Chapter 384 Bargaining Chips
Naomi was a bundle of nerves.
There was a high chance the child she was carrying belonged to Christian.
48 Pearls
Nathaniel had already sent her to the hospital a few days ago, but it was too early to confirm the pregnancy. If those photos reached Nathaniel now, she was as good as dead.
“Since you know your place, stop posturing. If something like this happens again, you know what comes
next.”
Matteo’s eyes went cold.
Naomi understood that they both had leverage on each other. As long as she didn’t push things too far, Matteo wouldn’t out her either.
She quickly stood up and softened her tone. “I was just saying nonsense earlier, Mr. Matteo. Please don’t take it seriously. I promise I won’t breathe a word to Mr. Nathaniel, and I hope you’ll keep my secret too…”
She wore a pitiful expression, but with the scar on her face, it looked more grotesque than sympathetic.
Matteo couldn’t be bothered to spare her a glance. As he turned to leave, he saw Evelyn walk in with a fruit
tray.
Since Naomi was pregnant, Evelyn had been spared as well and now served as Naomi’s personal maid in the Hartwell estate.
Seeing Matteo as if he were bullying Naomi, Evelyn immediately snapped, “Naomi’s carrying your father’s biological child! No matter how displeased you are, Mr. Matteo, you should hold it in. You can’t do anything to us now. Know your place–you’re just an adopted son.”
Evelyn was certain Naomi was pregnant with a boy.
Once that child was born, Matteo would be irrelevant. She’d gotten bolder too.
Hearing such nonsense from her own mother, Naomi rushed to grab Evelyn’s arm. “Mom! Stop it.”
But Evelyn pretended not to hear and kept ranting. “Naomi, you’re the rightful lady of the house now. There’s no need to fear him! When Mr. Nathaniel returns, I’ll tell him how you were mistreated. You’re carrying his heir–you mustn’t be wronged.”
Matteo actually laughed.
But only because Evelyn was too ridiculous.
How could someone be this stupid?
He left without another word, completely ignoring the mother and daughter.
Watching Matteo walk away, Evelyn grew even more resentful.
She could still picture the moment her husband died in front of her.
Someday, she would make Matteo pay.
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Chapter 384 Bargaining Chips
“Mom, stop it! When Mr. Nathaniel comes back, don’t you dare snitch”
“What’s there to be afraid of? I’ve been around long enough to know–Mr. Nathaniel doesn’t like that adopted son of his. The way he treated you and your child? He deserves a lesson”
She was getting carried away. “Have you forgotten how he killed your father? Naomi, you don’t need to be afraid of him. This time, you’re definitely having a boy. Once the child is born, Matteo will be nothing”
“If Matteo gets mad and hands over the evidence he has on me, and Nathaniel finds out I was with another man, he’ll never believe the child is his.”
Evelyn froze. “Then why didn’t you say so earlier?”
“You were talking too fast. How was I supposed to stop you?”
Naomi was livid.
Her own mother was like a pig teammate.
She could only hope Matteo hadn’t taken Evelyn’s words to heart.
Evelyn tried to shift the subject. “Anyway, I heard Eliza broke off her engagement with Henry. That damn girl sure has luck on her side–but she’s too stupid. She had a winning hand and still managed to throw it all away. To turn down the Foster family? She doesn’t know a blessing when it’s handed to her.”
Naomi sneered. “Hmph. In our world, a woman who’s been dumped is the most worthless of all. I’d like to see who in Westbrook would dare marry Eliza now.”
“What about that Nolan? Wasn’t he really into Eliza before? Maybe-”
“No way! I already looked into it. Nolan has a fiancée–he’s engaged to a lady from the Lynn family. What you think he’s gonna throw away a sure bet just for Eliza?”
No smart man would give up guaranteed benefits for uncertainty.
The Lynn family’s daughter wasn’t bad. Word was she was sickly–marry her, wait a couple years, and when she died, he’d be free to marry again.
It was practically a windfall.
Naomi had waited so long for a chance to humiliate Eliza.
Now, she finally had the perfect excuse.
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