virgin? Take off your clothes and let me see."

In the dimly lit room, a faint blush colored Stella Irwin's cheeks. "Right now?"

"When else? Stop stalling. Do you want the money or not?" The woman's voice was sharp, her patience wearing thin.

Stella panicked, and she hurriedly began to unbutton her shirt. With each layer she removed, her face flushed deeper, the heat spreading to her ears.

Her figure stood exposed, a sight that couldn't be ignored. She had full, shapely breasts, a slender waist, and hourglass curves that seemed to be crafted like a delicate work of art.

Though the other woman's gaze burned with envy, as she looked at Stella, a twisted sense of satisfaction crept in. Even someone as flawless as Stella had to resort to selling herself for money.

"Not bad," the woman said. "I suppose you'll do as my substitute. I trust you know what you're supposed to do tonight, right? If you slip up in the slightest, I'll make sure neither you nor your sick mother ever find peace!"

The woman's threat was laced with venom.

Stella bit her lower lip, holding back her emotions. "I understand, Ms. Nord."

Today was the wedding day of Martha Nord, the daughter of the prestigious Nord family, one of the wealthiest families in Cindervale.

As the night deepened and the wedding celebration continued upstairs, Martha found herself in the basement, hidden away in the maids' quarters. Quietly, she ushered a student inside.

That student was Stella. Tonight, she was to take Martha's place and sleep with her husband.

Martha was pregnant and couldn't risk her husband discovering that she wasn't a virgin. Even though her family had been a prestigious powerhouse in Cindervale for decades, they wouldn't dare oppose him.

Stella had always prided herself on her good character, but an unexpected medical emergency had forced her to swallow her pride and sell her virginity.

She took a deep breath, bracing herself. "Ms. Nord, is it time?"

"Let's make this quick. I have a tight schedule." Martha rolled her eyes and gestured to the maid behind her. "Ms. Gomez, have her washed up. Jerry's a neat freak so don't let her stench ruin my reputation."

She turned back to Stella, her tone cold and commanding. "Let's get one thing straight. You're here for one purpose—consummate the marriage and give the Parker family an heir. Don't even think about catching feelings for Jerry. Understood?"

Stella's hand froze midair, and a bitter laugh echoed in her mind. As if she'd ever fall for someone like him.

The wealthy all wore the same mask—shining with elegance on the outside, but rotting beneath the surface. Any man willing to marry someone like Martha Nord was bound to be just as corrupt.

Stella's face grew tense as she lowered her gaze. "Yes, Ms. Nord. I understand."

Before long, she was taken to the bridal suite.

She lay on the wedding bed, staring blankly at the ornate crystal chandelier hanging overhead. Her phone rested beside the pillow, conveniently placed where Martha could "keep an eye" on her at any moment.

Moments later, the door creaked open, and footsteps echoed as someone approached.

Stella's body stiffened as she instinctively turned her back.

She bore a faint resemblance to Martha, enough for the Nord family to exploit her. However, no matter how similar they looked, she wasn't Martha.

A knot of guilt tightened in her chest, and she stayed silent, too afraid to speak.

Jeremy Parker couldn't help but frown. He stood beside the bed, not advancing any closer. "…Ms. Nord?"

Was she asleep? If so, that might be for the best. There was no chance of them becoming a real couple tonight, after all.

He had been clear with Martha from the start; their marriage was nothing more than a business arrangement, a means to appease the elders. Once the older generation eased up on their expectations in a few years, they'd part ways amicably.

However, despite his transparency, Martha hadn't exactly played along. At his birthday party, she had pulled a stunt that still left a bitter taste in his mouth.

As the thought crossed his mind, his impatience flared. "You—"

Before he could finish, there was a sharp click, and the lights in the bedroom flickered out, plunging the room into darkness.

Outside, Jeremy's bodyguard called out, "Mr. Parker, there's a power outage."

A power outage? That didn't sit right.

His expression hardened as his instincts kicked in. Something was off. Power outages could happen anywhere, but not at the Parker residence. This was no coincidence.

Jeremy took a step toward the door, determined to leave. However, before he could get far, Stella sat up and wrapped her arms around him from behind.

"...Jerry, I'm scared." Her voice was soft and alluring, echoing Martha's tone perfectly.

Jeremy's face darkened.

"Martha," he spat, his voice thick with fury. "Enough with this nonsense."

It clicked in an instant. She had purposely cut the power to seduce him.

Was she trying to assert her place as the mistress of his family? How ridiculous.

He shoved at her, but Stella only clung onto him tighter. This was the plan that Martha and her had carefully devised.

Even with the power cut, the residence's backup system would kick in within 20 minutes. In those 20 minutes of darkness, she had to use every ounce of her charm to seduce him.

With that focus in mind, Stella summoned all her strength. To her surprise, she succeeded in pulling Jeremy onto the bed.

"Mart—" Before he could finish, she positioned herself on top of him, settling into his lap.

In the pitch-black room, Jeremy's breath quickened. Though he had always loathed Martha, the proximity between them sparked a reaction he couldn't ignore.

A sweet, intoxicating fragrance lingered in the air. It was a mix of body wash and a woman's natural scent, a stark contrast to the heavy, overpowering perfume Martha always wore.

Jeremy's mind raced back to a few arranged dinners with Martha, where the sharp, cloying scent of Velvet Ember perfume always lingered in the air.

What was going on? Who was this woman in front of him?

A sense of unease washed over him, and he immediately sensed something was wrong. His cold, piercing gaze cut through the darkness as he tried to focus on the face before him.

However, Stella didn't give him a chance to respond. With a bold move, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his.

A sharp "pop" rang out as their lips met, and Stella's face flushed bright red.

She had promised to use every trick in the book to seduce him, but in truth, she wasn't exactly experienced.

All she could manage was to stammer, "J-Jerry, I'm scared."

She fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, the fabric tearing as the buttons popped off.

Jeremy let out an amused chuckle. He was taken aback by Martha's boldness tonight.

His throat shifted as he swallowed, his voice dropping to a husky tone. He grasped Stella's hand, which had been absentmindedly toying with him.

"Do you even know what you're doing?" he asked.

Stella nodded. Martha had made it clear that she wasn't just here to consummate the marriage on her behalf, but also to bear Jeremy's child.

Ten million dollars. That was the price for carrying his baby. With that kind of money, she could live without worry.

As the thought crossed her mind, Stella quickly moved to unbuckle his belt.

Jeremy's face darkened, ready to snap. However, he then heard her soft, pleading voice. "Honey, please… Can you give it to me?"

Though momentarily surprised, he soon lost all restraint.

"This is your doing," he growled, and his lips came down on hers in a fierce, relentless kiss.

In the dimly lit room, there was no more conversation, only the sound of their passionate exchange.

Chapter 2 The Aftermath

In the room next door, Martha fumed with jealousy as she listened to the moans coming through the phone. She grabbed a vase and hurled it to the floor, shattering it into pieces.

She yelled, "This is all your fault, Mom! If it weren't for you, I'd be the one in Jeremy's bed right now!

"If you hadn't convinced me to drug hum at the Parker family's birthday party three months ago, I wouldn't have ended up with Frank Livingston… and pregnant with his child! If the Parkers find out this baby isn't Jeremy's, we're finished!"

Bernice Drumann stood beside her daughter, shifting uneasily. "I'm sorry, Martha. I never meant for things to spiral like this.

"But think about it, we still have an option. Let Stella take your place. Once you both end up pregnant, we can simply switch the babies. No one will know, and we'll make sure everything stays hidden."

"I could just get rid of mine instead," Martha shot back bitterly.

However, the moment those words left her lips, a thick silence settled over the room.

Forget it. That option was never a possibility. Ever since she'd secured her place in the Parker family and stepped into the prestigious role of Mrs. Parker, every action she took had been under a microscope.

If she even dared to set foot in a hospital for an abortion, the media would have a field day, plastering her name across every tabloid. The smartest move was exactly what Bernice had suggested—find a stand-in and keep her out of sight.

Fooling Jeremy was one thing, but deceiving the relentless media would require a far more calculated strategy.

Martha forced herself to calm down, taking a deep breath. Her sharp nails pressed into her palm, drawing a thin line of blood.

She glared at the phone screen, which was connected to the call. An hour and a half had passed, and the moans from the other end still hadn't stopped.

She cursed under her breath, "That bitch! Let her get her cheap thrill, but I'll make sure she regrets it."

Bernice nodded repeatedly. "Exactly. She's just a filthy pawn. As long as she's alive and useful, who cares about anything else? She'll be a maid in our house from now on. You can punish her, berate her, do whatever you wish."

Hearing this, Martha's mood seemed to lift a little. She scoffed and asked, "Speaking of which, how did you find her? It's such a coincidence that she looks so much like me. When she put on my clothes today, I nearly mistook her for my twin."

Martha had always taken pride in her beauty, a trait she proudly credited to her father, Xavier Nord. He had once been a heartthrob in Cindervale.

Xavier had inherited a pair of double eyelids and almond-shaped eyes that made him look both charismatic and aloof.

Martha had inherited those same captivating eyes, and even though her personality was sharp and commanding, her beauty still commanded admiration. Many wealthy second-generation heirs couldn't help but revere her.

On the other hand, Stella was merely an ordinary college student from a small town. Yet, her eyes were a perfect match for Martha's.

In fact, Stella's eyes were even more mesmerizing. Her almond-shaped gaze held a mischievous, almost teasing gleam, with a sharp clarity that could captivate anyone, leaving them spellbound.

Bernice's expression wavered, and for a fleeting moment, she felt guilty. "Twins? What are you talking about? Stella's mother is practically a dying corpse, not like me... Martha, stop worrying about that for now. Focus on the phone; has Mr. Parker finished yet?"

Martha's attention snapped back to the moment. After an hour and 58 minutes, the sounds from the next room finally stopped.

A wave of disgust and frustration surged within her, and she reluctantly ordered the maid, "Fix my makeup. I'm going to take back what's mine."

…

In the master bedroom, the air was thick with the lingering scent of passion, the storm at last beginning to settle.

Stella's face was flushed, her breath shallow and uneven. She clutched the pillow tightly, her back turned away from Jeremy.

She hadn't anticipated that he would take so long. Wasn't it supposed to be over in 20 minutes? Why had Jeremy spent a full two hours?

Suddenly, the backup power kicked in, flooding the room with stark, white light. Only God knew how hard Stella had worked to keep Jeremy from seeing her face.

Jeremy lay there, breathing heavily. His gaze was shadowed and intense, almost disquieting.

His gaze lingered on the soft, flushed skin of her back, where the faint marks of his fingers still clung to her slender waist.

Leaning in, Jeremy sank his teeth lightly into the nape of Stella's neck, as if marking his territory. His voice was deep and husky. "Go take a shower."

Stella froze, her body trembling with fear. A shower? How could she possibly hide her face then? Everything would be exposed.

Her voice came out strained, raw with vulnerability. "I don't have the strength... you go first..."

Jeremy thought she was just feeling shy as she avoided his gaze.

He leaned in near her ear, his fingers threading through her damp hair. He said, "I'll help you."

Jeremy was usually cold and distant, especially with women. With his striking looks and influential family, women had always been eager to win his attention. Up until two hours ago, he'd seen Martha as nothing more than a nuisance.

But now, his typically indifferent gaze softened, betraying a tenderness he wasn't even aware of.

"Be good, alright?" His voice was low and magnetic.

Though she couldn't make out his features clearly, Stella could easily picture the sharp lines of his face. Her heart raced uncontrollably.

The room remained dim, shadows obscuring most of their features.

Nonetheless, Stella had always possessed sharp night vision, a skill honed by her impoverished childhood.

She had learned to navigate the darkness, doing homework and chores by the soft flicker of an oil lamp. Now, she could just make out the faint contours of Jeremy's face.

He was devastatingly handsome, his features perfectly sculpted. His high-bridged nose brushed against her cheek whenever he kissed her. And then there was his muscular frame—broad shoulders, a tapered waist, and a chiseled eight-pack.

After sleeping with him, Stella could understand why Martha clung to him so fiercely, terrified that another woman might claim him.

But it was all in vain. No matter how tightly Martha had held on, she had already been forced to let him go. It was a sad reality, one that Stella couldn't help but notice.

She quietly warned herself not to catch feelings for Jeremy. She sniffed, pretending to be vulnerable. "I... it hurts too much down there. I can't move."

It was the truth, though hard to admit. Who could have known he was that... big?

Hearing her, Jeremy nearly lost control once more. However, the memory of the slight bleeding she'd experienced earlier kept him grounded.

His brow furrowed as he spoke in a strained voice, "I'll go get some medicine."

As soon as he left, Stella breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly snatched up her clothes and rushed to make her exit.

Her legs throbbed with pain, and the sensation of Jeremy's semen still lingered inside her, each step amplifying the sticky, persistent feeling.

When he had suggested using protection, Stella had urgently stopped him, insisting they continue without it. That decision had caused her to bleed. Her daring actions had led to Jeremy losing control, their first time stretching on for two hours.

Stella limped toward the door, opening it to find herself face-to-face with Martha, who wore the same nightgown.

Martha's body was covered in hickeys the maids had created with makeup, and she had even instructed them to add more.

But when her gaze fell on the love bites marking Stella's neck, her fury erupted, leaving her breathless with rage.

This bitch! She was just a college student! How dare she be so brazen?

In that instant, Martha lost all control. Disregarding that Jeremy was nearby in the shower, she slapped Stella sharply across the face. "You disgusting whore, do you really think you deserve to be with Jeremy?"

But after everything that had happened, what was there left for Stella to fear? Without a second thought, she retaliated, slapping Martha right back.

Stella's eyes grew cold. "Ms. Nord, you were the one who sent me to your husband's bed. If you're questioning my worth, maybe you should first ask yourself if you're the one with the problem.

"I've met all your demands. Transfer two hundred thousand dollars into my account, no less. If you don't, I'll make sure your family pays, even if it costs me my life."

Her voice was icy, her gaze shifting toward the bathroom.

They were so close to Jeremy; one shout from Stella, and the truth about his two "wives" would be exposed.

Martha was left stunned by the slap, her mind spinning. She had always thought Stella was an easy target to bully, but now she realized just how wrong she had been.

Her face turned red, and she stood speechless, unable to come up with a retort.

Just then, the sound of the shower ceased—Jeremy had finished. Before Martha could even muster her anger, she pushed Stella away.

"I'll pay you the money. Now leave!" she snapped.

Once Stella was gone, the bathroom door opened, and Martha quickly rushed to the bed.

The king-sized mattress was in disarray. Sheets tangled and damp stains scattered across the surface.

Still slick from the shower, Jeremy stepped out of the bathroom, oblivious to the changes that had taken place in the room. His bathrobe hung loosely around his waist, water droplets trailing down his skin.

As he dried his hair, his eyes drifted to Martha, lounging silently on the bed. Her posture was provocative, with one hand propping her head up.

"Honey," she purred, deliberately imitating Stella's tone.

Her voice was sweet, yet there was an almost eerie, clingy quality to it. Jeremy frowned, his gaze locking with hers in surprise.

Martha offered him a sweet smile, eerily reminiscent of the one Stella wore in their most intimate moments. However, something about it didn't sit right.

Chapter 3 Doubt

For some inexplicable reason, Jeremy couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Though she wore the same nightgown and still bore the marks on her body, the woman before him exuded an odd vitality, as if she had finally found the confidence to reveal the face she had once kept hidden. It almost seemed like she was eager to show it off.

Her eyes were full of affection for him, yet Jeremy couldn't shake the sense of insincerity. It was as if her admiration had shifted into something almost obsequious. It felt so different from the warmth she had shown him before.

Jeremy studied Martha silently.

With a blush, Martha playfully complained, "It's all your fault… Honey, how about we go take a shower together?"

She extended her hand, waiting for Jeremy to take her in his arms. If Stella could receive the attention of this powerful man, why couldn't she?

Jeremy stood there in silence for a long moment, his expression growing cold.

"Go shower by yourself," he said. With that, he turned and walked away.

Martha's panic surged. "Jerry, where are you going?"

Had he discovered the truth?

Jeremy didn't look back. As he stepped out, he bumped into Stella, who had just emerged from the next room.

She was fully covered in an oversized maid's uniform, with her hat and mask hiding her face. He walked past her, his body brushing against hers.

As he watched her descend the stairs toward the front door, his voice sliced through the stillness. "Wait."

Stella's heart shot into her throat.

What was happening? Wasn't Martha still in the room? Why was he coming out now?

A cold shiver ran down her spine, and she spoke in a hoarse voice, "Good evening, Mr. Parker."

Thankfully, her time in her school's Voice Acting Club had taught her how to control her voice. Though it was soft and gentle, it had remarkable versatility. She could effortlessly shift between voices, whether that of a boy, a woman, a child, or even an elderly person.

Hearing Stella's aged voice, Jeremy failed to recognize her as the woman he'd just been with. His reason for stopping her stemmed from a different suspicion entirely.

His gaze swept over her from head to toe.

"You're not a maid of the Parker residence. Who sent you?" he asked firmly.

Stella's heart lurched, and she instinctively bowed her head. "Mr. Parker, I—"

But before she could finish, a woman's voice rang out, slicing through the tension. "Jerry! What are you doing?"

It was Martha.

She hurried over and clutched Jeremy's arm, her voice laced with panic. "Jerry, she's the maid I brought with me. She used to work for me at the Nord residence."

"Your maid?" Jeremy looked at Martha, his expression unshaken, only a faint smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth. "So she's the mole… You're the one who had her cut the power, aren't you?"

His razor-sharp intuition sent a chill down both women's spines.

Martha was caught completely off guard, struggling to decide whether to lie or confess. However, Jeremy's tone left no room for argument. He was certain that Martha had been the mastermind behind the power outage.

If she confessed now, perhaps she could avoid his suspicion of the darker truth that the two women had switched places during the blackout.

Martha clung to her robe, the very picture of a wronged damsel. But not even that pitiful act could warm the frost in Jeremy's gaze.

There was still something off. Though her figure and face matched, she wasn't the same woman he had just embraced. But if it wasn't Martha, then who could it be?

A sudden thought struck Jeremy, and his gaze shifted to Stella.

Judging by her figure, she appeared to be quite young, so why did her voice sound so raspy and aged?

The realization hit him, and he spoke sharply, "Every maid at the Parker residence is required to be registered. If you intend to keep her, have her remove the mask."

In an instant, Martha panicked, her words stumbling out in haste. "Jerry, this... this isn't a good idea. She... she's really unattractive—"

"Take it off." Jeremy cut in coldly, his eyes glinting with a sharp edge.

As Jeremy advanced, Stella instinctively took a step back.

Martha's heart pounded in her chest. "Jerry!"

"Do you want me to take it off for you?" His voice was low and icy, reverberating in Stella's ears.

Before she could even process it, he had her pressed up against the stair railing. One more step, and she would be sent tumbling down the stairs.

Jeremy gripped the railing with one hand, his other reaching for her mask.

However, just as he was about to remove it, Stella dropped to her knees with a loud thud.

"Mr. Parker, please… save my daughter!" she begged, clutching his pants as her voice cracked into frantic sobs.

She claimed her daughter had suffered a sudden relapse and was now in the emergency room, battling for her life. If she didn't leave right away, she might never have the chance to say goodbye.

As Stella spoke, she pulled her mask halfway down. But since she was still kneeling, Jeremy could only catch a glimpse of the swollen, bruised side of her cheek. It was obvious she had been struck recently.

Jeremy quickly put the pieces together. No wonder Martha had been so adamant about hiding her face; it would reveal her as the ruthless heiress of the Nord family.

His irritation flared. Jeremy's obsession with cleanliness made the sight of Stella's tear-streaked face and the smear of her runny nose against his silk pajama pants intolerable.

With a flick of his arm, he shoved her aside. "Get out."

To Stella, it was a brief reprieve. She turned and fled without a glance back.

As she disappeared from the Parker residence, Martha let out a relieved sigh. She knew her eagerness had likely raised some suspicions. Reflecting on Stella's soft voice and timid demeanor from the phone recordings, she bit her lip.

"Jerry… I'm sorry. Do you hate me now?" Martha asked.

Jeremy frowned, rubbing his temples wearily. "Get some rest. I've got things to take care of. I'll be inside the study."

With that, he brushed her hand aside and walked away without a glance back.

...

Soon, the day of the wedding went. It was a new day.

Jeremy's grandmother, Edith McCain, came to visit the newlyweds, bringing along a carload of gifts and supplements.

As she stepped inside, she immediately noticed Martha's pale complexion.

The maids soon informed her that Jeremy hadn't spent the night in the bridal suite but had instead worked through the night in the study.

Edith's temper flared. She had initially assumed that Jeremy hadn't consummated the marriage, but the maids quickly reassured her that they had.

There had been quite a lot of noise from the master bedroom that night, including the sound of running water twice. But something must have happened afterward, because it seemed the couple had argued and ended up sleeping in separate rooms.

Now in her seventies, Edith nearly fainted when she heard this. She had never been completely fond of Martha as her granddaughter-in-law, but in that moment, she gripped Martha's hand tightly, refusing to let go.

She yelled, "Jeremy, this is too much! No matter what, you can't just leave Martha alone in that room!"

How could he use her like that and then cast her aside as if she meant nothing?

Jeremy wasn't comfortable telling Edith that something about Martha felt off. Instead, he lowered his eyes and said, "There was an urgent issue at the company."

"Is work more important than your wife now?" Edith shot back. "Jeremy, your parents are gone, and you're not getting any younger. When are you going to give our family an heir? Your grandfather and I are growing old… Who knows if we'll live long enough to see our great-grandchild?"

She let out a sigh, pretending to wipe away tears that weren't there.

Jeremy could only shake his head.

"Grandma—" he started, but before he could say more, Edith turned to Martha.

"By the way, Martha," she said with concern, "have you and Jeremy done your premarital health screening yet?"

Chapter 4 You're Pregnant

Martha's playful, flirtatious movements suddenly came to a halt, leaving her frozen in place.

"…Grandma Edith, is that really necessary? I mean, Jeremy and I have already…" She wanted to explain that they've already slept together.

Understanding her implication, Edith smiled warmly. "Now that you're husband and wife, it's even more important. I'm sure there's nothing wrong with your health, but for the sake of our family's future, a checkup is essential. Don't worry, Martha. Jeremy will go with you."

The idea of going together made it feel even more uncomfortable.

The color drained from Martha's face, and her hand instinctively went to her stomach. If they found out she was pregnant, everything would unravel.

She swallowed hard, trying to keep her composure. Knowing Edith's kind nature, she grasped her arm and pleaded, "Grandma Edith, I've been terrified of hospitals since I was a child. Could we not go? Or maybe... we could have the doctor come here instead?"

"Martha, what kind of request is that? Doctors are public servants. How could you expect them to make house calls just for your convenience?" To Martha's dismay, Edith frowned, her tone turning stern as she delivered a sharp reprimand.

She continued, "In this family, we don't believe in class superiority. You need to let go of that entitled attitude, do you understand?"

It felt like a slap to her face. Martha was consumed with humiliation, resentment bubbling just beneath the surface.

She silently cursed Edith, but outwardly, she put on a pitiful expression and turned to Jeremy, searching for sympathy.

To her surprise, Jeremy's gaze was just as intense and unreadable. His words landed like a final decree. "Alright, we'll go this afternoon."

…

At the gynecology department of Concord Hospital, the doctor spoke in a cold, professional tone, "You need to be more moderate with your sexual activity."

Stella's face flushed with embarrassment, and she nodded awkwardly. "...Understood."

She was at her limit. Ever since returning home the night before, she hadn't gotten a moment of sleep.

The anxiety had become unbearable, finally pushing her to visit the gynecology department for a checkup.

After the exam, the doctor handed her a slip of paper. She said, "Take this to the lab for a blood test."

Stella nodded politely. Just as she was about to leave, the doctor suddenly called her back.

Her brows were knit in concern, and though the mask hid most of her face, her voice betrayed a trace of worry and uncertainty.

"Stella, were you able to settle your mother's surgery bill?" she asked.

Stella froze for a moment. "Yes."

This hospital had become a second home to her. Her mother, Alison Irwin, had been in and out of treatment for years, so it wasn't surprising that some of the medical staff knew her by name.

Just after midnight, Stella had settled the full amount of 200 thousand dollars. And now, standing in the gynecology department, it wasn't hard for anyone to connect the dots about how she had come up with the money.

The doctor hesitated, uncertain how to comfort her. However, before she could find the words, Stella spoke up, "Thank you, doctor. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."

Stella clutched the medical slip tightly and walked toward the door, her mind heavy with worry. When she lifted her eyes, she froze. Martha was walking toward her, arm-in-arm with a tall man.

Stella cursed under her breath and swiftly turned back, slipping into the examination room.

"What's wrong, Stella?" the doctor asked.

Stella moved quickly, her face remaining concealed, but her abrupt retreat didn't go unnoticed by Jeremy and Martha.

As Jeremy glanced up, he caught a fleeting glimpse of Stella's back as she disappeared from view. Something about it felt oddly familiar.

He instinctively paused, triggering Martha's alarm bells. In an instant, she recognized the woman. It was Stella.

What the hell was that bitch doing here? This had to be on purpose.

"Honey, did you see someone you know?" Martha's heart raced, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Hearing Martha's coaxing tone, Jeremy glanced away, his expression unreadable. He shot her a quick look, but the conflicted feelings inside him only deepened. The more he heard her sweet voice, the more repelled he felt.

Something seemed amiss, though Jeremy couldn't quite pinpoint what it was. "It's nothing. I must've just mistaken someone for someone else."

Stella lingered in the room for a moment longer, steadying her breath before stepping out. However, as soon as she opened the door, she found herself face-to-face with Martha once again.

Stella's breath caught in her throat. Before she could react, Martha yanked her into the hallway by the emergency exit.

"What are you doing here?" Martha demanded, gripping Stella's wrist tightly.

Stella quickly shook her off, her eyes filled with contempt. She snapped, "Picking up a preion. What's it to you?"

Martha faltered, her gaze dropping to the payment receipt in Stella's hand. The realization struck her; Alison was being treated at this very hospital.

Fury simmered beneath Martha's cold exterior. "Keep our secret quiet. If it gets out, you'll regret it."

Stella took a deep breath, her eyes steady as she looked at Martha's overly made-up face. In a calm, deliberate tone, she replied, "If you're so worried about your husband being tempted by others, maybe you should stay close to him instead of obsessing over me."

Stella stood her ground, composed and unshaken. Her words weren't harsh or biting, but instead were delivered with a calm, measured tone, as though offering nothing more than straightforward advice.

To Martha, however, it felt like nothing but an insult. She spat. "Who asked for your lecture?"

She glared at Stella, her thoughts seething with disdain.

She had originally thought she was dealing with someone easy to control, but now she realized she had unintentionally triggered a ticking time bomb. But it was too late to turn back now. What could she do?

Martha swallowed her anger and forced herself to remain calm. "Fine, since you're already here, I won't need to ask anyone for favors. Take this and get the test done for me."

Stella looked at the receipt, instantly recognizing it as payment for a blood test. She understood exactly what Martha was implying. She pulled out her phone, glanced at Martha, and said casually, "Just so you know, there's an extra charge for that."

Despite her frustration, Martha had no choice but to transfer the money to Stella.

…

A moment later, Stella stepped out, holding the blood test report that clearly read: "Progesterone levels steadily rising, 3 months pregnant."

Having taken the test for Martha, it was now Martha's turn to step in for Stella. The results in Stella's hands now weren't hers; they belonged to Martha.

As she studied the report, Stella accidentally bumped into someone.

"Be careful." A deep, magnetic voice filled the air.

Stella froze, her heart leaping as she looked up. It was Jeremy. She had once again ran into him.

Fortunately, when Stella met Martha earlier, Martha had insisted she wear a mask. Now, as she locked eyes with Jeremy, the mask concealed her face, sparing her from his piercing gaze.

Still, the tension in the air was suffocating. Stella quickly moved away from him, her voice barely above a whisper. "Excuse me, sir."

Jeremy regarded Stella with a cold, calculating gaze, his attention drawn to her almond-shaped eyes. There was something about her that reminded him of Martha.

The uneasy feeling he'd had the night before had led him to dig into the details, and sure enough, he'd tracked down the same peculiar maid who had been with Martha.

Jeremy ignored Stella's words, his cold, inscrutable gaze fixed on the medical report she held.

Spotting something unusual, he swiftly snatched the report from her hands, his voice dripping with mockery.

"Stella Irwin, 24 years old," he read aloud. "Tell me, how does someone your age end up with a seven-year-old daughter?"

Stella flinched, the realization hitting her like a sharp blow. Jeremy had seen through the lie she'd told the night before.

In her desperation, she had disguised herself as a middle-aged woman. Now, with the truth exposed, she was at a loss for words, her mind scrambling for an explanation.

As Jeremy's gaze returned to the report, his expression darkened, a flicker of disbelief crossing his features. "You're pregnant?"

Chapter 5 Begging for Mercy

Stella never saw this coming. The scheme that she and Martha had cooked up had been completely exposed.

Still, this might be her only chance to come clean. With tears brimming in her eyes, she pleaded, "Yes, sir… I lied to you last night. But I really am pregnant. I helped Ms. Nord take the test and only lied because I was afraid of being punished. Please, Mr. Parker… forgive me!"

Watching her beg, Jeremy's eyes flickered, his face unreadable. He swallowed slightly and, for a long, tense moment, he remained silent. If Stella was truly pregnant, then she couldn't have been the woman from the night before.

The realization hit him like a jolt, and his irritation flared. Without a word, he tossed the report toward her. "You're not fit to be a maid. Go to the housekeeper tomorrow to settle your wages."

His words were final—he was firing her.

There was something off about this woman, and her close connection to Martha only added to his unease. To avoid further complications, it was best she leave the Parker residence.

Stella was overcome with panic. "Mr. Parker! Please, I really need this job!"

She couldn't afford to lose it. Jeremy was her only source of support, the "golden goose" she depended on.

In her panic, she forgot to lower her voice. Her sultry tone caught Jeremy's attention, making him frown once more.

Something didn't sit right. Her voice was strangely familiar, almost identical to the one from that night. Jeremy could never erase the sound of Stella's real voice, no matter how hard he tried.

Unable to hold back his frustration any longer, he grabbed her wrist and demanded, "Stella Irwin... Have we met before?"

His words yanked Stella's thoughts back to the previous night.

Up until now, she had become used to the husky, seductive quality of his voice in the darkness. But now, his cold, authoritative tone made her fully realize just how intimidating this powerful man really was.

Stella lowered her head, letting him hold her wrist, while her mind raced with Martha's threats. If she were exposed, Alison would be as good as dead.

Fortunately, it wasn't the worst-case scenario yet. She just needed to keep deceiving this perceptive heir for as long as she could.

Her hands trembled as she intentionally distorted her voice even more, trying to conceal her real tone. "Mr. Parker... I've always been by Ms. Nord's side."

She sounded as if she were about to cry, but instead of evoking sympathy, it only seemed to deepen Jeremy's growing frustration. Surely, no other woman could provoke such emotions in him.

"Why are you always wearing a mask?" He continued pressing her, his grip tightening around her wrist.

"I... I have a severe cold. I'm afraid it might be contagious," she replied.

The more Stella tried to avoid him, the more intrigued Jeremy became.

Without thinking, he raised his hand. Just as he was about to touch her mask, a sharp cry interrupted.

"Honey!" It was Martha. Startled, she rushed over and grabbed Jeremy's hand, pulling him away. "The results are in. Let's go! My mom's waiting for us at home."

Jeremy's thoughts were interrupted, and he instinctively pulled his hand away from Stella.

Stella seized the moment and bolted like a rabbit, not daring to look back.

As he watched her slender figure disappear, Jeremy's expression grew darker. Without a word, he pushed Martha aside, deliberately putting space between them.

…

After the hospital check up, Stella stayed away from the Parker residence for several days, fearful that Jeremy might catch on to something.

Martha didn't want her there either. Not until Friday when Bernice called, urging her to act.

She reminded Martha that the two pregnancies couldn't be spaced too far apart, or it would make swapping the babies later nearly impossible. Stella had to get pregnant with Jeremy's child as soon as possible.

With no other option, Martha reluctantly called Stella over. "Your body seems perfectly healthy, doesn't it? You'll stay at the Parker residence this weekend. I'll arrange for you and Jeremy to sleep together."

Stella lowered her head and spoke calmly, "Ms. Nord, I can't do this anymore. I'll find another way to cover my mom's medical bills. As for your situation, you should find someone else."

She turned to leave, but Martha folded her arms and sneered, "You must be feeling pretty confident now that the surgery was a success, right?

"But Ms. Campus Belle, do you even realize how much your mother's targeted therapy costs? It's five figures every month. If that treatment stops, the cancer cells could mutate and spread. She could relapse at any time.

"If you walk away now, where do you think you'll come up with that kind of money? Concord Hospital is the only place in Cindervale that offers the targeted therapy she needs. Have you forgotten? Every hospital in this city is under the Nord Group's control."

Martha spoke slowly, her eyes glinting with satisfaction.

Stella understood the unspoken threat. If she walked away now, Martha wouldn't hesitate to sever Alison's only lifeline.

Her body shook with fury as she gritted her teeth. "Ms. Nord, what you're doing is illegal!"

"So, what? If Jeremy finds out about the pregnancy, it'll ruin my entire family," Martha scoffed, her fingers digging into Stella's arm. "We're in this together now. And until I tell you otherwise, you'll keep sleeping with Jeremy until you're pregnant."

"Martha!" Stella snapped, her anger finally boiling over. Her fists clenched tightly beneath her sleeves.

However, no matter how intense her anger, she was still just an ordinary woman, powerless against the elite families of Cindervale. Alison was still counting on her for the medication.

A pang of guilt pierced her. When Bernice had come to her a week ago, Stella should never have been swayed by the lure of money.

But for some inexplicable reason, Bernice had always felt strangely familiar. Perhaps it was a fleeting whim, but Stella had somehow gone along with that completely absurd request to sleep with Jeremy.

As Stella remained silent, Martha's smile deepened, her demeanor shifting from intimidation to persuasion.

Martha said, "Ms. Irwin, don't you think this is destiny? We may be strangers, but you're lucky enough to resemble me in more ways than one.

"And now, we even share the same husband. That makes us sisters, doesn't it? As long as you cooperate and stay in line, I wouldn't mind treating you like one.

"Isn't it better to live comfortably at the Parker residence than to struggle for a meager income out there?"

Stella was overcome with disgust. Who would ever want to be her sister?

But she didn't say another word. Instead, she gave Martha a cold, unfeeling stare before closing her eyes. "Give me your clothes."

In the end, she had successfully transformed into Martha.

Martha had told her that Jeremy was down in the underground wine cellar selecting wines; an ideal moment for what needed to be done.

The cellar was dimly lit, and there was no need for Martha to cut the power. Stella could easily make the switch herself.

As she entered, Stella immediately spotted Jeremy, his back to her. With a deep breath, she slid her arms around him from behind.

"Hey, honey..." she murmured.