Chloe Preston smiled softly. "I’m fine, everything’s okay. Don’t worry." "It’s just that Cecilia fainted. Adrian took her to the hospital, and she hasn’t woken up yet." After saying that, she lowered her eyes, feeling a little guilty. Donovan Xavier sat beside her and gently pulled her into his arms. "It was my fault for leaving you alone at home. You were almost hurt." Chloe Preston touched her abdomen. After a long pause, she pursed her lips and said, "Donovan, the Xavier Family really dislikes the baby I’m carrying. I..." Donovan interrupted her. "Their dislike is their problem. When the baby is born, you’ll have me to love, cherish, and protect her. "I’ll give her the best of everything and won’t let anyone bully her." Hearing this, Chloe Preston looked up at him. "What about me?" Donovan pinched her cheek, his eyes full of affection as he smiled. "You have me." An employee called to say there was a problem at the jadeite store and asked Chloe Preston to come and handle it immediately. Donovan privately wanted her to rest and not go, but ultimately, he couldn’t dissuade her. Before she left, he specifically arranged for a dozen bodyguards to protect her, afraid she might get into an accident. Donovan drove back to the Xavier family’s ancestral home. Caleb Xavier was leaning back in a Huanghuali wood chair, looking languid as he carefully sipped his tea. Rosalind Rowan sat beside him, chatting with a gentle, lovely smile. Ian Xavier sat to the side and said in a low voice, "Dad, is it true that Chloe Preston is pregnant with Donovan’s child?" Caleb Xavier’s good mood instantly soured. "Yes." Ian frowned. "How can that be? Donovan is supposed to marry Rosalind!" Rosalind sat quietly to the side with her eyes lowered, fiddling with her hands. She looked despondent, as if she were on the verge of tears. Caleb noticed and quickly put down his teacup to comfort her. "Oh, my dear sweetheart, please don’t cry!" "Grandpa..." Rosalind raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears, her expression heart-wrenchingly pitiful. "Grandpa, with things , I’m afraid there’s no chance for Donovan and me anymore. "Miss Preston is actually quite nice—kind and beautiful. I can’t compare to her. She and Donovan are a wonderful match. "I suppose I’m just not fortunate enough to be your granddaughter-in-law." Hearing this, Caleb pursed his lips, his heart aching for her. "Nonsense. How could that woman possibly compare to you? She’s nowhere near as good as you are! "Don’t worry, Rosalind. Grandpa will find a way. I’ll make sure Donovan ends up with you!" Ian’s face turned grim as he poured cold water on the idea. Spreading his hands, he asked, "What can we possibly do in this situation? "By the time we come up with a plan, she’ll already be showing!" Rosalind was speechless. She bit her red lip as tears began to fall. Seeing this, Caleb immediately pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. "Don’t cry, Rosalind. Grandpa will find a way. I will definitely get rid of the child in her womb!" "Is that so? And how exactly do you plan to get rid of my child?" A low, powerful voice echoed from outside the door, chilling them to the bone. Rosalind’s eyes lit up as she looked toward the voice. "Do... Donovan." Donovan strode in, his posture tall and straight. He exuded a cold, distant aura, and his eyes held a faint, ominous glint. He seemed unapproachable and utterly indifferent. He walked over to the table and raised his hand. The scalding teapot crashed to the floor, scattering tea leaves and spilling water everywhere. It even splashed onto Caleb’s pant leg, stinging him with a burn that seemed intentional. "Donovan, are you out of your mind?!" Caleb exclaimed, rising to his feet in a fury and slamming his hand on the table. Ian also stood up and pointed a finger at him, scolding angrily, "Donovan, how can you be so disrespectful to your own grandfather? Where is the etiquette you were taught growing up? You’re being utterly unfilial! Apologize to your grandfather at once!" Donovan scoffed. "The fact that I only smashed a teapot is proof that I still have some filial piety. I’m showing respect for his age." Otherwise, given his temperament, he would have smashed it in Caleb’s face and killed him. He then raised his gaze to Caleb. "I’m asking you, what gives you the right to go to The Xavier Residence and go after my woman? She did nothing wrong." "Her pregnancy is her biggest mistake!" Read full story at NoveI[F]ire.net Caleb’s anger surged. "She’s the daughter of a gambler! She’s not fit to bear your child. The Xavier family would rather have no heir than ever acknowledge this child’s existence! "Donovan, let me make it clear to you today. You had better take her to get an abortion yourself. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless!" Donovan heard every word, a piercing pain stabbing his heart. He pulled at the corner of his lips. "The child she is carrying is my own flesh and blood, your great-grandchild. How can you be so heartless...? "Grandpa, you truly disappoint me." Caleb’s expression seemed to flicker. He was silent for a moment before snorting coldly. "Of course I can be heartless. That child simply cannot be kept. Even if she gives birth, we won’t acknowledge it! "Rosalind is also a woman. If you’re so desperate for a child, have one with her!" At these words, Rosalind’s thick lashes fluttered. She lifted her head and glanced cautiously in Donovan’s direction. Donovan closed his eyes. Ian stepped forward, his presence naturally imposing, and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Donovan, you’ve always been the most sensible one since you were a child. You never caused us a bit of worry. "This time, just listen to your grandfather. With that woman..." Before he could finish, Donovan shoved his hand away. "I’m going to marry her." "What did you say?" Ian thought he had misheard. Donovan lifted his gaze and swept it across the room, announcing in a solemn, heavy tone, "I said, I’m going to marry her." As soon as he spoke, everyone in the room was stunned into silence. Rosalind’s eyes instantly reddened, her nose stung, and tears began to fall uncontrollably. She looked at him and choked out, "Donovan, I... I’m your fiancée." Donovan’s voice was devoid of emotion. "I never took it seriously, so you don’t count." Hearing his words, Rosalind cried even harder. In the next second, she clenched her fists and ran out of the room sobbing. "Rosalind!" Caleb called after her. Ian stood by, his voice turning icy. "I do not approve. The daughter of a gambler is not fit to be your wife! "If word of this gets out, countless prominent families will laugh at us! What will happen to the Xavier family’s reputation?!" "Reputation?" Donovan raised his eyes and gave him a scornful, cold sneer. "Dad, when you had an affair, divorced Mom, and brought Auntie Xie into the house on the third day, why didn’t you say anything about embarrassing the Xavier family then?" Ian always hated it when people brought that up. His gaze turned frigid and he roared, "Shut your mouth! "Your Aunt Xie was born into a renowned family! Her father is a business tycoon and her mother is a famous designer. How can that Chloe Preston possibly compare to her?!" Donovan remained calm, his voice exceedingly cold. "No matter what any of you say, I am marrying her. "You all should know me by now. When I say I’ll do something, I do it." "You dare!" Caleb, leaning on his cane, flared up and glared at him. Donovan smirked. "What is there not to dare?" "I’ll make myself clear as well. When it comes to her, you can either accept it or shut up. I am going to marry her! "If you don’t like her, you’ll just have to stomach it. She doesn’t have to enter the Xavier household, but you all will never come to The Xavier Residence to harass her again!" That way, we can each mind our own business. That would be for the best. After he finished speaking, he turned to leave. Caleb was so angry he could barely stand. He staggered a step and collapsed back into his chair. He raised a hand, clutching his chest in pain. "Donovan, if you dare walk out that door today, I will no longer be your grandfather, and the Xavier family will sever all ties with you! "From this day on, you will never again set foot in the Xavier family home!" Donovan’s steps faltered, but he didn’t turn back. With his back to them, his figure looked striking yet desolate, his expression unreadable to anyone. After a long moment, he no longer hesitated. As he strode out the door, he tossed back a single, quiet phrase—