Chapter 106 Strong Pregnancy Reaction
James looked at the yard full of crew members, knowing many people were watching behind those cameras pointed at him.
If Maria hadn't announced her pregnancy, things would be easier. He could handle all the other consequences himself, and if he lost money, he could just earn it back slowly.
But everyone knew Maria was carrying his child. Announcing the truth now wouldn't do him or Gloria any good.
He had to deal with Maria's baby first, then wait for the right time to make the announcement.
His last bit of rationality held back his impulse. He slowly raised his hand and took Gloria's hand.
Gloria's hand was a bit cold. They barely touched, and he didn't even have time to feel her warmth before she pulled away.
This moment shocked everyone watching the screen.
Gloria didn't show any extra emotion. She'd always been professional. Things had already gotten to this point - at most, she'd finish recording this episode and leave, giving Alphonse the respect he deserved.
This livestream had no editing. If she stopped recording, Alphonse's career would be ruined.
James had been about to leave, but with Gloria here, he changed his mind.
He and his family weren't wearing microphones, so the production crew followed them into the room.
Mabel pulled him to a spot without cameras and, facing the anger in his eyes, explained quietly, "I didn't know you'd come back today. Didn't you say you'd arrive the day after tomorrow?"
He'd shortened his trip wanting to see Gloria sooner, but he hadn't expected to come back to find the crew filming.
A few days ago, he had gone abroad before settling matters with Maria, intending to address them as soon as he returned. But the situation was getting harder to resolve, and now Gloria was here.
He lit a cigarette, his eyes carrying a cold chill deep down. "I can avoid today but not tomorrow. I won't let Maria's baby be born."
Once that child was born, his relationship with Gloria would be completely over.
Mabel chimed in, "At least right now everyone thinks she's your wife carrying your child. Just play along on the show and handle things privately. If this gets exposed, your reputation, your company, the stock price - everything will crash. Think it through."
"Our family finally made money and held our heads high thanks to you. If everything falls apart, do you want to go back to that poor place and let all your years of effort go to waste?"
Seeing his silence, Mabel continued, "I can see Gloria doesn't have feelings for you anymore. If you lose your money, she'll probably run off with some rich guy right away. You..."
James looked at her coldly. "Shut up."
Mabel didn't dare push him too far. She figured she could stall one day at a time - once the baby was bigger, he naturally wouldn't bear to give it up.
She swayed her body as she walked into the room, planning to put on a good show of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law affection with Maria in front of Gloria.
She'd let Gloria know that while she didn't respect Mabel, Maria would.
All these years James had always taken Gloria's side, making Mabel lose face everywhere.
Now she had a chance for revenge, to humiliate Gloria in front of all these people. How could she not be happy?
The show's setup had the female guests cooking in the kitchen while the male guests pulled weeds.
The Williams Manor and Mr. Williams' married life being exposed added even more attention to the show, with more and more viewers joining the livestream.
Sophie instinctively tried to help Gloria. "Ms. Mitchell, let me wash the vegetables. Why don't you rest a bit?"
"I'm fine."
Although Gloria's cooking skills weren't as good as James's, she could still make a few home-style dishes that James liked.
She had bought this villa for Mabel originally, and she'd arranged the interior design herself. She easily found what she needed, leaving Sophie stunned.
Why did Gloria seem like she'd lived here before?
In contrast, Maria was like a stranger, completely unfamiliar with the kitchen.
After all, though she'd been staying at the Williams Manor these past few days, she'd only moved around in her own room, constantly worried that James might harm her.
Right now she was posing for the cameras in all sorts of affected ways.
Mabel walked into the kitchen, deliberately speaking loudly, "Maria, you're pregnant - don't do this kind of rough work. Let them handle it."
"Mom, this is the task the director gave us. I..."
"It's all just a variety show anyway - how we film is how we film. James just got back, don't you want to spend time with him?"
Maria left with a coy manner.
Mabel deliberately went to Gloria's side. "Ms. Mitchell should understand, right? My daughter-in-law has really bad morning sickness..."
Then she deliberately covered her mouth and laughed. "Look at me, what am I saying? Ms. Mitchell has such a good figure - clearly someone who's never had children. How could you understand what pregnant women go through?"
Sophie wasn't stupid either. She clearly felt that Mrs. Williams was acting strange, deliberately targeting Gloria.
She looked at Gloria, who was washing vegetables on her own, not even raising her head.
Gloria suppressed her emotions, controlling herself to not argue with Mabel.
She was a public figure, with so many cameras filming. Forget about speaking - even if her expression changed, internet users would attack her, stirring up who knows what kind of controversy.
Two more days, and she'd get the divorce decree. She could endure it!
Meanwhile, Caspian held his phone, feeling heavy-hearted. If he hadn't returned to Crystalbrook today, at least he could be by her side right now to share the burden, so she wouldn't be isolated and helpless.
The scene switched to the boys' group pulling weeds in the yard.
It had only been drizzling at first, but somehow the rain got heavier and heavier, and the boys' group had to pause their task.
They were staying at the Williams family tonight, and right now the comments were begging to see Maria and James's sweet married life.
But as soon as Maria came out, James went straight to his study.
Caspian gripped the bracelet tightly, so angry he almost wanted to smash the tablet.
He muttered, "James, what kind of man are you?"
Looking at the gloomy weather in the footage, he checked the weather forecast. Silverlake Springs would probably have thunderstorms tonight.
He wondered how Gloria was doing now. When she was little, she was very afraid of thunder.
Her being at the Williams Manor made him very uneasy.
Caspian directly called his assistant, "Make arrangements. I need to get back to Silverlake Springs as soon as possible."