CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER 71: VICTORIA MONROE MUST BE PREGNANT!

Victoria Monroe felt weak all over at the sight of Julian Fordham, even though the injury on her wrist had healed, leaving only a scar.

She felt a faint ache in the places he had hurt her, as though an invisible cold breeze was drilling into her bones from all directions.

Victoria felt like she was back in the bathtub, surrounded by snow, the kind of chilling sensation spreading from her limbs to her entire body, cold sweat breaking out on her back.

So cold!

So terrifying!

She even forgot to play the role she was good at, her mind was filled with the ghost-like presence of Julian Fordham again.

Julian Fordham had changed his attire, wearing a white shirt under a navy wool coat, paired with a matching vest.

The striped tie was still the one she personally selected, the silver tie clip gleaming coldly under the light.

The man’s tall figure ambled towards her, stopping at the doorway.

The bathroom window was tightly shut, the lighting dim.

He stood at the boundary between light and dark, one step back was brightness, one step forward was darkness.

His thin lips enunciated each word: "Victoria, why are you vomiting? Could it be you are..."

Victoria’s heart pounded—could he have figured it out?

It’s over, if Julian Fordham knew she was pregnant, this madman would never let go!

Just then, Rhys Hawthorne’s voice came from outside the door: "Ms. Monroe, your stomach wasn’t feeling well yesterday, so I specifically brought you some light porridge. Give it a try."

Rhys’s voice was like sunshine, tearing a crack through the darkness, gently spilling over Victoria.

It gradually restored her warmth, pulling her back to reality.

Victoria resumed her cool expression; Julian Fordham was very smart, and if she offered an explanation, it would only arouse suspicion.

As she had done yesterday, she bypassed him and walked straight outside, taking the breakfast from Rhys’s hand. "Thank you."

"You’re welcome. If you still feel unwell later, take some medicine. Don’t force it."

"Okay."

Julian Fordham watched Victoria’s retreating figure with a complex expression, unclear if he believed it or not.

During the meal, several times Victoria could feel his burning gaze on her.

She wanted to retch but forced it down.

Not only could she not show any flaws, but she also needed to eat more than usual.

Seeing she didn’t vomit again, Julian Fordham left first.

As soon as he left, Victoria could no longer hold back and rushed to the bathroom to vomit all she had just eaten.

After she finished vomiting, a hand holding a glass was stretched out towards her.

For many years, Victoria had thought Rhys Hawthorne’s hands were beautiful, with distinct joints, slender and fair, making the veins stand out, his ten fingers clean and long.

He looked like an elegant nobleman, but with the contrasting image of blue veins crisscrossing the back of his hands, it created an enormous sense of contradiction, filling the man with dynamic tension.

It reminded Victoria of a talented general from ancient times, capable of wielding a spear on horseback to fight the enemy, as well as removing armor to paint a picture.

This blend of vastly different qualities in one person suited him perfectly.

His voice was steady and gentle: "Rinse your mouth."

Julian Fordham left the hospital room, his mind replaying the image of Victoria Monroe kneeling on the floor, vomiting.

Her gastrointestinal tract was indeed not good, especially her stomach, having developed gastric problems from poor conditions during childhood.

So over the years, he had hired a professional nutritionist to help manage her diet, and she hadn’t had a stomachache in a long time.

Why had her appetite decreased yesterday? Was it a stomachache or some other reason?

Julian Fordham went to a secluded place and dialed Aunt Xu’s number.

Aunt Xu’s sarcastic voice came through: "Oh, isn’t this the busy President Fordham? Didn’t I say I quit?"

Julian Fordham knew she was being protective of Victoria Monroe, thinking he had cheated on her, and he didn’t take issue with it.

He glanced around to make sure no one was around, then asked in a low voice, "Aunt Xu, when did madam’s last period come?"

In the past, he was more aware of Victoria Monroe’s menstrual cycle than she was, as she suffered from dysmenorrhea every time.

But he had been extremely busy over the past six months, particularly in the last two months when he was frequently traveling for work, so he overlooked this.

Before leaving, he had specifically instructed Aunt Xu to keep an eye on Victoria Monroe’s menstrual cycle and to immediately take her to the hospital if anything seemed off.

Victoria’s menstrual cycle was already over ten days late, and she had even specifically asked about it recently.

Victoria had found an excuse to brush it off.

Given the current tension between the two, Aunt Xu wasn’t stupid. Julian Fordham’s sudden question made her instantly change her story: "It came on the 20th, why?"

"Nothing."

"Sir, if I may say, your need for control is too strong. Even inquiring about your wife’s menstrual cycle would make you a freak." Julian Fordham hung up the phone before she could finish speaking.

Aunt Xu cursed as she dialed Victoria Monroe’s number. Hearing Victoria’s slightly weak voice on the other end, she immediately stopped cursing and with a look of sympathy said, "Madam, what’s wrong?"

"Nothing much, Aunt Xu, did you need something?"

Aunt Xu repeated Julian Fordham’s words, "Madam, will it be okay that I lied to him?"

Victoria breathed a sigh of relief, grateful Aunt Xu was smart.

"You did great, my good Aunt Xu. Whatever you do, don’t let him find out my period hasn’t come. I’m counting on you."

Upon hearing Victoria Monroe’s plea, she clenched her fist and earnestly promised, "Don’t worry, Ma’am, I’ll take care of your menstrual cycle."

Rachel Hayes’s dramatic voice made Victoria Monroe chuckle softly, "Thanks, Rachel."

After hanging up the phone, Rachel Hayes felt delighted.

After her disappointing son ran off with a wild man, she devoted all her energy to chasing stars and became a fan of a pitiful yet tenacious little actress who was resilient like wild grass.

Watching Victoria Monroe rise from an extra to the big screen, winning the Best Actress award, Rachel Hayes felt even more thrilled than Victoria Monroe herself.

Some fans may call their idols "daughter," but Rachel Hayes truly treated Victoria Monroe like a daughter.

At first, she just admired her dedication, but later, becoming Victoria Monroe’s caretaker, she felt even more compassionate after learning about her family situation.

In the case of Victoria Monroe and Julian Fordham, she was decidedly on Victoria Monroe’s side.

After hanging up the phone, Rachel Hayes understood.

Victoria Monroe must be pregnant! Otherwise, she wouldn’t have this attitude.

But unfortunately, this child came at such an inconvenient time.

She’s been through it all; how could she not know the pain within a marriage?

Julian Fordham confirmed his suspicions with Rachel Hayes but didn’t think much more about it, as everyone knew about Victoria Monroe’s health condition.

Several times, her period was delayed, leading her to think she was pregnant, only to find out at the hospital that it was a waste of excitement.

Julian Fordham leaned against the wall, lighting a cigarette, with his neck tilted back, his Adam’s apple slightly moving, exhaling a white smoke ring, looking lonely and despondent.

Victoria, if only you were really pregnant.

Then we wouldn’t be apart.

Finally, her grandmother woke up, and Victoria Monroe hurried over.

She was transferred to the VIP ward, and seeing the elderly person lying in bed, within just one night, her grandmother appeared to have aged several years.

Previously, with good spirits, she looked youthful.

Now, with sunken cheeks and a haggard expression, she looked pitiful.

"Grandma..."

Her grandmother slowly reached out her hand, and they held hands tightly.

Victoria Monroe’s tears welled up, and she cried like a child on her grandmother’s chest.

As long as her grandmother was there, she never had to grow up.

The old woman’s hand rested on Victoria Monroe’s head, "Girl, I’m alright, don’t cry."

Victoria Monroe lifted her head, just like when she was wronged as a child, hastily using her sleeve to wipe her tears.

In those days, many children in the yard would call her an unwanted wild child and accuse her mother of being promiscuous.

Defiantly, Victoria Monroe fought back, but she was overwhelmed. Those boys pinned her to the ground, yanking her braids and throwing mud on her.

It was her grandmother who chased those bad kids away with a large broom.

If her grandmother left, there would be no one to protect her anymore.

Julian Fordham brought chicken soup, "Grandma, please have some soup first."

The always kind gaze of the elderly woman fell on his face, laced with a penetrating sharpness that seemed to see through Julian Fordham’s facade completely.

Making Julian Fordham somewhat uneasy.

He had checked the corridor’s surveillance and saw the elderly woman wandering in front of the hospital room.

Proving Rachel Hayes was right, the grandmother had fallen ill after hearing about the child.

She knew everything.

In Victoria Monroe’s presence, she didn’t show it.

"It’s a bit hot, I’ll drink it later. Let me see my dear child, crying like this makes grandma’s heart ache."

Victoria Monroe saw that her grandmother was still joking to comfort her, feeling even more upset.

"Grandma, are you thirsty? Should I get you some water, or is there something you want to eat?"

"No need to fuss; I want to talk to Julian alone."

Victoria Monroe was slightly worried, "Even I can’t listen?"

Her grandmother smiled, "Yes, Grandma has something to say to him."

Victoria Monroe recalled the doctor’s advice to go along with her, not to provoke her, and had no choice but to agree.

Before leaving, Victoria Monroe helped her grandmother adjust the bed, placed a pillow behind her, fed her some water, and a few sips of soup.

She didn’t forget to glance at Julian Fordham while facing away from her grandmother, "Take good care of Grandma."

Julian Fordham smiled at her, "Sure, darling."

Consistently gentle and considerate, but her grandmother’s face remained stern.

As soon as Victoria Monroe closed the door, Julian Fordham locked the door from inside.

Her grandmother’s face turned cold, "Julian Fordham, you owe me an explanation, don’t you think?"

Once she spoke, the well-dressed man unexpectedly knelt before her hospital bed.

"Grandma, I was wrong."