Chapter 389
Before they knew it, the New Year had arrived.
Betty personally called Kayla to invite her home for the family reunion, and Kayla agreed. She knew that her issues with Maggie shouldn’t drag the whole family into it.
After a quick touch-up, Kayla brought Landen back to Kingsley Manor.
Maggie had already returned from her vacation. When she saw Kayla, she put on a smile. “Kayla, you’re here! I brought gifts for you and Landen from abroad.”
“Grandma, I get a gift too?” Landen asked, his eyes lighting up.
“Of course, sweetie!” Maggie said, pulling out a limited-edition Lego set.
Landen was overjoyed. “Thank you, Grandma!”
Kayla’s expression softened a little.
Maggie breathed a quiet sigh of relief. It seemed easier to get on Landen’s good side than to win over Kayla. This kid was smart and handsome, but unfortunately, he didn’t carry Prescott family blood. All she could do now was hope that one day, Kayla would have a son for the Prescott family who’d be just as sharp as Landen.
For the New Year reunion, the second and third families also returned. As usual, the younger members of the family flocked around Kayla. “Kayla, your family is incredible! They’ve even expanded the business to Lunova!”
“I heard you sued Joyce…”
“She is so bad. She messed up her uncle’s party and really ticked off the Carter family.”
“Thank goodness you’re so smart, Kayla. Otherwise, Tuff would’ve been really wronged.”
Chattering away, they didn’t mean any harm—they were all clearly on Kayla’s side. Kayla didn’t actually enjoy such a noisy atmosphere, but praising her was a different story. Maggie no longer dared boss Kayla around these days, let alone invite the Lamberts over for a meal.
Kayla was pretty pleased with how things were going.
Betty asked, “Kayla, why didn’t Tuff come back with you?”
“Oh, he’s working late,” Kayla replied, using Tuff’s usual excuse.
Truth was, Tuff was just putting on a show on purpose. He wanted everyone in that house to see just how protective he was of Kayla. The more dramatic he got, the better Kayla’s treatment from the family.
Sure enough, Betty, feeling a bit let down, turned her frustration on Maggie. “This is all on you. You never should’ve gotten mixed up with the Lamberts back then—now look at the mess we’re in.”
“Mom, I know… It’s my fault,” Maggie said, forcing a smile.
Lily rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, “Being a mother-in-law like this is really pathetic.”
“What did you say, Lily?” Kayla shot her a cold look.
Lily flinched and quickly forced a smile. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”
Kayla’s gun didn’t discriminate. No matter how much Lily complained, she wouldn’t dare voice it to Kayla’s face.
“Kayla, I heard your new company needs a trucking fleet. I’ve got one ready to go. Need a hand?” Maverick offered.
Kayla nodded. “Thanks for offering, Uncle Maverick. I’ll count on you then.”
A trucking fleet could rake in at least two million dollars a year. Hearing that, Terrell perked right up. “Kayla, if your company ever needs anything from me, just say the word.”
“Not at the moment,” Kayla said coolly.
Terrell’s face dropped. “Come on, Kayla, don’t play favorites. We’re both your uncles. How come Maverick gets a gig and I don’t?”
“Maybe you should go home and ask your wife,” Kayla shot back, directing the remark squarely at Terrell.
Terrell frowned, while Lily was silently groaning inside. Back when Joyce promised her all those benefits, Lily never dreamed Kayla would end up offering something way better. If she’d known the Kingsleys were going to bring their business to Lunova, she never would’ve let Joyce talk her into anything.
Betty, ever the wise matriarch, shot a stern look at Terrell and Lily. “Kayla’s new company just started out—there’s not that much to go around yet. Be patient, no one will be treated unfairly in the future.”
“Alright,” Terrell and Lily replied. They both exchanged awkward glances, feeling pretty embarrassed.
Kayla was pretty pleased with how things were going. She’d finally secured her place in this family.
“Why isn’t Tuff here for New Year?” Terrell tried to change the subject.
Maggie’s expression flickered, but she quickly plastered on a smile. “He’s busy…”
“Busy all year, huh? That’s what happens when you insist on doing everything yourself,” Terrell snarked, his voice thick with sarcasm.
Kayla pretended not to hear. The less capable someone was, the more they liked to complain and stir up trouble. Terrell and Lily were two of a kind when it came to complaining and stirring up trouble. But with Betty keeping things in check, not much discord arose.
Once the family dinner was over, Tuff came striding in to pick up Kayla himself.
“Tuff, you’re so obvious! You have no time for dinner, but you can’t wait to pick up Kayla,” Lizbeth joked.
Tuff puffed out his chest, looking proud. “When it comes to my wife, I always make time!”
“Alright, go home!” Maggie said, feeling a wave of frustration just looking at her son. After all those years raising him, her own son didn’t even bother to talk to her—all he cared about was his wife and that so-called godson of his.
Right then, Maggie’s phone rang, and Joyce’s frantic voice blared out, “Maggie, something’s wrong with my baby!”
It was late, and the sound from the phone’s speaker cut through the silence like a knife. Tuff heard it, and so did Kayla. But neither of them even batted an eye. They just went about their business, totally unfazed.
Maggie wanted to ask Tuff to go to the hospital with her, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. Frustrated, she stomped her foot and called for the driver to take her there.
“Aren’t you going to see her?” Kayla asked, tilting her head in the car, her voice playful. She’d had a few drinks tonight, feeling great—her cheeks were rosy, her eyes dreamy.
Tuff looked at her like that and felt tipsy himself. He reached out, pinched her hot cheek, and gave a crooked grin. “Who am I supposed to see?”
“Joyce is your god-sister. She’s carrying your baby…” Kayla teased, but before she could finish, he cut her off.
Her tipsy teasing was instantly silenced by Tuff’s kiss. In the backseat, Landen immediately lay down and pretended to be asleep.
‘Dad’s kissing Mom again. So embarrassing. But Uncle said the more they kiss, the sooner I’ll get a little sister,’ Landen thought, feeling a mix of embarrassment and excitement. ‘I can’t wait to see what my little sister will look like!’ he thought, his heart racing with anticipation.
“Knock it off, the kid’s right here!” Kayla finally managed to pull away, glaring at him in annoyance.
Landen squeezed his eyes shut and declared, “I’m totally asleep. I didn’t see or hear a thing!”
Kayla just stared at him, at a complete loss for words.
“Haha!” Tuff burst out laughing. “Good boy! Next year, you’ll have a little sister.”
“Yay, I can’t wait!” Landen shot up, grinning from ear to ear.
Kayla was exasperated, pinching Tuff’s thigh. “Don’t teach the kid nonsense!”
“Are you still going to mess around?”
“I was just saying,” Tuff replied, trying to sound innocent.
“Just saying it isn’t enough!” Kayla huffed.
“Alright, I get it,” Tuff surrendered. Kayla’s cheeks were burning.
Tuff looked over at his wife, who was absolutely glowing, and hit the gas, speeding up. ‘Tonight’s just right for making a baby!’ he thought, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
Fireworks exploded along the riverbank, painting the night sky with brilliant colors.
Meanwhile, Joyce was lying in her hospital bed, whimpering and groaning.
Maggie rushed in, scolding her the moment she walked through the door. “What on earth happened? How could you have a pregnancy scare right in the middle of the holiday?”
“Maggie, I didn’t mean for this to happen,” Joyce said, her eyes brimming with tears.
Maggie remembered the DNA results she’d gotten that morning and forced herself to hold back her anger. “You’d better not lose this baby!”
The DNA test stated that the baby Joyce was carrying was Tuff’s. With her doubts finally put to rest, Maggie couldn’t just sit back and do nothing. After all, it was her own grandchild.
Joyce looked at Maggie with a pitiful expression. “Maggie, my parents said I was a disgrace and kicked me out.”
“Don’t you have your own place?” Maggie asked, not bothering to hide her annoyance.
“I do, but it’s just so lonely. There’s no one to look after me, and when my pregnancy symptoms get really bad, it’s just miserable…” Joyce whimpered.
“Well, what are you planning to do about it?” Maggie asked, sounding impatient.
“Maggie, could you come take care of me?” Joyce pleaded.
Maggie let out a bitter laugh. “Are you trying to get me killed by my son and daughter-in-law?”
“No, I didn’t mean it like that…” Joyce stammered.
“Joyce, this is the last time I’m warning you—stop trying to blackmail me. Whether you keep this baby or not, that’s your choice!” Maggie snapped.
“You think I’d really go after Tuff like that?” Joyce shot back, her voice half teasing, half challenging.
“You-!” Maggie was so furious she could barely get the words out, her jaw clenched tight in frustration.
“Come on, Maggie, you know I’d never do that to Tuff. I was just messing around. I get it now—I won’t mess with your lives anymore. I just want to have this baby and keep things peaceful,” Joyce said, her tone suddenly soft and sweet.
Joyce knew exactly how to push and pull, tossing out a threat then smoothing things over, all while watching Maggie’s face for a reaction. As planned, when she made that call, Kayla was supposed to be right there in the thick of it. With any luck, the entire Prescott family was all together. On a perfectly peaceful reunion night, causing this scene would surely leave Kayla Kingsley furious.
Chapter 390