Chapter 332: Chapter 324

Maria Carter’s pupils suddenly contracted, and she stared intently at the laptop screen.

In the video, the corridor of the Magistrate’s Manor was resplendent, with Rainny White in a light green qipao helping a slightly intoxicated Carlos towards the lounge.

Carlos’ suit jacket hung casually over his arm, his tie loosely draped, as their figures gradually overlapped in the shot.

“This can’t be…” Maria’s voice quivered, her nails leaving several white marks on the leather sofa’s armrest.

She abruptly looked up, meeting Rainny White’s tearful eyes—eyes clearly hiding a glint of triumphant pleasure.

Evan Palmer timely sighed,

“The latter part of the video is missing due to a circuit malfunction.

But the tech department has verified that this video is undoubtedly real. Rainny White’s pregnancy timeline completely matches; this child is indeed of Carter Family bloodline.”

Rainny White sobbed on cue, twisting the hem of her garment with her slender fingers.

She had deliberately worn a loose maternity dress today, her slightly protruding belly particularly conspicuous under the soft light.

“Since it’s of Carter Family bloodline,”

Evan Palmer’s leather shoes made a muffled sound as they pressed into the carpet,

“she should move into Cloud Lake Villa to peacefully nurture her pregnancy.” He gestured to the butler, “Prepare a guest room.”

“Hold on.”

A cold female voice came from outside.

Everyone turned to see Mrs. Carter walking in, dressed in a dark green velvet gown, her eyes gleaming with cold light.

Despite the dark circles revealing her sleepless night, her straightened back and sharp gaze still exuded the fierceness she commanded in the business world years ago.

“Mom…” Maria hurried to greet her, only to be stopped by her mother’s raised hand.

Mrs. Carter’s gaze swept over Rainny White like a knife.

This seemingly fragile girl instinctively protected her belly at that moment, with a gleam in her eyes signifying ambition rather than fear.

“A video without beginning or end—do you expect me to believe Carlos would betray Emily?”

Mrs. Carter’s voice was icy. She knew her son too well; the youthful follies had ended completely after meeting Emily Parker.

Rainny White’s tears rolled down instantly,

“Old Lady Carter…”

She looked pleadingly at Lady Palmer, like a frightened rabbit.

“Nonsense!”

Lady Palmer’s cane banged heavily on the marble floor, shaking the tea set on the coffee table with a jingling sound,

“Do you intend to let Carter Family bloodline drift outside?”

Suddenly, a fierce wind whipped outside, sweeping away leaves that brushed against the floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a delicate sound.

Mrs. Carter stood motionless, her dress hem slightly fluttering in the crosswind.

“I will personally contact the Magistrate’s Manor for verification.”

She spoke word by word, “Until then—”

“No need to verify.”

Evan Palmer abruptly interrupted, pulling out a document from his briefcase, “This is the genetic testing report, using the hair sample from Carlos’ comb.” He smirked as if victory was at hand, “The result shows that the fetus in Rainny White’s belly highly matches Carlos’ genes.”

Mrs. Carter’s hand trembled slightly as she received the document.

The bright red official seal and dense data on the report stung her eyes.

In her peripheral vision, Rainny White caressed her belly surreptitiously, her lips curled in a faint, snake-like smile that was chilling.

“You may retest the sample.”

Evan Palmer adjusted his cuff, his voice full of false sincerity, “But the result will be the same.”

The living room fell into a deep silence.

Maria saw her mother’s upright figure shake slightly; she rushed forward to support her only to touch something icy.

Outside, thick clouds gradually obscured the sunlight, casting the whole living room in a gloomy shadow.

Rainny White took the opportunity to lean closer to Lady Palmer, her fingers unconsciously stroking the leather sofa—soon, all this luxury would be hers.

She dropped her gaze to cover her greed, then looked up with that same pitiful expression.

The guardian of truth

Mrs. Carter’s figure suddenly trembled, and the test report silently slipped from her hand.

The pain of losing her son was like a thousand arrows piercing her heart; now this sudden “bloodline proof” felt like salt being rubbed into her bleeding wounds.

“Mom!”

Maria hurriedly supported her trembling mother, resentment blazing in the young girl’s eyes like never before,

“Evan Palmer! How long do you intend to torment us?”

Her voice had a sobbing tone, yet each word was like a knife,

“Doesn’t years of marital affection with Mom even matter to you?”

Evan Palmer straightened his tie, showing no emotion on his face.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto his sharply defined side profile but couldn’t penetrate his icy eyes.

“I’m simply preserving the Carter Family bloodline.” His tone was terrifyingly calm, even his lips bore a smirk of assured victory.

“Genetic testing reports aren’t entirely reliable.”

A clear, cold voice came from the direction of the spiral staircase.

Everyone turned to see Emily Parker descending slowly. She wore simple home attire, her belly showing an obvious curve, her pale face devoid of any color, except for her startlingly bright eyes.

Mrs. Carter and Maria both trembled, their eyes flashing with a complex blend of guilt and hope.

Meanwhile, Rainny White instinctively straightened her spine, her fingers unknowingly twisting her clothes hem tighter.

“What do you mean by that?” Evan Palmer snorted coldly, his gaze maliciously fixated on Emily Parker.

Emily didn’t answer immediately.

She walked to Mrs. Carter’s side, gently holding her mother-in-law’s cold hand, then turned to Evan Palmer: “What I mean is let her give birth first.”

Maria and Mrs. Carter were simultaneously stunned, staring incredulously at Emily.

Her slender fingers gently rested on her pronounced belly, yet she stood erect like a pine tree, as if all her vulnerabilities had transformed into armor at this moment.

Evan Palmer furrowed his brow, clearly caught off guard by Emily’s sudden concession.

He squinted, scrutinizing this seemingly fragile daughter-in-law, trying to find flaws in her calm expression.

“At least you have some conscience.”

Lady Palmer nodded in satisfaction, her dragon-head cane lightly tapped the carpet twice,

“Then it’s settled, let’s—”

“Wait.”

Emily suddenly interrupted, her voice clear as frost,

“The child can be born, but she can’t move into Cloud Lake Villa.”

She lifted her eyelids, her gaze like a blade piercing Rainny White, “That’s my bottom line.”

Rainny White trembled under the piercing gaze.

“Additionally,” Emily continued, each word like an ice pick driving into everyone’s heart, “Before the child is born, do not disturb us again. Otherwise, as Carlos’ lawful wife, I have the right to sue to strip this illegitimate child of all inheritance rights.”

The living room became frighteningly quiet instantly.

Rainny White’s face turned instantly ashen, her carefully manicured nails digging deep into her palm.

She sought Evan Palmer for help, only to find he was glaring at Emily Parker, the usually gentle woman, whose shining eyes reminded him of Old Master Carter.

After a long time, Evan Palmer finally uttered a good word, unwillingly leaving Cloud Lake Villa with Lady Palmer and Rainny White.