FROM A GOLDFINCH TO A CEO

CHAPTER 1 bnbIf you leave, we're getting a divorce!" Stephanie, I'm pregnant, and the baby is Nicholas's." On her third wedding anniversary, Stephanie Wilson expected a thoughtful gift from Nicholas. Instead, she received a text from his ex-girlfriend, Lucy, announcing her pregnancy with his child. In the bedroom of their villa, Nicholas was in the bathroom freshening up while Stephanie, having finished first, sat on the bed in her silk pajamas. Her phone was unlocked, and the message popped up, catching her eye immediately. Her face turned pale as she picked up the phone and saw the number attached to the message. It was a picture. A delicate hand holding a pregnancy test, showing two lines. But Stephanie's gaze didn't linger long on the test. She was more focused on the ring finger of that hand. On it was a dazzling, expensive diamond ring, and if she wasn't mistaken, it was the one Nicholas had purchased three days ago. Back then, she thought he was buying it for her. After all, they had their reasons for marrying three years ago, which meant no wedding ceremony or ring. She thought he would make it up to her on their third wedding anniversary.But the truth was far more brutal. Stephanie trembled all over. "What are you looking at?" Suddenly, a warm body pressed against her from behind. The man was still damp from his shower, yet there was something irresistibly alluring about him, especially since they used the same shampoo and body wash. Stephanie loved that they shared the same scent; it made her feel more connected to him than when he was physically close. It made her feel like they were a loving, inseparable couple. But now, she wasn't sure if it was just her imagination or... the truth! She sensed another scent mixed with his cedar-like aroma, a sickly sweet smell that reminded her of Lucy. His breath tickled her neck, and gentle kisses landed on her skin, with the air thickening with unspoken desire. Stephanie knew he was in the mood. He had been traveling for work recently, and it had been days since they were intimate. He was always vigorous in that regard, and when he was home, she rarely left the bed. She used to enjoy their intimacy; it wasn't just him who had desires, she did too. Besides, he was skilled and someone she loved, which made her feelings even more intense. "Don't touch me!"But now, thinking about him and Lucy made Stephanie feel nauseous. She suddenly pushed Nicholas away. "What on earth are you doing?" Stephanie's sudden outburst caught Nick completely off guard. He was pushed back, his tall frame coming to a halt a short distance away, eyebrows slightly furrowed. "You..." Stephanie looked at the man before her. He was as handsome as ever, making her heart flutter, but the pain inside her only grew stronger. She opened her mouth, wanting to question him. The buzzing sound echoed in the room again. This time it was Nick's phone, and it was the same number. Stephanie saw it! "Is it Lucy?" Nick reached out to answer the call, but Stephanie stepped in front of him, blocking his way. "Don't answer it." "Stephanie." If Nick's expression was bad before, now it could only be described as grim. "Move." He even pushed her aside. Stephanie fell onto the bed, her face pale. Nick glanced at her, a flicker of concern crossing his face for a second, but he quickly hid it, not even realizing it himself.He answered the phone. "Hey, Lucy..." Nicholas, wrapped in a towel, took his phone out to the balcony. Before the sliding door closed, Stephanie heard his voice, a deep and gentle tone she had never received. Soon, he came back inside. "Yeah, I'll be there soon." But... he was about to leave. "Lucy had something happen. I need to go check on her." He briefly explained, already heading into the closet to get dressed and go out. Stephanie immediately got up from the bed and walked to the closet door. "Is she pregnant with your child?" "What nonsense are you talking?" "Please don't go! I don't want you to go." She reached out and hugged his waist tightly. Nicholas was slightly surprised, his eyebrows raising a bit, but he still tried to pry her off. "Don't make a fuss, it's really important." "I..." Stephanie didn't want to let go, holding on tightly as if releasing him meant giving up on their marriage.But... she didn't want to let go, and he didn't want to stay. Nicholas's expression turned colder with each passing moment. "Stephanie, let go." "Let go, I'm saying it again." "If you leave, we're getting a divorce." Stephanie hoped these words would make him hesitate for a moment, but instead, she was met with a mocking smile at the corner of his lips. "Stephanie, do you really think this is a threat to me or just degrading yourself?" He pried her last finger off his arm and immediately headed for the door. "Nicholas." Stephanie felt a deep sadness in her heart. She chased after him for a few steps, but ultimately fell in the hallway. He saw her out of the corner of his eye, but didn't stop for a second. On their anniversary, his ex-girlfriend had sent a triumphant text announcing her pregnancy, and before Stephanie could even ask for an explanation, her husband left her because of a call from that woman. Stephanie felt like there was a gaping hole in her heart. She sat dazed in the hallway for a long time until a call from home brought her back to reality. "Hello?" "Stephanie, where are you? Come to the hospital quickly, your dad's had an accident!" The Howard family was the most prestigious in North Town, while the Wilsons were just an ordinary family. But her dad was never content with being ordinary. He often tried every possible way to attend high-end parties. Three years ago, by a stroke of chance, her father managed to get into a Howard family gathering. He then offered her as a "gift" to a man’s bed. Out of a sense of responsibility, and perhaps because he was having issues with Lucy at the time, among other reasons, she rose to become Mrs. Howard. Everyone criticized her father for being shameless and selling his daughter. But no one knew that, deep down, she was somewhat willing. She had liked him for a long time, tracing back to her high school days. Back then, she was bullied by upperclassmen, and he happened to pass by and saved her. She always remembered, but he forgot. With the Howard family's help, her father slowly ventured into business. However, some people are just not cut out for business, and for three years, everything he invested in resulted in losses. Gradually, Nicholas Howard grew tired of it. The last time her father asked him for money, he refused. Yet, her father, relying on his status as the Howard family'sin-law, boldly took out a bridge loan. Tonight, the lenders came knocking for repayment. Two million might be nothing to the Howards, but for the Wilsons, it was a life-threatening amount! During a scuffle with the debt collectors, her father fell, hitting his head, and blood gushed out as he lost consciousness. Her mom was at a loss and came looking for her. No matter how upset Stephanie was, they were still her parents. She immediately rushed to the hospital from the Howard's place, calling Nick multiple times on the way. But... every call went unanswered. CHAPTER 2 Spending money requires approval."Did Nicholas pick up the phone?" "Stephanie, where on earth is Nicholas? That's his father-in-law in there; he can't just ignore this!" At the hospital, outside the operating room, Mrs. Wilson urged Stephanie to make several more calls. This time, it wasn't that no one answered; the phone was turned off. Stephanie realized that Nicholas wasn't missing her calls; he was just avoiding her. She put her phone away and stopped trying. "Family member, who's the family member? We need someone to pay the fees immediately! The patient's condition is critical and requires urgent payment for treatment!" Just then, a nurse came over to ask for the payment. Mrs. Wilson looked embarrassed. "Stephanie, I... I don't have any money. Just now, those debt collectors came, and I had to transfer all the money out of my account." "It's okay, Mom. I have it. Nicholas gave me a card." When the situation first arose, Stephanie wasn't looking for Nicholas for money. He had already given her a card before. She was just scared and instinctively wanted to rely on him. "Mom, you stay here and keep watch. I'll go pay the fees!" Stephanie's voice trembled as she spoke. Although she was already twenty-four, this was her first time facing such a Chapter 2 Spending money requires approval."Did Nicholas pick up the phone?" "Stephanie, where on earth is Nicholas? That's his father-in-law in there; he can't just ignore this!" At the hospital, outside the operating room, Mrs. Wilson urged Stephanie to make several more calls. This time, it wasn't that no one answered; the phone was turned off. Stephanie realized that Nicholas wasn't missing her calls; he was just avoiding her. She put her phone away and stopped trying. "Family member, who's the family member? We need someone to pay the fees immediately! The patient's condition is critical and requires urgent payment for treatment!" Just then, a nurse came over to ask for the payment. Mrs. Wilson looked embarrassed. "Stephanie, I... I don't have any money. Just now, those debt collectors came, and I had to transfer all the money out of my account." "It's okay, Mom. I have it. Nicholas gave me a card." When the situation first arose, Stephanie wasn't looking for Nicholas for money. He had already given her a card before. She was just scared and instinctively wanted to rely on him. "Mom, you stay here and keep watch. I'll go pay the fees!" Stephanie's voice trembled as she spoke. Although she was already twenty-four, this was her first time facing such a life-and-death situation. It was possible not to be scared She reached out to pat Mrs. Wilson's hand, then followed the nurse to the payment floor."Miss, could you please help me?"She handed the card Nicholas had given her to the nurse."I'm sorry, miss, but this c"How can that be?" Stephanie initially thought she had misheard. How could the card Nicholas gave her not work?ard... can't be Stephanie initially thought she had misheard. How could the card Nicholas gave her not work? "Can you try again? Maybe it was a network error?" "I'm really sorry, but it can't be processed. Could you try another card or another method?" The nurse paused and added, "Please hurry, miss. Your father's condition is quite serious. If he doesn't have surgery soon, he might suffer brain death and become a vegetable!" "I-I'll call right away." Stephanie's mind went blank upon hearing the nurse's words. Her already exhausted body felt like it couldn't hold up. She crouched down, took out her phone, and dialed Nicholas. This time, her hands were shaking as she made the call. "Please pick up, Nick, please!" But there was still no answer. Stephanie's face was etched with deeper pain, torn between the fear for her father's safety and the coldness of the man she loved. Did he even know how scared she was? If something happened to her dad, how could she possibly continue with someone so heartless? Stephanie struggled to keep her emotions in check. She decided to call Nick's assistant instead. "Miss Wilson, how can I help you?" After a moment, the call was answered. "I'm sorry, Edward. I'm trying to reach Nick, but his phone is off." "Yes, Mr. Howard is occupied. Is there something you need? I can pass on a message." Edward glanced at the man standing by the window in the hospital room and spoke softly. Stephanie couldn't afford to hesitate. She quickly explained, "It's like this, Edward. My dad... he's not doing well. He's in the hospital and needs surgery. When Nick and I got married, he gave me a card. I need to use the money in it now, but the card isn't working...""Miss Wilson, although Mr. Howard gave you that card, he mentioned that to prevent you from withdrawing money to support your family, every transaction, no matter how small, needs to be applied for. You must explain its purpose, and it requires Mr. Howard's approval before the bank can release the funds," Edward Barnes's words came through the phone loud and clear to Stephanie Wilson's ears. For a moment, she resented how advanced smartphones were and how strong the network signal was, making Edward's words crystal clear. She was his wife. When she graduated, she had excellent job opportunities. She was from the best art school at Z University and had been invited to work with top international dance companies. But she gave it all up for him, choosing to be a full-time wife at home. When he handed her the bank card, she was filled with joy. Isn't it said that where a man's money is, there his love is too? Although the money he gave her was just a drop in the ocean for him, something he might even forget about. But from it, she could feel a hint of his regard. At least she wasn't entering the Howard Family without a penny to her name. Yet it turns out he was always wary of her, afraid she'd give it to her family! But now her dad was in the operating room, his life hanging by a thread. She just wanted to withdraw some money for the medical bills. Was that too much to ask? Did she really need to file an application for that? "Edward, Assistant Edward, I really have an emergency. My dad... my dad might not make it. The hospital is about to issue a critical condition notice! Could you please talk to Nicholas for me? Can I file the application later? Just unlock my card so I can withdraw some money!" Can you do that? Before Stephanie could finish her plea, Edward's voice came through the phone, "Hello? Miss Wilson, are you there? Hello? Sorry, Miss Wilson, the signal here isn't great. If there's nothing else, I'll hang up now." "No, please don't!" "Assistant Edward, please don't hang up!" Clinging to the last straw of hope, Stephanie was desperate when she heard Edward say he was going to hang up. She was almost on her knees, begging, even though no one but the passing people in the hospital corridor could see her. She was truly out of options! Please don't hang up on her! However, no matter how much she pleaded, the call was disconnected, leaving her with no room for negotiation. "Assistant Edward!" But when she tried calling again, there was no answer! It felt like Stephanie Wilson was facing a dire situation with no way out! Her father was lying in the operating room, desperately needing money for the surgery, and if she didn't ask Nicholas Howard for help now, she had no idea who else to turn to. Who could help her? Stephanie had never felt so helpless before. Her eyes darted around, seeing nothing but overwhelming darkness. But... she couldn't give up. Her father was still in the operating room, waiting for help. Stephanie knelt on the ground for a few seconds, clutching her phone, struggling to get up. She had to think of another way. Should she try to find Nicholas Howard? But she had no idea where he was! Would going back to the old house to beg for help work? Or should she plead with the hospital first? She wanted to return to the operating room's entrance; her mother was still waiting for her. She hoped the hospital might grant them some leniency. But whether it was because she got up too quickly or the emotional rollercoaster of the night had overwhelmed her, as soon as she stood, her vision went black, and she collapsed. "Sister, sister..." Before losing consciousness, Stephanie heard the urgent calls of the hospital nurse echoing in her ears. ……