CHAPTER 49: BABY TRAP

When Jeffrey spoke, I wasn’t surprised at all. The Hales had stayed powerful for generations because of him. He wasn’t like Malcom, who only cared about quick gains or temporary advantage. Jeffrey made decisions with a long view, the kind of clarity only someone seasoned in leadership could have.

Camilla had gambled everything on her pregnancy. She thought the life growing inside her would guarantee her a place in the Hale bloodline. What she didn’t expect was that Jeffrey the one who valued lineage above everyone else would be the first to reject her.

At his age, he wanted to see a proper heir born from a union he approved of. But even with that desire, he didn’t hesitate to dismiss Camilla and the child she carried.

"Jeffrey," Camilla said, voice shaking with desperation, "this is the first child of the Hales’ next generation. It might be a boy. How can you turn your back on that?"

Jeffrey snorted softly, but the sound was sharp enough to sting. "I’ve watched powerful families crumble because of mistakes like this. I won’t allow that in mine. The only heir I’ll acknowledge must be born to a woman worthy of this family. That was Elena before. Even in death, you will never take her place."

He looked at Camilla with blunt disgust. "There are countless women who can give birth. If Julian needs a proper mate, we have endless choices. And Lewis already has a wife. Riley is healthy, steady, and more than capable of giving our family an heir. So why should I concern myself with your child?"

With that one sentence, Camilla’s dreams shattered.

Her child her carefully planned ticket into the Hale family was declared worthless.

And finally, she realized the truth.

She never expected me.

Her entire plan had focused on removing Elena and stepping into her place. She never imagined someone new would enter the picture.

Then Jeffrey turned toward me. "Riley, come here."

I walked forward calmly and sat beside him, letting every step show confidence.

"You’ve only just joined this family, and already you’ve been dragged into this mess. I’m sorry."

I met his gaze and replied gently, "You don’t need to apologize. Every family has problems. I only feel bad for Elena."

Then I looked directly at Julian. I didn’t raise my voice. I didn’t need to.

"She died not long ago," I said softly, "and already her own mate is tangled up with her sister. If I were her, I wouldn’t be able to rest."

Julian flinched.

"You remind me of her," Jeffrey murmured. "You’ve earned my respect. And now that you are married to Lewis, you are officially the daughter-in-law of this family."

He turned to his assistant. "Gune, fetch the emerald set my late wife left behind."

"Yes, sir."

I knew that jewelry.

A full emerald set rare, flawless, deep in color.

Worth millions, but far more valuable than money. It carried legacy.

Jewels like that weren’t just worn.

They were inherited.

Passed from one rightful woman to the next.

Jeffrey looked at me with a softer expression than before. "Riley, there was once another woman I hoped would join our family. She looked a little like you. I planned to give her this set. But fate had different plans."

His voice lowered slightly. "Now you’re here. You have gotten married to Lewis. You’ve shown strength, patience, and dignity. From today on, you are Mrs. Hale not just in name, but in standing and in heart."

Only one woman could truly carry the title of Mrs. Hale the woman at the center of the family, the one whose presence carried weight, whose voice mattered.

And now... that woman was me.

Vicky had spent years polishing herself, pretending, trying to win Jeffrey’s approval so she could wear that title with pride.

Camilla had schemed even harder, twisting hearts and intentions, thinking she could earn her place.

But in the end, the title they both wanted landed in my lap without effort.

"Father," James said suddenly, his worry leaking through every word. "If you’re giving something so important away, shouldn’t it go to the first daughter-in-law of the next generation? Not... the newest one?"

Jeffrey turned to look at Vicky. She stood in the corner with her hands stiff at her sides, eyes full of quiet desperation. But Jeffrey’s gaze held no sympathy.

"She?" he repeated, almost amused. "A woman with no true standing? Someone who entered this family with nothing to offer but a pretty face? She’s not worthy of the title."

Before James could argue again, Gune returned carrying the jewelry box. When he opened it, the emeralds gleamed under the chandelier rich green, almost glowing, flawless in every way. Even I couldn’t hide my surprise. Hearing about treasures like this was one thing. Seeing them up close... was another.

"Riley," Jeffrey said firmly, "from this day forward, you’ll carry the future of this family."

Even though my marriage to Lewis had begun as an arrangement, that statement made something inside me shift.

I responded with a calm smile. "I’ll do my best to get pregnant soon."

Jeffrey’s face lit up like he’d been waiting all evening to hear those words. "Good. Very good. I worried that young people today weren’t interested in having children. I didn’t want to push you, but I’m relieved. The moment you’re expecting, I’ll transfer ten percent of my shares to you."

James froze. His eyes widened, panic flickering behind them. Now he understood why Camilla’s pregnancy mattered so much why they’d been scrambling to protect it.

"Dad," he said quickly, "Camilla is already pregnant. That child is part of the Hale family too. Even if she doesn’t end up with Julian, the child is innocent. Let it be born."

Of course they’d say that now. They needed that baby more than ever.

But Jeffrey didn’t waver.

"You’re all fools," he said, voice cold and final. "In a year or two, we’ll find Julian a proper mate from a respectable family. That woman will give us the heir we need. Tell me what noble woman would join our pack if we allow this scandal to go unpunished?"

"If we let this child be born," Jeffrey continued, "our name will be stained forever."

Silence fell.

Then he looked at Gune. "Take Miss Morrigan downstairs. Call the family doctor. I want her examined tomorrow. Schedule the procedure. This child will not be allowed into our bloodline."

No one dared to challenge him. Not Malcom. Not James. Not even Julian, who stood there trembling, staring at the floor.

The power of the Hale family didn’t just come from money or territory.

It came from Jeffrey their leader, their spine, their iron law.

And now, the woman who once believed she held all the cards... was left with nothing.