One night with her CEO boss left her pregnant—she fled, but he caught her and kissed her weak.
“Yeah, that’s a lie! Are you trying to kill me with these plays? Oh, but you show up to my workplace to humiliate me.”
“Humiliate you? That man’s fiancee had us beat up. Now you owe us! You need to pay up. Give us money! Yes, pay us!”
“So that’s what this is about? Money?”
“What’s going on?”
“Oh, did Miss Kingsley offend another guest again?”
“Offend? My own daughter is a home wrecker, and she had thugs beat me to shut me up!”
“You hit your own mom over a man? How could anyone ever forgive that? That’s heartless.”
“Stop it! How could a mother say these things?”
“Oh, enough talking. Give us money! Every paycheck I bring home, you take. I provide for the entire family, and it is never enough. What do you want next? To see me dead?”
“Fuck off! Everyone leave, except for the Kingsleys.”
“You might be the richest man in this city, but you can’t threaten us.”
“Yes, that’s right! This is a family matter.”
“A family matter? What a fine family this is. That’s impossible. Besides, Claire is legally my wife.”
“Whatever. Just give us what we’re owed. Yeah, since you married her, we deserve to be paid. Call it a dowry if you like.”
“Bring the cash.”
“Take him! Fuck off, this little—”
“Are you mocking us?”
“Name your price. But after you do, I am no longer your daughter or a part of the Kingsley family. We’re done.”
“Deal! $1 billion. We’ll never bother you again.”
“200,000 and that’s it.”
“200,000? Am I a beggar? 1 million and I’ll tell you a little secret about your real family.”
“What did you say?”
“Hello? Are we sure this is even going to clear at the bank?”
“Mr. Stark doesn’t bother writing checks that bounce, and that amount’s barely pocket change for him. Tell me the truth.”
“The truth? We found you in the dumpster 20 years ago.”
“So that’s it. Well, no wonder, ’cause no parents would treat their real child like this.”
“Claire, you’re not alone anymore. I’m here for you. I’m here now.”
“I think I need some air.”
“Find her real parents, whatever it takes.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Oh, Miss Blackwood, there’s a girl at the hotel who keeps throwing herself at Ethan.”
“Oh, who is she?”
“Claire Kingsley. She’s the hotel’s deputy room manager.”
“Mom, my birthday’s this weekend. Let’s have it at the RC, okay?”
“Yes, let’s have Claire serve us, remind her of her place.”
“That’s my baby girl’s birthday too. I wonder where she is now.”
“Mom, everything all right?”
“I’m fine. Book the hotel. It’s time that home wrecker learned a lesson.”
“Here we go again. That spoiled heiress insisted on having her birthday party here.”
“She’s still a guest. We’ll do our job.”
“Oh, server, get me a glass of champagne. Too late, I don’t want it anyway.”
“Ethan, long time no see.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood, it’s been a while.”
“Is this for me? Thank you, Ethan.”
“It’s for your daughter. It’s her birthday too.”
“Thank you, Ethan. After everything she did for you as kids, saving your life, it’s only right.”
“Ethan, we have news on our girl. Can we talk privately?”
“Why does she feel so familiar?”
“Hello, I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Claire Kingsley, deputy room manager of the hotel.”
“Claire Kingsley. Miss Kingsley, Ethan Stark is engaged to my daughter. So tell me, what exactly is your relationship with him?”
“I’m his employee.”
“Oh, please! Employee since when do employees get that close to their boss? She’s always trying to seduce him. I’ve seen it happen more than once.”
“Oh, so you were aware of his engagement and still went after him? You do know that’s called being a home wrecker.”
“Madam, please watch your words. You’re from a completely ordinary family, weren’t you? I mean, if it weren’t for Ethan, well, someone like you would never cross paths with us or get our attention not for a second.”
“I didn’t ask for your attention. You’re the one interrogating me.”
“Oh, listen to her, she’s so proud of herself. Well, the home wrecker is pregnant too.”
“Pregnant? Who’s the father?”
“Now that is none of your business. Why don’t you go ask Mr. Stark himself? Are the only people you perceive as—”
“You insolent little tramp! Wait, I’m thirsty. Waiter, fetch me a drink.”
“How could you be so careless?”
“I’m sorry!”
“You clumsy fool! Doesn’t this hotel have any private changing room?”
“It does, on the top floor.”
“You’re coming with us. This gown cost millions and you’re going to pay for it, even if it costs you everything you own.”
“It wasn’t me! It was—fine, I’m sorry. The hotel will cover this and I will take you upstairs right away.”
“Ethan isn’t a fool. If that server really has something going with Ethan, then the baby could be his.”
“Mom, what do we do?”
“Her pregnancy is still early. We’ll end it quietly. Without that baby, she’ll never get close to Ethan again.”
“Kingsley, no one’s around. Spill the truth. Who’s the father?”
“What are you doing? Look at you shaking already. It is Ethan’s, isn’t it?”
“My life is none of your business.”
“Oh, so that’s a yes. Mom, we cannot let her keep the baby.”
“You’re right.”
“What are you doing?”
“Oh, Ethan’s young, he can have women. He can’t have a baby with just anyone. Wisen up, slut. Get an abortion, leave Ethan alone, or else. Never underestimate a mother’s protective instincts. Girls like you take hold of men and never let go. Well, if that’s the case, I’ll break your hands myself.”
“Are you okay? Please, Claire, save my daughter! Save my daughter! Claire, please wake up!”
“Thank God. Wait, you are my daughter.”
“Did you know she’s pregnant? She was severely injured just weeks ago and now nearly drowned in freezing water. I would be prepared for the worst no matter what. Save the mother first.”
“My baby girl! If anything happens to Claire, none of you will get away with it.”
“What’s happening? Don’t cry. Are you sure she’s really our daughter?”
“I don’t know, but she has the same birthmark in the exact same place as our girl. I just… what if… what if I killed my own daughter with my own hands?”
“It’s okay, sir. Confirmation just came in. Claire is the Blackwoods’ biological daughter.”
“Look what you did! She really is our daughter. What have I done?”
“You idiot! How dare you drown my sister? If anything happens to her, I swear I won’t let you live it down.”
“Sis, what?”
“Get out of my sight! Enough! No one leaves until Claire wakes up.”
“How is she?”
“She’s stable for now.”
“Thank you. Carl, have Victoria and Sarah arrested. Take them to the police.”
“No, no, no, no, no! What? What? Mom, help me please!”
“Can you believe it? You’re the Blackwoods’ missing daughter.”
