"As long as she hasn’t remarried, she’s still Lucas Yates’ widow, she’s Evelyn’s sister-in-law. Joshua, how do you expect Evelyn to face this? And what about the child in her womb? She’s pregnant now, spending all her days in tears, which isn’t good for the child."

Harper Johnson looked at his daughter’s angry but silent expression, then at Avery Jane’s innocent facade, and felt a burning urge to murder.

She didn’t understand what she was afraid of; she held a powerful card and simply didn’t want to play it yet. But if pushed, she had nothing to fear.

She had spent her life as the so-called second wife in the Yates Family, and now that her daughter seemed to have a way out, she must fight for her daughter’s sake—and her own.

"All of you, get out! I’ll say it again: if she gives birth to the Hughes child, the Hughes will naturally give her the rightful status. But all that will come after the child is born. Now, leave! It’s her choice to have the baby or not. I don’t care."

Joshua Hughes glanced indifferently at the mother and daughter duo, shrugging nonchalantly.

"Mom, let’s go back, let’s go back now..."

Evelyn Yates tugged on her mother’s sleeve, signaling her to stop talking.

Her mother clearly didn’t know Joshua’s temperament.

Whatever it takes—to endure these ten months—and everything will change.

With this child as her backing, Avery Jane can’t be her match. The most important thing is not to let Avery Jane give birth to another child. Her eyes subtly glanced at Avery Jane, whose figure remained slender and graceful, showing no sign of any change.

Harper glared viciously at Avery Jane, reluctantly helping her daughter into the car.

"Evelyn, why are you backing down? I can call Madam Hughes to speak for you."

Harper’s eyes flashed with a venomous glint.

This is a debt the Hughes owe the Yates; it must be repaid.

It wasn’t enough to grant Evelyn the opportunity to meet Joshua; she wanted much more.

Her resolve solidified; she couldn’t let that despicable woman Avery Jane live comfortably.

"Mom, his temper isn’t good, and he never listens to anyone. Avery Jane is fun and fresh for him now, but in ten months, it’ll all be under my control. Mom, I just need to endure ten months."

Evelyn lowered her head, her eyes glittering with a seductive light.

A slender hand caressed her still flat abdomen—this was the most crucial. Giving birth to this child was what truly mattered.

"Mom, I want Joshua and Avery Jane to live in the Hughes castle, so if Avery Jane shows any physical changes, we’ll know. Tomorrow, you should talk to Madam Hughes; she will have a way. I want Avery Jane to care for me, to ensure my child is born safely."

Evelyn smiled softly, seemingly a loving mother, but her gaze was filled with an indescribable fear.

Avery Jane, our war officially begins.

If you take good care of me and the child is born safely, then you’ll have to leave—the matriarch of the Hughes will be mine.

If you don’t take good care and anything happens to me, you’ll have to leave even more so, for harming the offspring of the Hughes guarantees a poor end. The battle hadn’t even begun, yet she was already the victor.

--------------- Separator ---------------

"Let go of me; you’re hurting me..." Avery Jane frowned as the man grasped her hand with such force, her wrist ached, and her slender bones felt narrowly close to breaking.

Joshua Hughes flung her onto the sofa, leaving Avery Jane dazed.

He was crazy, Avery Jane reassured herself.

Looking up at the man standing before her, his eyes ablaze with fury, as if he could devour her whole.

His towering, muscular body stood like a mountain, looming over her. His lips were pressed into a thin line, the distance between them mere meters yet felt insurmountable like a chasm.

He stood there, seemingly blocking all the light before her eyes.

His lips curled slightly as he said, "Say that again? I didn’t hear you clearly."