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Chapter 272 Illegitimate Child

When it comes to Australia's most enchanting towns, most people's first thought is Kiama. This small town by the Pacific Ocean has become a top choice for tourists thanks to its iconic blowhole and colorful houses.

But for the local indigenous people, Gerringong is still the place to be considered a paradise.

This small town, hidden on the southern coast of New South Wales, is like a masterpiece secretly placed in an oil painting frame by God.

Driving south from Sydney for two hours, you'll see vast stretches of green pastures cascading down gentle slopes to the sea. The distant bay is a deep blue, like spilled enamel paint, and even the sea breeze carries the scent of freshly cut grass.

When Ernst first set foot on this land, he almost thought he had driven into the classic Windows XP wallpaper.

Before me stretched an endless pasture, with hundreds of Australian sheep scattered across the grass like freshly baked cotton candy. In the distance, cows leisurely swished their tails, and even the air seemed to slow down.

In a small, rose-covered estate on the outskirts of Gerringong, he was frowning as he looked at the Australian white sheep beside him, while sitting opposite him on the sofa was his current agent, Mary.

At this moment, she was twisting the hem of her suit jacket with both hands, her eyes darting back and forth between the floor, the ceiling, and the sheep outside the window, unsure of where to look.

"So," Ernst finally looked away, though his expression remained serious, "you plan to have the child, and you didn't intend to tell me?"

Ernst had previously doubted his physical condition, but he never expected the arrival of the child to be so unexpected. What he didn't expect was that Jennifer Connelly and Gisele Bündchen, who were his most favored lovers, didn't show any signs of pregnancy, but Nicole Kidman, who had been having a fling for a week, suddenly became pregnant.

A soft scoff came from across the sofa. Nicole, hugging a cushion, leaned back in her chair, her golden curls cascading over her shoulder, a hint of mockery in her eyes. "Why should I tell you? So the kids know who their father is, and then they'll see you in gossip magazines every day, arm in arm with different women?"

Ernst raised an eyebrow, and his initial anger subsided considerably.

Because in those seemingly sharp words, he heard the grievance and jealousy within them.

This situation can only mean one thing: this woman has begun to fall for him.

"How long do you think you can keep this a secret?" He glanced at Nicole's slightly protruding belly. The loose linen dress covered most of her curves, but a closer look revealed some clues.

"Especially after you refused to reshoot Shakespeare in Love."

Ernst was furious when he learned that he had an illegitimate child from Robert Iger.

Filming for "Shakespeare in Love" has been completed, but the director was not satisfied with some scenes and the actors needed to reshoot them.

This is very common in the film and television industry, and we have never encountered any unexpected situations.

But it appeared in Nicole Kidman's case.

Because her role required her to wear a corset dress typical of old European noblewomen, with layers upon layers of straps that would make her waist look like a pencil.

She was afraid it would be bad for the baby in her womb, so she refused to have a reshoot.

This made the director very angry, but fortunately the producer knew some details and reported it to Robert Iger.

He knew all too well about Nicole Kidman and Ernst's affair, and a hardline approach was definitely not going to work, so he had someone inquire about the reasons behind Nicole Kidman's behavior.

The result was that the other party was pregnant, and the child was likely Ernst's report appeared on his desk.

Well, this situation is beyond his control now.

On the one hand, he told the crew that reshoots were out of the question, and on the other hand, he contacted Ernst.

This led to Ernst's trip to Australia, where he visited the small estate that the other party had bought.

Seeing that the other party remained silent, Ernst changed the subject. "I heard you've been having a hard time lately? You should have told me."

"I'm not good?" Nicole Kidman said as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world. "Now I wake up every day to an endless grassland and fall asleep to the sound of the waves. It's so much more enjoyable than dealing with those hypocritical people in Hollywood. I've never felt so good in my life."

Ernst didn't call her out on her stubbornness. Since returning from Panama, Nicole had divorced Tom Cruise, and then CAA suddenly terminated her contract, effectively shutting out the entire industry.

Aside from the film "Shakespeare in Love," which she had already signed a contract for, she hadn't received an invitation to even a fashion magazine in the past six months, let alone a film or television script.

These days, Hollywood producers treat the name Nicole Kidman like a hot potato.

Ernst turned to Mary, who was still pretending to be invisible, and said, "You go out first."

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority, as if he were ordering his own butler around.

Just as Mary was about to get up, a chilling warning voice suddenly came from beside her: "You dare to move?"

Nicole's voice wasn't loud, but it pierced the air like an icicle.

Mary stood frozen in place, awkwardly crouching, her toes practically carving a ranch model into the carpet.

She stole a glance at Nicole Kidman and saw that the employer's eyes were practically blazing with anger.

Nicole knew perfectly well that the only way the news of her pregnancy could have reached Ernst's ears was through her agent; there was no other possibility.

Her intention in doing this was very simple: firstly, she hoped to use Ernst to break free from the CAA's blacklist; and secondly, it was for her own sake.

After all, no one wants to be with someone who doesn't have a job; otherwise, all that awaits her is unemployment.

Mary hesitated for half a minute before slowly standing up.

Although Nicole Kidman is her employer, Ernst's words clearly carry more weight.

Only the two of them remained in the living room, and the air suddenly became quiet, with only the intermittent sound of the waves drifting in from outside the window.

Ernst sat down next to Noniko Kidman, and just as he was about to speak, he saw her move aside, clearly trying to avoid him.

He reacted quickly, pulling the person into his arms. The person struggled for a moment, but eventually leaned against his chest, seemingly exhausted.

Don't be fooled by their aggressive and unapproachable demeanor; it's all an act.

Ernst knew she was insecure and afraid he would force her to abort the child.

This kind of thing is all too common in Hollywood.

How many celebrities have been impregnated by powerful figures, and how many tycoons have given the women money to keep quiet and force them to have an abortion in order to avoid trouble?

Although wealthy Americans don't care about illegitimate children, and even take pride in them.

However, it depends on the situation. Privately, many people feel that this is an honor, but once it is exposed, everyone avoids it like the plague. Therefore, many people will nip this kind of trouble in the bud.

"Are you worried I won't let you have this child?" Ernst gently patted her back, his tone softening. "So you wanted to keep it a secret until the baby was born, and then tell me the truth?"

Ni Ke nestled in his arms without speaking. After a long while, she looked up, her eyes pleading. "I won't let anyone know the child is yours, really. I just—I need him."

Ernst almost laughed out of anger, "So in your eyes, I'm just a scumbag who forces women to abort their children?"

Nicole blinked and didn't say anything, but her eyes clearly said, "Isn't that right?"

People in the circle say that Ernst hates being tied down, otherwise he would never lack women around him, so why has there never been any news of anyone getting pregnant?

Nicole Kidman paused for a moment, then finally said truthfully, "That's what everyone in the industry says. Otherwise, why haven't any of your many women gotten pregnant?"

Nicole Kidman knew that Ernst disliked being tied down.

Therefore, she felt there was only one possibility: the girl had taken the medication.

In America, this is considered a morally correct thing to do, and no one sees anything wrong with it.

That's how it is with big shots, so many girls start taking the medication a few days in advance when they receive the notification. In Hollywood, this is as normal as eating and drinking.

Do you know which hospital near Hollywood is the most popular?

It's a women's hospital.

More accurately, it's a hospital that can make women feel tighter.

Cut off a piece of flesh, then sew it back up—it's all so simple.

Ernst had never had any information about having an illegitimate child, which made her believe the news.

So when she found out she was pregnant, her first reaction wasn't happiness, but panic.

She was afraid Ernst would throw a check at her and tell her to abort the child.

Ernst rolled his eyes, unsure how to explain, and simply looked around at the surroundings. "This house is too small. I'll get you a bigger one and build a delivery room, so it will be easier for you to give birth."

The town is beautiful, but don't expect too much from its medical care.

After all, it was his first child, and Ernst felt he had to protect it.

What if this is your only child? Considering your health and your family's situation, it's not impossible.

This is why he was so nervous to come to Australia; if all those women were pregnant, Ernst might not care too much about the illegitimate child.

But in the current situation, any illegitimate child could potentially be a continuation of the Garfield family line.

Nicole Kidman, however, was unaware of Ernst's thoughts. When she heard the delivery room, she knew that Ernst had agreed to let her give birth to the child, and a huge weight was lifted from her heart.

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The Beginning of the Heart