Chapter 123: I Know That Child

Du Dan recalled all the investigative materials she had gathered on Peng Min, and a seed of doubt began to sprout in her mind: was the child in Peng Min’s womb truly Huang Yu’s?

Furthermore, she could not fathom why Huang Yu, a young man who had excelled in every aspect since childhood, would choose such a girlfriend, let alone live with her. She scrutinized Peng Min again, but could not find a single striking or unique quality; she was nothing more than an ordinary woman. She saw nothing in her that would warrant her son’s affection.

"Could it be that she is skilled in the art of the bedroom? Or perhaps she has controlled him with narcotics? The first guess is the most likely. After all, this girl must be incredibly experienced in such matters, and for my innocent son, who has never known a woman, ensnaring him would be effortless," Du Dan thought to herself.

With these thoughts, the joy she had felt upon learning of the pregnancy vanished, and her gaze turned icy once more.

Peng Min acutely sensed the sudden shift in the atmosphere. Just as she was filled with confusion and doubt, Huang Tianhua posed the initial question again.

"You haven't answered my previous question yet. Is it because of you that my son became addicted to drugs?"

For some reason, when Peng Min heard this question again, her panic and fear subsided significantly. She no longer averted her gaze, daring now to meet the expressions and eyes of the two people before her. Although she was extremely nervous, she fixed her eyes on Huang Tianhua, holding his stare.

*Is this the real mastermind behind the destruction of her life and the Li family?* she wondered. *He is nothing like the villains in movies and television; they always look like bad guys from the start.*

Huang Tianhua’s face did not bear a single trace of malice; he exuded a gentle, approachable, and comforting aura. She found it somewhat ironic that she could not bring herself to feel much hatred or aversion toward this man.

"That’s right. Huang Yu’s addiction is because of me. I’ll tell you the truth: I was the one who personally injected him with the drugs, and that substance was one of the narcotics sold at your nightclub," Peng Min said, casting aside her chaotic thoughts and forcing herself to appear calm.

Du Dan’s expression remained unchanged, her gaze still as cold and emotionless as before. Huang Tianhua’s expression also remained steady, revealing neither anger nor any other emotion. A brief silence descended upon the living room.

"Why did you do it?" Huang Tianhua asked after staring at her for a moment.

"Why? What else could it be? It was to take revenge on you. Because Huang Yu is your son, and I—who became an addict and a hostess at your nightclub, living a life of being bullied and toyed with—the ultimate culprit behind all of it is you," Peng Min replied with a faint smile. She did not hide anything, just as she had been with Huang Yu.

Peng Min suddenly realized many things and felt less constrained. Besides, Huang Yu was on his way back, and she was certain he would stand by her side. After nearly a month together, she had faith in Huang Yu, just as Li Jia once had.

"Ms. Peng, there is one thing I don’t understand. If you wanted to take revenge on my husband, why are you now living with Huang Yu, and why are you carrying his child? Is this also a way to take revenge on us through the child in your womb?" Du Dan interjected, voicing her confusion.

"Perhaps you won't believe it, but I truly fell in love with Huang Yu from the moment I saw him. My pregnancy isn't for revenge or out of hatred; it is out of love," Peng Min said, looking at Du Dan. As she spoke, she gently stroked her stomach, which had not yet begun to show, a look of genuine happiness on her face.

However, this joy did not last long. Her expression shifted as she felt a wave of nausea. She covered her mouth, quickly grabbing a preserved plum from a dish and chewing on it slowly until she felt better. Pregnancy was a joyous thing, but also a difficult one. During this time, a woman needed the love and meticulous care of her partner more than anything. Peng Min longed for Huang Yu to return, to stand by her side and face everything together, rather than her fighting this battle alone.

Although Peng Min spoke with sincerity, the expressions on the faces of Huang Tianhua and Du Dan showed they did not believe her.

Just then, a young man in a suit walked quickly into the living room and whispered into Huang Tianhua’s ear. After listening, Huang Tianhua’s eyes flickered, and he whispered something back. The man nodded and hurried out. Moments later, he returned with two other men in suits, who walked straight to Peng Min. The leader gestured for her to follow.

Peng Min looked at Huang Tianhua, her eyes full of silent inquiry.

"Ms. Peng, please. Of course, you can refuse or resist, but you should consider this carefully: I will not be as polite or gentle with your family as I am with you. According to my investigation, you have a younger sister in her second year of high school. She has excellent grades and intends to apply to YN University next year," Huang Tianhua said calmly, sipping the tea Peng Min had brewed for him earlier.

Peng Min trembled at his words. Without another word, she stood up and followed the two men out toward the villa. The lead man remained, waiting for further instructions.

"Listen carefully," Huang Tianhua commanded the man softly. "Aside from her freedom, you are to meet every need Ms. Peng has. She is pregnant; arrange the best nutritionists and medical staff to monitor her 24 hours a day. There must not be a single mistake. Notify me immediately of any developments."

"Understood, Boss," the man replied, then hurried out of the living room. The room was left with only Huang Tianhua and Du Dan.

"Tianhua, do you think the child in her womb is really Xiaoyu’s?" Du Dan asked.

"Based on the investigation and the timeline of her pregnancy, she has been with Xiaoyu throughout this period and hasn't had contact with anyone else. It is highly likely to be his. However, we cannot rule out that it isn't, especially given her hatred for me. But as long as there is a possibility that it is our bloodline, we must take good care of her until she gives birth. Once the baby is here, we can run a paternity test. If it turns out not to be Xiaoyu’s child, not my grandchild... hmph, I will ensure that she and her entire family pay a price that will make them regret ever being born," Huang Tianhua said coldly.

Du Dan nodded in agreement.

Huang Tianhua then pulled out his phone and made a call. "Xiao Jia, withdraw your men from YL County for now. Leave Peng Min’s family alone for the time being."

"Should we keep them under surveillance? What if they get word and the whole family runs away?" Du Dan asked.

"I sent two teams to YL County—one to capture the family and one to watch them. I only recalled the capture team. Don't worry, they cannot escape," Huang Tianhua said with a reassuring look.

Peng Min’s pregnancy was an unexpected variable that had disrupted all their plans.

"And if it really is Xiaoyu’s child?" Du Dan asked.

"If that’s the case, we will raise the child ourselves. As for Peng Min and her family, they will be left alone; after all, a child shouldn't grow up without a mother. But this largely depends on Xiaoyu. I’m afraid that if he develops real feelings for this woman, things will become troublesome," Huang Tianhua replied. His expression darkened; this was the outcome he least wanted to see, which was why he had timed his visit for when Huang Yu was away.

"I doubt it. That girl isn't particularly beautiful; there are plenty of women more attractive than her. I know Xiaoyu; he wouldn't fall for someone like her unless she’s fed him some kind of love potion," Du Dan said, sounding skeptical.

Huang Tianhua did not respond to her comment. He did not share his wife’s view. As he had thought before, Huang Yu was a pure-hearted young man, and it was quite possible he had developed genuine feelings for her. If not for that concern, he would have dealt with Peng Min’s family long ago.