"Mommy," Valery said, while her eyes almost popped out of its lid in anger. She turned around and her
gaze met with Mary's. Mary nearly cried seeing Valery's condition. Her life was on the precipice. 'How I
wish I could make things better for the little child,' Mary thought forlornly.
"Zac, you aren't officially married to Valery. You may refuse to agree she is your wife legally. But you
had sex with her and now she is pregnant with your child. This makes it your responsibility to look after
her! I won't let you escape it!" Mary's voice had an edge to it. She was extremely mad at her son's
behavior.
"Mommy, let me be clear, you can't expect me to live with two women at the same time. That is
ludicrous! Valery is quite young. In the future, she can pursue the person that makes her happy. I don't
see why she should waste her youth under our clutches," Zac said in a cold and resolute tone.
With tears streaming down her face, Valery said, "You're my happiness. You're the person I wish to
spend the rest of my life with. There is no way I am marrying someone else!"
"If you are willing to throw all your happiness for my sake then there is nothing I can do about it. But
there's one thing I need to make clear. I, Zac, will only be married once in this life. As you all know, that
wife is Essie. Even if she leaves me one day, don't expect me to marry someone else. I will be fine
living the rest of my life alone," Zac announced with a seriousness that made everyone believe his
words. His gaze left Valery and Mary, and looked at Essie. A hidden smile played on his lips.
All the three people, present in the hall, stood astonished.
Raising her eyes, Essie looked, trying to decipher if he actually meant what he said.
He could have said it just to get rid of Valery. 'Did he really mean it?' Essie wondered, but admonished
herself for getting her hopes so high.
Valery, on the other hand, looked as if a heavy bolt had struck her. Her body was stiff and she almost
staggered to the floor. Luckily, Mary's firm hands caught her in time.
'No, this can't be happening!' Valery wanted to scream. If she lived with a man without actually being
married to him, people would talk about her. She would be looked down by everyone! Her dream was
to be his legal wife and conquer the position of Rong family's hostess. But none of it would come true
now! And she caught her stomach, wondering the fate her unborn child would have to endure. He
would become a bastard. Valery and her mother had spent a long time planning this mission. They
wanted to make this child the Rong family's grandson. He should inherit the business of the Rong
family and become the fifth generation heir! 'Oh God!' Valery thought, as her dreams crumbled before
her eyes.
The only reason that she tolerated being Zac's illegal second wife was because she had hopes for a
better future. Slowly, she wished to take over Essie's position. And as time passed, she could gain an
important position in Zac's heart.
Mary, on the other hand, thought her son was speaking nonsense. Even if he didn't want to marry
another woman, as a mother she wouldn't allow it to happen. His other relatives too would be against
this. After all, he wasn't an ordinary man. He belonged to a prestigious family like the Rong family. And
it wasn't possible for this family to run without a hostess.
"All right, all right. You should go to the company now. I'll take Valery to the hospital for her antenatal
care," Mary said, knowing fully well things would become worse if they continued to have this
conversation. Already, Zac was starting to confess his love for Essie. The last thing she wanted was for
Essie to benefit more from this row.
Zac held Essie's hand and started to walk out. Seeing this, Mary frowned. "Aren't you going to attend
the company meeting? What will she do?"
"She will accompany me to my workplace. I don't want her away from me, even for a minute," Zac said
deliberately. He didn't wait for their response and fled out of their sight.
"Mommy!" As soon as they left, Valery leaned on Mary's shoulder and sobbed. She was so grieved.
Her baby was about to be born, and he was obsessed with another woman. And to make things worse,
he swore he wouldn't marry her even if Essie left him! Valery's life couldn't have gotten any worse!
"All right. It's not true. Zac spat those things out because he was furious. When the baby is born, he will
prefer you over Essie. Be patient and wait for the miracle to happen," Mary said in a comforting tone.
A cold light flashed through Valery's eyes. She didn't want to wait that long. She wanted to get rid of
Essie right now.
Sitting in the car, Essie raised her eyebrows and asked, "Are you really going to take me to your
company?"
"Yes, wait for me in my office. We will play golf with Jim. Once I wrap up my meeting, we can go there
together." After speaking, he flashed her a charming smile.
'Playing golf?'
Essie was a bit shocked by his suggestion. When she was three years old, she was taught to play gold
and by the age of five, she was an expert at it. From what she remembered, Vicki was very dissatisfied
with the fact that she was a girl. So her mother tried to make her an expert in this sport. It was her
mother's way of showing that a girl was by no means any less capable than a boy.
"You're now the chairman and CEO of the Emperor. And then you are also the deputy CEO of the
Rong's Group. With two important positions to take care of, are you sure you will be able to make time
to play with me?" she questioned, unable to believe he actually meant it.
"Honey, you missed something. I am presently holding three important titles, not two," Zac replied,
flashing an arrogant smile.
"Did I? If so, enlighten me. What have I missed?" Essie asked, looking at him in confusion.
After intentionally pausing for a while, he continued, "The other title is the title of your husband. I value
this more than the other two positions. There is no way I will neglect my duties." His voice was light,
like a breeze, bringing about peace in her heart.
'Is he once again firing me with his sugar-coated bullet?' Essie couldn't help but wonder.
Anyway, she shrugged off these thoughts. After all, she was wearing bulletproof clothing. He couldn't
hurt her so easily!
For a few minutes, they both remained silent. Something was bothering Essie so she decided to get it
out of her system. "Back in the house, your words have deeply pained Valery. Of course she wouldn't
be willing to remain your illegal wife for the rest of her life. Somewhere deep down she thought she had
a chance. Perhaps, after driving me away, she wished to become your only wife," Essie said, looking
very serious.
Zac smirked and said, "Her dreams will remain a dream. Also, I am sure her mother Elizabeth had
hand in this. Otherwise Valery is too young to be plotting."
"But suppose she is actually obsessed with you. What if she makes up her mind to pester you for the
rest of your life?" Essie sneered seeing the frown on Zac's face. Once upon a time, Elizabeth had
pestered Baron. For nine years, she was after him. She wouldn't stop until Baron finally married her.
"Such people are nothing but an annoyance!" A light of coldness flitted across Zac's eyes. Even though
Valery was a member of the Xu family, he wouldn't be lenient with her if she messed with his and
Essie's life.
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