Chapter 1 The Illegitimate Child
Chapter 1 The Illegitimate Child
Chapter 1 The Illegitimate Child
"There’s a banquet at the Hilton Hotel. Go there now."
The man's voice was cold and indifferent.
Anastasia Graves was overjoyed when she received a call from her husband, Christian Patterson.
"I am at the hospital..."
Christian hung up before Anastasia could tell him that she had come to the hospital to take a
pregnancy examination.
Christian had been on a business trip for more than two months, and this was the first time he had
called her on his own initiative.
Although his attitude was as cold as ever, his call was enough to make Anastasia happy.
He should have remembered that it was their third wedding anniversary today. He must have let her go
there to surprise her.
At the thought, Anastasia's haggard face turned a little rosy. Delighted, she left the hospital with the
examination report.
She also had good news to tell Christian.
They were blessed with two happy events today.
As soon as Anastasia got out of the car, she was surrounded by countless reporters.
They flocked to her, blocking her way.
Anastasia could not conceal her pleasure. It must have been Christian who broke the news of their
anniversary, so the reporters waited in particular to send them their best wishes.
With that in mind, she happily waved to the reporter.
"Mrs. Patterson, you and Mr. Patterson have been married for three years, and Mr. Patterson's
illegitimate child is two years old. Do you know it?"
"Mrs. Patterson, what do you think of the illegitimate child? Will you agree to take him back and raise
him?"
"Are you and Mr. Patterson in a marriage of convenience, where you both pursue your own interests?"
"Is the child yours and Mr. Patterson's? Or is him Mr. Patterson's illegitimate child?"
There had been rumors about Christian’s illegitimate child recently, but Anastasia didn't believe it.
"Christian is very busy. We don't have children yet, and he doesn't have any illegitimate children. It's all
rumors. We love each other very much. I believe in my husband."
After three years of marriage, she had become adept at handling such unexpected situations skillfully
and decisively.
At that moment, Christian stood nearby, his presence commanding attention with his tall and muscular
frame. His striking features enhanced his overall appearance, giving him an air of coolness. His eyes
and eyebrows added a hint of mysterious aloofness.
He exchanged pleasantries with the person opposite him. And when he looked up, he saw Anastasia
walking over.
Instantly, his smile faded, and his stern face was as indifferent as usual.
The next second, Anastasia's smile faltered a little, her expression froze for an instant, and her step
was heavy.
She saw a cute little boy in his arms.
The child appeared to be around two years old and bore a striking resemblance to Christian.
Christian looked down at the child with pleasure, noble and gentle.
The woman beside Christian took over the child gently. They behaved like a couple who had been
married for many years.
The woman was Beatrice Cohen.
She was back.
The child's eyebrows and eyes were similar to those of Beatrice and Christian. Anastasia didn't even Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
believe that the child would have nothing to do with Christian.
Clenching her fists tightly, Anastasia tried hard to calm herself down.
Three years earlier, Beatrice had broken up with Christian after accepting a sum of money from his
mother, Lamia Patterson. After that, she had gone abroad.
Christian was heartbroken by his girlfriend's betrayal. Probably out of revenge on his mother, Christian
dated plenty of women from then on.
At that time, Anastasia had long been in love with Christian. She had been kidnapped abroad, and it
was Christian who passed by and rescued her. Since then, she believed in love at first sight.
After returning to her home country, Anastasia deliberately went to work at Patterson Group in order to
get close to Christian.
But he had forgotten who she was at that time.
Therefore, Anastasia could boost her career to attract his attention.
It only took her half a year to become the chief secretary in his office.
Then suddenly, Christian's younger sister became seriously ill and needed a bone marrow donation.
During a check-up, it was found that Anastasia's bone marrow typing was a suitable match.
That was the first time Christian had come to her because of a personal matter.
With a patient demeanor, he asked her what conditions she required to agree to donate bone marrow.
Anastasia was willing to donate her bone marrow, but she did not want to get a sum of money in return.
In the end, she suppressed her nervousness and tentatively said, "I will agree if you marry me."
Christian paused and responded casually, "Okay."
He seemed indifferent to whom his wife would be.
On the other hand, Anastasia was very elated, and she considered being his wife her life's mission.
In the past three years, she had been ridiculed, humiliated, and neglected and had become a topic of
gossip.
Everyone took it for granted she would be abandoned.
Yet, Anastasia herself had always believed that she would never regret marrying him.
She believed that she would become a qualified wife. As time passed by, she would prove that his
choice was not wrong. She would finally get his attention and make him fall in love with her.
However, now, her confidence and determination seemed to have collapsed.
Standing on the stage, Christian glanced coldly at the surrounding people, and the hall immediately fell
silent.
"Thank you all for taking the time to celebrate the birthday of my son, Charlie Patterson. Unfortunately,
we are photographed and subjected to baseless speculation today. To avoid any harm to Charlie, I
would like to declare officially that he is the son of my wife and me."
Anastasia listened to his words, her mind buzzing. She raised her head to look at him with a stiff and
embarrassed expression. Her face was pale.
The reporters at the gate had not gone far. So, they definitely heard Christian's words.
Anastasia had firmly denied Christian's relationship with that child in front of the reporters just now.
Unexpectedly, Christian admitted that it was his child in the next second.
Obviously, Christian wanted the public to know that the child was his while he had nothing to do with
Anastasia.
She seemed to have been slapped twice in public. The scorching heat enveloped the top of her head,
and her cheeks were so hot that they were about to burn.
Anastasia couldn’t believe that her husband would announce such an event on their wedding
anniversary.
Perhaps, he forgot it was their wedding anniversary today. He prepared the banquet to announce the
child's identity, and he simply informed her to attend it.
Tears welled up in Anastasia's eyes, blurring her vision. Everything in front of her exposed the façade
she had desperately maintained in her marriage, shattering all her perseverance and self-esteem.
When Anastasia took a deep look at Christian, he was still waiting for her to express her cooperation.
Realizing that he put her in such a situation regardless of her feelings, Anastasia was overwhelmed
with embarrassment and humiliation.
His icy, piercing gaze revealed his menacing intentions. A sharp ache weighed on her heart.
Now, he not only embarrassed her but also shifted the blame onto her.
Anastasia found it utterly absurd.
It seemed that there was no way to soften his heart of stone. She had been too naive, and now she
had to admit defeat.
It was time to put an end to everything.
She took hold of the microphone and smiled slowly. Her voice came out rough and slow.
"Mr. Patterson, you've made a mistake. I have no connection to the child. I too am curious about who
the child's mother is."
The hall erupted in chaos. Everyone exchanged shocked glances.
Anastasia's clear eyes locked with Christian's furious gaze. She sensed his anger and restraint.
His expression turned icy. He lowered his voice and said,
"Anastasia, what are you causing a scene for? Can't you grasp the seriousness of the situation?
Remember your promise."
She had promised that once he married her, she would be a devoted wife and never bring disgrace to
the Patterson family.
Letting out a bitter laugh, she suppressed her disappointment and narrowed her eyes. Her gaze
gradually turned cold.
"Am I causing a scene for no reason, or have you gone too far?"
Anastasia's eyes were filled with disappointment and desolation. As a final attempt not to embarrass
him too much in public for his own sake, she lowered her voice.
"Christian, let's get a divorce!"