Chapter 399
“Did you really come to see the baby empty–handed?” Amelia said coolly, sipping her coffee.
Lucia’s face burned with humiliation. The paltry sum she had wasn’t even enough to meet Clayton’s demands.
Clayton was unaware of Audrey’s premature birth, but when he heard about the lavish party, he immediately pressured Lucia into action.
Lucia patted her handbag for emphasis and retorted defensively, “I’ll give them gifts when I see the babies.”
A nanny stepped out with a baby bottle for sterilization but froze in the doorway when she sensed the tense atmosphere outside.
Lucia strode toward the nursery room.
“Hold on.” Amelia rose to her feet and signaled the bodyguard to frisk Lucia.
Lucia’s face turned livid. “What the hell do you mean?”
She fumed inside. ‘What does she take me for? I’m Audrey’s mother. However much I hate her, I’d never hurt newborns!
“It’s the procedure. Everyone gets checked,‘ replied Amelia.
Amelia thought to herself, ‘You’re just not trustworthy. This is all to guard against you.‘
But given the occasion, Amelia held back her words, not wanting to provoke Lucia into making a scene.
The bodyguard swept a metal detector over Lucia’s body. When he reached her bag, it suddenly beeped.
Amelia’s gaze hardened instantly, and she thought, ‘Has this woman lost her mind?‘
“It’s for self–defense,” Lucia said defensively, pulling out a pocket knife from her bag.
tately, she’d had a creepy feeling that someone had been following her. But every time she turned around, she saw nothing.
Daytime was manageable, but at night, she couldn’t shake this creeping chill down her spine.
Just yesterday, when she went to meet Kyle in that dimly lit suburb, she could swear she saw a shadowy figure trailing her.
She suspected it was sent by Marla, seeking to retaliate for the failed property deal–so she’d started carrying a pocket knife for protection.
However, no one bought Lucia’s explanation.
She tossed her bag beside Audrey on the sofa. “See? Is it okay now?”
“Take your gifts for the babies, and then you may see them,” Amelia said dismissively.
Lucia hesitated, rummaging through her bag before reluctantly fishing out three small boxes.
Sylvie looked at the boxes skeptically. They looked light, and they were most likely empty–just for show.
After finishing her food, Audrey went to check on the babies, accompanied by Amelia and Sylvie.
The three babies lay side by side. The baby girl was wide awake, her big bright eyes darting curiously around.
Lucia reached out, hoping to hold the baby, but Audrey firmly refused her.
Lucia spoke up, “Did they do a full check after they were born? You really need to check between every finger and toe. You know, some babies.
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Chapter 390
“Mind your tongue,” Audrey cald coolly
Lucis pursed her lips, thinking. I’ve been through the batera d’expry to the
“If babies aren’t thoroughly examined at birth, conditionc like wakkes dugars or tone might not be atleed until they’re a bit sider.
And sometimes, baby Boys can have lesues with their private parts. What an ungrateful Brati
Lucia tucked the boses under the babies, forcing & site. “Wish you good health and to grow up safe and sound.
“Thanks on behalf of the kids,” Amelia said pointedly. Not giving Lucia any chance for pratensa, Amelia picked up the boss and tore them pen Farsaff
She held the boxes and showed Audrey the contents.
Audrey sneered.
Lucia clenched her fists, struggling to hold back her anger.
“What kind of so–called high–society lady is she? How rude. How could she open gifts for the babies? It’s the thought that counts Lucia fimed ineedy
“Let this be a precedent. If anyone ever expects gifts from you in the future, just make a token gesture like this.” Amelia said pointedly to
Then she handed the boxes to Sylvie. “Log these for the record. Lucia gave the kids empty boxes.”
Lucia’s cheeks burned with shame.
Lucia hurriedly explained, “They’re not empty! My card was locked by the bank, I’ll make it up to the kids as soon as it’s unlocked.”
Amelia said coolly, “Come back and we’ll update the record once you’ve actually made it up.”
Lucia shot Audrey a resentful glare, as if saying, “Seriously? You’re just going to stand there and let these outsiders pick on your mother without saying word?”
Audrey understood perfectly well, but she couldn’t be bothered to respond.
Audrey said, ‘You’ve seen the babies. Get out now.”
Just as Lucia was about to leave, she heard the nanny gasp in surprise. She turned and saw a baby’s tiny hand poking out from the swaddling clothes.
Three massive solid gold bracelets adorned the baby’s chubby little arm.
The gold bracelets were so heavy they slid down from the baby’s tiny wrist to her shoulder.
“Don’t flaunt your wealth. Tuck it back in,” Amelia said with a practiced smile, gently attempting to slide the baby girl’s hand back into the swaddle.
Lucia’s eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.
That baby wasn’t just wearing three chunky gold bracelets on her little wrist but even had a massive gold lock around her neck.
Lucia thought, ‘Those gold bracelets are really big, and that gold lock must weigh at least 0.7 ounces. And whoever sent it has to give all three kids.
‘This is not just a party. It’s more like a shameless cash grab
Lucia hesitated. “Audrey, I know I might be overstepping here, but…”
“Then shut up,” Audrey cut her off sharply. She opened the door and motioned for Lucia to leave.
Amelia stayed behind with the three babies. Lucia, after wrestling with her thoughts on the sofa, finally spoke up, “Do you really have to be so showy?
08.52 Sat
Chapter 399
“Your wedding was already the talk of the town, and now you’re throwing such an extravagant party for the babies. Aren’t you afraid of public criticism?.
Audrey smirked. “Criticize what? I have three babies through my own efforts. I gave gifts to the guests before, and they’re giving me back. What’s the problem? Even those who haven’t given yet will do so eventually.”
Lucia said, “Don’t you know that standing out makes you a target? Can you honestly guarantee your company is spotless? If the media catches even a minor slip–up, you’ll face public backlash.”
Audrey retorted, “You sold the same property to multiple buyers, which is clearly fraud. Isn’t that a serious crime? Why haven’t they arrested you yet?”
Lucia’s face cycled between ashen and livid, a tempest of emotions playing across her features.
She cast a quick glance at the nursery, her voice dropping slightly. “What else could I do? You kept hounding me for money I couldn’t afford. Then you humiliated me, making me lose face in front of Logan.”
“You asked Logan to give me money, yet I never saw a penny of it, and now you expect my gratitude?” Audrey replied.
Her gaze flicked to the scars on Lucia’s neck. Scars remained where she’d been scratched before.
Lucia raised her hand as if to block out the past. “Let’s not dredge up old history. What’s the point? Even if I divorce Logan, I’m still your mother. You still have to take care of me.”
Her gaze lingered on the bangle on Audrey’s wrist, then moved to the enormous emerald pendant around her neck. It was hard for her to tear her eyes
away.
Lucia said, “I’ve moved out of Winifred Manor. You have to support me now. I’m not asking for much. Just give me 150 thousand dollars now.”
“Then take me to court,” Audrey said coolly. “I’ll pay whatever the court orders.“/
Lucia’s eyes flashed with fury. She snapped, “Are you really going to make things ugly between us? If word gets out you’re neglecting your own mother, it’ll be a PR disaster for your brand.”
Audrey merely smiled, letting the silence speak volumes.
Lucia thought, ‘I’d rather Audrey just argue with me. At least then I could let off some steam. But this? It’s like punching cotton. All this frustration is just suffocating.”
She knew Audrey had a formidable legal team–if it came to a lawsuit, she didn’t stand a chance.
“I’m talking to you nicely. Can’t you be a bit more sensible? Fine, 70,000 dollars will do,” Lucia added.
She thought, ‘Clayton is really breathing down my neck. If I don’t give him some money soon to keep him quiet, I’m afraid he’ll hand over the evidence directly to Audrey.‘
Lucia said, “At least 40,000. You know the lifestyle I’m used to. I can’t keep it exactly the same, but I can’t live like a pauper either. Ho keep up appearances and socialize?”
supposed to
Audrey stayed perfectly calm, her eyes giving nothing away, “Your living standards? That’s something you should discuss with your husband. My
oblig
