Book 1: She Becomes Glamorous After the Engagement Annulment

Chapter 1: Returning With A Counterattack “Miss Smith, you’re pregnant." The doctor’s words were like a thunderclap, making the sleepy Nora Smith’s eyes widen suddenly. “What?” How could this be?! Although she was nineteen years old, she had never been intimate with anyone of the opposite s*x! However, the doctor handed her the medical report. “You’re already in your fourth month of pregnancy. You’re not in good health, so you won’t be able to surgically induce labor. You can only choose to give birth to the child.” Nora returned home in a daze. After Nora’s father gave her a stern scolding, he searched the surveillance cameras, only to find that four months ago, she was indeed staying at home obediently due to poor health, and hadn’t gone out at all! However, outsiders didn’t believe it. Everyone secretly mocked her: “Her belly is already so big, yet she’s still giving excuses and saying that she didn’t stray with some man. The Grays are so pitiful. Why do they have to be engaged to such a person?!" “She’s fat and ugly from the start, and neither is her family background very good. It was a few lifetimes’ worth of blessings that she could climb the social ladder by having a connection with the Gray's. Now that she’s gotten herself pregnant before the wedding, surely the Gray's will break off the engagement, right?” Amid all the speculations, Anthony Gray paid the Smiths a visit. At that time, Nora’s belly was already bulging. At eight months of pregnancy, her belly was big enough to cover her toes. In the study, Nora’s father asked cautiously, “Anthony, are you thinking of breaking off the engagement?” Anthony gave an unexpected answer: “No, my grandfather refuses to!” The Gray's were a top-class rich and powerful family while they, the Smiths, were just middle-class. Even if they took the opportunity to break off the engagement, no one would be able to criticize the Grays for it. By refusing to break off the engagement, what were they after? The more Anthony thought about it, the angrier he became. He cursed irritably, “The sight of her pig-like face already disgusted me from the start, and now she’s even pregnant with some guy’s child. Why should I be the hero to take over the responsibility?" Nora’s father immediately said, “Don’t worry, Anthony. I’ll send the baby away immediately after she gives birth!" Nora, who had kept quiet this whole time, suddenly raised her head. “No.” In the past few months, she had gone from hesitating to being at a loss, and then to a state of reluctantly accepting reality. She could feel her child’s heartbeat more and more clearly as each day passed, and she had already long since developed feelings for it. The child was innocent. They mustn’t abandon it. She wanted an annulment! But it was at this exact moment that she suddenly felt waves of pain and convulsions in her abdomen. This… She was about to go into labor! Five years later. “Mommy, wake up. The plane is landing.” The crisp voice made Nora open her eyes, upon which she immediately saw a delicate, adorable, and young face. Cherry Smith’s big grape-like eyes blinked, and she rested her chin on her hands. “Mommy, did we come back to the States this time to look for Daddy?” Nora stretched and sat up lazily in her comfortable business-class seat. She said lightly, “You don’t have a father.” Cherry sighed like an adult. “I’m not a three-year-old anymore. I’m not going to believe your nonsense. I don’t have a father? Surely I couldn’t have just popped out of a rock, right?” "..." Nora didn’t reply, as she tied up her shoulder-length hair. Her fair skin and sharp, pert nose, coupled with her rosy lips and graceful figure, made her a beautiful sight on the plane. Cherry continued to mumble dissatisfiedly, “If it isn’t to look for Daddy, then is it to find my elder brother?” Elder brother… A cold glint flashed past Nora’s downcast almond-shaped eyes. That year, she had actually given birth to a pair of twins—a boy and a girl. However, Nora’s father had disregarded her wishes and forcibly abandoned the two children. She had climbed down from the delivery bed and fought with all her strength. In spite of that, she had only managed to save Cherry. After that, she even went into critical condition. Had her aunt not rushed back in time and took her overseas to recuperate, she would probably have ceased to exist in the world. It took five years before she finally recovered. Her obesity, which was caused by the mistaken use of hormones during her childhood, was also finally cured. On the surface, her return to the States this time was because the Gray's had finally agreed to call off the engagement, so she had come to handle the affairs. However, the most important thing was actually to continue looking for her child. Half an hour later, the plane came to a complete stop. Nora let Cherry sit on the suitcase. Then, she walked while pushing the suitcase forward. As soon as she turned on the phone, she received a call. On the other side of the line was a frivolous but lively voice. “Anti, you have to be careful!” Nora asked casually, “Why?” “Justin Hunt, the head of the number one family in the States, is currently collecting your personal information from all around the world. He’s probably not going to give up this time until he finds you!” The voice sounded a little like its owner was gloating. Nora said, “…Oh.” “Anti, you were overseas previously and weren’t in his territory, so you were able to avoid it perfectly. But now that you’ve returned, you won’t be able to escape anymore! As the most prestigious surgeon around, can’t you just treat his grandmother’s illness? “I heard that Justin Hunt is very generous, and is even a man so handsome that it’s hard to come by one like him. Maybe the two of you can even develop a romance that’ll move one to songs and tears!” Nora yawned lazily. The number one family was a big family with a big business. Interpersonal relationships within it were complicated. Treating the illness of someone from there might even end up involving the struggle for power and inheritance. Why would she involve herself with the open and secret fights of such top-class rich and powerful? She was back in the States to look for her son. She mustn’t cause any complications. As she approached the exit, Nora suddenly spotted a familiar figure in the arrival hall in front. She replied perfunctorily, “I’m not blessed enough to enjoy such beauty.” After hanging up, she tossed the phone into her pocket and cast her eyes downward coldly. She didn’t expect to see an old acquaintance so soon. A man stood at a prominent spot at the exit of the airport. He was wearing a suit and looked quite bright and cheerful. He looked a little more mature than how he had been five years ago—he turned out to be her fiancé, Anthony Gray. With a pick-up placard in his hand, he stood there impatiently and grumbled, “When exactly is that damned fatty coming out?” Behind him, his butler said, “Mr. Gray, please be patient. The old sir has specially instructed you to refrain from making things too difficult even if you are calling off the engagement." Anthony frowned. He looked a little irritated. “Patience? Isn’t it more like disgust? She was so fat previously; and, she must be even fatter after she gave birth. She probably wants to save the engagement even more strongly now, right? Why am I so unlucky to become entangled with someone like that?!” His words reached Nora’s ears, but she didn’t bat even an eyelid. In the past five years, she had repeatedly brought up her desire to break off the engagement. However, neither the Smith's nor the Gray's had agreed. Who exactly was entangling with whom? She couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to that man and intended to leave immediately with Cherry. After grumbling, Anthony turned—and his eyes lit up! The beautiful woman, who was the first to walk out of the airport, was gorgeous and unbelievably stunning. It was as if the entire airport had lit up a few notches brighter the moment she appeared. Seeing the woman getting closer and closer, Anthony straightened his back and neatened his luxury suit. Then, he smiled and asked confidently, “Hi beautiful, can I ask your name?” He was the exact picture of a male peacock with its train spread open. Nora paused and looked at him coolly. “Nora. Smith.” Chapter 2: An Identical Child “Nora. Smith.” Cherry, whose head was originally lowered as she played a mobile game, pointed to the placard in Anthony’s hand and read out the name written on it in her young, tender voice. Then, she asked excitedly, “Did I read it correctly?” Cherry had grown up abroad all this time and was currently in the literacy development stage. Nora rubbed her head and said in a cool and melodious voice, “Yes, you did.” Anthony was dazzled by the casual smile at the corners of her lips. When did such a big beauty come to California? She was even more beautiful than those B-list celebrities! Nora was indifferent to the burning fervor in his eyes. Cherry, on the other hand, blinked and asked innocently, “Mister, are you here to pick…” Before she could say ‘…us up?’, Anthony hurriedly tossed the placard behind him and interrupted her. “Of course not, little girl. I have nothing to do with that damned fatty.” A touch of disdain appeared in Cherry’s big eyes. “Mister, you’re so pitiful to be blind at such a young age, sigh.” Which part of her mom was fat?! Her words stunned Anthony for a moment. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Nora stepped forward and left the area coldly. Anthony wanted to go after her, but his assistant stopped him. “Mr. Gray, don’t forget the old sir’s instructions.” Anthony looked at Nora from the back and made a dissing remark. “How wonderful would it be if that ugly freak was even half as beautiful as those sisters? I would have put up with her antics from back then and decided not to call off the engagement!” _ At Hotel Finest, a hotel under the Hunt Corporation. In the presidential suite, Nora looked at her cell phone after Cherry went to bed and fell asleep. There were already seven or eight missed calls from the Smith's. When she returned the calls, she heard her father’s angry cursing. “Nora, what are you doing?! Why aren’t you picking up? Weren’t you making a huge fuss about breaking off the engagement? Get your a*s back here right away, and stop wasting your younger sister and Anthony’s time when they’ve got something good going for them!” It was impossible for Nora’s father to let go of the Grays after climbing the social ladder and establishing a connection to such a prestigious family. This was also why he had insisted not to break off the engagement. Now, the Grays had finally relented and agreed to let her half-sister marry into the family instead. There was no loss in this for Nora’s father. It was only then that the two families finally reached an agreement. Nora said lightly, “I’ll come back now.” She entrusted Cherry to Mrs. Lewis, the nanny that had returned to the States with her, and went out. When she was waiting for the elevator, she suddenly heard some soft footsteps. She turned to see a child dressed in gray silk pajamas, her short hair tousled as she stood in the elevator hall with sleepy eyes. Her daughter had short hair, and her exquisite, adorable facial features made it hard to distinguish whether she was a boy or a girl. When they were living abroad, Cherry would give Nora a hug every time she went out. Therefore, she didn’t think much about it. She habitually squatted down, and hugged and kissed the child on the forehead. Although her voice was low, it was gentle. “I’ll bring you some mousse cake tonight, baby. Go back to your room now.” Her daughter’s usually quick-witted eyes became dazed for a moment—she was probably so sleepy that she had turned silly. Then, under her gaze, she nodded, turned around, and walked back. This floor was the top luxury presidential suite, and there were only two suites in total. Apart from the one they were occupying, it was said that the Hunts had left the other for themselves, so it was not open to outsiders. There likely wasn’t anyone staying there at the moment. Ding! The elevator arrived. Nora went in right away. Thus, she didn’t see the door to the other presidential suite opening. A tall, capable, and steady figure walked out. The man’s back was to the elevator entrance. His voice was low and deep, and he had an aura around him that was hard to ignore. He ordered the child, “Go back to your room, Pete.” Five-year-old Pete Hunt stared in the direction of the elevator. The soft hug and the kiss on the forehead from that lady just now had made even him, the sole grandson of the Hunts, blush uncontrollably. Pete’s face tensed up tightly. He had been brought up strictly ever since he was a baby. Even the nutritional value of his meals had to be calculated. However, a strong desire suddenly emerged in the boy who had always exercised self-control: “I want to eat mousse cake.” “…” Justin Hunt glanced at him and carried him into the room with one hand. Exuding an icy aura that kept people away from him, he walked over to the computer and continued the video conference. The person opposite him gave him their report. “Mr. Hunt, we’ve confirmed that Anti has indeed returned to the States. On top of that, we’ve just bought a photograph of her at a high price. I’ll send it to you right away.” Justin’s thin lips parted slightly, and he coldly spat out two words: “Find her!” _ It was brightly lit at the Smith's villa. Outside the door, Nora listened to the digital lock’s “Input error” voice prompt, her lips curling up into a mocking smile. The password had been changed, yet she, the Smith’s daughter, didn’t even know. She lowered her eyes emotionlessly, raised her cell phone, and tapped it casually a few times. Then, she placed it on the digital lock. A few seconds later, the door opened with a click. The lively atmosphere in the living room rushed toward her, and the crowds going about made her realize that it was her younger sister, Angela Smith’s, birthday today. Seeing that no one had noticed her, Nora found a sofa in the corner and sat down, intending to nap for a while. Seeing that no one had noticed her, Nora found a sofa in the corner and sat down, intending to nap for a while. A few youngsters had surrounded a girl and were assaulting her. Angela, who was wearing a blue dress, held a red wine glass and sneered as she looked at the girl that had been pushed onto the ground. It was her cousin, Lisa Black. She had always been on good terms with that damned fatty, Nora. Smack! Someone gave Lisa a tight slap. “Did you just say that the fatty’s facial features actually look pretty good? There must be something wrong with your eyes. I’ll treat them for you.” “Hiss” She took a glass of water infused with hot peppers and splashed it at Lisa’s eyes. “That ugly freak looks like a pig. She can’t even compare to one of Angela’s toes! How were you even able to say that she looks pretty good, Lisa?” Lisa wanted to scream from the burning pain, but someone had covered her mouth, so she could only produce muffled cries as she choked with pain. Angela suddenly squatted down. She took out a photo of Nora at her fattest and played with it in her hands. “Hey, all of you are being too rough.” When the others heard her, they giggled and let go of Lisa, who covered her red and swollen eyes with her hand. “Please, let me go…” Angela smiled. “Let’s act in a more refined manner, and make a bet.” Lisa’s weak voice came out of her throat. “What kind of bet?” Angela pointed at the photo. “If you can prove that she really is good-looking after she loses weight, I’ll eat this photo. If you can’t do it, then you’ll eat it. How does that sound? Isn’t it very fair?” The rest immediately laughed. “But what are you to do if that fatty can’t shed the pounds?” “For the sake of a bet, is she really going to get liposuction done just to prove that her ugliness isn’t because she’s fat? Hahaha…” “Lisa, you have absolutely no way of proving that she’ll look good after she slims down, so…” “Eat the photo! Eat the photo!” Everyone clapped and made a ruckus. Angela held the photo up in her face. “Are you going to eat it yourself, or do you want us to help you with it?” Chapter 3: The Children’s Father Angela’s eyes gleamed viciously. Everyone was congratulating her and cursing that damned fatty, but that little b***h Lisa actually said that Nora’s facial features weren’t ugly? Hah. Angela was about to pass the photo to Lisa when suddenly… A cool, fair, and slender arm reached over and took it away. With her eyes downcast, Nora casually balled up the photo and grabbed Angela’s hair. When she opened her mouth to cry out in pain, she stuffed the photo into her mouth! Her actions were as slick and smooth as butter. It was only when she tasted the bitter and unpleasant taste in her mouth that Angela finally reacted. She was about to spit it out when she heard a low and indifferent voice. “A bet’s a bet, Angela.” Angela’s movements suddenly froze dramatically, and she looked at her as if she had just seen a ghost. The girl wore a simple white shirt with jeans, which made her legs look long and her waist slender. Her hair was tied casually behind her, and a few trifling strands covered her neck. Her skin was as smooth as silk and was fair and clean. Her entire self was incomparably beautiful! That familiar voice, though… At the sight of the situation, the others gathered around. A boy frowned. “Who the heck are you, pretty girl?Angela is Mr. Gray’s fiancée. Aren’t you afraid of offending the Gray's?” Nora ignored him and helped Lisa up. Seeing that the condition of her eyes wasn’t too serious even though they had turned red, she whispered, “Go and rinse your eyes with clean water.” Lisa bit her lip and shouted with some uncertainty, “Are you, Nora?” “Yeah.” “…" Everyone was stunned. They looked at her incredulously. Someone subconsciously spoke. “That fatty’s actually this stunning after she lost weight?” Everyone looked at Angela again. She was actually pretty good-looking and could be said to be rather beautiful. She had always been proud of her looks. However, in this instant, as she stood next to Nora, she instead seemed a little dull. The look in their eyes made Angela feel as if she had been given a few slaps across the cheek,and her face was burning hot… She had deliberately told the fatty to come back and annul the engagement during her birthday party just to let everyone see that she, Angela, was so much more beautiful than Nora. But now, she had become the joke instead! “What happened?” Nora’s father strode over with his current wife. When he saw Nora, he was taken aback. Surprised, he called out, “Nora?” His elder daughter was actually so beautiful after she slimmed down? The light in Angela’s eyes flickered at the sight. Suddenly, she broke into tears and took out the photo from her mouth. “Nora, I know you’re unhappy that Anthony is breaking off his engagement with you. You can continue to hit me…” Her sobs snapped their father back to reality, and he reached out to hit Nora without any warning. “Nora! Anthony is breaking off his engagement with you because of your immoral behavior and premarital pregnancy! You were the one who didn’t know better. What does your sister have to do with it?” Nora felt the depths of her heart turning cold. Five years ago, her biased father’s heartlessness had thoroughly broken her heart. She was about to avoid the slap when her stepmother, Wendy Simpson, unexpectedly came forward and stopped her father. “There are so many people watching, Henry. Don’t forget the more important matter.” The more important matter… Henry Smith suppressed his anger and spat, “Come upstairs with me!” In the study. Henry, Wendy, and Angela sat together. Nora sat opposite them. She leaned against the sofa, her eyelids drooping, making her look like a defiant madman who despised everything. However, anyone familiar with her would know that she was just sleepy. Henry went straight to the point. “Nora, the Gray's have agreed to annul the engagement, and your sister is also going to marry into the Gray's. It’s your sister’s birthday today. Why don’t you give her the company that your mother left behind as a wedding and birthday gift?” Angela said eagerly, “Your premarital pregnancy has embarrassed the Smith's, and also caused the Gray's to be the subject of ridicule for so many years. Take it as you’re compensating us by giving me the company!” Henry threw the contract that he had prepared in advance over and ordered, “This is an ownership transfer agreement. Sign it.” Nora’s eyes were cold. The Smith's had obviously been the ones who didn’t want to annul the engagement because they wanted to climb up the social ladder. The Gray's had also refused to annul it for some reason. Yet everything was now her fault? Besides, everything that the Smith's had was left behind by her mother… Not only were they hogging the house, but they didn’t intend to spare even the company now? Their insatiable greed was disgusting. She looked up slightly, and said coolly, “No.” As if a cat with its tail trampled on, Angela shouted sharply, “Nora, what do you mean by that?” Nora glanced outside—it was getting late. She wanted to go back and sleep with Cherry, so she went to the point and said, “Calling off the engagement, okay. Wedding gift, nope.” Then, she stood up and walked out. “Stay right there, Nora!” Henry yelled angrily. Unfortunately, Nora turned a deaf ear to him. When she reached the front porch, Angela came chasing after her and blocked her path. “Tell me, Nora, do you have no intention to annul the engagement at all because you can’t bear to give up Anthony?!” Nora found her annoying. “Get out of the way.” “So, that’s really what you’re thinking! You’re so shameless!” Angela reached out her hand and sent it flying toward her face arrogantly and unreasonably! The next moment, however, Nora grabbed her wrist. Angela cursed angrily, “Don’t you dare think that Anthony will have a change of heart and come back to you just because you’ve become pretty! He’ll never marry a sullied woman like you who’s saddled with little bastard children, no matter what! Oh, and by the way, why didn’t you bring back that little bastard child whose father’s identity is unknown?” Smack! With all her strength, Nora returned to her a ruthless slap of her own. Her pupils were very dark, and she looked like a demon crawling out of hell. “Cherry is not a bastard child. If I ever hear you spouting nonsense again, I’m not holding back!” After leaving behind a warning, she turned and left. Angela’s cheek stung fiercely. She widened her eyes in shock and was so scared that she seemed to have even forgotten to cry. _ Neon lights flickered at night in California. Nora sat in the cab with her eyes closed and rested. Light flickered on her face, shining and dimming erratically, giving off a feeling of loneliness. Unknown father… Little bastard child… These two phrases made her sigh in melancholy. It was still a mystery how she had become pregnant five years ago. She had no clue as to who Cherry’s father was. “We’re here.” The cabby’s voice interrupted Nora’s thoughts. She had only just alighted and entered the hotel when a row of bodyguards suddenly rushed out in front of her and stopped her at the side. “Please step aside!” Many people who were stopped speculated in low voices: “What is Mr. Hunt going out for when it’s already so late?” “I heard that the Hunts’ sole grandson wanted mousse cake…” When Nora stretched out her hand to yawn, she immediately saw a tall and noble figure striding out of the elevator with a boy about five or six years old in his arms. The man kept his gaze straight as he walked forward. However, when he passed by Nora, he suddenly stopped. He looked at her with a deep gaze, and said in a deep voice, “Miss Smith…” Nora paused mid-yawn.