The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus)
Chapter 401

Callum shook his head wordlessly, wrapping his arms around Lexi in a protective hug. "Alright, I can't deal with this she-devil. How about we make a run for it, Lexi? Let's get outta dodge before we get dragged into their mess."

Lexi, however, didn't budge. The gossip hound within her was howling at the moon, yearning to stick around and see how this soap opera between James and the mysterious Angela, who apparently had his child, would play out.

Seeing that Lexi was adamant about staying, Callum resigned himself to standing by her side.

Meanwhile, James felt like he'd been hit by a freight train. What did that blonde bombshell just drop on him? She had his kid?

No way. He didn't even know her name, how could he possibly have fathered her child?

But then again, that night, he did go commando because the little minx swore up and down she was "safe." No condoms, no worries, she said.

Damn it all to hell! So much for "safe." Now, it looked like he'd been royally played.

"Baby, I've crossed oceans to replace you, to give our child a home," Angela implored, reaching for James' hand.

James jerked his hands behind his back like they were on fire. "Hold up, this is just too bizarre. You're telling me you had my child? But I don't even know your name or anything about you. Don't you replace that a bit ridiculous?"

Angela, mistaking his shock for curiosity, beamed brightly. "A name is just a tag. I can tell you now, it's not too late. My name is Angela, my aunt by marriage is the sister-in-law to the Queen of England. Our family holds the reins to a telecom empire. I'm an unofficial princess, if you will."

James felt like he was in a whirlwind. What in the world? The Queen's sister-in-law's niece? But hold on, none of this mattered right now! It didn't matter if she was some unofficial princess. He wasn't about to become henpecked, trapped by marriage and fatherhood!

He had a life full of sparkle ahead, with countless girls waiting for his love. He wasn't ready to be chained down to one woman!

So, without a second thought, James shook his head in refusal. "Angela, 'Princess Angela,' if that's what I should call you. I'm flattered to be considered the father of your child, but I can't just go with you because, technically, I'm just a donor. This doesn't mean I want to start a family with you, let alone marry you. There are plenty of girls out there waiting for my care and affection, waiting for—"

He stopped mid-sentence, struck dumb as he saw Angela's tears starting to flow. Suddenly feeling like he'd stepped way out of line, James lost his voice entirely.

As tears streaked down Angela's face, she couldn't believe that her years of searching had been one-sided. That night, heartbroken, she'd dressed up like a punk rocker and drowned her sorrows in a bar. By some twist of fate, she had a one-night stand with James.

She fell for the dark-eyed man with the tanned skin but woke up to replace him gone. Since then, he was the indelible mark on her heart, her unremitting yearning.

And then, to her shock, she found out she was pregnant. Next, she bravely brought the child into the world, but her father found out and insisted on marriage.

She used Callum as a decoy out of options, but her father found Callum and ordered him to marry her. Callum, naturally, denied everything, swearing his heart belonged to his beloved wife from Melfort. She thought the matter would fade, but with deep pockets, her father bribed Callum's maid, Rita, to handle his wife discreetly.

After Callum's wife mysteriously vanished, Angela, privy to this dark secret, couldn't reveal the truth for fear Callum's wrath would be too much for her father to bear. Left with no choice, Angela kept quiet while searching for Callum's missing wife, only to be knocked out cold and her child snatched away. Since then, Callum glared daggers at them, threatening blood if his wife and son weren't returned. Fortunately, his wife was still alive and well in this world. But why did her first love, the man she found, turn out to be just a joke?

Taking a deep breath, Angela approached James with a composed smile.

James felt oddly nervous. "Angela, let's... let's talk this out, okay?"

But Angela just smiled radiantly and said, "Yes, I believe in my intuition from that night, and I won't give up on my happiness without a fight. So, I'm sorry, but this is necessary."

Before James could comprehend her words, Angela's hand shot up, and with a swift, precise chop to the back of his neck, James hit the ground without a peep.

In truth, James was no slouch in a fight; he was just caught off guard. With Angela's angelic looks, who would've guessed she'd play dirty?

Natalia and Lexi gasped in unison, "Oh my God!"

They were about to confront Angela when they saw her hoist the unconscious James over her shoulder with ease. Angela was tall and athletically built, so carrying James was a breeze for her. But to Natalia, this was sheer bewilderment; after all, hoisting a grown man was a feat for a true strongman!

"Oh my God! You knocked him out cold, what on earth are you planning to do with him?" Natalia couldn't help but blurt out.

Angela didn't bother to hide her actions. "I don't have time for chit-chat. My little girl is at home waiting for me. No matter his thoughts, my daughter must meet her real dad! Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt him I swear."