A pregnant woman discovered a wallet near her husband’s gravestone. When she opened it, she was paralyzed by what she saw inside…

Oliver, however, was determined and even gave Lauren a stunning, wildly expensive ring with a huge pink diamond. When his mother learned he’d used funds from a special family account, she exploded, unleashing a full-blown tirade. Worst of all, Lauren was in the house during the fight and could hear Susan tearing into her son and the girl herself with unrestrained venom.

“I can’t believe you’re marrying that gold-digger. Look at her—she’s just waiting to sink her claws into your money,” Susan screamed, shaking her fists. “What do you know about Lauren, Mom?” Oliver yelled back. “She’s the most beautiful, intelligent, charming woman I’ve ever met. We’re getting married in a couple of months, and you can’t stop us.”

“Over my dead body,” Susan shouted, storming out of the house, unwilling to continue. She paused at the door, turned, and waved her designer purse at him. “Listen, Oliver, if I find out you and that tramp applied for a marriage license, I’ll cut you off from everything—the entire inheritance, you hear me?” “Just try it, you old hag,” he shot back with equal venom. “Your tricks won’t work twice. I’m not Dad, I won’t let you—”

Oliver cut himself off, noticing several staff members, including the housekeeper, chef, and Julia, staring curiously. “What are you gawking at?” he growled. “Want me to fire you all? Get back to work before I kick you out!” The staff lowered their eyes and scattered to their tasks.

Julia noticed red spots flare on Oliver’s face when he mentioned his father. She sensed a dark secret, possibly tied to the documents she was supposed to find. Just then, someone called her name softly. Turning, she saw Oliver’s fiancée. Smirking, Lauren stepped close and pointed at Julia’s belly, visible under her uniform.

“Isn’t it bad for the baby to hear such talk?” she said in a sing-song voice. “By the way, a nosy maid is the tackiest, ugliest thing in a respectable house. What are you sniffing around for?” Julia met Lauren’s dark green eyes, unsure how to respond. Then she realized the girl’s face seemed familiar, but she couldn’t place where she’d seen it.

“No, I wasn’t eavesdropping,” Julia finally said. “Ms. Elizabeth asked me to clean the downstairs hall, so I came down.” Lauren eyed her suspiciously, still smirking, and added, “Sure, whatever. Get back to scrubbing, Miss Maid, or I’ll tell my fiancé, and you’ll be out on the street with your little stray—best-case scenario.” Her look left no doubt—she’d fit right in with this family of vipers.

A couple of days later, luck smiled on Julia. While cleaning Oliver’s office, she saw the small safe holding important documents was left open while he was out. Wasting no time, she peeked inside and snapped photos of every document she could grab. Among them were two death certificates for Arthur’s father, each with different findings. “My God,” Julia whispered. “He was right.”

She barely finished when Oliver burst in, arm-in-arm with Lauren. Julia grabbed a broom and darted to a large bookshelf, pretending to scrub a stubborn spot. The couple, caught up in passionate kisses, didn’t notice her. Then, to Julia’s shock and embarrassment, Oliver lifted Lauren onto the wide desk, showering her face and neck with kisses.

Julia didn’t know what to do. She’d have given anything to vanish, but feared leaving openly would anger Oliver. Then she heard Lauren purr, “Got any wine, Ollie? Let’s drink, celebrate our engagement without that snake of a mother of yours.” Instead of defending Susan, Oliver laughed, gleeful and malicious. Apparently, he shared Lauren’s view, or she’d turned him against his mom…