No Love, Only Contract

Chapter 4 His First Love Returned

Eleanor went downstairs, had breakfast, and then headed straight to the hospital.

Today, Ethan had arranged an examination for her.

During the physical exam, she secretly found someone to take the test on her behalf.

When the person came out, Eleanor took a taxi to another hospital for another checkup. The results would take a few days to arrive.

The doctor, after reviewing her situation, told her that it was highly likely she was pregnant, and not to hold onto any false hopes.

As soon as she stepped out of the hospital doors, Ethan's call came in. "Did you go for the checkup?" he asked.

Eleanor answered, "I did."

Ethan didn’t ask about the doctor’s findings. After all, someone would eventually bring the test results to his desk.

They exchanged a few words, and then Ethan was about to hang up.

"Ethan," Eleanor called out to him.

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Miss Bennett, is there anything else?"

Eleanor, knowing she shouldn’t ask, still couldn’t help but say, "The check... what does it mean?"

Ethan’s voice was indifferent, like dealing with business, "Wasn't I clear enough?"

He paused, spinning his pen nonchalantly, "It's your due compensation."

Eleanor clenched her fists, staying silent for a long while.

Ethan continued, "I was very satisfied with your service last night, Miss Bennett."

His tone was still calm. But for some reason, Eleanor detected a deep sense of humiliation in his voice. It felt like a sharp knife was stabbing at her heart, relentlessly digging into countless wounds.

In Ethan's eyes, she was nothing more than part of the service industry.

Just like the other employees.

If anything, she was expected to sleep with him.

Eleanor sometimes really wanted to ask Ethan, if he could show her just a little bit of mercy, just a little bit of respect.

But Ethan was a cold-blooded person, and he wouldn't spare a second thought for people who didn't matter to him. Just like how he would never make a bad deal.

Eleanor took a deep breath. "I'll hang up now."

Ethan, seemingly lost in thought, looked at his phone’s screen. Later in the afternoon, he had his assistant print out the physical exam report and place it on his desk.

Because of Ethan's low mood, Ryan, the assistant, was shaking with fear. "Mrs. Grant's report came back normal, she’s in good health, everything’s fine."

The next day, Eleanor received the hospital’s report, confirming her pregnancy. She even saw the ultrasound image of the baby.

She folded the report carefully and put it into her bag, her mind in turmoil.

Now, all she could do was take things one step at a time.

After a brief break, Eleanor went back to work. Charlotte, her colleague, immediately started venting to her. "Ethan’s been scolding everyone in the office these days. His mood's so low it’s suffocating, we can hardly breathe."

Eleanor was puzzled. "Is he in a bad mood?"

Charlotte leaned in closer, speaking mysteriously, "Reliable sources say Ethan's first love has returned to the country, but she’s not doing too well health-wise."

Eleanor froze.

Amelia Grey has returned? She hadn’t heard of it.

But it was true that Amelia Grey wasn’t in good health.

Eleanor didn’t like Amelia, nor did she like her stepmother, Helen Grey.

Amelia was currently living in the house that Eleanor’s mother used to live in. It was where her mother had been driven to suicide by Helen years ago. Robert Grey, disgusted by the place, bought a new one and gave the old house to Amelia.

Eleanor thought for a while. If she were like her mother, deceived and stripped of everything by the man she loved, then bullied by the mistress openly, perhaps, just like her mother, she too would break down emotionally and find it hard to live.

Eleanor remained indifferent.

*****

That evening, Eleanor had to accompany Ethan to a charity dinner.

Sitting in the car, she could tell that Ethan was in a bad mood.

His aura was cold, and the oppressive tension was palpable.

As they neared the hotel, Eleanor suddenly remembered and said, "Ethan, can I not drink tonight? I’m not feeling well."

Whether she would keep the baby or not was one thing.

But for now, she had to protect the child.

Ethan glanced up, his pitch-black eyes emotionless. Perhaps because he was in a bad mood, his words were sharp and biting. "Miss Bennett, did I invite you here just to look pretty?"

Eleanor pressed her lips together. "I’ve been feeling really unwell lately, and the doctor advised me not to drink."

Ethan, though suppressing his anger, never let himself lose control. As long as he wasn’t explosively angry, his irritation would remain subtle.

He coldly replied, "I’ve seen your report. Everything’s normal."

The car stopped in front of the hotel.

However, Ethan didn’t rush to get out. He suddenly grabbed Eleanor’s chin. "Or are you trying to raise your price? The tens of thousands you’re getting each month won’t even get you to hold a glass of wine?"

Eleanor’s chin hurt from his grip.

He rarely lost control like this.

She thought to herself, maybe Amelia’s condition had worsened.

And the frustration was being taken out on her.

Eleanor gritted her teeth through the pain. "I haven’t raised the price."

Ethan sneered and stared at her watery eyes. "Since that’s the case, Miss Bennett, don’t pretend you’re nauseous and can’t drink… like you’re pregnant."

Eleanor’s face turned pale, and she instinctively denied it. "I’m not pregnant."

Ethan said, "I believe Miss Bennett’s integrity. You always keep your word and never break the rules."

Eleanor bit her lip. "I understand."

They got out of the car, and Eleanor linked her arm with his as they entered the venue.

The guests at the charity dinner were either rich or influential. They were either business tycoons or from powerful political families.

Ethan was not only a business giant but also from a prestigious family. There were many people here eager to get on his good side.

Eleanor and Ethan’s marriage hadn’t been publicly announced.

So the people here didn’t know she was his wife and still treated her as a mistress.

Once they got bored, they’d discard her. After sleeping with her, they’d lose interest.

Eleanor knew very well that Ethan didn’t take her seriously.

At the banquet, Ethan’s business associates again mentioned her in front of him. "Someone said that your beautiful secretary is your wife? Is that true?"

After a few seconds of silence, Ethan casually replied, "I’m her benefactor."

Eleanor clearly heard his words, and in the end, she could only mockingly pull at the corner of her lips.

Jackson immediately understood and stared intently at Eleanor’s beautiful, tempting face. "In that case, Ethan, would you consider giving her up?"

Jackson waited for a response, but after a long pause, he added, "Ethan, you don’t want to, do you?"

Ethan curled his lips in a half-smile, "Ask her if she’s willing."