Jason's response pleased Grace immensely. No matter the disadvantage, her son was just as ambitious as she was, never one to back down easily.

“Years ago, in a moment of weakness, I missed the title of Mrs. Stark. Although Sebastian recognized your heritage, he still favored his legitimate firstborn. In his eyes, you’re not above board.”

She lowered her voice, continuing to persuade Jason. “If it weren’t for Victor stepping in three years ago, forcing Evelyn on you, you would have smoothly married Selene Leighton. With the Leighton family backing you, you wouldn’t still be stuck in a VP position now.”

Jason peeled off the last shrimp shell and placed it on Evelyn's plate. “What do you really want to say? Get to the point.”

“Get a divorce immediately. Evelyn must not have that child. Selene waited for you for three years. She said as long as you regain your freedom and cut ties with that vixen Cecilia, she’d marry you right away.”

Grace spoke rapidly, fearing Evelyn would return.

Jason picked up a large shrimp soaked in olive oil and garlic, putting it down without peeling it, pulling out a pristine white napkin to wipe his hands.

“Give Evelyn some money, get her to terminate the pregnancy, and finalize the divorce within a month. If she’s really stubborn and clings to you, I’ll handle her my way.”

Seeing him remain noncommittal, Grace pressed on. “In the Stark family, if you’re not ruthless, you’ll just be someone else's cannon fodder. You and Selene aren’t too old; you can have as many kids as you want in the future.”

“Mother,” Jason said, his expression stoic as he spoke slowly, “I’m set on that child. If you dare to touch her before Evelyn gives birth, don’t blame me for turning against you.”

Grace's face went pale as she grabbed a porcelain soup spoon and slammed it on the ground.

Evelyn hadn’t retreated to the private room; she stood in the corridor by the window, looking at her phone. When she saw Jason and Grace approaching, she steeled herself to meet them.

Grace, with a stern face, claimed she felt unwell and needed to see a doctor, dismissing them.

This was exactly what Evelyn wanted. Watching Grace’s car drive out of the parking lot, the tension in her heart finally eased.

On the way to the airport, Jason remained silent.

Bored, Evelyn tried to make conversation. “It seems like you haven’t asked me about the test results.”

“No need to ask. Your expression already tells me the answer.” Jason replied calmly.

She gently touched her flat belly, murmuring, "One lie needs more lies to cover it. What am I going to do?"

"The news about the pregnancy is already out, so what else can you do?" Jason, sitting in the passenger seat, turned and glanced at her. "Obviously, we’ll have to work on making a baby.”

“Really?” She found it hard to believe. For the past six months, she had wanted to have a child with Jason, but he had been too careful, leaving her with no opportunities. She thought that even if Jason didn’t like her, as long as she had a child with his blood running through its veins, they would be bound together completely.

Now, hearing Jason say he wanted a child, all she felt was panic. Jason's cruelty towards her and his favoritism toward Cecilia had left her utterly disheartened.

Thinking calmly, she realized that this marriage, which had no future, could end at any moment. Bringing a child into the mix would only complicate things further. A while back, she had foolishly thought she could use a child to keep Jason. After coming to her senses, she had chosen to initiate the divorce. Even if she didn't want to have a baby, until Jason abandoned his lawsuit against Jean, she couldn’t afford to show any resistance toward him.

“You don’t want to have a child?” Jason held a cigarette in his hand, not rushing to light it.

“I said I’d do whatever you wanted as long as you dropped the lawsuit against Jean. Since you want a child, I’ll start preparing for it.” She feigned thoughtfulness.

“Stop all the medications for blood circulation and clots. Let’s aim for you to get pregnant in a month.” Jason glanced at his watch.

Seeing Evelyn so compliant, Jason felt a bit more at ease.

By 5 PM, their flight landed in Riverton. Back at 9 Bliss Garden, Jason took her straight to bed. Afterward, he wasn’t done with her, holding her lower body tightly, propping a pillow under her hips, claiming it would help with conception.

In that intimate hour, Evelyn's mind was terrifyingly clear. Cecilia’s arrogance, Jason's favoritism—all the scenes flashed before her. She kept asking herself, if she really had a child, would their relationship improve? She could endure being squeezed and suppressed, but to bring a child into the world to share her misery?

Mr. Stark had three sons with his first wife. The eldest had passed away, leaving behind one lone survivor, Cedric Stark. The second son despised the treachery of business and dedicated his youth to cardiovascular research, living in Norway. The youngest son was more ambitious than capable, and now both he and Jason served as vice presidents of Stark Group, already eyeing Mr. Stark's position.

Three years ago, when Evelyn married Jason, Grace held a family banquet at the old house, attended solely by Stark family members. From that moment on, Evelyn became a joke within the Stark family. While they would chat with her a bit at the old house, outside, they were like strangers.

As a result, now only their closest relatives and friends knew the true nature of her relationship with Jason. The Stark family didn’t like her, and she felt the same about them.

This year, Mr. Stark had been hospitalized more frequently, and tensions were rising within the family. She suspected Jason’s urgent desire for a child was closely related to the inheritance distribution from his father.

When Jason went to attend a press conference for Stark Group, he reminded her before leaving, “Stop taking your birth control pills. From now on, reduce your workload and keep your mood light.”

She nonchalantly agreed, but after locking the door, she took two birth control pills and called Jean.

Jean had good news—Jason had withdrawn his lawsuit from the district court that afternoon. Evelyn let out a sigh; at least Jason still had some conscience.

They chatted for a while, and the topic of birth control almost slipped out of her mouth several times, only to be swallowed back. Jason was cunning and domineering; if she secretly stopped taking the pills, it would inevitably cause another uproar when it came to light. She couldn’t bring any more trouble to Jean.

After ending the call, she started searching her phone for the safest female contraceptive methods.

Before 9:30 PM, Jason returned, smelling neither of smoke nor alcohol.

“So you really quit smoking and drinking to prepare for a baby,” she teased with a smile.

Jason set his coat down and removed his watch. “In your mother’s eyes, you’ve already been pregnant for a month. Put in some effort and get pregnant soon.”

Feeling guilty, she shifted the topic. “I talked to Jean; she asked me to thank you.”

“No need for thanks. Just don’t badmouth me behind my back. Evelyn, listen carefully; this is only a temporary withdrawal. Whether I sue again depends on your performance.” After saying that, Jason went to the bathroom.

Evelyn realized Jason remained as ruthless as ever; the only warmth she received came in bed.

That night, Jason was still indulgent and reckless. They tried all the positions conducive to conception. She felt a sense of dread; with Jason’s abilities, getting her pregnant would be a matter of minutes during ovulation.

Tomorrow, she had to prioritize her birth control!

The next morning, Evelyn finished up her accumulated work from the previous day and drove to a well-known private gynecology clinic. After discussing with the doctor, she decided to go with an imported contraceptive injection. The effect of one shot lasted three months.

The doctor advised her not to engage in sexual activity for three days.

Evelyn deleted the payment records on her phone from the clinic. If Jason found out, he wouldn’t let her live in peace. She had no idea how long she could deceive him with her little tricks; all she could do was take it one step at a time.