"Today is my safe day, so can I not take the pill?"

After the fiery and passionate lovemaking, Florence Baldwin looked at the man in front of her with a pleading gaze.

Dressed in a sheer blouse, Abel Field exuded an air of superiority as he gazed at Florence with narrowed eyes. "Florence, are you still planning on having my child?"

"No, I didn't..."

Florence had exhausted all of her strength and was extremely weak. Her sound was even more feeble.

Looking at the white pill in Abel's palm, her throat instinctively surged with a sense of nausea. 

She didn't want to take the pill because of her unique constitution. She was highly allergic to the stimulative effects of the contraceptive pill. 

"So, that's it! Take the pill!"

With one hand pressed against Florence's abdomen and the other holding the white pill, Abel emphasized, "Remember, your status isn't worthy of bearing my child!"

Florence's gaze became dull as she took the pill from Abel's hand.

His every word was a piercing bullet aimed directly at her emotional fortress, relentlessly shattering her and leaving her vulnerable.

He previously... It was indeed not like this.

When the two of them got married three years ago, Abel had not yet been so mean to her.

There was a period in their marriage when they treated each other with profound respect and lived in harmony.

But everything changed when she unexpectedly had a miscarriage.

Since then, Abel's hatred for her seemed to grow every day, and the torture had become increasingly intense.

There was no water in the room. There was only half a cup of coffee left on the table. Florence first chewed the pill and then drank the coffee to swallow it.

She could only feel a sharp, fiery pain in her throat.

And there was a mouthful of bitterness, but she couldn't tell whether it was from the coffee or the pill.

Abel watched her swallow the pill and then let go of his hand on her abdomen. He said meaningfully, "The Brown family is hosting a one-month celebration for their newborn tonight. I want you to go with me."

The Brown family...

Florence puzzled for a moment. She finally understood why he had treated her so harshly just now.

It had been three years ago since that incident.

The shadow of that accident loomed over them, leaving a lasting burden in their hearts.

"Mm, okay."

Florence didn't say anything else and turned to walk toward the door.

"You'd better behave yourself."

Abel tapped the wooden desktop with his knuckles. The rhythm was not hurried but intensely imposing. "If you dare to be alone with Xavier Brown... hmph! Just go ahead and give it a try!"

Florence only felt a chill run down her spine. She paused when she opened the door but didn't argue with him.

At Freedonia's most opulent six-star hotel, the Brown family, esteemed as one of the four noble families, hosted a lavish birthday banquet. The event not only boasted extravagant displays of wealth and luxury but also featured a guest list comprised of renowned figures from throughout Freedonia.

A black Maybach stopped at the entrance of the hotel. Florence and Abel got out of the car to attend the banquet.

After passing through the splendor and beautiful corridor, they arrived at the banquet hall. Xandros Brown, the eldest son of the Brown family, and his wife, Dorothy Xandros, were welcoming guests at the entrance.

Upon spotting Florence and Abel, Xandros warmly greeted them. "Hey, Abel, Flor! Welcome! Dorothy, bring Cairo here!"

Florence watched Xandros tenderly caress the soft, chubby little face of the baby nestled in Dorothy's arms. His expression radiated the pure joy of being a father for the first time.

"The baby is so adorable and soft! Like a cuddly toy!"

Xandros was immersed in joy and did not notice the change in the atmosphere. "Abel, you and Flor should have a baby! Although this little rascal is a troublemaker at nighttime, once I saw it, my tiredness just vanished."

Florence quietly observed Abel, and his expression instantly became gloomy.

Florence noticed his uneasiness. She quickly handed the prepared gifts to Xandros and said, "Congrats, Xandros, Dorothy, this is a gift for Cairo."

Upon noticing the pink gift box in Florence's hands, Dorothy grinned and said, "Oh, thank you so much for the gift! Xandros, your sister is incredibly thoughtful."

There was no blood relationship between Florence and Xandros. It was just that Florence's mother was Xandros and Xavier's nanny.

Florence had grown up in the Brown family since she was little. The two brothers treated her like a younger sister.

Xandros accepted the gift and said a few polite words. He patted Florence's shoulder and was surprised, "Oh, Flor, you're too skinny! I can even feel your bones. You look more pale than the last time we met."

"Maybe I didn't give her enough food," Abel grumbled, his dissatisfaction evident in his words. Even the most insensitive person could sense the sting in Abel's tone. However, Xandros remained oblivious, continuing to laugh and make jokes.

"Hey, Abel, you crack me up!"

Dorothy, who was beside them, looked at them and said, "Haha... Abel, please go in. Help yourself and enjoy the party. Xandros and I will come shortly."

Abel pulled a long face as he walked inside the hall. Florence hurriedly followed him, not daring to get too close to him.

Florence knew he was annoyed. She dared not provoke him right now, or else she'd be in trouble.

Many guests had gathered in the banquet hall. They were all from famous and wealthy families or at least influential individuals in society. The host was the Brown family, so no one dared to deal with the party casually. They all dressed up neatly and glamorously. 

But even in such a gorgeous scene, Abel remained the most eye-catching one.

Although he was cruel and violent to Florence, his figure and appearance were indeed impeccable.

He was dressed in a grey suit, which was exquisitely tailored to highlight his slender figure and perfect proportions. There was a silver feather clip on his black silk tie, and a corner of a silk handkerchief was revealed in the pocket of his suit.

Abel resembled a gentleman from the noble lineage depicted in 19th-century British novels. If Florence hadn't been aware of the wild violence he possessed beneath his polished exterior, she might have been enchanted by his aristocratic aura.

The two of them stood in front of a round table on which scones, macaroons, and other delicate pies were arranged on it. They didn't touch the pastries as Abel didn't fancy dessert, and Florence had no appetite to enjoy it right now. 

Florence noticed that there were quite a few people who had wanted to engage in conversation with Abel, but they didn't dare to step forward when they saw his poker face.

"Hey, Abel, how did you just turn up?"

Here was the only person who dared to speak when Abel was angry.