CHAPTER 131: CHAPTER 131: THE ELDEST GRANDSON

Jean Ellison knocked on the door of the editor-in-chief’s office and only entered when she heard a "come in" from inside.

Leah Sutton was sitting behind the large desk, processing emails on the computer screen without looking up.

Sunlight slanted in through the blinds behind her, outlining her in a halo of light, making her look exceptionally composed.

"Editor-in-Chief Sutton, here is the draft and schedule for next week’s Entrepreneur Summit interview. Please take a look."

Jean placed a folder gently on the desk, her voice steady, revealing no emotion.

Leah finally raised her eyes, scanned the folder, and then looked at Jean, replying lightly, "Hmm, just leave it here."

She didn’t flip through it immediately but instead seemed to remember something and picked up her phone, casually scrolling through the screen with her fingers.

"The hospital just sent a message," Leah’s tone was calm, her gaze still on the phone screen, "saying that the embryo cultivation is stable, and transplantation can be arranged in a few days."

She paused, a somewhat ambiguous smile tugging at her lips, and added, "I used Mrs. Holden’s identity to make the appointment, everything went smoothly."

Jean’s body stiffened ever so slightly.

Even though she had mentally prepared herself, hearing this news firsthand, especially the words "Mrs. Holden," still filled her heart with pain.

Her fingers hung by her side tightened subtly, her nails digging deep into her palm, using the pain to force herself to maintain outward calm.

Her expression didn’t change, only her eyelashes trembled slightly.

"Alright." She heard her own dry voice ringing out without any ripple, "Congratulations on getting what you wished for."

Leah seemed satisfied with her reaction, finally lifting her eyes from the phone, her gaze scrutinizing Jean’s face for two seconds, dismissively waving her hand, "That’s all, you can go back to work."

Jean nodded, turned around, and walked towards the door.

Her hand paused as she gripped the cool metal doorknob, not turning back, her voice still calm, only asking an unrelated question.

"Editor-in-Chief Sutton, has the exact date been set for reporting to headquarters next month? I need to book the flight in advance."

Leah raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by the sudden question but answered, "Tentatively set around the 15th of next month, the final notification will be issued a week in advance."

"Alright. Thank you."

Jean pulled the door open, walked out, and gently closed it behind her.

The moment the door closed, her straight spine momentarily slackened but soon straightened again.

She walked quickly back to her workstation, sat down, and took a big sip of water from her cup, the cold liquid flowing down her throat but unable to extinguish the burning pain in her heart.

In the office, Leah watched Jean leave and the little bit of relaxation on her face instantly disappeared.

She picked up her phone again, opening the unread message from the private reproductive center doctor, the content far from as relaxed as she had just said.

"Miss Sutton, the preliminary results of the embryo genetic screening have come out."

"The situation is not very optimistic. There is a high rejection risk in the genetic compatibility between you and Mr. Holden, among the three successfully cultivated embryos, two show significant chromosomal abnormalities and are not recommended for transplantation."

"The only remaining embryo also has borderline indicators, with potential defect risks. The success rate of implantation is low, and even if successful, the risks during pregnancy and the probability of fetal health problems are far above normal levels."

"Our clinic strongly advises against you proceeding with the transplantation, please consider carefully."

Leah stared at those cold lines of text on the screen, her expression gradually turning grim, her fingers unconsciously tightening.

Rejection, abnormality, defect risk.

These words pierced her eyes like needles.

She couldn’t accept this. She had exhausted all her efforts, even going so far as to...

How could she end up with this result? She absolutely couldn’t bear to have a defective, unhealthy child.

That wouldn’t be the ace to the Holden family but would instead become a lifelong stain and laughingstock.

But if she gave up this last embryo, what did she have left?

Justin Holden was growing increasingly distant from her, and although the Holden family was happy to see her advancing, there was still no substantive progress. She couldn’t wait any longer.

After pondering for a moment, her gaze turned serene.

In fact, as long as she got pregnant, it would be enough.

As long as the embryo successfully implanted, once conceived, who could tell good from bad in the early stages?

As long as she made good use of the early pregnancy period to expedite the marriage and secure the title of Mrs. Holden.

By then, even if problems were discovered later, an accidental miscarriage could be arranged.

Her gaze turned cold and resolute.

She was willing to take on the risk.

As long as she could achieve her goal.

She quickly typed a reply to the doctor on her phone.

"Arrange for the transplant. I will take responsibility for all consequences of the last embryo."

A few days later, in the VIP passageway of the private hospital.

Leah walked out, her face quite pale, looking utterly weak.

She instinctively pressed her hand gently against her lower abdomen.

Zoe Holden’s car had long been waiting outside.

Seeing her come out, Zoe rolled down the car window and waved at her.

Leah got into the passenger seat and fastened her seat belt.

The car drove smoothly out of the hospital. The atmosphere inside the car was somewhat oppressive.

Zoe held the steering wheel, eyes fixed ahead, silent for a long time before speaking slowly, with a tone clear with worry and disapproval.

"Do you really have to do this?"

"Zoe," Leah interrupted her, her tone firm, even with a trace of obsession, "I have no other path left. I’ve liked Justin for so many years, waiting from my early twenties until now, almost thirty. How many more five years can I wait for? If I wait any longer, he won’t even look at me."

She turned her head, looked at Zoe, her eyes filled with plea.

"Just help me this once, keep it a secret for me, okay? Just let me get pregnant, and let me marry into the Holden family smoothly. Whatever happens later, I will accept."

Zoe’s brow furrowed tightly, and she sighed.

"I’m not unwilling to help you, it’s just that this thing is too risky, and as for Justin, you know his temper, he despises being deceived, especially with matters like this. If he finds out that you..."

Zoe didn’t finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear.

Justin is not the type to be easily bound by a child; if the truth comes out, the consequences will be unimaginable.

"He will find out eventually, but even a tiger doesn’t eat its cub. He won’t ask me to abort the child."

Leah anxiously grabbed Zoe’s arm, her voice trembling with nervousness.

"Sis, I beg you, this is my only chance."

Zoe looked at Leah’s nearly pleading eyes and thought of her years of persistence and sacrifice, feeling a mix of emotions.

She finally sighed heavily and shook her head helplessly.

"You really are crazy."

She didn’t say anything else, which was taken as tacit approval of her actions, but the anxiety on her face didn’t diminish in the least.

As for our parents, they’re easy to handle; they won’t inquire whether the child was conceived naturally or through IVF. But Justin, he should have a clear idea of how this child came to be.

I took him for a check-up one moment, and Leah got pregnant the next; he doesn’t need an investigation to guess what happened.

Now, she felt a bit scared; she feared Justin leaving the Holden family, knowing she went too far.

Justin isn’t the Holden family’s biological son, and if he’s pushed too hard, what if he cuts ties with the Holden family? Our parents only have one son and place great importance on him, counting on him to carry on the family line.

The car merged into the traffic, heading towards the Holden villa.

Leah leaned against the back of the seat, still gently holding her abdomen, her eyes gazing at the speeding streetscape outside the window.

But Zoe’s brows remained furrowed.

She understood her brother; this matter couldn’t possibly be as simple as Leah thought.

In the Holden villa’s living room, the afternoon sun was just right.

Zoe accompanied Leah on the sofa, the atmosphere tense and delicate.

Mrs. Holden had just come down from upstairs and, upon seeing Leah, showed her usual gentle smile.

"Leah, you’re here? You look a bit tired today; have you been working too hard?"

Zoe took a deep breath, held her mother’s hand to have her sit down, and tried to drop a bombshell as lightly as possible: "Mom, there’s something I need to tell you and Dad. Leah is pregnant."

"What?" Mrs. Holden’s smile froze instantly, turning into utter astonishment as she looked at Leah’s flat abdomen, then at her daughter, her eyes filled with incredulous doubt, "Pregnant? When did this happen, and is it our Justin’s?"

Her first reaction wasn’t joy but shock and suspicion.

She somewhat knew her son’s attitude towards Leah—cold and distant, there was no warmth between them.

Zoe quickly nodded to confirm, "Of course it’s Justin’s, who else’s would it be?"

As she spoke, she subtly squeezed Leah’s hand.

Leah appropriately lowered her head, her face blushing with shyness, and said softly, "Yes, Auntie, it’s Justin’s child."

Mrs. Holden stared at them dumbfounded, processing the sudden news.

She suddenly grabbed Leah’s hand, her voice trembling with excitement.

"Really? Oh my goodness, this is—this is truly wonderful news."

She laughed heartily, the wrinkles around her eyes smoothing out.

"Such great blessings, really double blessings, Zoe just got pregnant, and Leah, you too; our Holden family is truly going to prosper."

She enthusiastically turned to Mr. Holden, who had just come out of the study hearing the commotion, and raised her voice.

"Did you hear? Leah’s pregnant, with our Justin’s child, we are going to have a grandchild."

Unlike his wife’s boundless excitement, Mr. Holden seemed much calmer.

His sharp gaze lingered on Leah’s face for a moment, then shifted to his joyous wife and slightly uncertain-eyed daughter, his brows furrowing slightly.

As a businessman, he was accustomed to caution and skepticism.

He knew his son’s character well and was clear that he had no intention towards Leah.

The child came too suddenly and too "coincidentally."

Even if it really was Justin’s child, the conception process likely wasn’t entirely aboveboard.

Justin probably didn’t know about it.

But he didn’t voice these doubts, merely nodded steadily, speaking calmly: "Yes, it’s a good thing. Now that she’s pregnant, she should take good care of herself."

Mrs. Holden was completely immersed in the joy of new additions to the family, paying no mind to her husband’s subtle reaction.

She stood up immediately, bustling about.

"Nanny Lawson, Nanny Lawson."

She called out loudly for the old servant of the house.

"Come over here, from today onwards, Miss Sutton is the most important person in our family. Drop whatever you’re doing and focus on taking care of Miss Sutton’s diet and daily life, be extra careful."

She hurried towards the kitchen.

"I must personally see to it, from now on, Leah’s meals have to be specially prepared, with the most nutritious and refined ingredients; no cold or blood-activating foods."

She arranged these as she walked, beaming with joy, the happiness palpable.

"Oh, it really is a blessing, having two kids at once, I’m so thrilled I don’t even know what to do, Leah, in the future you should stay here often instead of running back and forth. If there’s anything you’d like to eat or need, just tell Auntie."

Mrs. Holden’s attitude towards Leah changed drastically; from the previously courteous yet somewhat distant "social acquaintance’s niece," Leah had instantly become a key figure to be protected, practically confirming her status as the Holden family’s daughter-in-law.

After all, she carried within her the Holden family’s precious eldest grandson.

Leah looked at Mrs. Holden, busy and elated, lowered her head, her lips curling into a slight smile, her hand gently caressing her abdomen.

Mr. Holden sat silently in his place, sipping his tea, his gaze distant, a hint of concern in his eyes.

"Does Justin know about this?"

He suddenly spoke, directing his question towards Zoe.