Chapter 16: The Watson Daughter-in-Law

Cora sat stiffly beside Julian, her heart tangled with conflicting thoughts.

Part of her wanted her grandmother to make things difficult—maybe even push the Watsons away.

But another part of her feared Ravi would go too far, humiliate them, and drag her down in the process.

Either way, the marriage would happen.

She knew it.

There was no escaping it now.

Yet deep down, a small, defiant voice whispered: Why must I surrender so easily?

Julian glanced sideways at her, reading the tension in her posture, the flicker of turmoil behind her eyes. Something in his own gaze softened.

He lowered his tone deliberately. “You’re too tense,” he said. “That isn’t good for the baby.”

Cora blinked. For a moment, she thought she’d misheard him.

So that’s what this is about, she thought bitterly.

The Watsons weren’t pampering her for her sake—it was for the child she carried.

Still, she managed a calm reply. “Don’t worry. My emotions won’t affect the baby. I’ve had worse.”

Julian frowned. He didn’t like that flat, detached version of her.

He preferred the woman in the garden—the one who smiled softly while trimming flowers, alive and unguarded.

⸻

When they reached the parlor, Cora quickly slipped her hand from his.

Julian’s fingers hesitated midair before he retracted them, expression unreadable.

Austin stepped forward and pulled out two chairs for them.

Ravi’s eyes flashed with irritation when she saw Cora sit down. Since when does she sit before her elders?

Before Ravi could scold her, Madam Yoon smiled and spoke first:

“Bring a cushion for the young madam’s back. Pregnant women shouldn’t sit too long without support.”

The room fell silent.

Pregnant?

Every Dev family member froze, disbelief written across their faces.

Madam Yoon continued pleasantly, as if she hadn’t just detonated a bomb:

“Our Cora is precious to the Watsons now. Boy or girl, this child will be the fifth-generation heir.”

Ravi’s mouth snapped shut. The rebuke she’d been about to deliver turned into a strangled laugh.

Her face burned red—yesterday she’d mocked Cora for not being able to get pregnant with a rich man.

Now the slap from reality stung worse than any cane.

She forced a laugh. “Oh, what wonderful news! I’m so happy for the children! Madam Watson, you must be so proud.”

Madam Yoon didn’t bother with niceties. She was a woman of decisions, not words.

“My grandson and your granddaughter have long been devoted to each other,” she said smoothly. “Heaven has blessed them with a child, and we intend to make things right. Here is the official marriage gift list.”

The old woman gestured. A butler stepped forward with a velvet folder.

“Eight million eight hundred eighty-eight thousand in cash,” she said matter-of-factly. “A villa worth one hundred million will be transferred to Cora’s name once the child is born. There are also jewelry pieces, bonds, and stock certificates—all registered in this document. I hope your family won’t find it too… humble.”

Humble?!

The entire Dev family stared, mouths open.

Ravi’s eyelid twitched violently at the mention of 8.88 million cash.

When she heard villa worth a hundred million, her pupils practically turned into dollar signs.

In an instant, all memory of her cruelty evaporated.

She laughed so hard her chins quivered. “Oh, Madam Watson, you’re far too generous! The children truly are a match made in heaven. Even if you brought nothing, I’d still agree, of course!”

“Good,” said Madam Yoon. “Then it’s settled.”

Her gaze sharpened, calm but commanding.

“The birth of the Watson fifth generation is a matter of great importance. I’ve already arranged a trust account under legal supervision. Once the baby is safely delivered, every cent of the fund will be released—principal and interest both.

For now, here is one million as a courtesy gift. Use it as you wish.”

At her signal, a servant stepped forward and opened a small chest in front of Ravi.

Stacks of crisp green bills gleamed under the light.

Ravi gasped audibly. Her face split into a giddy grin.

“Oh, dear Madam Watson, you’re too kind! I—well—I’ll humbly accept it, then!”

She reached for the money as though afraid it might vanish.

Meanwhile, Laura’s family—and her soon-to-be in-laws—had been pushed completely out of the room.

From the doorway, they could only watch, faces stiff with humiliation.

Just yesterday, they’d looked down on Cora as the family disgrace.

And today?

The girl they’d ridiculed as worthless had become Mrs. Watson.

The future mother of an heir.

No one dared speak.

Even the air seemed to carry the scent of money and revenge.