Chapter 191

"What exactly is your grievance?" Richard had never considered Evelyn's perspective before.

He couldn't bring himself to.

The guilt he felt toward Vivian and her mother warred with the shame that surfaced whenever he thought of Evelyn. Her resemblance to Miranda was uncanny, and he'd been projecting his resentment onto her all these years. Seeing Evelyn in person always threatened to unleash emotions he'd buried about Miranda de Arma.

Perhaps he had indulged Vivian excessively, but society's cruel judgment of her illegitimate status had driven that indulgence. Balancing affection between his daughters fairly proved impossible.

The truth struck him like lightning - it wasn't Vivian or Laura he'd failed most as a father, but Evelyn!

Watching Richard's resolute expression, Laura collapsed onto the hardwood floor.

'Losing the Vanderbilt name means losing everything! I can't return to that squalid, impoverished existence. Never again will I worry about basic survival!'

'This can't happen! I won't surrender what I've sacrificed everything to obtain. Even if not for Vivian's sake, I must fight for myself now!'

"Richard, you can't do this," she pleaded.

Richard cut her off. "Enough. Sign the papers. For old times' sake, I'll provide a settlement. You won't leave destitute."

Laura's wail pierced the study. "But I'm carrying your child!"

Richard's posture stiffened. "What did you say?"

Tears streamed down Laura's cheeks as she cradled her abdomen. "That night we... I conceived. Your son deserves his father. Will you condemn him to Vivian's fate - scorned from birth?"

Richard swayed slightly. 'Laura's pregnant?!'

"Richard!" Madam Victoria burst in, alarmed at potentially losing a grandson. She helped Laura up. "Is this true? A boy?"

Laura's eyes flashed with triumph beneath her pitiful expression. "Mother, forgive me... I only confirmed the pregnancy during my hospital visit last week."

"Splendid news!" Madam Victoria beamed before scowling at Richard. "Divorce at your age? Have you lost your mind? She's giving you an heir!"

Richard clenched his jaw and stormed out without another word.

Madam Victoria dismissed him, turning her full attention to Laura's belly. "I underestimated you. As long as you deliver a Vanderbilt heir, no divorce will happen."

Laura dabbed her eyes. "Thank you, Mother."

Her inner smirk contradicted her grateful tone.

The pregnancy was fabricated, but desperate times called for desperate measures. She'd handle the consequences later.

'That bastard thinks he can discard me for his precious Evelyn? Never!'

At the hospital...

"Out! I need to change!" Evelyn shoved Nathan toward the door.

He spun gracefully, trapping her in his arms with a roguish grin. "I'd be delighted to assist with that."

"Get lost!" Her kick sent him stumbling into the hallway.

Oliver witnessed his boss's unceremonious ejection, his lips twitching violently as he fought to maintain professional composure. Every muscle strained to suppress inappropriate laughter.