Chapter 12 Private auction house . The city's most powerful and wealthy had all gathered here , the air buzzing with their excited chatter about the treasures soon to go up for bid . Liam arrived at the private suite just before the auction started , his footsteps heavy and tired . " Liam , why are you so late ? " Grandma Mitchell reached out , taking his hand and pulling him down to sit beside her . " Sorry , Grandma . Something urgent came up at work ," he said , rubbing his brow , exhaustion clear in his voice . Worry flickered in Grandma Mitchell's eyes . " Liam , you can let others handle the company for now . There's only one thing you need to focus on - Joy's delivery ! " She leaned closer , eyes sparkling . " Look , see this ? I'm planning to bid on that pendant . Just imagine giving it to my future grandchild - how precious would that be ? " Liam glanced down at the catalog , a small smile tugging at his lips . But the warmth faded as another thought crossed his mind . " Thanks for thinking of it , Grandma . Joy is sure to love it ." " Joy is such a good girl ! " Grandma Mitchell beamed , her happiness obvious . " Not like a certain someone … No children , and she broke our family's bangle . Honestly , I don't know why we ever let her into our family . " She huffed , her grumbling picking up steam . " If it hadn't been for your soft spot back then , do you really think I'd have let her through our door ? " Just the mention of " Esme " made Liam's chest tighten , a sharp ache settling in . " Grandma , Esme didn't do it on purpose … We kept things from her , too- " " Hmph ! You spoiled her , that's the problem . Now she won't give you a child , throws tantrums whenever she wants , and never cares about the occasion ! " Grandma Mitchell slammed the catalog shut in frustration , sinking back into her chair . Her conclusion was final . " Joy is the better choice , no question . " Liam could only offer a helpless smile , waiting for the auction to start . " The pendant was said to be crafted by royal artisan . " It's a rare and precious treasure . " Starting bid : five million yuan ! " Grandma Mitchell immediately moved to raise her paddle , but Liam gently steadied her hand . Chapter 12 " Grandma , since you want to give this to Joy , I'll make sure we get it . " He snapped his fingers , signaling the highest bid without hesitation . " Sky - high bid from the back ! " the auctioneer called out . The gavel came down . " Congratulations to our distinguished guest ! The pendant will be delivered to you shortly ! " Grandma Mitchell clapped her hands , delighted . " Liam , this is wonderful ! " Liam grinned , standing up . " Since we've got what we came for , I should get back to the office . " She squeezed his hand , her affection clear . " Take care of yourself , Liam . If anything ever happened to you , what would I do ? " He gave her a reassuring smile . " Don't worry , Grandma . I know how to take care of myself . " He pushed open the door and checked his watch , letting out a long sigh . Still , a hint of a smile lingered on his lips . Once Joy had the baby , he'd finally take some time off . He'd spend it with Esme - he owed her that much . " I really have let her down these past few months . Even if Esme can be a little difficult sometimes … " As his thoughts drifted , a flash of pale yellow caught his eye . A woman - clearly pregnant - hurried past and slipped into a private suite nearby . " … Joy ? " he called softly , uncertain . She didn't seem to hear , disappearing into the room without any of her usual caution . m's expression darkened , and he crept quietly to the door . woman was so flustered , she hadn't even closed the door all the way - a narrow gap mained . Voices carried out from inside , just loud enough for Liam to hear . " Mr. Price , this child is yours . Are you really going to walk away ? " The familiar female voice hit Liam like a lightning strike . He stared , stunned . It was Joy - the same Joy he'd arranged to stay in the hospital until she gave birth . " Are you done ? I told you from the start I didn't want any part of this ! " The man's voice was rough , older - Mr . Price must be nearly sixty . " I tried everything , but I couldn't get rid of this baby . Now that I'm having it , you owe me a huge sum for child support ! " Joy's tone was nothing like the gentle woman Liam thought he knew . It was sharp , cold , almost cruel . Chapter 12 She gave a chilling laugh . " If you don't pay up , I'll tell Mrs. Price everything . " At the mention of " Mrs. Price , " the man's voice immediately softened . " How much do you want ? " Joy smirked and held up two fingers , shaking them . " Two hundred million . " Mr. Price sucked in a sharp breath , furious . " You're blackmailing me now ? You vicious woman ! " " You've already landed yourself in the Mitchell family , but you're still trying to squeeze money out of me ? " " But this is your child , Mr. Price . You lost your temper at that gala , so I had no choice but to drug Mr. Mitchell and dress up like his wife to fool him . a " Then I heard you were overseas , so I staged a car accident just to save you . That's the only reason you agreed to bring me back and accept the child . " Now the Mitchell family treats me so well , but once the baby's born , they'll realize it's not Liam's … and it'll all blow back on both of us ! " Mr. Price , this is your last chance . Give me the money , and I'll leave with the baby . You'll never have to worry again ." Joy's chilling laughter echoed through the crack in the door , every word stabbing straight into Liam's heart . " What ?! The baby isn't mine ? " With a crash , every eye in the room turned . The dragon - phoenix longevity locket - just won at auction - had fallen to the ground , shattered . Grandma Mitchell's face was a mix of shock and rage . " Is this child really not from the Mitchell family ? " 3/3