Chapter185 Have a Baby
The Prescott Estate.
Miranda parked her car. Even though she had sent her mother away, she couldn't stop worrying.
She took a deep breath to calm her emotions before walking into the living room.
To her surprise, Mr. Prescott was there.
Celeste sat on his left, peeling an orange with a smug look. Isabella sat on the other side, looking like a perfect, gentle lady with a cup of tea.
Miranda’s heart sank. She immediately sensed the tension in the room.
Hiding her exhaustion, she walked forward. "Grandfather," she said respectfully.
Mr. Prescott looked up. His sharp, aged eyes scanned her. He didn't answer immediately.
He was thinking about what Celeste and Isabella had told him earlier. They complained that Miranda had abandoned them at the mall.
They even had photos to prove it.
Mr. Prescott looked at his granddaughter in law. He gave a cold grunt.
"How is work? Is everything going well?" His voice was heavy with authority.
"Everything is fine. Thank you for asking, Grandfather," Miranda replied.
Mr. Prescott nodded. His tone softened slightly, but he sounded like he was giving a lecture.
"Miranda, it isn't a bad thing for a woman to have a career. I don't mind you working."
Then his voice grew serious. "But you married into the Prescott family. You are Mrs. Prescott now. Your first priority is your family."
Miranda’s fingers curled at her side.
"I understand, Grandfather."
Seeing her obedience, he continued. "Clifton has been busy at the office lately. I heard he stays there overnight sometimes. He has trouble walking. How can he manage alone?"
"As his wife, you shouldn't just focus on your business. You need to take care of Clifton."
Miranda had promised to keep Clifton's secret. She couldn't tell the old man his grandson could actually walk.
She looked at him sincerely. "I understand. I will look after his health and tell him to come home more often."
"Words are useless. I want to see results." Mr. Prescott looked annoyed. Her polite answer wasn't enough.
"I know what happened at the mall. You left Celeste and Isabella behind in front of everyone."
His tone became harsh. "The Prescotts are a respected family. Your behavior makes us a laughingstock. I don't want to see that happen again."
Celeste smirked at Miranda.
Isabella put down her glass and spoke softly. "Grandfather, don't be mad at Miranda. Maybe we talked too much and annoyed her. She had to get back to work. It is understandable."
She sounded generous, but she was really calling Miranda rude.
"It won't happen again," Miranda said quietly.
Seeing her give in, Mr. Prescott calmed down.
"Your company is small. Let it go or hire someone to run it for you."
"I have hired the best nutritionist. Starting tomorrow, they will help you prepare your body. You and Clifton have been married for a while now. It is time to have a baby while you are young."
Isabella’s smile froze.
She gripped her dress tightly.
Mr. Prescott wanted Miranda to have a baby!
If that happened, Miranda’s place in the family would be permanent.
Miranda was shocked by the request.
Her company was finally doing well. She couldn't quit now.
Besides, her marriage was just a contract.
She looked at Mr. Prescott. She was respectful but firm.
"I am sorry, Grandfather."
"My company might be small, but I have hundreds of employees who depend on me. If I leave now, I am being irresponsible. I can't abandon them."
She softened her tone to avoid a fight. "As for Clifton, I will try my best to balance my time and focus more on the family."
"What is so great about that stupid company!"
Celeste couldn't hold back anymore. She screamed at Miranda. "You dare disobey Grandfather for a tiny business? You don't know how lucky you are!"
"Celeste!" Isabella pretended to stop her. "Don't say that. Miranda is just ambitious."
Miranda ignored the insults. Her knuckles turned white.
She wanted to snap back, but she couldn't do it in front of the old man.
Celeste wanted to keep yelling.
"Enough!"
Mr. Prescott’s shout stopped the argument.
He looked at Miranda’s stubborn face. She reminded him of Clifton when he was young.
He sighed in disappointment. "Fine. I can't control you if you are this stubborn. But you must think about the baby. This is important for the Prescott legacy."
"You have had a long day. Go upstairs and rest."
"Thank you, Grandfather. Goodnight," Miranda said.
She walked away with a straight back.
Once she was out of sight around the stairs, her shoulders slumped.
She felt a sting in her nose.
In the third floor master bedroom.
Miranda opened the door. The room was dark and silent.
The lights were off.
Clifton wasn't home.
She was used to him being gone, but tonight she felt lonely looking at the empty bed.
If he were here, maybe she could talk to him.
Then she laughed at herself. He was busy, and they weren't that close anyway.
She turned on the light.
She went into the bathroom and turned on the shower.
The warm water washed away her exhaustion, but it couldn't lighten her heart.
After her shower, she dried her hair and got into bed.
The bed was huge. The other half was empty and cold.
She stared at the dark night outside. She thought about her brother in the interrogation room and the pressure to have a baby.
She couldn't fall asleep.
She remembered her promise to Grandfather to care for Clifton.
She took out her phone and clicked on Clifton’s contact.
Her finger hovered over the screen.
Finally, she sent a message.
"Are you busy?"