Suzan feigned panic, her voice shaky. "I... I was going to tell you once I was certain..."


    Adeline cut her off, her face lighting up with joy. "This is wonderful news! Suzan, from today on, you''re moving in with us. I''ll make sure you''re well taken care of."


    Mitchell''s expression shifted uncertainly before he spoke in a low, steady voice. "Mom, I need to talk to Suzan alone about this."


    It was all happening so fast-he needed a moment to process.


    In his study, Mitchell fixed his gaze on Suzan. "Did you do this on purpose?"


    Suzan''s eyes grew moist in an instant. "Mitchell, what are you saying? Don''t you want this baby?"


    Mitchell tugged at his tie in frustration. "That''s not what I mean. It''s just... it''s all so sudden."


    He''d never imagined Suzan would get pregnant. He''d always been careful, taken every precaution.


    How did this even happen?


    "I know you''ve been under a lot of stresstely," Suzan murmured, her head lowered in wounded innocence. "That''s why I wanted to wait until things were more stable before telling you. If you really don''t want it, I can—”


    "Don''t say that." Mitchell let out a long sigh. "It''s here now, so we''ll go through with it. I''ll take responsibility."


    After all, it was a life. Andtely, his father had been pressing him harder than ever for a legitimate heir. Those illegitimate brats circling on the sidelines were getting bolder by the day.


    If he had his own child, he''d finally have the upper hand.


    Looking at it that way, maybe the timing wasn''t so bad after all.


    Suzan threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms around his waist, the corners of her lips curving into a triumphant smile.


    Mitchell gently patted her back, though his eyes were clouded with conflicted emotions.


    This hadn''t been in his ns, and the news had initially left him reeling.


    But now... he supposed he''d just let things y out.


    Adeline, positively glowing, instructed the housekeeper to prepare nutritious meals and even called in the family doctor to give Suzan a thorough check-up.


    "Suzan, you have to take extra good care of yourself now. This will be the Lloyd family''s first grandchild," Adeline beamed, her joy uncontainable.


    Suzan really was something special-hopefully she''d give birth to a son on her very first try.


    Adeline thought, not without a hint of smugness, that Effie had been with Mitchell for years and hadn''t produced so much as an egg. Thank goodness they''d broken up-who knows what would have happened otherwise.


    Suzan nodded sweetly. "Thank you, Mrs. Lloyd. I''ll be careful."


    Word soon reached the Bagnolds as well, and Vera was beside herself with delight.


    Her daughter truly was a chip off the old block!


    With Suzan pregnant, her ce in the Lloyd family was solid.


    As soon as Suzan returned home, Vera rushed to greet her, hovering anxiously and fussing over her like she was made of porcin. "Oh, my darling girl, you''re worth your weight in gold now. Walk slowly, don''t rush!"


    Suzan giggled, a yful note in her voice. "Mom, you''re being dramatic. I''ve just found out I''m pregnant, that''s all."


    Vera lowered her voice, her eyes sharp with calction. "Silly girl, this is exactly the time to be careful! The Lloyds aren''t just any family. If you have a son, the whole Lloyd estate could be yours one day!"


    The very thought made Vera''s heart race. She could already imagine bragging to her sisters and friends.


    Suzan absently touched her stomach, a sh of smug satisfaction in her eyes. "Don''t worry, Mom. I know what I''m doing."


    Vera nodded approvingly, then leaned in close to whisper, "And sweetheart, you need to start thinking of yourself now. While you''re pregnant, get Mitchell to buy you a house, a shop-get some assets in your name."


    Suzan hesitated, then nodded. "You''re right. I understand."


    Of course her status was about to rise, so she ought to secure more for herself.


    Business at thepany seemed to be picking up, too.


    She''d have to find a good moment to test the waters.


    Vera finally rxed, but not without another reminder. "The first three months are crucial. Watch what you eat, don''t overexert yourself, understood?"