My Accidental Husband is a Billionaire

840 Chapter 839

Keira glanced at the woman before her and noticed how she tilted her head, deliberately showcasing the unscarred side of her face.

Keira suddenly walked closer and asked, "Did it hurt when half your face was destroyed?"

The woman froze for a moment, visibly startled by the question.

She clearly hadn't expected such a sudden inquiry, especially one that sounded like concern. A hint of sadness flashed in her eyes before she pressed her lips together and said, "I don't really remember anymore. It happened the year after you left. They ruined my face, and that was nearly twenty years ago now. It probably hurt a lot back then… Anyway, Keera, remember this: if you can't secure the position, get out. Change your face, take on a new identity, and never come back."

Keira studied Jessica's face, her voice low and contemplative. "Does everyone who loses end up like this?"

Though worried about Jodie South, Keira knew asking directly would trigger the woman's temper. Instead, she tried to probe indirectly.

The woman, however, saw right through her. "You're thinking about Jodie, aren't you? Well," she scoffed, "she's doing slightly better than me, I suppose. Word is, she gets whipped every day. Oh, they're probably streaming it live on tonight's news."

Keira's fists clenched tightly at the words.

The woman, unfazed, continued in a detached tone, "Still, that's a mild punishment, really. She's almost fifty now and past childbearing age. If they'd found her twenty years ago…" She trailed off, her gaze lowering.

walked into the room then—one

and rested a hand on her shoulder. "Jessica, this is all my fault. If you hadn't stayed loyal to me back then, refused the men they sent to you, and secretly had

Jessica.

silently memorized

them a bargaining chip. But even that wasn't enough. After I lost the inheritance battle, I was stripped of every shred of dignity. Month after month, they came to inject me with ovulation hormones, trying to force me to bear more heirs for the South family. If I hadn't had my uterus removed, I'd probably still be stuck in a cycle of failed

quietly, saying nothing

man crouched in front of Jessica, taking her hand in his. "You're so

respond, the older man shoved the younger one aside. "Knock it off with your little act, you scheming bastard! Jessica,

stood silently, watching the scene

once, she was witnessing two men bickering over a woman—a dynamic she thought

is your Uncle Jake—he used to change your diapers when you were

gaze shifted to the

though I'm not in power anymore, the South family still sends me one man a year.

never been intimate with Jessica. You don't need to treat me as a rival. I

again, spinning your innocent

gave Jessica a pleading, puppy-dog look, his

immediately turned to Jake, snapping, "That's enough! Don't I spend every night

words. In the