Chapter 577
Chapter 577
Almost instinctively, Daven reached for her hand. His gaze dropped briefly to her still-flat stomach-but the look in his eyes said everything. A small life, full of hope, was growing there.
Arsen had just stepped fully inside when Riana’s voice rang out sharply-though her tone was clearly playful.
“Arsen, you bring your boss home too late far too often p>
Arsen blinked, then pointed at himself. “Me p>
“Yes, you,” Riana continued without missing a beat. “Daven should be home more often. Don’t you have a team that can support you and lighten his workload p>
Arsen looked genuinely flustered. “Even so, I still need Mr. Daven’s approval for most decisions p>
Riana clicked her tongue and folded her arms across her chest. Even when her husband stepped closer and slipped an arm around her waist, whispering something meant to calm her down, she refused to
back off.
“Do you not realize your boss’s wife is in her first trimester?” she demanded.
Arsen froze for a fraction of a second. “Pregnant?” His gaze lingered on Riana before shifting to Daven, who was standing beside Althea. “You’re… pregnant p>
Soft laughter rippled through the room at his stunned expression.
“You didn’t know?” Chris asked, a crooked smile tugging at his lips.
Arsen turned to Daven with mock offense written all over his face. “I’m the last one to know? Is that correct, Mr. Daven p>
Daven merely lifted one shoulder in a careless shrug. “You’ve been busy p>
Arsen let out a long sigh before striding toward Althea. “Could you step away from Mrs. Althea for a moment? You’re a heartless boss p>
Daven smirked faintly. “No. She’s my wife p>
“I’m aware of that!” Arsen shot back, undeterred. Without hesitation, he gently nudged Daven aside to stand in front of Althea. Daven didn’t protest in the slightest.
After all, Arsen had been the one standing firmly at his side when Daven was trying to win Althea back. While others had advised caution and distance, Arsen had said it plainly:
“Mrs. Althea doesn’t need someone who replaces anything she’s ever had-especially her love for Mr. Chase Miller. But I believe you’re the best person to stand beside her. So don’t give up on her, Mr. Daven. Think about Josh and Grace. They need you more than you realize p>
Now, with Daven finally a step away, Arsen’s expression softened completely.
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“Please forgive me for finding out last, Mrs. Althea,” he said sincerely. “If you’re upset, scold my boss first. And as for a gift to celebrate your pregnancy-I’ll prepare it right away p>
Althea smiled warmly. “It’s all right. You don’t need to go to such trouble p>
“It’s no trouble at all,” Arsen cut in firmly. “I’ll be using my boss’s money anyway, so you don’t need to worry p>
Althea burst into laughter, while Daven scoffed in exaggerated annoyance.
Arsen bowed his head slightly. “I truly hope this pregnancy remains healthy until delivery. And… I hope Mr. Daven is always by your side. I’ll make sure all his work is handled as quickly as possible p>
There was no stiff professionalism in his tone now-only sincerity.
Daven reached out and clapped his shoulder once. “Thank you p>
Cale folded his arms. “We all hope so p>
Nathan added warmly, “This house is about to become even livelier p>
A short distance away, Eli stood quietly, watching everything unfold. Warmth filled her chest even though she wasn’t part of the conversation. No one ignored her. No one pushed her aside. Grace, without even realizing it, had slipped her hand into Eli’s and was holding on tightly.
“The pudding’s ready to go into the fridge!” Grace suddenly announced.
That was the signal dinner was truly beginning. The staff, who had been assisting Althea all along, finished plating the dishes and began carrying them to the dining table.
take long before the long table was filled. Steam curled up from bowls of soup. Slices of roasted ere arranged neatly on platters. Fresh vegetables added bright splashes of color. Conversation d easily-work updates, light teasing, stories about exhausting meetings now told with laughter Stead of frustration.
Eli sat between Grace and Riana. She didn’t speak much, but she smiled now and then-especially when Chris cracked a joke or when Cale dramatically complained that his pudding portion was smaller than everyone else’s.
“That’s not fair,” Cale protested dramatically, clutching his chest as if he’d been deeply wronged.
“That’s because you said it was too sweet earlier,” Eli replied quickly. “Grace adjusted it to Josh’s taste- he doesn’t like things too sweet p>
The words slipped out more boldly than she’d intended. The moment she realized it, her shoulders stiffened slightly.
Then everyone laughed.
The tension dissolved into warmth again-soft, genuine laughter filling the room. For a moment, the house felt untouched by scandal, untouched by arrests and whispered headlines. It felt like nothing had
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ever shaken them at all.
When the main course was finished and the plates began to clear away, Nathan carefully folded his napkin and placed it beside his plate.
“There’s something I’d like to discuss with you, dear,” he said at last, his tone calmer, more deliberate.
The conversation gradually quieted. Riana looked at her husband attentively. “Oh? Of course. I’ll have the staff prepare some light snacks and herbal tea. I don’t recommend coffee after dinner p>
Nathan chuckled softly. “All right.” His gaze shifted briefly to Althea. “And you too, Althea. I’d like to speak with you. Perhaps it would be better if we talk in my study p>
Daven rose immediately, instinctively positioning himself beside his wife.
“I’m coming,” he said simply. “You don’t mind, Mr. Miller p>
Nathan shook his head at once. “Not at all p>
But before they could leave the table, Eli’s hesitant voice broke through the air-and the warmth that had wrapped around the room tightened into something else entirely.
“Um… may I ask where my mother is?” she said carefully. “I haven’t seen her since this afternoon. Did she already go back to her room p>
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