?Chapter 922:


    The surroundings were quiet. Before Ellie and Kaiden reached Brisa’s room, they heardughtering from inside.


    As they entered, Carole had just said something, and Brisa’s smile hadn’t faded.


    “Kaiden, Ellie!” Brisa greeted the two with a happy wave.


    Chemotherapy had taken a toll on Brisa. Even when she smiled, she seemed fragile.


    Carole stood and greeted, “Kaiden, Ellie, it’s been a while.”


    Her smile was soft, but Ellie sensed an underlying challenge in it. Carole’s expression seemed to imply, “You didn’t want me back in Critport, but here I am.”


    Ellie concealed her irritation with a slight adjustment of her eyebrows. Touching her slightly protruding belly, Brisa grasped Ellie’s hand and remarked, “Your baby has gotten bigger! Ellie, has it given you a hard time? Are you exhausted?”


    “No, not at all. It’s been well-behaved,” Ellie replied, withholding details from Brisa.


    Hearing this, Carole nced at Ellie’s belly, her eyes betraying a mix of envy and resentment.


    “That’s great!” Brisa said earnestly. “You wouldn’t believe it, but when Kaiden was in my belly, he was quite mischievous and caused trouble all the time. I had morning sickness even when I was seven months along.”


    Typically, women wouldn’t experience nausea again after reaching four months into their pregnancy. Ellie nced at Kaiden, taken aback. But Kaiden appeared indifferent, as if Brisa’s words were irrelevant to him.


    Suddenly, Ellie understood Kaiden’s reaction— as a mother who hadn’t shown love to her son when he needed it most, her words now would only repel him!


    “Kaiden, have you seen your father? He’s eager to see you. He must be thrilled with your return!” Brisa eximed.


    Ellie felt a sinking sensation in her heart.


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    It turned out that yesterday’s call from Brisa was due to Jorge’s directive, as he wanted Kaiden to return home. Brisa was still willing to be used as leverage by Jorge against Kaiden.


    Jorge couldn’t manage on his own. He disliked being observed while eating, so he finished his meal early and sat at the head of the table, observing Kaiden and the others. The previously tense atmosphere seemed even more somber.


    After dinner, the elderly butler brought out a pair of high-quality jade bracelets and gave one to Ellie.


    “This is a gift from Mr. Jorge Thorpe for your pregnancy!” The elderly butler said, presenting it with a smile. A reward for having a baby.


    Ellie recoiled at the gesture, feeling repulsed. She was being reduced to nothing more than a fertility instrument. Her pregnancy had no connection to Jorge, and she certainly didn’t need his gift. Considering Jorge’s treatment of Kaiden, she couldn’t imagine ever allowing her child to refer to him as grandpa.


    The elderly butler then turned to Carole, handing her the other bracelet. “Miss Lambert, this is a gift from Mr. Jorge Thorpe to show his appreciation for looking after his wife all this time!”


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