Elara was torn.
A part of her secretly hoped her grandmother would make things difficult for the Rourke family—anything to derail this engagement. And yet, another part of her prayed she wouldn't go too far, for the sake of her own dignity.
Deep down, she knew this marriage was inevitable. There was no escape.
But some stubborn part of her refused to surrender completely to fate. Not yet.
Perhaps sensing the conflict on her face, Damien's gaze swept over her gently, the sharp glint in his eyes dimming slightly.
He stood silently for a moment before softening his imposing presence. As expected, Elara's shoulders relaxed, ever so subtly.
Was she afraid of him? Of his status, his power—or was it something else entirely?
Damien originally wanted to reassure her, to tell her she didn't need to be afraid. But instead, the words that slipped from his lips were coldly clinical:
"You're always so tense. That's not good for the child."
Elara's momentary ease vanished.
She understood the implication immediately: the Rourke family's grand show of courtesy wasn't for her—it was for the baby growing inside her.
How absurd.
Even if they hadn't rolled out this ostentatious welcome, she would've done her best to remain calm. For the child's sake.
"I won't let my emotions affect the baby," she said coolly. "This is nothing."
Damien frowned, the crease between his brows deepening.
He didn't like this version of her—guarded, indifferent.
He preferred the quiet, graceful woman he'd seen in the garden, pruning camellias with a soft light in her eyes.
As they stepped into the house, Elara pulled her hand from his.
Damien's fingers paused midair before he retracted them calmly, pretending he hadn't noticed the gesture at all.
Assistant Jack quickly moved to place two chairs for them. They sat together in silence.
Grandma Wynn's expression soured the moment Elara took her seat, ready to unleash the sharp words on the tip of her tongue.
But before she could speak, Old Madam Rourke smiled graciously and gestured toward the servants.
"Bring a cushion for the young madam," she said. "Pregnant women need proper support—it's easy for them to get back pain."
Pregnant?
The entire Wynn family froze in stunned silence.
Elara... is pregnant?
Old Madam Rourke beamed proudly. "Elara is a treasure in our family now. Regardless of whether she gives birth to a boy or a girl, that child will be the rightful heir to the Rourke family."
With those few words, she instantly elevated Elara's status to untouchable—and effectively silenced Grandma Wynn.
The rebuke that had been hovering on her lips died in her throat, replaced by an uncomfortable flush creeping across her cheeks.
Just yesterday, she had scolded Elara for being useless, for failing to 'secure a rich man.'
Now she felt the sting of her own words—like a slap to the face.
Swallowing her pride, Grandma Wynn cleared her throat. "Then… what brings you here today?"
Old Madam Rourke didn't bother with pleasantries. "Damien and Elara have always had mutual affection. Since both children are willing, I see no reason to object. We've come today with the formal betrothal gifts."
She nodded toward the assistants.
"Eight hundred and eighty million yuan in cash," she said matter-of-factly. "A villa worth one hundred million—ownership will be transferred to Elara once the baby is born. There's also jewelry, stock certificates, and bonds, all listed and registered under her name. I hope you won't find the offerings too modest."
Modest?
Grandma Wynn nearly choked.
This wasn't just a dowry—it was a golden mountain.
Her eyes widened at the mention of the cash alone. And when she heard about the villa, they practically sparkled.
At that moment, all thoughts of Elara's pregnancy or past punishments vanished from her mind.
"The Rourke family is far too generous," she said with a saccharine smile. "But I've always believed the children are a perfect match. Even without the gifts, we would've blessed the union!"
Old Madam Rourke nodded, her tone turning even more businesslike. "The birth of our fourth-generation heir is an important matter. I've already set up a trust fund, handled by our family lawyer. Once the child is born safely, the interest alone will be considerable. For now, here's 20 million yuan in cash for your family's use. If you ever need more, don't hesitate to ask."
At her signal, a box was brought forward and placed in front of Grandma Wynn. When it opened, rows of crisp red banknotes gleamed under the light.
Grandma Wynn beamed, nearly unable to contain her glee.
"You're far too kind, really… I won't be shy, then!"
Meanwhile, Isabella and her in-laws, who had also come to propose marriage that day, stood awkwardly outside the house—there was no room for them.
Isabella's envy burned like wildfire.
The man Elara had brought home was not only stunningly handsome, but obscenely wealthy. How could she possibly compete with that?
Her in-laws were equally humiliated, their cheeks flushed with shame.
They had looked down on Elara, dismissing her as useless. And now, the girl they had all scorned had become the most coveted daughter-in-law of the entire city.
The tables had turned, and none of them were ready for it.