Duke Leslie’s words filled Hugheska with bitterness and jealousy. He never imagined that Graces, once a so-called ’defective product’, would become a Male Father.

It was as if his luck had completely turned around since he got together with Duke Lu Xia. First, he went from a ’defective product’ male to a Gene Fusion Expert, and now he was a Male Father. In an instant, it seemed like all the good fortune in the world had fallen into his lap.

’Why is this happening? How can this be? I’m clearly the superior one! Growing up, Graces was always the one I bullied!’

Duke Leslie saw his resentment, but what good would that do?

A loss was a loss. Instead of sulking here, he would be better off going home and figuring out how to improve his own life. "Go home," she said. "I’m not giving you any money. Our family has no precedent for giving a Female Master money to help her support a husband. If your Female Master wants to support one, let her figure it out herself. Don’t come to me with things like this in the future. There’s nothing I can do. I’m tired."

After speaking, Duke Leslie rose and left, not wanting to waste another moment on Hugheska. The sight of him was starting to irritate her.

’He’s a main husband, yet he’s less capable than a mere husband. It’s infuriating. It makes all the years I’ve invested in him look like a complete joke.’

*

The news that Duke Lu Xia and Graces had a child quickly spread through their social circles. Duke Lu Xia was already famous for the No. 1 Institute’s beauty cream and hair growth liquid. Then Graces transformed from a ’defective product’ male into a Gene Fusion Expert. And now, she had produced a child with her husband. It was as if she’d done every unconventional thing imaginable.

Besides, everyone knew Graces had been a ’defective product’ male, and it hadn’t been long since he became a Gene Fusion Expert. And now, suddenly, there was a child.

If you did the math, it meant they must have started the procreation process while Graces was still a ’defective product’ male. How else could the timing work?

But everyone knew ’defective products’ had no reproductive capabilities. So where did this child come from?

It wasn’t just the powerful females in their circle who wanted to know; the Fertility Research Institute had also caught wind of the news.

A "defective product" male had actually produced a child. This was nothing short of a miracle.

They immediately launched an investigation, which led them straight to Doctor Eugene.

When he saw Dr. Vera in his office again, Eugene knew this day would come. Though he was well aware of the reason for the visit, he feigned surprise. "Dr. Vera, good day. What brings you all the way here to see me?"

Dr. Vera didn’t respond immediately, instead sizing up Doctor Eugene from head to toe before smiling. "Doctor Eugene, you certainly hide your light under a bushel. I never imagined you could accomplish something so remarkable after leaving the Fertility Research Institute."

Eugene, feigning ignorance of the passive-aggressive undertones, looked baffled. "You must be joking, Dr. Vera. I’m just an ordinary doctor in a fertility clinic now. What achievements could I possibly have? They’re nothing compared to the grand accomplishments of the Fertility Research Institute. Please don’t praise me to death; I really don’t deserve it."

"Oh, don’t be so modest. I’ve heard all about it. Duke Lu Xia’s husband—the one who was previously a ’defective product’ male—produced a child under your care. Is that correct?"

Eugene feigned a look of sudden understanding. "Ah, so that’s what this is about. It was pure coincidence. Modern procreation technology isn’t exactly groundbreaking; any fertility clinic can perform the procedure. I just got lucky. I used to be the family doctor for Duke Lu Xia’s Mansion, so she entrusted me with it. Who could have guessed it would actually succeed? But it was a one-in-a-million fluke. It can’t be replicated—at least, I don’t have the ability to replicate it. To be honest, I still haven’t figured out how it worked myself. Why don’t you guys at the Fertility Research Institute study it? I’ve kept all the data!"

As he brought it up, Doctor Eugene looked as if he had a ton to say on the subject.

Dr. Vera hadn’t expected him to be so forthcoming, and from his expression, he didn’t seem to be faking it. "You’re really willing to give the data to the Fertility Research Institute for us to study?"

"Why wouldn’t I be? The Fertility Research Institute has far more case studies, experience, and professional staff. That’s much better than me fumbling around here alone. If you can truly uncover the reproductive value of ’defective product’ males, it would be a great benefit to all Imperial Citizens, right? Hang on, I’ll go make a copy for you right now." The files had all been edited in advance; Doctor Eugene wasn’t afraid of the people from the Fertility Research Institute finding any problems.

’After all, who would believe the child was conceived naturally? Not to mention being born with a 100% perfect gene fusion degree—the Empire’s first perfectly successful gene fusion Beastman. I’m sure his descendants will inherit this trait.’

’But that was all a matter for the future. The Fertility Research Institute had been scrambling for so long, yet they hadn’t managed to get anywhere near Duke Lu Xia.’

’In fact, I’m quite looking forward to the day those arrogant, self-important fools find out the truth.’

He quickly finished copying the data and handed it to Dr. Vera. "It’s all in here—from embryo to birth, videos included. Everything. I’ll leave it in your capable hands."

Eugene wore an expression of utmost sincerity, as if he truly hoped the Fertility Research Institute would take over and produce some results.

Dr. Vera took the drive and smiled. "Even though you left the Fertility Research Institute years ago, I see your heart is still with our Institute. The director will be very pleased to hear this. By the way, if I were to visit Duke Lu Xia to see the child, do you think she would allow it?"

Doctor Eugene wasn’t surprised by the question. He pondered for a moment before replying, "If you’d like, I can ask for you. I go to the Duke Mansion for the child’s regular check-ups anyway. If she agrees, you could come with me. However, it could only be you. A large group would be out of the question. And you’d only be able to look. Duke Lu Xia will absolutely not permit any blood tests. Even though the child is a male, he took his mother’s surname. You understand what that implies, don’t you?"

At the mention of the child taking his mother’s surname, surprise flickered in Dr. Vera’s eyes. He truly hadn’t expected that. ’Even though it’s a miracle that a ’defective product’ male could reproduce, the child is still just a male, and from a mere husband at that. Is he really considered that precious?’

Dr. Vera couldn’t quite understand.

"That is surprising," he admitted.

"You don’t know Duke Lu Xia. If you did, you wouldn’t say that," Eugene cautioned. "So when you meet her, be respectful of her husbands. Don’t look down on them just because they’re ’defective products’ or mere husbands. Otherwise, I’m afraid things won’t end well for you."

Dr. Vera raised an eyebrow, paying little mind to Doctor Eugene’s warning. ’Duke Lu Xia is probably just another one of those hypocritical females who likes to put on a grand show to keep up appearances,’ he thought to himself. ’After all, the elite females of the Empire are all cut from the same cloth. It’s not like I haven’t seen it all before.’