Chapter 171: Irene's True Identity

Margot nervously blinked her eyes. Her family was very strict. The girls were brought up with rigorous education, always having to be home by eight o'clock, and once they grew up, they were arranged into marriages with other families. But as for her, despite already having a fiancé she had never met and even after her engagement ceremony, she was abducted. And now, she was returning home pregnant. Margot could imagine the scorn and rejection she would face from her former social circle once she returned. These things, however, didn't scare her. What frightened Margot was the thought that her mother might force her to have an abortion and then arrange a surgery for her to marry her fiancé. But this child, he was innocent. He wasn’t some illegitimate child; his father was eagerly awaiting his birth, and his mother was doing everything she could to protect him. Margot took a deep breath. She worriedly asked Irene, "When I go back, my family might make me abort the baby and get married." Before Irene could say anything, Itha, having overheard, turned around and said, "Your fiancé annulled the engagement three months after you disappeared." Margot felt somewhat relieved. This was a question Irene couldn’t answer, so she just looked deeply into Margot's eyes and asked, "Have you thought this through? The road ahead might be very difficult." Margot nodded, her gaze resolute. "I've thought it through." Irene gently patted her head and said, "If they don’t accept you, it doesn’t matter. It’s your life—once you’ve decided, just go forward with confidence." Stefan walked over. He handed Irene a piece of paper and said to Margot, "Your family is here to take you home, Miss Margot Mathis." From behind, a noblewoman’s voice, filled with both joy and sorrow, called out, "Margot! My darling Margot!" Tears welled up in Margot's eyes. She rushed towards the noblewoman like a joyful bird. Irene watched as several people, who looked similar to Margot, embraced her. A smile unconsciously appeared on Irene's face. "You're really capable, aren’t you? Just as expected." Stefan quietly observed her and said, "Perhaps next time, you should take me with you when you do something so dangerous." He took off his suit jacket, which still carried the scent of cologne, and draped it over Irene’s shoulders. Stefan sighed. In the end, he couldn't bring himself to scold Irene. He said, "Although I’m not as physically strong, I can always find others to help you. Unlike some people who recklessly face danger, I’m not that noble." As Stefan spoke, he even handed Irene the energy bars he had been holding, watching as she distributed them to Ada and Itha. Irene smiled and said, "You should eat something too." Barton, the assistant, quickly waved his hands, not daring to meet Stefan's cold gaze. "I’m not hungry, I’m not hungry. Thank you, Miss Irene." Barton was sweating profusely. These two lovebirds were having a moment and had dragged him into it. Barton sneaked a glance at Stefan and then said with a smile, "I heard that these were specially produced by a food company Mr. Stefan recently acquired, just for you. Such affection truly moves me." Irene turned to look at Stefan, suddenly feeling shy and avoiding his gaze. Her face inexplicably felt a bit warm… Stefan smiled. In the moonlight, his expression was particularly gentle, making him look extraordinarily kind. He was so handsome that he seemed like a sea god descended to earth. Meanwhile, Mag's family had woken up. She fearfully nudged Klan awake. Their eldest son was missing, the Irene they had retrieved earlier was gone, and the village chief’s family had disappeared. Mag was in a state of panic. Klan rushed into the house in a frenzy, trying to gather some cash and identification cards to make a quick escape. Mag suddenly remembered Klan’s old father. She quickly grabbed the frantic and angry Klan, and together they nervously opened the door to his room. The old man was leaning against the headboard, eyes closed as if asleep. Mag, trembling, checked the old man’s breathing. Then she collapsed onto the floor! It was over! He was dead! Klan impatiently said, "At a time like this, why do you even care about him? We couldn’t give him his medicine last night because we were drugged, so it’s not our fault he died! It’s all Irene’s fault!" Klan’s father had severe health problems. His life was barely sustained by three daily injections of medicine. Missing even one dose caused significant harm to his body. This time, Klan’s father died because he missed his medicine. It was also due to him having eaten the steak made by Saryon and even drank red wine. All of which were strictly forbidden by his doctor. But clearly, the old man had no dietary restrictions. He didn’t care about what the doctors said. To him, being denied smoking, drinking, and eating meat was the real death sentence. As for doctors? They were all just a bunch of scam artists trying to lure people into hospitals! Klan pulled Mag along, neither of them even bothering to lock the door as they ran off in a panic. They were terrified that Irene might realize what was happening or that the police would come for them once they had time! Klan pressed the gas pedal to the floor, speeding down the highway. Mag sat in the passenger seat, feeling incredibly uneasy. The scene of Klan’s father’s death kept replaying in her mind. Could it be that God really was punishing them? Was that the punishment? It was Klan’s father who had built the human trafficking network and connections. Years ago, before the pastor arrived in the area, Klan’s father had used this to build up the family. If Klan weren’t so useless, his father would never have handed the business over to the village chief’s family. Mag also thought about the helicopters she had seen on the livestream. The other residents of the nearby towns were afraid to speculate, but Mag couldn’t shake her fear. She had traveled far and wide, visiting many big cities. She had seen much more than those town residents. Mag knew that those helicopters couldn’t have been summoned by just anyone. She felt an intense resentment towards Joanna. That damned girl! Why hadn’t she told them that Irene had such a powerful boyfriend? If they had known that Irene's boyfriend was so rich and influential, why would they have ever tried to send Irene to Sol’s bed? They would have encouraged Irene to marry her boyfriend long ago! That way, they could have reaped more benefits! As for Saryon, who had vanished without a trace, the couple wasn’t too worried. That kid was just like Klan and Klan’s father, with the same shamelessness and indifference—it ran in the family! He must have realized things were going south and bolted already! Worry about him? They were more worried about themselves! Klan was actually quite proud of his son. To them, shamelessness and indifference were actually admirable qualities! Meanwhile, the village chief’s wife was filled with regret. She cursed herself for believing Mag’s lies without investigating and provoking someone she should never have crossed! The village chief’s wife wished she could kill Mag and Klan!