PREGNANT BUT REJECTED AS A BILLIONAIRE WIFE

“Please, Dad. Please tell me the truth.”

Lucas continued to gaze intensely at his father’s face. Instead of leaving after delivering the report on the investigation he had been conducting, the sturdy man took the opportunity to ask questions.

Actually, if he wanted to, Lucas could have asked Felix to investigate what had happened in the past between his father and the late Deasy’s father. But because he wanted to hear it directly from the mouth of Andreas Morales himself, he decided to ask personally. Who knows, there might have been a misunderstanding that had been going on between both parties.

“Lucas doesn’t know if Papa had actually investigated before this. What is certain is that Deasy embezzled and misappropriated company funds deliberately, seeking revenge against the Morales family, especially Papa. The basis of this revenge is one thing, Dad. Deasy didn’t accept it and accused Papa of being responsible for the death of the late Anton Wolf. That’s why Lucas wants to clarify directly whether the accusation is true or not.”

Andreas took a deep breath. He seemed reluctant when asked to clarify.

“Dad…” Lucas spoke up again when his father continued to remain silent. “Lucas pleads. If Papa is not at fault, why hide it? Unless, what Deasy is accusing is true.”

Once again, Andreas took a deeper breath. He lifted his face, looked at Lucas, and began to speak.

“To be honest, when Quantum Tech was in trouble, Papa knew that Deasy was serving as the financial manager. But Papa didn’t have the slightest idea that he was the son of the late Anton Wolf. Why would Papa investigate Deasy’s background at that time? Also, no investigation or comprehensive audit of all the staff found any problems. That’s why Papa assigned you to find out,” Andreas said as a start. “Papa… only found out recently that Deasy is Anton’s child when you expressed your desire to marry her. But Papa never thought that he was the one embezzling, let alone doing it out of revenge.”

“Oh, really?” Lucas looked skeptical. “Is Papa sure he didn’t investigate it thoroughly?”

Andreas shook his head slowly.

“Papa only investigated their family background. Nothing more than that. In fact, because he knew he was Anton Wolf’s child, Papa forbade you from marrying Deasy.”

Lucas nodded. This time, he took over the conversation.

“Okay, let’s set aside the cheating Deasy did to the company for now. What Lucas wants to know is why Papa didn’t agree to Lucas marrying Deasy? What’s wrong with her parents? Is there a problem in the past, Dad? Why does Deasy hate and accuse Papa of causing her father’s death?”

Andreas took a deep breath. Bombarded with questions, he finally gave an explanation, slowly.

“Back then… Papa and Anton Wolf were friends, Luc. Just like you and Devina. We both knew each other and were close since our college days. Papa and Deasy’s father were often involved in big business together. I admit, Anton was smart at finding clients. We even started a company together.”

“If you were close, why did it become a rivalry?”

“The origin of our strained relationship began when Anton, without Papa’s knowledge, accepted independent tenders. Actually, it wouldn’t have been a problem if Anton wanted to go solo. Papa never stopped anyone from earning a living.”

“And then?”

“What Papa didn’t like was the way Anton did it, Luc. Anton clearly crossed the line. He often used Papa’s ideas and work methods to attract new investors. Imagine, Papa did thorough research. But he, knowing it, executed it on his own without permission. From there, Papa started to keep his distance. Over time, we both decided to go our separate ways.”

“So, the origin of the conflict started with Deasy’s father himself?”

Andreas nodded, confirming Lucas’s guess.

“Anton committed too many wrongdoings. Papa always kept silent back then. Papa never retaliated for his actions. If you doubt or don’t believe Papa’s story at all, please investigate it yourself. You can ask our senior business partners who have been working with us for a long time, ask them how Anton Wolf has been behaving all this time. Or you can investigate directly with the people who have worked with his company.”

“But according to Deasy, Dad had stolen his father’s business idea. Deasy also claims that our company used unethical internal connections to secure the Quantum Tech project.”

Andreas chuckled bitterly, perhaps finding the accusations against him amusing.

“Oh, Lucas. You’re the one who knows Papa’s character the best. Do you really think Papa would engage in unethical behavior as your girlfriend is accusing?”

Lucas shook his head softly. He wasn’t defending his father, but he knew very well that Andreas was a person of strong principles and integrity. He had been taught from a young age to strive for his goals through honest and ethical means, avoiding shortcuts and actions that would harm others.

“If you want to know…” Andreas continued with a serious expression. “Anton himself was the one who acted unethically. He even attempted to bribe one of the staff members handling the tender process. It might have almost worked at the time. But, because God was on Papa’s side, his corrupt behavior was exposed. Anton’s company was disqualified on the spot. Fortunately, the investors still cared about Anton’s reputation. So, he was removed gracefully, and the reasons weren’t made public. If his company’s stock suddenly plummeted and ended up collapsing, it might have been because no one wanted to invest anymore, not because of Papa’s actions. I swear to God, Papa has never done anything malicious, Luc.”

Andreas tried to reassure him. After remaining silent earlier, he finally revealed everything without any further concealment.

“If you want to know, after Anton passed away, Papa continued to provide financial support to his family and took care of their needs. Papa also helped find investors to reestablish their business. That’s how Anton’s company managed to recover and thrive until now.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Lucas was surprised. He didn’t expect this piece of news from his father.

“Papa supported Anton Wolf’s family?”

Andreas nodded. Before continuing his story, the middle-aged man took a sip of the remaining tea in his cup, moistening his now dry throat.

“For almost two years, Papa regularly gave financial assistance to Anton Wolf’s wife and children every month. Papa intentionally arranged it through Anton’s assistant and requested him to keep the sender’s identity a secret. After being confident that their company was back on track, Papa stopped providing assistance. And remember, Luc. The help Papa gave was purely out of humanitarian concern, not because of any guilt for Anton’s passing. Your father is not as wicked and vindictive as Deasy believes.”

Lucas listened carefully, observing closely and believing that there was no deceit in the words of the middle-aged man.

“Now, regarding the approval for your marriage. At first, Papa didn’t know that Deasy had cheated our company. But why didn’t Papa give Lucas permission to marry her, even though she’s the daughter of Papa’s late friend? She’s even carrying Lucas’s child, Dad.”

This time, Andreas sighed heavily. His expression, which had been impassive earlier, now changed, and it was difficult for Lucas to discern his intentions.

“It’s precisely because she’s Anton’s child that Papa didn’t approve, Luc. Papa was afraid that you might be used. Or perhaps, Deasy is indeed using you. It’s possible that the baby she’s carrying isn’t yours, and she’s deliberately claiming it is.”

In his heart, Lucas felt a bitter laugh. He recalled Deasy’s confession to Veronica, where she admitted that she had initially intended to use him.

Although Deasy had later clarified that she genuinely loved him, there was still a sense of disappointment within Lucas.

“No, Dad. Lucas is sure that it’s his child. His flesh and blood, a Morales descendant.”

“Daddy still doesn’t agree,” Andreas sighed, appearing somewhat reluctant. “Besides, from the beginning, Papa had already made a promise to Devina’s parents to marry you two. You know Papa despises breaking promises. Unless Devina is kidnapped or runs away with another man, only then will your marriage be canceled. But that’s impossible. Especially since Devina herself is asking for the marriage to be expedited.”

“But, right now, Deasy is pregnant with Lucas’s child, Dad. Can Papa really turn away his own grandchild?”

Lucas’s face suddenly showed frustration. It was difficult to persuade and soften his father’s heart.

“Enough, Luc. Papa is really fed up. It’s better for you to handle and resolve Deasy’s case related to the company promptly. I’ll even go along with your request not to report her to the authorities. Anyway, Papa doesn’t want to hear about it. The company’s money needs to be recovered soon. Once you’re done with the discussion, please take care of your matters. Besides, I have an important meeting to attend after this.”