Katie was fuming. That was hardly a punishment, not compared to what she had endured. Mitchel had forced her to spend days with the box of her deformed baby, a freak she thought had gone with her use of well-devised schemes. The nightmarish vision of Abel, his body charred, haunted her sleep. For two consecutive nights, this horrifying specter had come to her, demanding accountability.

In Katie's nightmare, Abel, who usually followed her every command, turned against her, choking her as he demanded why she hadn't protected their child.

Actually, the moment Katie learned the child in her belly wasn't Mitchel's, dark thoughts crossed her mind. She considered ending its life.

However, the potential to use the child against Mitchel made her hesitate.

Yet, the idea of eliminating the child lingered, waiting for the right moment. After all, she believed no man would wholeheartedly accept another's child.

Driven by desperation, Katie recklessly consumed hormone pills and neglected her health, seeking any excuse to terminate the pregnancy.

Katie rationalized her decision, blaming it on her overwhelming love for Mitchel. She felt she had sacrificed so much. Losing him would be unbearable. Resolved, she was determined to prevail this time.

Observing Mitchel's strikingly handsome face, a troubling suspicion nagged at Katie. Something was amiss.

Before Katie could delve deeper into her thoughts, Henley's next announcement captured everyone's attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen, shareholders of the Dixon Group, I must disclose a crucial matter," Henley announced, commanding everyone's full focus. "Mitchel is not actually the son of my father. He..."

The room fell deathly silent, everyone hanging on Henley's words.

They were all in disbelief.

Henley, a master of suspense, paused and cleared his throat before revealing, “He was an orphan, adopted by my father as a charitable gesture."

Henley then displayed a paternity test on the large screen, which unequivocally stated that there was no blood relation between Alexis and Mitchel. "This test has been notarized, and my father is prepared to re-notarize it at any given time," he proclaimed.

A hushed moment passed, before the crowd burst into whispers and murmurs.

"Good heavens, Mr. Mitchel Dixon isn't actually Mr. Alexis Dixon's child?"

"I always wondered why they were Like enemies, battling daily over the company. I thought who else would inherit Mr. Alexis Dixon's estate if mot Mr. Mitchel Dixon, but to think they're not even related!"

"I've heard whispers of Mr. Alexis Dixon having an illegitimate child before. It seems those weren't just idle rumors."

"Now Mr. Henley Dixon is not an illegitimate child. He's the sole heir of the Dixon family..."

These murmurs, audible yet discreet, filled the stage area.