It was common knowledge that Joseph favored Queenie, but the extent of his indulgence utterly stunned everyone. It was a mere birthday party, yet Joseph had managed to bring in not only Queenie's preferred international artists to serenade her, but also a dizzying array of socialites and influential figures.

The banquet hall was over-the-top, decorated with sparkling crystals and diamonds in every corner. Even the roses, flown in from Francocia, were covered in diamonds.

It was the climax of the party when Queenie, dressed in a custom-made blue gown, gracefully walked down the steps. Her dress had been cleverly tailored to hide her baby bump while still showing off her figure, making everyone turn to look at her the moment she walked in.

Queenie had a smug smile on her face as she confidently placed her hand in Joseph's outstretched one.

Just as she was poised to descend the last ste

Queenie's agitation grew with each passing thought, though outwardly, she maintained an air of selfless consideration for Joseph.

Joseph, for once, didn't heed her. He even patted her hand reassuringly, saying, "It's no big deal. It's just a small birthday gift. You haven't forgotten, have you? I told you that Winona would present you with an apology gift, and if you weren't satisfied, I'd continue to keep her at arm's length until you were. What do you think? Is this gift to your liking?"

Upon hearing that, the guests in the audience invariably looked up, turning their attention toward the stage. Although their social circle had always been small, some of them had married wives whose reputations were less than stellar. Yet, no matter how badly their wives behaved, they would still protect their dignity in public. After all, one should never air one's dirty laundry. 

Thus, this was th

In the days that followed, Winona lived as though she were invisible in her own home. She witnessed Joseph constantly coming up with ways to humor Queenie, watched him prepare prenatal tonics for her, and even postponed important business matters only to bring a fleeting grin to Queenie's lips. 

That day, Queenie, seizing the opportune moment of Joseph's absence, swaggered up to Winona, brimming with malicious pride. "It doesn't matter that you're married to Joseph. He has already promised me that this baby in my belly will not only bear his last name but will also be the sole heir of Lowe Group. Your baby, on the other hand, is nothing but a bastard!"

Winona was heading downstairs to pour herself a glass of water. She didn't even cast a glance in Queenie's direction when she heard her taunts. Instead, she simply turned sideways to move away.

Queenie was absolutely incensed by Winona's indifference. "You're practically a nobody now, Winona! Why are you still acting so high and mighty?"

She then suddenly rushed forward and shoved Winona.

Winona, taken completely by surprise by Queenie's action, was sent sprawling backward. In the midst of the dizzying sensation, she heard the muffled impact of her head striking the stair banister, and then the world around her faded into complete darkness.

…

Winona found herself back in the hospital when she regained consciousness. Joseph was standing by her bedside, and his first utterance was a harsh interrogation. "It was bad enough that you injured Queenie's parents, but now you even resolved to push Queenie down the stairs. Did it slip your mind that she's pregnant?"

His accusation cut her deeply.

Winona suddenly burst out laughing, causing her body to tremble uncontrollably. She then questioned hoarsely, "Do I look like a complete fool to you, Joseph?"

"Huh?" Joseph was taken aback.

Winona propped herself up, her movements slow and deliberate. "If I intended to hurt her, then why am I the one lying here in the hospital?"

Joseph's gaze hardened with profound disappointment as he replied, "It's because after you shoved her, you panicked, and then staged your own fall down the stairs as some kind of elaborate ploy for sympathy! I'm truly baffled by your actions, Winnie! You had already agreed to Queenie moving in with us, so why would you resort to such disgusting, underhanded tactics?"

He then turned toward the doorway and added, "I won't be visiting you anymore, Winnie. You'd do well to reflect on yourself."

Having said his piece, he turned and left, slamming the hospital ward door closed with a resounding bang.

Winona gradually opened her eyes, fixing her gaze on the ceiling as tears silently fell. She then took a deep breath and repeatedly consoled herself that all her suffering would be over soon.

…

Winona's discharge from the hospital happened to fall on the day her divorce from Joseph was finalized. She went directly to the courthouse to collect her divorce certificate. She then returned home and immediately started packing the rest of her belongings, intending to leave this place behind forever.

She was just pulling her suitcase down the stairs when Joseph suddenly returned.

Joseph furrowed his brow as he stared at the suitcases. He asked, "What are you doing? Why are you donating your stuff when you've just been discharged from the hospital?"

He simply presumed that she was off to donate those luxury items he had previously gifted to her.

Winona remained silent, offering no explanation.

Joseph took a few steps forward and pulled out a gold-embossed invitation from his suit's inner pocket, saying, "You ought to know that Queenie is benevolent enough to overlook everything you've done, Winnie. It's her birthday today, so remember to prepare a lavish gift and accompany me there."

Winona was just about to voice her refusal when Joseph's phone suddenly rang.

Queenie's soft and charming voice came through from the other end of the call, asking, "Why aren't you here yet, Joseph? You know, everyone's waiting for you."

"I'll be there right away," Joseph softly said. He then turned to Winona and said, "It's getting late, so I'll head there first. I see that you're still busy with your 'donations'. Finish up and come over to the party. Don't forget about the gift." 

He then turned and walked away.

Winona couldn't help but break into a smile as she looked at Joseph's retreating figure. She would indeed deliver a magnificent gift to Queenie—one that no one would ever forget.

Winona carefully placed the divorce certificate and the abortion medical report into a carefully prepared gift box, then called for an express courier. She sounded remarkably calm as she instructed, "You have to deliver this to this address. You also have to tell the recipient to open this in front of everyone."

Only after the courier had gone did Winona, without a second thought, pull her suitcase behind her and walk out of the villa she once believed would be her forever home. It was shining brightly outside as she took a deep breath and set forth toward a new chapter in her life.

It was common knowledge that Joseph favored Queenie, but the extent of his indulgence utterly stunned everyone. It was a mere birthday party, yet Joseph had managed to bring in not only Queenie's preferred international artists to serenade her, but also a dizzying array of socialites and influential figures.

The banquet hall was over-the-top, decorated with sparkling crystals and diamonds in every corner. Even the roses, flown in from Francocia, were covered in diamonds.

It was the climax of the party when Queenie, dressed in a custom-made blue gown, gracefully walked down the steps. Her dress had been cleverly tailored to hide her baby bump while still showing off her figure, making everyone turn to look at her the moment she walked in.

Queenie had a smug smile on her face as she confidently placed her hand in Joseph's outstretched one.

Just as she was poised to descend the last step, a figure clad in a yellow uniform burst into the banquet hall. Derek Hall, the courier, was breat

Chapter 8