Chapter 569 Crazy Ambition

Chapter 569 Crazy Ambition

Edward had just wrapped up an international meeting when his phone rang.

Answering it, Monica's gentle yet firm voice came through, "Edward, come to the Smith Mansion tonight for a family dinner. Make sure to bring Nancy and Juliana. The family hasn't officially met the new mistress of the Smith family yet, and this is the perfect opportunity."

Leaning back in his office chair, Edward tapped his fingers on the desk, his tone indifferent, "Grandma, Nancy and I just got married, and we've been really busy lately. Maybe next time."

He had never been fond of the atmosphere at the Smith Mansion, especially the constant undercurrents of family politics that always left him feeling drained.

"What do you mean next time?" Monica's voice grew stern. "Nancy is part of the Smith family now, and it's tradition to introduce her. Besides, I have an announcement to make. You must come, or don't consider me your grandmother anymore."

With that, Monica hung up.

Edward sighed and put down his phone, then walked into the playroom where Nancy was drawing with Juliana.

Seeing him enter, Juliana looked up and sweetly called out, "Daddy." Nancy put down her paintbrush and smiled, "What's wrong? You look upset."

Edward sat down beside her and repeated Monica's words, his tone tinged with frustration, "Grandma is being so overbearing. She won't take no for an answer."

Nancy had a different perspective. "I think we should go. Think about it, we've made no progress investigating Lisa these past few days. Maybe she'll make a move at the dinner, and we can find out who's been poisoning you. Then we can live peacefully."

She paused and gently patted Juliana's head. "Besides, Juliana should get to know her cousins. We can't keep avoiding family."

Juliana looked up and tugged on Edward's sleeve, "Daddy, I want to see Great-Grandma."

"Alright, we'll go," Edward said with a resigned smile, taking Nancy's hand. "But promise me, no matter what you see or hear tonight, don't take it to heart. I'll handle everything."

Nancy nodded with a smile.

That evening, Edward arrived at the Smith Mansion with his wife and daughter. As they got out of the car, Edward naturally held Nancy's hand, while Juliana clung to Nancy's other hand, making the family of three quite noticeable.

As soon as they stepped into the living room, Lisa hurried over in high heels, her face plastered with an exaggerated smile. "Edward, Nancy, you're finally here! Juliana, you've grown so much! Let me take a look at you."

She reached out to touch Juliana's head, but Juliana instinctively hid behind Nancy, eyeing Lisa warily.

Lisa's hand froze mid-air, a flicker of displeasure crossing her face before she quickly masked it. "It's been so long, Juliana doesn't recognize me. Let's not just stand here, dinner is ready."

Lisa's husband, Ben, stood with his hands in his pockets at the edge of the crowd, while Bentley hid at the back, only half-visible. When Nancy looked his way, he quickly averted his gaze.

Monica emerged from the inner hall, smiling as she waved Nancy over. "Nancy, come sit by me. How have you been sleeping? Any discomfort?"

Nancy felt a warmth in her heart and smiled. "Thank you for asking, Grandma. I've been sleeping well and feeling good."

"That's great," Monica said, raising her voice to quiet the room. "Now that everyone is here, I have some good news to announce. Nancy is pregnant! The Smith family is expecting a new member!"

The room erupted in congratulations.

"Congratulations! This is wonderful news."

"Edward is so lucky, newly married and already expecting a child."

"The Smith Mansion will be even livelier now!"

Lisa's face turned pale, and she forced a stiff smile, suppressing her jealousy. "Congratulations, Nancy. That's wonderful."

As the family dinner began, the atmosphere seemed lively, but tension simmered beneath the surface.

Lisa was restless, frequently glancing at Ben. Finally, unable to contain herself, she signaled him to leave the table. Ben frowned, hesitating before Lisa dragged him to a corner of the yard.

Once there, Lisa lowered her voice, "Nancy is pregnant! Did you see that? She's actually pregnant! Can't you do something? If this continues, there will be no place for us in the Smith family. What about Tommy's future?"

Ben rubbed his head in frustration, his tone weary. "Lisa, can't you stop thinking about these things? Our life is good enough as it is. We have a house, a car, and shares in the company. As long as we don't cause trouble, the Smith family will take care of us. Please, let's just live peacefully."

"Live peacefully?" Lisa sneered, pushing him. "You're content with this, but I'm not! Why should our son Tommy be any less than others? You need to become the Smith family heir! I'm restarting the plan from six years ago. This time, not only Edward but also Nancy and her unborn child must go!"

"You're crazy!" Ben's veins bulged as he grabbed her wrist. "Six years ago, you secretly poisoned Edward. Do you know how close we came to disaster? Luckily, Edward survived. If anything had happened to him, we'd be finished! Even without Edward, there are many capable people in the Smith family. It would never be me. Can you face reality?"

Lisa shook off his hand and kicked his leg. "How did I end up with such a useless husband? No ambition at all! I don't care, you have to help me! Think about Tommy! If Nancy has a son, everything in the Smith family will go to him, and Tommy will get nothing!"

Ben looked at her, filled with helplessness and disappointment.

His father had insisted he marry Lisa because her father was a government official in Sunrise City, which could help his career. The Evans family had indeed helped him over the years, but Lisa's ambitions had grown terrifyingly large.

He used to think she was just greedy. Now he realized she was downright malicious.

Taking a deep breath, he spoke firmly, "I won't stop you from doing what you want, but I won't be a part of it. You're on your own." With that, he gave Lisa a long, hard look and walked back to the dining room, his steps resolute.

Lisa stood there, trembling with rage, a fierce glint in her eyes. She gritted her teeth and returned to the dining room, her face once again a mask of smiles, as if the argument had never happened.

As dinner wound down, Lisa clapped her hands, and a maid brought over a tray of durian mille crepe cakes.

"Everyone, the orchard sent over fresh durians today, so I made some durian mille crepe cakes. Please try my cooking."

She picked up a piece and handed it to Catherine. "Catherine, you love durian, don't you? Try it."

Catherine's eyes lit up as she took a bite, giving a thumbs up. "Aunt Lisa, this is amazing! Even better than the bakery's!"

Lisa's eyes crinkled with her smile. "I'm glad you like it. There's plenty more."

She handed out pieces to everyone, finally approaching Nancy with a piece. "Nancy, you're pregnant, and durian is very nutritious. It will be good for you. I made it with less sugar, so it's not too sweet."

Nancy looked at the cake, then at Edward, not reaching out to take it.

Edward leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his gaze cold and amused as he watched Lisa, saying nothing.

Lisa's hand froze mid-air, her smile faltering, her voice tinged with nervousness. "What's wrong? Don't you like durian? Or do you think my cooking isn't good?"