Carter’s heart trembled when he heard that. He kept a steady gaze and looked at Shirley, who still wore a cold expression in her eyes. “Why are you only telling me this now?” Shirley laughed indifferently. “I’ve come here with a purpose, of course. I want to strike a deal with you. Otherwise, I might not have bothered to let you know.”“…” Carter pursed his lips when he heard her reply. He could not think of a retort. Camille’s expression darkened. “Shirley, are you saying that you’d use the baby as a bargaining tool in exchange for benefits?”“You’re absolutely right, Mrs. Gray. I’m indeed here today for some benefits,” Shirley admitted openly without refrain.Carter and Camille were stunned; Ada was burning with rage, but she felt less threatened now because of Shirley’s attitude. “What do you want?” Carter asked directly. Shirley threw a glance at Ada, then replied, “I’d like to talk with you in private. After all, some matters aren’t suitable to be discussed in the pre

Carter narrowed his eyes and involuntarily loosened his grip on the back of Shirley's neck.He was stunned by her indifference. This was not right.Shirley would never behave like this in the past. Now, the way she looked at him, and the way she spoke, were that of enemies–cold and hostile. “Hah.” Carter laughed softly and released Shirley’s neck. “You want the anti-toxoid test reagent formula for AXT69? I'll never give it to you,” Carter rejected with a cold laugh.He had thought his answer could frighten and unsettle Shirley. He had not expected Shirley to be abnormally calm instead.“Since you're not interested in this deal, let’s pretend I didn't come by today.” Shirley steered her wheelchair around the second she finished speaking.When Carter saw this, he reached out and grabbed Shirley’s wrist. Shirley, whose wheelchair had been moving forward when Carter yanked her back, instantly fell off her wheelchair.Her legs, which could not support her at all, caused her

Ada, who was listening to their conversation behind the door, was frightened by Carter’s furious questioning, and her face turned pale.‘If Shirley told the truth, how would I explain myself?’ She anxiously thought. Suddenly, she realized that the study room had become unusually quiet.Feeling uneasy and curious, Ada leaned closer to the door, her ears practically pressing against it.She heard a soft “click,” and the door abruptly swung open.Carter was standing right in front of Ada, and she turned rigid, unsure of what to do. After a few seconds, she regained her composure and adopted an awkward demeanor; her face also feigned a gentle smile.“Carter, I… I was just worried about you. I wasn’t eavesdropping.” Ada smiled forcefully as she tried to explain, but she noticed Carter's unusually dark expression at the moment.She intended to peep into the study room to see what was happening with Shirley, but her gaze was met by Carter's cold, icy stare.“Car… Carter?”“It seems

The slap resounded loud and clear. Further, she had deliberately hit the side of Shirley’s injured face.The scene had unfolded too suddenly. Camille and Cathy had not expected it, while Ada's mother was satisfied with her "feat,” and Ada was secretly delighted.However, Ada could only enjoy the moment briefly before she similarly received a hard slap across her right cheek.“Ouch!” Ada shouted in pain as Carter slapped Ada so hard that she could barely stand up. She also tasted the blood trickling from the corners of her mouth.Ada and her mother froze, eyes widened. They had not expected Carter to make such a move.He had actually slapped Ada! Shirley too had not anticipated that. The burning pain on her cheek seemed to have immediately subsided. Was Carter trying to protect her?“How dare you slap my daughter, Carter?!” Ada’s mother demanded anxiously.Carter appeared impassive, but his gaze was icy. "I hit your daughter because you slapped my woman. It's only fair."“

Carter thought he had a hearing problem, but Shirley did, in fact, say those words.“This isn't your child? Shirley, do you even know what you’re saying?” Carter asked with restrained anger.Shirley remained indifferent as she smiled and responded, “Aren’t you forgetful at times, Carter? Earlier in the study room, I had clearly said that the baby was just a bargaining chip in exchange for the anti-toxoid test reagent formula. Just a bargaining chip. Do you understand?”“You…”For the first time in his life, Carter was tongue-tied because he was too furious.While he was distracted, Shirley took the opportunity to grab the box from his hands Having been jolted out of his daze, Carter found Shirley grasping the box firmly.He found that ridiculous. She would not even get a chance to touch it if he had no intention of giving it to her.“Shirley, now that you’re here at the Gray Manor, don't think about leaving. You can develop the anti-toxoid test reagent if you want. You'll fi