Chapter 54
Devin thought, ‘I can’t just accept Kristina as my daughter that fast. She needs some compensation and kindness first.’
Trenton stood by, listening quietly and keeping the truth to himself. He didn’t think either Devin or John was worth much. Kristina would be fine with just him around.
Devin glanced at Kristina, hesitated, and then asked, “Are you really short on cash?”
“Huh?” Kristina was confused.
Devin said, “If you need money, I can give it to you.”
“No, thanks. I’m good,” Kristina said. She wasn’t about to take handouts from anyone, especially not from someone as dangerous as Devin. She had a feeling she’d end up dead if she did. After a few more words, Kristina said goodbye and left.
Devin watched his daughter walk away, feeling a pang of bitterness. His precious girl had been raised to be so cautious that she couldn’t even admit needing money.
Kristina and Trenton walked out of the hospital together, side by side. Thinking back to Devin’s words, Kristina still felt puzzled. “Trenton, what exactly happened between you two? Mr. Anderson seems… off.”
Trenton snorted inwardly, “He’s no good guy. He almost got you killed.”
Even though Devin had asked Trenton to put in a good word for him, Trenton wasn’t interested in playing nice. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt Kristina.
They quickly returned to the McClain Manor. As soon as they walked in, they saw the living room packed with people. All the McClains were there, including relatives Kristina barely recognized. She wondered what could have caused such a big fuss.
Iris looked smug, her eyes flashing with malice as she glared at Kristina.
Belinda looked stern. Once everyone had arrived, she said impatiently, “Alright, we’re all here. Spit it out. What’s this all about?”
Iris had gone to great lengths to get her revenge, gathering everyone in the family. She had even asked Stanley about the kidnapping. He had just wanted to scare Kristina, nothing more. It wasn’t as serious as Kristina had made it out to be.
And now, Iris had something on Kristina. She wasn’t afraid of the video Kristina had threatened to release. Even if it got out, Iris would just laugh it off as a joke between Stanley and Kristina.
With a serious expression, Iris announced, “Everyone, what I’m about to say concerns the honor of our entire family. Kristina is pregnant with Stanley’s baby.”
Everyone froze in shock. Iris seized the moment to continue her accusation, “You’ve gone so far. You’re pregnant with Stanley’s child and still dare to marry Trenton. You shameless woman, are you trying to drag the entire McClain family into a scandal?”
Belinda’s face turned pale instantly, and the atmosphere in the hall became eerie.
Elaine, seated among the relatives, glared at Kristina with a vicious look. She thought, ‘Serves her right. I thought Caroline was useless, but she brought some juicy news. This mess with the family hierarchy is going to get Kristina kicked out for sure.
Kristina looked genuinely shocked. “Pregnant? Stanley and I never even held hands. How could I be pregnant?
“Iris, you can talk nonsense, but not about something so serious. You’re risking the reputation of the McClain family.”
Iris’s thin eyebrows furrowed in anger. She stood up from the couch, fuming at Kristina. “You really know how to twist things around. It’s you who’s dragging the McClain family through the mud with your scandalous behavior.
“You should be grateful I spoke up before this got to the media. Otherwise, all of us would be the laughingstock, with people talking behind our backs.”
Then, turning to Belinda, she said with a self–righteous tone, “Belinda, even though Kristina is pregnant with Stanley’s baby, the baby can’t stay. We can’t have someone so morally corrupt in our family either.
“Otherwise, we’ll lose all our dignity. If anything else happens, we’ll become the butt of everyone’s jokes. We can’t let Kristina ruin the McClain family’s century–old legacy.”
Her words were cold and ruthless, pinning Kristina to the pillar of shame.
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