CHAPTER 30: CHAPTER 30: ARE YOU PREGNANT?

A partner from Aurelian & Partners Law Firm also graduated from Aethelgard University’s Law Department. Upon learning that Eleanor Winslow had withdrawn from the project team, they made a special phone call to inquire about the reason.

"It’s a personal matter of mine." Eleanor preferred not to disclose too much.

"Eleanor, the workplace isn’t like school. In your career path, many good opportunities won’t come around again once missed. I heard you got injured, so I’m giving you a week off. I hope you can give me an answer by next Monday," the partner said. "Eleanor, you’re very talented. If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t give this opportunity."

"Alright, thank you. I’ll consider it seriously."

Eleanor understood very well that the partner had put it bluntly. If she wanted to return to her internship, she would have to rejoin the Mayfield Tech project team. But if she couldn’t handle her relationship with Adrian Grant, returning to the Mayfield project team would be impossible.

Old Madam Grant’s birthday banquet was set for Saturday.

Early Friday morning, Charles Rhodes knocked on Eleanor’s door.

"Madam, President Grant asked me to pick you up and bring you back to the old Grant residence."

"When did Special Assistant Rhodes start doing lifestyle assistant tasks?" Eleanor retorted sarcastically, "The birthday banquet is tomorrow. I’ll be there on time."

Charles smiled calmly and said, "Madam, you know the Grant family has many rules. Close relatives are expected to arrive today. Originally, the old gentleman also requested that you and President Grant return early to accompany the old lady."

With the elders having spoken, Eleanor couldn’t refuse.

The Maybach was parked downstairs.

Charles opened the back seat for Eleanor. The man sitting in the back was looking at a PPT on his tablet and raised his eye.

"After grandma’s birthday banquet, I’ll explain everything to her, Adrian Grant. I hope your personal lawyer will be available then," Eleanor calmly reminded.

Scheduling it after the birthday banquet ensures Old Madam Grant enjoys her birthday without displeasure.

Adrian Grant lifted his gaze to her.

"Is there a problem?" Eleanor chuckled angrily so early in the morning, "Adrian Grant, would you go back on your word again? Putting on pants and pretending not to know someone—is this a special talent of you men?"

Adrian pointed to his tablet, his thin lips parted slightly: "I’m in a meeting."

Only then did Eleanor notice a small video conference window at the lower-right corner of the tablet, which Adrian’s hand had previously blocked from view.

"President Grant?" came a suspicious and fearful voice from the tablet’s speaker.

Eleanor: "..."

Wait... did the person on the other end hear what she said?

Adrian Grant seemed not to hear the person speak, and asked Eleanor, "When have I ever put on pants and pretended not to know someone?"

Eleanor almost choked on her breath, thinking how dare this jerk even ask!

Eleanor glared at the nearby Charles Rhodes, who hadn’t warned her! These two were obviously in cahoots!

Charles: "..." Feeling innocent.

For the rest of the journey, Eleanor didn’t speak again, sulking silently in her corner.

The old Grant residence was nestled amidst lush mountains and waters, in the style of traditional courtyards, covering a vast area with ornate carvings and glorious decor, showcasing its grandeur.

Several luxury cars were already parked outside, and servants were parking cars.

Eleanor got out of the car, bent down to retrieve her prepared gift, when a figure stepped in before her, cradling the long box she’d prepared in one hand, while holding Eleanor’s hand with the other.

"Adrian Grant, you..."

Eleanor instinctively tried to pull away, but a playful female voice interjected:

"Third Brother!"

A young girl wearing a Chanel long dress approached cheerily, adorned with a Cartier diamond necklace, her doll-like face with big eyes framed by bangs, her hair styled in a princess cut, exuding cuteness mixed with a hint of sass.

Adrian Grant gripped Eleanor’s hand firmly, slightly increasing his grip.

Their eyes met ahead, a silent contest fought only between their hands.

Someone approached, and Eleanor’s struggling hand stilled, as she lifted a polite smile.

"Second Miss Grant," Eleanor greeted.

Jeanette Grant was one of Adrian Grant’s cousins, the fourth in line. When Eleanor previously visited the Grant family, Jeanette was always in school. She’d only seen her once, three years ago at a wedding, remembering her as a slacker, not very bright.

"Hey? Eleanor?" Jeanette cocked her head at Eleanor, puzzled, "Weren’t you divorcing my third brother? Why are you still here?"

Eleanor suddenly remembered, "I’ve seen you at that restaurant! You were that waitress?!"

Jeanette gawked at Eleanor, "No, I wasn’t! Shut up!"

The shameful act of being a waitress was not something she wanted known. At that time, after doing poorly on an exam, she ran out of spending money. Before serving tables, she had deliberately put on makeup to make herself look plain. So how did this annoying Eleanor recognize her?

"Jeanette Grant!" Adrian’s voice was stern.

Simply calling her name seriously made Jeanette shrink like a quail, shooting a resentful yet subdued glance at Eleanor, without daring to boast further.

"Oh my! Adrian, are you so protective of your wife? Jeanette’s just teasing Eleanor, why scare people on her behalf?"

A lady in an azure cheongsam came out, pulling Jeanette behind her, looking at Eleanor with a smiling face.

Yet, there was something unsettling about that smile.

"Second Aunt," Eleanor greeted politely.

Second Aunt Grant was famously protective, her daughter was the apple of her eye.

She gave Eleanor a fake smile and nodded, then said to Adrian, "Adrian, you’d better head inside, the old gentleman and lady are waiting for you. Even all of us combined don’t favorably compare to you alone in their eyes!"

Eleanor frowned; this Second Aunt’s words were really sarcastic, making people uncomfortable.

Jeanette scoffed, "Exactly! Third brother was raised by grandma and grandpa themselves, not like us grandchildren."

Second Aunt glared at her daughter, signaling her to hush.

Eleanor: "..." She couldn’t tell if Jeanette was helping Adrian or joining her mom in sarcasm against him.

The Grant family gathered about twenty to thirty people.

The hall divided into two wings, with women generally on the right. In the center was the elderly lady, her hair silver, with kind brows and an amiable look, wearing a simple yet luxurious jacquard patterned jacket today.

"Eleanor!"

Old Madam Grant spotted Eleanor with a smile, beckoning her over joyfully.

Eleanor wanted to seize the moment to release Adrian’s hand, but the man unexpectedly walked up with her.

"Grandma." Adrian always stayed cool, merely nodding.

"Grandma, it’s been a while, I missed you so much!" Eleanor’s voice was sugary sweet, endearing.

Adrian shot a glance at Eleanor.

Tsk, when sweet-talking the old lady, those lips of hers sure moved well, but he’d never heard such ’I’ve missed you’ words aimed at him.

"Aw, my dear! Grandma missed you too!" Old Madam Grant tottered to stand up, just about to embrace Eleanor, when she noticed the intertwined hands between Eleanor and Adrian, and the Purple Jade Bracelet on Eleanor’s wrist, and paused.

Grinning, she said, "Oh my! Holding hands, flaunting your affection right in front of this old lady!"

With a burst of strength, Eleanor unexpectedly freed her hand from Adrian’s grip, smiling awkwardly.

The nearby ladies teased:

"Is the third daughter-in-law embarrassed? You’ve been married three years, why embarrassed still?"

"Exactly! We’ve all been through it, nothing to be embarrassed about!"

Old Madam Grant edged closer to Eleanor, lowering her voice a tad, but still audible to those around, asking, "Any developments recently?"

Glancing meaningfully at Eleanor’s flat belly as she spoke.

"Uh?" Eleanor hoped her suspicion was wrong.

Old Madam Grant didn’t leave room for a response, glancing at Adrian’s indifferent expression, and then, full of expectation, turning to Eleanor, asking, "When do you plan to have children?"