Chapter 948

"I've been swamped lately." Evelyn Carter gently touched her rounded belly, a trace of weariness flickering between her brows. "Prenatal checkup tomorrow, picking up Grandma Dempsey from the hospital the day after, and then..."

Alexander Hamilton discreetly slipped the bank card back into her dress pocket. "No rush. We can update the details after the baby arrives."

The Wilson family's birthday banquet was lavish yet tasteful. Given the elderly patriarch's advanced age, most guests tactfully departed after lunch. Only a few close family friends lingered. Alexander held little Chloe's hand as he and Evelyn bid farewell to Elder Wilson.

"Bye-bye, Great-Grandpa!" The toddler waved with childish sweetness. The old man's eyes crinkled with delight. "If only those two useless grandsons of mine could give me a great-granddaughter like this."

Gregory Wilson kept his gaze lowered, while Vincent Wilson pretended not to hear while glancing around. Bringing home an illegitimate child would likely give the old man a stroke on the spot.

"What are you waiting for? Escort our guests!" The patriarch's glare sent both brothers trudging toward the door. Vincent sighed dramatically, missing the troubled shadow in his elder brother's eyes when he looked back.

Once alone, Elder Wilson finally addressed the elephant in the room: "The family legacy needs an heir. Since Vincent is hopeless, Gregory must step up."

Alexander nodded understandingly. "Don't worry, Uncle Wilson. I haven't forgotten."

But the old man turned to Evelyn. "I heard Gregory once fancied a doctor from your hospital? Perhaps you could..."

Evelyn's fingers twitched, nearly spilling her tea. "I... don't know much about that."

Alexander smoothly intervened. "That doctor is already married with three children." He adopted a regretful tone. "Gregory met her during a marital rough patch. After she reconciled with her husband, the matter..."

Evelyn sipped her tea, the tips of her ears turning pink. The fabricated story was so seamless even she almost believed it.

"Enough." The elder sighed deeply. "You young people... I just hope Gregory moves on soon." His gnarled fingers traced the dragon head carving on his cane. "His mother and I fell in love at first sight—married within eight months. This prolonged melancholy must be heartbreak."

In the car home, Evelyn watched trees blur past the window. "Lying to Elder Wilson like this..."

"Better than the truth." Alexander turned the steering wheel. "If he learned Gregory's feelings were for you, his blood pressure would skyrocket."

At a luxury boutique, Alexander bought Chloe an eternal rose glass globe. Evelyn gasped at the five-figure price tag. "That's excessive."

"Just this once." He squeezed the toddler's chubby hand as she rolled the delicate orb like a toy, oblivious to its symbolism of everlasting love.

Evelyn frowned. "We can't indulge her. When she starts preschool—"

"I know." Alexander cut in. "But some things, I want to give her the best." His gaze flickered to her abdomen before darting away. Sunset light through the window dappled his profile in shifting patterns.