Chapter Eighty-One

Chapter Eighty-One

Max looked at Pearl with a doubtful gaze. Did Pearl really not want to harm Bella? Was it all just for the plan? Max, of course, knew what Pearl was thinking. The two of them had been together from having nothing until now, so they understood each other very well.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Pearl felt extremely uncomfortable when she saw Max looking at her that way, as if in his eyes she was a very evil person.

Pearl acted innocent, while massaging Max, she said, "I know what you're thinking, Max. But we both know that Bella is different now. She doesn't even care about or pay attention to you anymore. Do you really think that after she gets pregnant with your child, she will love you as she used to? We've all seen Bella's change. I don't want to make you sad, but... it seems Bella doesn't love you as much as she used to..."

"That's right..." Max responded as if mesmerized by her words. Pearl was too correct, so Max couldn't deny it. More than anyone else, Max felt the coldness and indifference of his wife towards him. But the matter of making Bella unable to get pregnant still made him hesitate, wondering if it was a good idea or not.

Because he always thought that Bella's child would be of much greater value. But even touching Bella, making love to her, Max hadn't been able to do, so how could he make her pregnant?

Hearing Max agree, Pearl smirked with satisfaction and continued, "If we wait until you can make her pregnant, how long will it be until our plan can come to fruition? Max, you always said we mustn't let personal feelings interfere with the plan, yet now you are the one being controlled by emotions."

Max remained silent, because neither of them wanted to delay the plan to take over the company. Even if his father-in-law retired due to old age, all the assets, including the company, would be inherited by his wife. As long as his father-in-law wasn't dead, the company would still be under his father-in-law's control.

By that time, Max wouldn't just be a man who had to rely on others to climb up to his current position but would once again be hidden behind the shadow of his wife. Ultimately, if he continued to delay the plan like this, he wouldn't be able to rise, let alone dream of manipulating the entire company.

Seeing Max deep in thought, Pearl continued, "Don't worry, if Bella can't give you a child, I can. I can give you a child. Wait until she loses the ability to get pregnant, then you can continue to stay by her side. After our child is born, you can adopt it as your own. That way, you will still have a child, and our child will live under the guise of being Bella's child, just as you want."

Though in a large room with closed doors, Pearl spoke softly enough for only the two of them to hear. "If you follow my way, you'll gain an ally, and you won't have to live under your father-in-law's control. Moreover, by that time, the one to inherit the vast fortune and the company will be our child. Max, think carefully, from start to finish, I only want to do what's best for you."

Max looked at Pearl; indeed, her words moved him. It seemed Pearl understood his desire to have a child under the guise of being Bella's and his. Pearl's plan not only met that condition but also allowed Max to continue playing the role of a good and responsible husband when knowing his wife couldn't get pregnant.

"But how can we make a normal woman lose the ability to get pregnant?" No matter how good Pearl's plan was, it was still just a theory. Max didn't know how to carry it out.

Pearl had been waiting for this question from Max, knowing he was interested, and accepted her plan. The idea of making Bella unable to get pregnant wasn't a sudden thought but a plan Pearl had been nurturing for a long time, so she had prepared everything needed.

Of course, even if Bella remained a housewife and never changed, Pearl would still do this. She didn't want Bella to bear Max's child, nor did she want Bella to have a good and happy life. Bella had too much already, born into a wealthy family, having a loving and pampering father, and a talented husband, while not having to strive for anything and still enjoying such good things.

Meanwhile, Pearl, despite trying to become beautiful and talented, still only stood behind Bella. Since university, Pearl had despised and been disgusted by Bella's fake friendliness and kindness.

“Don’t worry, I’ve already made preparations.” Pearl tried to hide her excitement, not wanting Max to see her current state of mind.

With Max’s agreement, Pearl felt even more confident, the sensation of victory spreading through her made her feel ecstatic. Pearl’s mood improved significantly; she had been worried it would take a long time to persuade Max, but he had agreed so quickly and seemed not too concerned about the matter.

Pearl felt reassured knowing that there was still a place for her in Max’s heart, or rather, that his heart belonged entirely to her and not to Bella.

Although Max verbally agreed to her plan, Pearl sensed his hesitation. Max didn’t say it, but with her woman’s intuition, Pearl felt it clearly. Yet, despite Max’s doubts, she was certain she would ensure he couldn’t turn back.

Max was surprised when he heard that Pearl had made preparations. The incident that would render Bella unable to conceive had only been planned the night before, yet Pearl already claimed to be ready.

“You’ve prepared already?” Max frowned slightly and asked.

Pearl happily nodded. She wrapped her arms around Max’s neck and deliberately sat on his lap, leaning against his shoulder. “Actually… I only thought of this plan recently. You know, whenever I want to do something, I always make preparations. Don’t worry, Bella is your wife but also my best friend. We’re just making it so she can’t have children, it’s not a big deal.”

Pearl’s words were soothing, and Max found them reasonable. He didn’t think Pearl had any intention of harming his wife’s life, as besides being his lover, she was also Bella’s best friend.

It was just a matter of making Bella unable to conceive, not killing her, so Max didn’t see it as a major issue. Moreover, it would be good if his and Pearl’s child could be raised under Bella’s name.

Max sighed and nodded slightly, saying, “Alright, let’s do it your way… But I still don’t understand how you plan to do it. Will it take a lot of time?”

“I have a banned drug. I had to take a lot of time and effort to get it. It’s often used on prostitutes to prevent them from getting pregnant. In small doses, it acts like a regular contraceptive. But in large amounts, it will completely prevent a woman from getting pregnant.”

Max pondered. He had heard of such a drug, often used for recreational purposes, in wild parties to avoid consequences. Wealthy individuals with perverse interests who disliked using condoms would make women take this drug to avoid illegitimate children, and sometimes the women took it voluntarily.

This drug was stronger and more dangerous than emergency contraceptives but didn’t threaten life. Naturally, the government had banned its sale everywhere in the country.

“How long does it need to be used?” Max asked. Though he knew about the drug, he didn’t know how long it would take to make Bella completely infertile.

Pearl smiled happily, “I asked the seller very clearly. She only needs to take it for a month… maybe not even a month, about two weeks, and she’ll never be able to get pregnant again.”

A month? Not a long time, but not short either. Max sighed slightly, feeling that everything Pearl had said today and the previous night made sense. Once Bella was infertile, all Max needed to do was play the role of a good husband who loved his wife, even though she couldn’t bear children for him.

Thinking it over, Max still felt Pearl’s plan was quicker and better than his idea of getting Bella pregnant. After all, he couldn’t even touch Bella.

Seeing Max’s interested expression, Pearl smiled in satisfaction, knowing he was starting to think like her. She caressed his chest, leaned on his shoulder, and spoke in a sweet, seductive voice.

“Max… before I do anything, I always think of you first… These past days, you’ve been cold and distant, making me sad. Please make it up to me,” Pearl said, sounding deeply hurt, her slender hand continuously caressing Max’s chest. Her short dress revealed long, pale legs that touched his hand, the scent of her perfume both seductive and delicate.

Seeing Max remain silent, Pearl simply smiled and kissed his lips. “Haven’t you been feeling frustrated lately? I can comfort you and make you happy.”

In the small room within Max’s office, sounds of heavy breathing and bodies colliding filled the air, along with the strong, rhythmic creaking of the bed. This room was designed specifically for the director to rest in the company, within his private office. Without Max’s permission, no one was allowed to enter.