Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Margaret didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she instructed her maid to prepare her a cup of tea. Once the maid had left, Margaret began to speak. “My illness… if I went to the hospital, it would bring nothing but shame to the entire Swanson family.”

Maria was bewildered. “What do you mean by that?”

Margaret sighed heavily and pulled back her blanket. “See for yourself,” she said.

Maria looked down, her eyes widening in shock. “Your… your stomachi”

Margaret’s abdomen was rounded and swollen, resembling a woman who was about to give birth.

Maria was frozen in disbelief. So Margaret isn’t sick; she is pregnant? At eighty years old?”

In that moment, it all made sense–the guards at the door, Margaret’s reluctance to seek hospital care, the potential scandal it could cause. If this news leaked, it would tamish the Swanson family’s reputation irreparably.

It took a while for Maria to collect herself. With tears welling up, she took Margaret’s hand. “Margaret, please, tell me everything. Who did this

to you?”

“No one,” Margaret replied, her eyes brimming with tears. “I’m nearing the end of my life. Who would…? Her voice was laden with shame; it seemed unthinkable that someone would target her, given her status.

“So, what’s really going on? Have you seen a doctor? Could it be some other illness?” Maria asked.

Margaret wiped a tear from her eye and shook her head. “Thaven’t seen a doctor. My symptoms are similar to those of pregnancy–nausea, vomiting, feeling like something’s moving inside me… It’s almost certainly that. If I went to a doctor and the news got out, the Swanson family would be ruined.”

“I used to enjoy long baths; perhaps something happened then…” She trailed off, clearly reluctant to discuss the topic further.

Her vulnerability was apparent. If not for Maria, her closest confidant, Margaret wouldn’t have disclosed such a secret.

“But you really should see a doctor,” Maria insisted, sensing the issue was more complex than it appeared.

Margaret gripped Maria’s hand, pleading, “Just talking to you has helped a lot. Please, don’t make me see a doctor. I’m not just thinking about myself–I’m doing this for our family.”

Understanding Margaret’s fears, Maria ceased her urging. She realized that even the most discreet doctor might not keep this explosive secret, given the stakes involved.

“If you truly are pregnant, what will you do about the baby?” Maria inquired.

“…I don’t know,” Margaret replied, her voice filled with despair. Seeing her friend so despondent broke Maria’s heart.

Then, suddenly, her eyes turned hopeful as if she had just been with an ingenious idea. “I might have a solution, but I’m not sure if you’ll be willing to hear it.”

“Go ahead,” Margaret urged.

Maria said, “I have a granddaughter named Melody. When we were younger, we had arranged a marriage between her and your second grandson. Maybe she could marry into your family and we could adjust the child’s birthdate? It would legitimize the baby, and they could rightfully carry the Swanson name:

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Chapter 24

She was genuinely concerned about her friend but also saw this as a chance to secure a brighter future for Melody

Your granddaughter Margaret pondered for a moment, then recognition dawned “Ah, I remember now! How old is she?”

“She just turned twenty,” responded Maria.

Margaret’s lips twitched with excitement. “Good, very good. Let’s go with your plan. After the banquet, bring her to see me.”

Maria’s heart fluttered. She was more than happy to agree

At that moment, Margaret’s maid, Lucy, entered the room. “Madam, your son has returned and wishes to see you. He’s at the door… shall Het

him in?”

A mix of emotions flashed across Margaret’s features. “I’m tired. I need to rest.”

Lucy quickly understood the dismissal and relayed it to Ken at the door, “Sir, the madam is resting right now. Maybe come back later?”

Ken’s expression faltered, his hope dimming “I understand,” he said, resignation lacing his tone. “Please tell her that the issue she heard about isn’t true. Whenever she feels up to it, I’m ready to explain everything

“Understood,” Lucy replied. “It’s quite lively downstairs, perhaps you could check in to see if they need any help. It is, after all, Madam’s birthday, and things might be getting quite busy.”

“Of course” Ken nodded, before turning to leave. His tall figure seemed to leave an aura of loneliness as he walked away.

Lucy waited

d until Ken’s silhouette disappeared around the corner, She let out a sigh, and returned to the room.

She relayed Ken’s message to Margaret, asking gently, “Are you sure you don’t want to see him?

“No,” Margaret replied firmly.

Maria couldn’t help but ask, “Is this about Ulric’s injury?”

Margaret didn’t want to hide the truth from Maria. “Yes, it’s really very perplexing. That boy has always had a kind heart. Others might not know it, but I do. But with the evidence being so undeniable, I can’t protect him. Given my current state, I can’t investigate it any further. The best I can do is to make sure he doesn’t worry about me.”

Maria was taken aback. She had believed the rumors that Ken was ruthless, and that he had even harmed his own brother. But now, she realized that there may have been other sides to the story.

“Alright, I am indeed quite tired. Go enjoy the birthday party downstairs. After it’s over, please bring Melody to see me,” Margaret said, her

eyes weary.

Margaret’s eyes were plagued with signs of fatigue.

Maria, having achieved her purpose, didn’t want to disturb her friend any longer. After ensuring that Margaret had properly settled in for the night, she left the room. She couldn’t wait to share the good news with her granddaughter.

Meanwhile, Ken had no intention of attending the birthday banquet. Just as he was about to return to his room, he encountered Ulric on his way back.

Ulric sat regally in his wheelchair, exuding an air of scholarly refinement. A faint glint flickered in his eyes as he saw Ken.

“Ken,” Ulric said, his voice a low murmur “you’re finally back.”

19:45 Thu, 4 Jul UGR

Ulric looked like he genuinely missed Ken. Ken, however, ignored him, intending to walk past Ulric without uttering a word.

Just as he was about to walk pass Ulric’s wheelchair, Ulric let out a chuckle. “Looks like Grandma doesn’t want to see you. After all, who would want to see someone cruel enough to cripple his own brother?”

Chapter 25