Winifred’s expression noticeably changed, and anyone observant could tell that her mood was not great at the moment.
Even before Winifred, Leland had noticed the woman. Undoubtedly, she was Gregory’s mistress.
Winifred didn’t care much about her father’s affairs outside, as long as he didn’t bring anyone here to tarnish her eyes. Besides, Gregory had assured Winifred that the Dawson family belonged to her alone, and she wouldn’t have to get involved in the drama of fighting for the family fortune. All she had to do was be a good princess in her ivory tower.
However, the old man’s words were deceiving. Winifred knew of ten mistresses, some of whom had been pregnant and had abortions.
And now this… she was the longest pregnant mistress Winifred had ever seen, and she had come to her doorstep.
At Winifred’s command, the driver parked the car not far from the woman at the front gate.
As soon as she got out of the car, the woman, rubbing her round belly, walked up to her.
“Are you Winifred?”
Winifred recognized this woman as Aubrey Whitlock, a popular actress. She hadn’t expected a celebrity like her to be Gregory’s mistress. No… Winifred thought for a moment, Aubrey might have achieved her current status because of Gregory. There were many unspoken rules in the entertainment industry for climbing up the ranks.
It was funny how this woman, knowing that she was Winifred, still pretended as if she was meeting her for the first time.
“I don’t know what Miss Whitlock is doing here. With your status, aren’t you afraid of the paparazzi catching you?”
“I won’t be caught.” As a popular artist, Aubrey naturally dressed carefully when going out, especially as an unmarried mother-to-be. Moreover, there were strict guards outside, so even if the paparazzi saw her, they wouldn’t be able to approach her.
“So, what are you doing here?” Winifred didn’t like beating around the bush.
Aubrey had already taken a good look at Winifred. Gregory had a 17-year-old daughter, whom Aubrey had only heard of and seen in pictures but hadn’t met in person. Now, upon seeing her, she was even more exquisite and beautiful than in the photos. Even Aubrey, who was used to seeing beautiful women in the entertainment industry, had to admit that Winifred was exceptionally beautiful, to the point of feeling jealous.
This person’s life was indeed good. Not only was she born into a wealthy family, but she was also blessed with exceptional looks.
But it didn’t matter… soon she would marry Gregory, and once she gave birth to the son in her belly, at least half of the Dawson family fortune would belong to her. The little girl would have to call her stepmother obediently.
Aubrey thought this way and became even more affectionate, taking Winifred’s hand and saying, “Winifred, I am your father’s girlfriend. I came to see you suddenly this time, and I have brought you a gift.”
Aubrey took out a necklace from her bag and placed it in Winifred’s hand. Winifred didn’t even look at it, she just took it, blinked and smiled, asking, “You’re my dad’s girlfriend? Are you going to marry my dad?”
A shy expression appeared on Aubrey’s face. “Yes, I will marry your father. And then, you will have a little brother to accompany you. Winifred, I promise you that I will treat you well in the future, like my own daughter.”
“Really? I’ll have a little brother.”
Contrary to Aubrey’s expectations, it was said that Winifred had been pampered since childhood, with a somewhat spoiled and temperamental personality. Aubrey thought that by clarifying their relationship this time, Winifred would get angry, cry, or even explode. But she was surprised to see Winifred’s face filled with joy and surprise, which was completely unexpected.
This was not at all like what Gregory had said. He had mentioned that Winifred was strict and didn’t allow him to remarry, but now it seemed like Winifred really liked the child in her belly.
After all, a child was just a child… as long as you were a little kind to her, giving her a necklace could easily dismiss her.
“How many months pregnant are you?”
“Four or five months.” Aubrey gently touched her belly, looking down at it with a look of longing.
Winifred’s face brightened even more with a smile. “Four to five months! Is the baby moving?”
“Sometimes it moves a little.”
Winifred asked, Aubrey answered.
“Can I touch it?”
Aubrey hesitated for a moment, as if she hadn’t expected this request, but she agreed. After all, she needed to gain Winifred’s favor in order to smoothly marry into the Dawson family.
Aubrey’s hand moved from her protruding belly, smiling gently at Winifred. “Go ahead. Fetal movements are also a matter of luck. My baby in the belly is lazy and rarely moves.”
Without hesitation, Winifred reached out her hand, not just for a touch. She circled her hand around, early summer, the weather was hot, and Aubrey was wearing a loose dress. Winifred’s hand was separated from her belly by just a thin layer of fabric.
On such a hot day, Winifred’s palm felt cold, and the chill transmitted to her belly, causing Aubrey to shiver slightly.
At four to five months pregnant, she hadn’t had an abortion yet. It seemed that Gregory was willing to acknowledge this child, as Aubrey could come here, obviously under Gregory’s instructions.
Her father wanted this woman to persuade her; as soon as she agreed, this woman could enter the house.
No… Winifred shook her head. It might not be about convincing her, but simply informing her.
Why make a promise when it couldn’t be kept? Winifred touched Aubrey’s belly for more than ten seconds, and finally patted it a couple of times, resembling patting a watermelon, which made Aubrey sweat on her back, and she quickly stepped back.
Putting her hand down, Winifred gave Aubrey a fake smile. “I’m glad to have a little brother. But as for being a stepmother…”
Does Winifred disagree? Aubrey’s emotions were tense.
“I’ve never had a mother pick me up from school since I was little. If you come to pick me up from school tomorrow, I’ll agree to let you into the Dawson family as my stepmother.”
Aubrey immediately refused, “My position…”
Winifred pretended to be disappointed. “If you’re not even willing to pick me up, how can I believe that you will treat me well as a stepmother in the future? I don’t want this necklace.”
She wanted to return it to Aubrey, but the sudden disruption led to Aubrey comparing the two. Naturally, entering the Dawson family was more important than her career. As a lady of the Dawson family, why would she bother working hard to earn money, only to make less in a year than the Dawson family’s annual income?
“Fine, I’ll pick you up tomorrow. How long is your school day?”
“Be there at five by the school gate.” Winifred stood there and never invited Aubrey to sit inside. She could read people’s expressions well and didn’t force her way in today. It was just a matter of time before she did.
Watching Aubrey leave in the car, Winifred’s expression immediately darkened, and she threw the necklace worth tens of thousands of dollars directly into the gutter.
“Leland, I want her dead.”