Chapter 129: Found out she was pregnant?
In an intriguing twist of fate, the scene unfolded with a sudden shift that caught Karla off guard, her curiosity piqued by Paul’s unusual demeanor. Julia’s words hung in the air, still unfinished, as her voice wove a tale of interconnected lives.
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“Karla,” Julia’s voice held a mix of determination and nostalgia, “the reason I chose to remind today isn’t for appearances or others. It’s for my brother, a silent act of gratitude born from days by his side during his illness. Back when you and he were a pair, motives clouded your connection, but when sickness struck, I stood as his caretaker. Today, I do this as a repayment for his pain. That’s all.”
The name “Conrad” danced on Karla’s lips, summoning memories of a face, once handsome and kind, now etched in her mind. Conrad’s voice echoed sweet sentiments, a soundtrack to her
past. Truth be told, she had approached Conrad with designs of her own, yet, facing such a remarkable man, resisting allure was a tall order. But fate played its hand; Conrad’s disfigurement and eviction from the Watson estate forced Karla’s hand, and she chose money over love. Little did she foresee Conrad’s rise, building an empire from scratch.
Regret, the haunting tendrils of missed chances, wound tight, yet no remedy existed for such woes. And as thoughts unraveled, the blame shifted from self to another.
Julia, the culprit, bore the brunt of Karla’s gaze, eyes aflame with enmity. “Julia!” Her voice crackled with resentment, words a scalding torrent. “You orchestrated it all! Poisoning my name, planting hatred in your brother’s heart! It’s your doing that’s led me to this downfall!”
Julia stood, her response eluding her in disbelief. “Did I bid
you chase my brother relentlessly?” Each question dripped with accusation. Karla stood, mouth agape, eyes wide in speechless protest, a statue in her own narrative.
With a dismissive snort, Julia retorted, “How contemptible, trading integrity for coin. I confess, I once trod that path, but l’owned my mistakes, unlike you.” The silence between them stretched as Karla grappled for words, but her mouth remained ajar, bereft of defense.
“Julia, ignore her,” Maddie’s voice interjected, leading Julia into a haven of baby–centric delights, leaving Karla and her turmoil behind.
Henry observed, disappointment etching his features, his gaze switching between Karla and Paul. Suspicion settled, birthing a message to Jared, an envoy of hidden concerns.
“Paul,” a frigid whisper, Jared’s response, “Handle it expediently. His intentions toward Julia are anything but pure.”
As if summoned, the curtain closed on that scene, only to open upon the aisles of a mother and baby store. Julia and Maddie’s world was a sea of pastels and tiny wonders, while Julia’s sense of timing was met with Henry’s bemusement.
“Too early to buy?” Henry’s voice dripped with amusement, his proximity unnerving Maddie. Julia’s inquiry sparked Henry’s curiosity. “Your friend’s baby arrived, or am I mistaken?”
Maddie retreated, Henry’s gaze stern, grappling with the shifting dynamics. Yet, as his attention wandered, he stumbled upon a revelation that defied reason.
In a twist of perception, the tale morphed, echoing themes of hidden motives and evolving relationships. The characters danced across the stage, each step leading to an unforeseen climax, a crescendo of intrigue and emotion.
Maddie caught Henry’s unrelenting gaze upon her, a surge of unease rippling through her. The
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thought, could he possibly perceive it? That notion was insidious, worming its way into her
conscience. With guilt as her companion, she lowered her head, her eyes grazing her abdomen. It remained resolutely flat, a reassurance against her fears, didn’t it?
Julia’s gaze volleyed between Maddie and Henry, her shoulders rose in a shrug before she ambled over to an adjacent shelf, methodically selecting items with studied attention.
But time elapsed, a ten–second stretch of it, and still he watched? A pulse of exasperation mingled with Maddie’s discomfort. How long did he intend to scrutinize her so?
The prickling sensation skittered down Maddie’s scalp, a myriad of alarm bells ringing in her head. She yearned to retreat, to escape this invasive attention. Thus, she pivoted, commencing a quick exit. Yet, fate was unkind as a customer brushed past her in the store, a collision sending her teetering.
Just before an imminent fall, salvation manifested as a hand, seeking purchase on her recently altered figure – a swelling secret she guarded closely.
“Uh–huh…”
“Eh? Is it?” Henry’s fingers exhibited a curious dance, akin to one uncovering a virgin land. “Does this touch… have veracity? Maddie, have you concealed something here? Is it genuine to the touch?” Henry, in his earnest curiosity, remained oblivious to the peculiarity of his behavior. Maddie’s visage transformed through a spectrum of hues, from red to purple, finally simmering in disbelief. “Yes, I… are you satisfied?”
“Not quite, I’ll explore once more.” Henry’s tenacity persisted, fingers on an expedition. Maddie’s fists clenched, her patience waning until she couldn’t suppress it anymore – she bit Henry’s offending hand.
“Ah–Maddie, are you a dog?!” Henry yelped, his voice a blend of shock and humor.
The sound triggered Julia’s attention, her head peeking around the corner, her gaze fleeting before resuming her selections.
Maddie’s ire escalated, her foot lifting to deliver a resounding stomp onto Henry’s unsuspecting foot.
“Ouch-” Henry clutched his foot, spinning in a clumsy circle.
“You’re not a dog, you’re a mule, hoofing around!” Maddie smoothed her disheveled attire, her annoyance palpable. Was this man devoid of shame?
“Get lost! If you dare pester me again, I’ll make you regret it!” Maddie’s ire blazed, her warning clear.
“If you wish for my lineage to halt, you might be disappointed. Let me elucidate, the fortune–teller spoke – wealth and power abundant, a dynasty of progeny thriving under my aegis,” Henry declared, his pride unabashed.
Maddie blinked, bemusement apparent. Could it be that this fortune bore an element of truth? “I’ve no desire to converse further with you.” Maddie pivoted and strode away, a surge of determination in her step.
As Maddie’s form diminished, Henry’s gaze lingered, an unexpected buoyancy in his demeanor. Julia reappeared briefly, her eyes assessing Henry, a hand extending to graze her chin, veiling her emotions beneath a half–lowered gaze.
As twilight painted the sky, Julia returned to the villa, Jared’s presence was still absent. The
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extension of his work hours was spurred by her own day’s obligations, a notion that imbued her with both ennui and restlessness.
Resting on the sofa, Julia produced her phone, Facebook’s digital realm capturing her attention. The day’s events, shadowed by a follower and ensnared in the lens of a camera, had fermented through the hours. Now, as she surveyed the aftermath, her reaction was silent, “What in the world?”
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Chapter 130; Jared Wants to Show His Treasure to
