Still smarting from Clara's dismissive attitude in the car, Olena stewed, growing angrier by the minute. Who does she think she is, that widow? So high and mighty! So what if I wasn't the first wife? At least my husband is alive and my son is capable. My life is full! Unlike her, a dried-up old woman who obviously needs a man. She mentally cursed Clara out thoroughly, feeling somewhat better. As she turned to get into her own car, she nearly collided with Wendy Cross hurrying in her direction. "Wendy! What's the rush?" Olena asked, her tone shifting to one of friendly concern. Thanks to their children's connection, Olena and Wendy were quite familiar. All traces of her earlier nervousness around Clara vanished.Wendy's face flashed with a hint of awkwardness, quickly masked. "Nothing. Ines insists on having soup I make myself. I'm rushing home to prepare it." Olena smiled, pulling an invitation from her bag. "We've set the date for Zane and Zora's engagement party. Since I ran into you, here's your invite. You and your husband must come." Wendy's expression grew even more strained. Their son had grown up together. Olena's son made it big and was marrying the well-matched Moss girl. Her son? Partying, no ambition—fine. But he went and got a girl pregnant. Life really isn't fair. "Congratulations! Of course, we'll be there with a generous gift!" "Oh, just your presence is enough, don't be so formal," Olena said. "By the way, how is Ines? Has he found a girl he likes?" Wendy forced a smile. "Not yet. He's still young, not ready for marriage. We'll talk about it in a few years." "True, Ines is a couple of years younger than Zane. No rush," Olena agreed smoothly. She knew exactly what Ines' situation was. When faced with someone whose son was less accomplished, Olena became remarkably open-minded and restrained her sharp tongue. Once inside her own car, Wendy dropped the polite façade. She threw her purse onto the back seat and ordered the driver coldly, "Drive." Thirty minutes later, the car pulled into the Cross Villa. The butler came forward to take her bag, his expression uneasy. "Ms. Lark has been waiting in the sitting room for two hours. She says she won't leave without speaking to you personally. She also said... she said..." "Said what?" Wendy turned, her gaze sharp. The butler wiped his brow, head bowed. "She said if you refuse to see her, she'll go straight to the press. Then you'll have no choice but to deal with it, and Mr. Ines Cross' reputation will be ruined. No society girl in Aethelburg would dare marry him then." "Hmph. Threatening me now, is she?" Changing her shoes in the foyer, Wendy immediately spotted the girl on the sofa. Her eyes darted around shrewdly. Trouble. This one seems like she'll be hard to shake. As a society wife, Wendy wasn't new to this. She'd handled her husband's flings when she was young; now she handled her son's. The playbook was the same. Kaia saw the elegantly dressed woman at the entrance and knew the lady of the house had returned. She didn't panic. Soon, she'd have a place in this house too. She tried to appear calm, but the slight stiffness in her spine gave her away. Wendy saw right through the act. Unhurried, she finished changing, instructed a maid to bring the coffee, then seated herself in a single leather armchair opposite Kaia. She took her time savoring the coffee.Kaia, being younger, couldn't hold her composure. Seeing Wendy remain silent, she grew anxious. She pulled a medical report from her bag and slapped it on the table. "Mrs. Cross, this is the ultrasound. The doctor says I'm almost four months pregnant." Only then did Wendy leisurely wipe the corner of her mouth with a napkin. She didn't glance at the report. Instead, she took another sip of her coffee, then raised a brow. "Congratulations, Ms. Lark. A mother at such a young age. Few girls these days are willing to have children so early. You're quite the exception." Kaia gritted her teeth, recognizing the sarcasm. "The baby in my belly is your son's! Your family has to take responsibility!" Setting down her cup, Wendy stared at her coldly. "Ms. Lark, what proof do you have that the child is my son's? I've seen plenty of women like you. Get pregnant with some random man's child and then try to trap a rich heir. It's a tired old story in our circles." Kaia's face paled, then flushed. Because Wendy was right. The baby wasn't Ines'. But she had no other choice. Even with the risk of exposure, she had to try. Otherwise, she'd be forced to marry that old, disgusting, sleazy creep. No. Hell no! Taking a deep breath, Kaia gathered her thoughts. She had slept with Ines—that part was true. Ines was notorious in their circle, and he'd slept with more women than anyone could count. It wouldn't be shocking if one or two ended up pregnant by accident.