How dare you!"

Serenity looked at him with a pitiful gaze, tears welling in her eyes.

Growing somewhat hysterical, she pleaded, "Leonel, I did all this for you! What's wrong with loving you? I'm the one who's been hurt-the one who's been there for you. Can't you spare a thought for me? What does Alexis have that I don't?"

Leonel sneered. "You're incomparable to her in every way!"

His Alexis is perpetually resilient on the surface yet tender-hearted.

She'd go to great lengths for Edwin's success, treating her siblings with the utmost care. Despite things didn't work out between them back then, she remained the familial sentiment for him.

The idea of comparing Serenity to Alexis was an outright insult, as they were clearly not on the same level.

Leonel's frigidity heightened. “If life brings you misfortune, it's a consequence of your own actions. If you wish to avoid future regrets, rid yourself of the child."

Serenity's complexion paled, struggling to believe what she just heard.

Leonel was asking her to have an abortion?!

Leonel studied her petite features and offered a faint smile.

"Serenity, you've held on for all these years. But do you truly understand the person I am? You might perceive me as sentimental, but you're unaware of the ice running through my veins. Unless it concerns someone I cherish, the value of other lives is negligible to me." A quiet hush settled over the other person. "Don't entertain thoughts of wielding life and death as threats. You hold no significance in my life, and if you were to meet your demise, only one person would mourn, and that's Darwin.”

Having uttered these words, Leonel departed without Looking back.

Tears cascaded down Serenity's cheeks as she witnessed his departure, her lips bitten in anguish.

Believing that using a child could manipulate Leonel was nothing more than her wishful thinking.

Collapsing onto her bed, she buried her face in the pillow, sobbing uncontrollably. Darwin's call rang, and she answered tearfully, “Darwin, I'm expecting, what should I do? The child carries the Douglas surname!"

Darwin lapsed into silence.

Upon Leonel's hasty return to the hotel, Alexis was still present.

In his hotel room, she stood coatless, barefoot, leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window, her chin resting on her propped-up hand, deep in contemplation.

Leonel approached silently, embracing her from behind, his face nestled in her neck.