I didn't see Matt when I woke up.

Monica handed me a bowl of warm water.

"Ashley, you didn't have to risk the child like this," Monica looked at me with a pained expression.

"Monica, you taught me that you have to give up something to gain something. Besides, I know what I'm doing. This child is important."

I replied as I took the bowl from her and started drinking.

"By the way, where's Matt?" I asked Monica.

She looked at me with a hint of sorrow in her eyes and sighed, "He's with Jane. Yesterday, they were caught in a photo that looked like they were kissing. Today, you caused a scene at the Scott Group's and got sent to the hospital. Jane has been exposed on the internet."

I put down the bowl and asked, "Does Mr. Ben Scott know about this?"

"He does, but it's just a scandal involving his grandchildren. The impact on the stock price and bidding is still under control," she replied.

"Monica, I think we should carry out the next step of the plan."

In the afternoon, Monica took me back to the villa, where my in-laws were also present.

When I saw my mother-in-law Rena sitting on the couch, I ran over and hugged her waist, crying.

"Mom, Matt cheated on me. I'm still carrying his child. How could he do this?" I sobbed.

"I remember when we were traveling abroad, I even took a bullet for him."

Back then, when Matt and I had just gotten married, he said he wanted to take me to France for a trip.

It was common knowledge that it was because Jane was studying there, and his parents wouldn't allow him to visit her alone.

So, he had to bring along his newlywed wife, me, to make the visit seem legitimate.

However, as soon as we arrived in France, we encountered a robbery, and the robber fired a shot at Matt.

I quickly pulled him away and took the bullet for him.

I was rushed to the nearest hospital and underwent three days and nights of emergency treatment, followed by three months of recovery back in our home country.

After that incident, Matt and I quickly grew closer.

Everyone thought he had forgotten about Jane, and was peacefully settling down at home.

"Ashley, you're pregnant now. Don't get too excited." Rena patted me on the shoulder.

"Ashley, what happened today was indeed Matt's fault. I've already asked Jacob to handle the public opinion. From now on, I'll handle our family matters behind closed doors, so as not to cause a stir."

My father-in-law, Joey, said in an authoritative tone as he sat on the sofa.

"Monica, keep an eye on Ashley and don't let her make a scene. It's not just a critical time for the Scott Group's bidding, but also a new phase in the cooperation between the Scott family and the Brooks family."

"Okay, Dad, I understand. I'll take good care of Ashley. But this time, Matt was indeed in the wrong."

"I know, Matt did overstep this time. So, in a few days, you will take over the bidding work with Jacob."

I cried in Rena's arms, feeling overwhelmed. I thought Joey was too stingy. I almost had a miscarriage because of Matt, yet he didn't face any consequences, only a cooperation with the Brooks family. But as long as Monica could be involved in the bidding, it would be fine.

As expected, within 24 hours, all the negative publicity about Matt had been cleaned up.

The explanation given to the public about Matt and Jane's relationship was that they had been childhood friends, and the kissing photo was a result of the angle of the shot.

During this time, Matt didn't even call me to explain.

I felt a sense of relief.

The next evening, I learned from Matt's friend that he was taking Jane to the jewelry auction banquet at the Crown Hotel.

How could this banquet be complete without me, Matt's rightful wife?

I called my stylist team and told them about it.

I want a sexy and classy look.

At 7 o'clock in the evening, the banquet officially began.

I was wearing an exquisite makeup and a Dior's latest red evening gown, a waist-fitted A-line dress, cleverly concealing my two-month-old pregnancy.

As I entered the banquet hall, everyone's gaze turned towards me.

From a distance, I saw Matt, dressed in a white suit, mingling around with Jane.

When Matt noticed me, there was surprise and impatience in his eyes.

Matt walked over along with Jane.

"Ashley, didn't my parents ask you to stay at home and take care of the pregnancy? Why did you come here?" Matt said impatiently.

Looking at Matt's impatience, I smiled lightly and said, "I'm here to buy a piece of jewelry as a dowry for our unborn daughter, so she won't have to rely on her in-laws in the future."

I hinted that my in-laws were threatening me with the cooperation between the Brooks and Scott families.

Matt's expression turned awkward.

"Matt, why are you speaking like this? Ashley, coming here to buy jewelry is only natural. Hurry up and accompany her. I can manage alone, otherwise, if people misunderstand again, what should we do?"

Jane said with a hint of grievance.

Upon hearing Jane's words, Matt's eyes instantly filled with distress.

He turned around and left with Jane.

Inwardly, he perhaps thought. It's not like I brought her here. Why should I accompany her?

I watched Matt's retreating figure and thought, Matt, you were the one who wronged me first. Whatever I do, it's your retribution.

I sent a message to Monica.

"Monica, the plan can be carried out."

Soon, the auction banquet officially started.

The first pair of golden ruby earrings were quite good, so I purchased them.

Matt cast a contemptuous look at me from afar.

One by one, the items were presented, but there were no major surprises.

Until the last item, an imperial green bracelet was presented, which surprised everyone here.

After all, this imperial green bracelet was a collectible.

It was also a treasured possession of Jane's family before they went bankrupt.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I believe everyone has witnessed the quality of this imperial green bracelet. I won't be long-winded. Bidding starts at 3 million," the auctioneer announced.

"I bid 3.2 million," Matt was the first to bid.

I quickly followed with a bid of 4 million.

Matt shot me a resentful look, but I nonchalantly smiled.

Matt then bid 4.2 million, and I knew this was his bottom line.

But I continued bidding without a care, "5 million." I knew Matt would surely bid again.

After all, I had seen firsthand the crazy things he had done due to his love for Jane.

Matt, Jacob, and Jane grew up together. Jacob was two years older than Matt and Jane, but that didn't stop the three of them from getting along well.

At that time, the Scott family was still a medium-sized enterprise and had a partnership with the Adler family.

Both Jacob and Matt fell in love with the lively Jane, and the two even had a big fight over her.

In the end, Jacob won Jane's heart.

Shortly after, Jane's family went bankrupt, and it was absorbed by the Scott family.

Jane was sent abroad by Ben, and they were not allowed to see her.

Now that Jane had returned, maintaining an ambiguous relationship with Matt meant she must obtain something.

And now that the thing had been delivered to her doorstep, I didn't believe Jane would let it go.

Sure enough, when Matt saw Jane, with red eyes and on the brink of tears, he once again shouted out a bid of 5.2 million.

I did not continue bidding, watching Matt look happily at Jane with a silly smile.

It reminded me of three years ago, when Matt bought me a Hermes bag during our vacation in the Maldives and looked at me in the same silly way.

I touched my abdomen and thought, My task for today is complete.

I pretended to look angrily at Matt and then left the scene indignantly.

The next day, Matt was scolded by Ben and stripped of his authority at the Scott Group. He was asked to reflect on his actions at home.

Matt had always been on par with his brother, Jacob, in the Scott Group, but this time he had misappropriated funds to buy a bracelet for Jane.

There was a chance to remedy the situation, but Jacob acted faster.

Matt had just misappropriated funds yesterday, and today Ben found out.

"Ashley, why did you raise my price yesterday? Are you and Monica plotting to drive me out of the Scott Group? What do you gain from this?"

Matt said, approaching with a cold demeanor.