NovelFinishChapter 319 Eleanor sat stiffly on the sofa opposite Mrs. Fitzgerald, her posture just a bit too formal, her hands folded tightly in her lap. She could feel the chill of Deanna Fitzgerald's hostility even before a word was spoken.
Still, for Isadora's sake-for her daughter-she had to try. She owed her that much.
With a small, ingratiating smile, Eleanor began, "Mrs. Fitzgerald, I've heard so much about you over the years. It's truly an honor to finally meet you. I brought a little token of my respect-please accept it." She opened the velvet box she'd been holding and gently slid it across the polished coffee table.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtInside was an exquisite emerald bracelet, deep green and sparkling, clearly an antique of extraordinary value. Deanna took a slow sip of her Earl Grey, her gaze barely flickering toward the bracelet. Her expression remained unchanged-impenetrable and cold.
To think she could buy my favor with a piece of jewelry, Deanna thought with disdain. How little she understands the Fitzgerald family.
"Enough. If you've got something to say, say it. My tis valuable." Deanna's tone was clipped, her patience already wearing thin.
Eleanor tried to keep her smile in place. "It's about our children. My daughter Isadora and Mr. Fitzgerald have grown quite fond of each other. I ctoday hoping you might give them a chance." Deanna gave a short, derisive laugh and finally looked Eleanor in the eye. "Not as clueless as I thought. What, you think a handful of rundown shopping centers means the Vaughan family can marry into ours?" She leaned forward, her voice icy. "Letmake this clear: people like you aren't even fit to polish our shoes." Eleanor had braced herself for this, but the words still stung. She gripped her hands together, willing herself to stay composed.
"I understand how important family background is to someone like you, Mrs. Fitzgerald," she said quietly. "But sometimes, happiness finds its own way. I only hope you'll let them make their own choices." Deanna set her teacup down with a sharp click, her lips pressed into a thin line.
"And who are you to lecture me?" Her voice was like steel. "Take my advice and keep your daughter away from my grandson-or you can kiss those little malls of yours goodbye." With that, Eleanor was dismissed-ushered out of the Fitzgeralds' imposing front gates. As the heavy iron doors clanged shut behind her, she stood on the curb, a knot of worry tightening in her chest. She thought of Isadora, of the secret she carried.
Eleanor had hoped to gauge the Fitzgeralds' reaction and, if they showed any sign of softening, reveal that Isadora was pregnant. But after seeing Deanna's attitude, she knew it was hopeless.
After Eleanor left, the butler quietly led a man in black through the side entrance. Dressed head to toe in dark clothes, hood pulled up, he stopped respectfully in front of Mrs. Fitzgerald and reported in a low voice. Deanna's eyes widened in shock, then narrowed to furious slits. "What did you say? Pregnant?" "Well, that explains why that woman cbegging just now. She's here because Isadora's pregnant." The butler hesitated. "So what now, ma'am? Are you going to let her marry the young master?" Deanna's jaw clenched. "Marrying up because of a baby? The Vaughans can forget it." "But... the child is your grandson's," the butler ventured.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Enough!" Deanna cut him off sharply. Her glare was ice-cold. "We don't even know for sure if it's his." "So, what should we do?" She was silent a moment, thinking, then let out a cold, humorless laugh.
"Isadora is clever, I'll give her that-making a deal withto take m the shares and promise to leave Victor, then turning around and getting herself pregnant. I won't have someone so calculating in this family."
"But since she's carrying the child, let her give birth. We'll do a DNA 'll do a DNA test. If the baby's truly a Fitzgerald, we'll take the child for ourselves." The butler nodded, understanding her instructions. "As you wish, ma'am."
Since Terrell had introduced Isadora to the specialists at Allerton, the two had grown a bit closer. Terrell knew that Isadora, having recently taken over Vaughan Galleria, faced a steep learning curve and needed to make industry connections. He often arranged for her to attend business meetings and networking events, seeing she had plenty of opportunities to learn and grow.
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