?Chapter 1712:


    Brennaughed, shaking her head. “Lilith’s healthy and strong, Ernst. You’re being dramatic. I understand that you want to take care of her, but if you’re like this now, what will happen when she’s further along? Are you nning to carry her everywhere then?”


    With effortless grace, Ernst sat beside his wife, handing her a fork and signaling a servant to bring water for her to wash her hands. The family burst outughing at the overly attentive scene.


    “What’s wrong with that?” Ernst said lightly, a faint smile on his lips. “I’m willing to do it. If I don’t spoil my wife, who will?”


    A flush rose to Lilith’s cheeks as she shifted in her seat. Lately, Ernst had been too concerned about her, convinced she might have an ident at any moment. She had asked him more than once to stop being so over-the-top, yet he refused to listen.


    Brenna nced at Ernst. “Fine. Spoil her. I won’t interfere.”


    From her bag, she produced apact handgun shaped for a woman’s hand and extended it toward Lilith. “Lilith, since you’re pregnant, take this for your protection. You’re carrying my parents’ first grandchild, after all.”


    Surprise registered on Lilith’s face as she took the gift with hesitant fingers and examined it closely. Brenna rarely offered her presents, and the gun was an odd gift.


    Ernst looked at the gun with interest. “Is this thetest Wolf Fang 6 from the military?”


    A small smile touched Brenna’s mouth. “Yes. The military gave it to me for my protection. I requested an extra. They said that the situation here has been unstabletely and asked me to bring a bodyguard with me whenever I go.”


    Ernst nodded as he inspected the piece, showing his agreement. He said to Lilith, “Brenna is right. Shirie has seen unrest from gang conflicts, and the police are stretched thin. Keep it with you, and I will teach you how to use it when we go back.”


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    Giselle, who had been quietly observing until now, finally spoke. “You want Lilith to use a gun? Ernst, stop it. She’s pregnant, and that’s not suitable.”


    Ernst’s expression softened immediately. “You’re right.”


    Sandra watched the exchange, a flicker of envy tightening in her chest. No matter how hard she tried, she always felt like an outsider in this family.


    Still, something inside her refused to give up. She would keep trying.


    Just then, her phone vibrated. Jordy’s name shed on the screen.


    She quickly excused herself to take the call. “Mr. Barton, is there something you need from me?”


    Her tone was courteous but distant. After her disastrous investment with him, she had already decided never to partner with him again. She believed Brenna clearly had better instincts when it came to business.


    Her very first investment venture had lost over a hundred million! All the money her father had given her was gone.


    Thankfully, her father and the rest of the Harper family hadn’t med her for the failed investment. Their understanding only deepened her guilt. The money she’d lost wasn’t something she’d earned, after all; it was a gift from them, and she had squandered it.


    Jordy, meanwhile, was far from the financial genius he imed to be. In fact, half his ventures had failed. He simply never spoke of those failures. Instead, he unted his rare victories, convincing everyone he was a master of the trade.


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