Chapter 138 Chapter 138
“We couldn't force him to love. He lived for his work, and I began to fear he would end up alone. But look at him now... Married! I can finally lift this weight off my shoulders.”
The lady squeezed Caroline's hand affectionately and declared, loud enough for everyone to hear: “I trust my grandson's judgment.” If Nick chose you, then you are undoubtedly the perfect choice.“
Then, with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, the grandmother dropped the bomb: ”Now, I just wish for you to live happily ever after and... try to give me a great-grandchild as soon as possible. The clock is ticking!"
Caroline froze.
A great-grandchild?!
Her face instantly burst into flames. She was speechless, looking at Nicholas with a plea for help in her eyes.
But help did not come in the way she expected.
Nicholas smiled, amused by his wife's shyness. Instead of changing the subject, he approached her, put his arm around her shoulders, and pulled her into a firm, possessive embrace.
He kissed the top of her head, inhaling her scent, and replied to his grandmother in a hoarse voice full of promise:
“Don't worry, Grandma. We'll do our best.”
Caroline felt her legs buckle.
We'll do our best?!
She raised her head abruptly, glaring at him. But when she met his gaze, her anger evaporated.
Nicholas's eyes were fixed on her, overflowing with a tenderness and warmth she had never seen before. At that moment, it seemed as if the rest of the room had disappeared. Only the two of them existed.
Caroline's heart raced, beating wildly against her ribs.
Meanwhile, on the opposite sofa, Sheila watched the scene as if she were living a nightmare.
Nicholas' kindness, his protective embrace, his passionate gaze... every gesture was a stab to her ego.
She realized with growing horror that Nicholas was not acting.
He truly loved Caroline.
At first, Sheila had deluded herself into thinking it was a marriage of convenience, or perhaps revenge. But she had known Nicholas for twenty years. He was too proud to feign affection. If he didn't care, he would be cold and distant, even if he were married.
But there he was, melting over his wife in front of everyone.
Sheila clenched her teeth, feeling the bitter taste of envy. She never imagined that the “Lone Wolf” could love someone... and that someone wasn't her.
“Very good! That's what I like to hear!” Grandma clapped her hands, delighted with the couple's chemistry. Seeing her grandson looking at her daughter-in-law that way, she smiled with satisfaction.
It seemed that the arrival of a great-grandchild was more certain than she had imagined.
"Carol, come with me. Let me introduce you to them.“ Nicholas put his arm protectively around Caroline's waist, guiding her toward the middle-aged woman and the young woman beside her. ”This is my mother, and this is Sheila, whom you've already met."
Caroline looked at them, her face slightly flushed with shyness.
For a split second, Caroline froze. Was it her imagination, or did she see a flash of revulsion in Mrs. Wolf's eyes?
The look was so quick that in the next instant it had disappeared, replaced by a mask of politeness.
Mrs. Wolf smiled, looking approachable and elegant. "When Mozart mentioned that Nick had brought his wife, Mom and I were shocked. We thought he was joking. Who would have thought he was telling the truth?
She examined Caroline with a critical eye disguised as curiosity. “You're Carol, right? You seem like a nice girl.
”Aunt...“ Caroline began, but then remembered Nicholas's correction and quickly amended, ”I mean... Mom.
The moment the word “Mom” left her lips, Mrs. Wolf's smile faltered visibly. Her eyes hardened.
But she regained her composure in the blink of an eye. "Although I have no idea what Mom gave you, I'm sure it was something better than what I can offer right now. Nick's wedding was so sudden... Since he didn't give us any warning, I didn't have time to prepare a proper gift.
With that, she began to unfasten a bracelet from her own wrist. It was a piece of imperial jade, deep and marbled green, worth a fortune.
She held the jewel out to Caroline. "I really love this bracelet; it's one of my favorites. But I'm giving it to you now. I hope you won't despise it for being worn.
Sheila, watching closely, widened her eyes. Was Mrs. Wolf really giving away that bracelet?
But Sheila soon understood the ploy. Mrs. Wolf didn't like Caroline. She was only doing this to keep up appearances in front of the Matriarch and Nicholas. And by emphasizing how much she “loved” the bracelet, she was setting a social trap: if Caroline accepted it, she would look greedy for taking something precious from her mother-in-law.
Caroline, sensing the nuance, was shocked and shook her head quickly. “Mom, I can't accept it. If it's something you like so much, I wouldn't dare take it from you.”
Accepting such a personal and beloved item would be rude. Caroline knew she was walking on eggshells.
However, the old lady, who was watching everything with eagle eyes, intervened.
“Carol, accept it,” ordered the matriarch, with a smile that brooked no argument. "This is a gesture of affection from Nick's mother.
She is only willing to part with something she loves because she likes you. If you refuse, she may think you have some prejudice against her."
Mrs. Wolf froze, speechless.
She felt that her mother-in-law had done this on purpose. The old fox had cornered her.
In fact, Mrs. Wolf's heart was bleeding. She didn't want to part with that jade. She only said she loved it to make the girl back down in embarrassment.
But now, with the matriarch's intervention, refusal had become impossible.
As Mrs. Wolf had feared, Caroline hesitated for a few seconds, looked to Nicholas for support, and, seeing him nod, reached out her hand.
“Thank you... Mother,” Caroline said politely, slipping the expensive jewel onto her wrist.
Mrs. Wolf forced a smile, but inside she was crying with rage. She had lost her favorite bracelet to the intruder.