Third Person's POV
Meanwhile, Cliff received the hospital test results: Melinda was indeed pregnant, and judging by the timing, the child was definitely his.
In the Todd family hall, Beta Elliot led Melinda to stand in front of Cliff.
This was no trivial matter. Veronica had also rushed over upon hearing the news, and standing behind her, Ginevra's face was full of unwillingness, unable to hide her jealousy.
It had taken so much effort to get rid of Vanya, and now there was Melinda. It seemed she was getting further and further away from becoming Cliff's wife.
Cliff sat on the sofa, staring at the medical report, unable to speak for a long time.
Veronica asked, "Cliff, is all this true?"
Cliff did not respond.
Veronica immediately understood—he had indeed been with Melinda, and the child was very likely Cliff's.
Melinda spoke up: "Cliff, I am carrying your first child. Madam has been longing for a great-grandchild for so long. You won't let her down, will you?"
Cliff furrowed his brows tightly.
Veronica had always hoped that Vanya would give Cliff a child, but after several months of marriage, there had been no sign. She had long since grown impatient.
Cliff said coldly, "Elliot, take her to the hospital and have the child aborted."
"Cliff! Are you crazy? This is your child!"
Melinda hurriedly protected her belly—she absolutely could not let Cliff harm the child.
Veronica also frowned. "Nonsense! This is your first child. How can you be so heartless?"
"I will never have a child with any woman other than Vanya."
"She is already dead! This is not up to you!"
Veronica stared at Melinda's belly, her attitude firm. "Since she's pregnant, she will keep it. When the child is born, we'll see if it's a boy or a girl, and whether it carries the Todd family bloodline."
Cliff looked displeased. "Grandmother, this matter..."
"No matter what, she is carrying a Todd family child. We absolutely cannot let it be lost to the outside."
Hearing Veronica's words, Melinda finally felt completely at ease.
But Ginevra was filled with anxiety—if, ten months later, Melinda gave birth to a boy and it was confirmed to be Cliff's child, then she would have no chance at all.
At this moment, Veronica turned to Ginevra beside her and said, "Ginny, go prepare a room for her and let her move in."
"Yes, Veronica." Although Ginevra was reluctant, she had no choice but to comply.
Melinda glanced at Ginevra with a look of triumph—as a fellow woman, how could she not see that Ginevra liked Cliff?
She would never give the other woman a chance.
"Veronica, since I'm pregnant, shouldn't we hire an experienced nanny to take care of me? If such a young girl is in charge and something happens to the child, who will be responsible?" Melinda's meaning was obvious to anyone.
Ginevra's face immediately turned ugly, and she looked anxiously at Veronica.
She didn't want to leave the Todd family, didn't want to leave Cliff's side!
If that really happened, she would have no chance at all.
"That's true. Let's have Jenny come back to take care of her," Veronica said.
"Veronica... then what about me..." Ginevra tried to argue.
But Veronica interrupted coldly, "Ginny, you've been away from home for so long. It's time you went back to take care of your parents. It's not appropriate for me to keep you by my side all the time."
"Veronica! I want to stay by your side and take care of you. Please don't send me away..."
Before Ginevra could finish, Veronica gave the order: "Go pack your things. Elliot will drive you home later."
Hearing this decision, Ginevra stood there like a deflated balloon, stunned.
She had taken care of Veronica for so long, yet the other woman discarded her so easily.
At that moment, she remembered what Vanya had once said—it was all true.
Veronica had only ever treated her as a pawn to make Vanya feel threatened. Now that Vanya was gone, this pawn was naturally useless.
Besides, with Melinda pregnant, how could Veronica let her stay and risk harming the child?
Veronica's mind was truly meticulous—and truly ruthless!
Melinda watched from the side and couldn't help but sneer—now that she was pregnant, of course the child in her belly was the most important thing.
A mere imitation of her—how could she possibly compete?
"That's settled, then. Cliff, go to the company. Leave the household matters to me."
Ginevra pinned her last hope on Cliff, but he didn't seem to care about her situation at all. Without a word, he turned and left.
Beta Elliot said to Ginevra, "Miss Watkins, please pack your things. I'll come to pick you up later."
Ginevra's face was deathly pale, and she couldn't say a single word.
After Cliff and Beta Elliot left, Veronica also returned to her room without a trace of mercy.
Melinda walked up to Ginevra, raised her eyebrows, and said, "Before you leave, please help me tidy up the room. I think... I'll just stay in your room."
Ginevra glared at Melinda, her eyes full of resentment.
Seeing this, Melinda smiled even more smugly. "Well, I am the one carrying Cliff's child. No matter how pretty some people dress, if they can't get into a man's bed, it's all useless."
Ginevra gritted her teeth, her whole body trembling.
Melinda turned and walked toward the inner rooms. "Let me see where your room is."