But to Janet and her friends, my expression seemed like fear and shock, afraid of losing my inheritance to this new brother.

Flora giggled, "Bella, don't be scared, you should be happy. After all these years, you finally have a brother."

I wanted to explain that my name, Bella, meant beauty and hope, but they were too excited, talking so fast that I couldn't get a word in.

Thea also laughed, "Janet, look at your stepdaughter. She's so happy she can't speak."

The word stepdaughter made Janet even more smug. "Yes, the Jones family is big and wealthy. One daughter is not enough; it needs a son to carry on the family name. Your mother can't have children, so I'm having one for your father. You should be grateful, take care of me, and follow my orders."

Just as I was about to speak, Janet touched her belly and continued, "I know what you're thinking. You're wondering if the baby is a girl. I've checked; it's a boy. The Jones family will belong to my son. You know, even an illegitimate child has inheritance rights."

Thea pushed me. "Get your stepmom something to drink. If you don't please her now, you'll be kicked out when the baby is born. Don't say Janet didn't give you a chance."

I finally found an opportunity and covered Thea's mouth and said, "My dad has been dead for five years. This is a complete scam. As a classmate, I suggest you see a psychiatrist. Also, learn about morals and ethics."

I thought my words would end this farce, but Janet jumped up, "Hmph, you think I'll tolerate this? Do you think I don't know if your dad is dead or not? You lie so blatantly. No wonder your dad didn't like you!"

"Janet, be careful. You're carrying the Jones family's eldest son. Don't get upset," Flora helped Janet sit down, then shouted at me, "Bella, I've always disliked you. You lie without batting an eye. Before, you said you knew Leonardo and had dinner with him. That photo was clearly photoshopped. Now, to make Janet angry, you curse your own father?"

"Exactly, if your dad were dead, who manages the Jones Group? Who funds your lavish lifestyle? Money doesn't fall from the sky."

Janet got angrier, her hormones and pettiness making her cry immediately. "I'll call your dad now and have him cancel your credit card and kick your mother out of the house!"

She took out her phone, and I waited to see the show of her calling my dad.

Thea screamed, "No, Janet, think about it. The baby isn't born yet. What if Mr. Jones gets angry? You must endure it!"

Janet stopped dialing, looking enlightened, "I get it, Bella. You're trying to make me look unreasonable so your dad will hate me. When the baby is born, you and your mom will take my son and make him call you mom!"

After a long time, they finished their drama, and I finally had a chance to speak.

"First, my dad has been dead for five years. You should ask the baby's father why he's pretending to be my dad. You might want to report him for fraud."

"Second, my parents had a very stable relationship. Even if my dad were alive, he wouldn't look at you, so stop slandering him."

"Third, the Jones family..."

Before I could finish, Flora interrupted, "Are you going to say the Jones family relies on your mother?"

The three laughed hysterically. I didn't understand what was so funny and it was the truth!

If Janet weren't pregnant, she might have rolled on the floor laughing.

Janet wiped tears from her eyes and said, "Bella, stop your nonsense. I know exactly what you're thinking. You want me to be unreasonable so your dad will hate me."

"I've been with your dad for over a year. I've seen his ID and stayed at your villa."

To prove her point, Janet showed photos of her in a bikini at our villa pool, "You recognize this place, don't you?"

I raised an eyebrow and it was indeed our villa in the suburbs.

Did someone steal our keys and deceive Janet?

It seemed I needed to ask the housekeeper to change the locks and strengthen security.

I glanced at Janet, who was arrogant. She only had one requirement for her boyfriend, which was wealth.

The more women cared about money, the easier they were to be deceived. Maybe by casually treating her to a few meals, I could deceive her.

I was not a kind and innocent girl. I didn't intend to mention the evidence I had prepared. Since Janet was so sure that she was pregnant with my father's child, then let her be.