Chapter 1: The Lunch That Changed Everything

The pregnancy test trembled in Olivia Bennett's hand as she stared at the two pink lines.

For a long moment, she couldn't breathe.

Three years.

Three years of hoping, praying, and countless disappointing doctor visits had finally come to an end.

"Mrs. Bennett," the doctor said gently after reviewing her ultrasound, "you're almost four months pregnant. The baby is healthy, but you'll need to avoid stress and any physical injury."

Tears welled in Olivia's eyes as she looked at the tiny heartbeat on the monitor.

"Our little miracle," she whispered, resting a hand on her stomach.

Because of her irregular cycle, she had mistaken the changes in her body for weight gain and work-related fatigue.

She never imagined a precious little life had been growing inside her all this time.

Leaving the hospital, she couldn't stop smiling.

She immediately decided she wouldn't tell her husband over the phone.

She wanted to see his expression herself.

Nathan Bennett had waited just as patiently as she had.

Ever since they married after college, he had never once blamed her for not conceiving.

"Our child will come when the time is right," he always told her.

"Until then, having you beside me is enough."

Remembering those words made Olivia's heart swell with happiness.

On the way home, she stopped by the supermarket and bought Nathan's favorite ingredients.

Fresh steak.

Creamy mushroom soup.

Roasted vegetables.

And the chocolate cake he secretly loved despite pretending he wasn't fond of sweets.

She spent the entire afternoon cooking.

Every dish was prepared with extra care.

When everything was ready, she carefully packed the food into insulated containers.

She looked at herself in the mirror.

Her cream-colored dress fit loosely over her small baby bump.

"He'll be so surprised," she giggled.

Half an hour later, Olivia arrived at Bennett Holdings.

As the chairman's wife, everyone at the company knew her face during the early years of Nathan's career.

But after Nathan became CEO, Olivia deliberately stayed away from public attention to focus on charity work and her own design studio.

Many of the newer employees had never met her.

She entered the elegant lobby carrying the lunch bag.

The receptionist smiled politely.

"Good afternoon, miss. Do you have an appointment?"

"No," Olivia replied warmly.

"I'm here to see Mr. Bennett."

"One moment, please."

Before the receptionist could make the call, a sharp voice interrupted.

"Who are you?"

Olivia turned around.

A fashionable woman wearing a tailored black suit walked confidently toward her in high heels.

She carried herself with obvious authority.

"I'm Claire Morgan," the woman introduced herself.

"Mr. Bennett's executive secretary."

Her eyes immediately landed on the insulated lunch bag.

"You're bringing lunch for Mr. Bennett?"

"Yes," Olivia answered with a smile.

"I'd like to give it to him personally."

Claire's expression instantly became cold.

"Personally?"

"Employees aren't allowed to enter the executive floor without permission."

"I'm not an employee," Olivia explained calmly.

"Then who are you?"

Olivia hesitated.

She disliked introducing herself as the CEO's wife.

It always attracted unnecessary attention.

"I'm... family," she answered softly.

Claire let out a sarcastic laugh.

"Family?"

"Interesting excuse."

"Every month women show up claiming they're close to Mr. Bennett."

"Some say they're classmates."

"Some say they're relatives."

"A few even claim to be his fiancée."

Several nearby employees began watching curiously.

"I'm not lying," Olivia insisted.

"Please let Nathan know Olivia is here."

The moment she spoke Nathan's first name, Claire's face darkened.

"How dare you call Mr. Bennett by his first name?"

"You're becoming bolder than the others."

"Please," Olivia said patiently.

"Just tell him I'm here."

"He'll understand."

Claire stepped closer until only inches separated them.

"I understand perfectly."

"You're another gold digger hoping to climb into the CEO's bed."

"No, you've misunderstood—"

"Enough."

Without warning, Claire snatched the lunch bag from Olivia's hands.

"If you won't leave willingly," she said coldly,

"I'll make sure you never come back again."

Before Olivia could react, Claire grabbed her wrist tightly and dragged her toward a nearby conference room.

"What are you doing? Let go!" Olivia cried.

The heavy door slammed shut behind them.

Several employees exchanged nervous glances outside.

No one dared interfere.

Inside the room, Claire tossed the lunch onto the table before turning back with an icy smile.

"Let's see what kind of woman thinks she deserves Mr. Bennett."

Olivia instinctively covered her stomach.

A sudden feeling of fear crept into her heart.

She had no idea...

That the happiest day of her life was about to become its greatest nightmare.