Elliot put his hand on her belly gently. âDid the baby kick you today? Is she playing nice?â
âNot bad. I'd be worried if sheâs toonice.â Anastasia held his hand. âLet's go. We're going to the hospital after we have dinner with Dad and Jared.â
âSure.â Elliot kissed her forehead and led her into the living room. Francis heaved a sigh. âYep, Iâm getting old. Even a six-year-
old kid is beating me.â
Anastasia heard everything, and she came in, smiling. âDid you lose again, Dad?â
âYeah. Jaredâs really smart. | canât win no matter what | do,â Francis admitted defeat. The boy encouraged his grandfather, âDo your best, Grandpa.â
âI'll get back to you after dinner.â Francis smiled. The child started picking up the chess pieces and tucking them away. The child was young, but he was smart, and Francis felt grateful. Unlike other kids, he would clean up after himself instead of making a mess.
It was nine when they finished dinner. Four black cars escorted Anastasia as she went to the Presgravesâ personal hospital.
Everyone was prepared for Anastasiaâs labor.
It was a merry day at Scarletâs house as well. Three families were celebrating Christmas there. It was rowdy to say the least.
Charlotte was looking at Ruka happily. She couldnât take her eyes off the girl ever since she showed up. Ruka was helping her mother and Scarlet make Christmas dinner.
Harold, Walter, and Robert were enjoying their tea as they talked about current issues. âCome, Ruka.â Charlotte beckoned to Ruka when she was serving a dish.
Ruka approached her shyly. Charlotte held her hand. She was just delighted to see the girl. Ruka was a likable lady to begin with, and her looks just checked every box Charlotte had on the list.
âCome, talk with me. We have a lot to talk about.â Charlotte took Ruka away stubbornly.
Ruka supported Charlotte, and they went into a quiet side chamber. After taking a seat, Charlotte said, âIf Ren tries to do anything stupid to you, you come to me. I'll wallop him.â
Ruka chuckled. He might be a VP, but heâs still a son at home. His mother will whip him into shape. âItâs alright, Charlotte. Heâs nice to me. Never said anything bad to me either,â she said seriously.
âGood. But well, heâs older, so | guess he knows how to love a lady.â Charlotte defended her son. It would be frustrating if Ruka complained about his age. âHe loves me.â She nodded.
Charlotte remembered something. She left for the living room and came back holding a wooden box. Then, she opened it, revealing a jade bracelet in it. The bracelet was gleaming gorgeously under the light.
âThis is a family heirloom thatâs been passed down for two centuries. Itâs invaluable, and now itâs yours.â She gently placed the box in Rukaâs hand.
Ruka was petrified. This is much too valuable! | canât take it. âCharlotte-â âDonât say no. | got it appraised, and itâs worth about this much.â She raised a single finger.
Ten million. Itâs worth ten million. Not ten thousand or a hundred thousand. Her heart skipped a beat. Itâs far too valuable for me to accept. âI... | canât take this.â She handed it back to Charlotte. âYou should keep it, Charlotte.â
âYou silly girl. What's ours is yours. If you won't take it, nobody will.â She patted the girlâs head happily. âI'll make sure Ren marries you. Iâm not going to accept any other woman as his wife.â