CHAPTER 476: FEAR YOU MIGHT BUMP INTO THE BABY

"Stand still."

Sinclair gripped Melissa by the back of her collar with one hand, effortlessly lifting her off the ground like a misbehaving kitten.

"Don’t go crashing into Camilla."

His voice was calm, almost indifferent, yet carried an unmistakable edge of authority.

This girl was always so reckless.

Taylor stood nearby, his eyes crinkling with quiet amusement, his expression unreadable.

Clearly, he had anticipated this outcome from the start.

Vicente observed the scene with pursed lips.

Though Sinclair was stern, he was usually lenient with Melissa—certainly not the type to forbid even the slightest contact with Camilla.

His sharp gaze shifted from Sinclair to Camilla, lingering on her hands, which were instinctively cradling her abdomen.

His eyes narrowed slightly in realization.

Could it be...?

A knowing smirk tugged at Vicente’s lips as the pieces fell into place.

"Ahhh!

Uncle, Sinclair, put me down!!"

Bolstered by the presence of her protector, Melissa flailed her limbs wildly in midair, her protests ringing loud and clear.

"I wasn’t even coming at you!

Let me go!!"

Yet the man’s arm was like an iron vice, showing no intention of loosening its grip.

No matter how hard she struggled, it was futile.

Damn it!!

Melissa, dangling in midair like a helpless chick, clenched her teeth in frustration.

What’s the big deal about being tall?

One after another, flaunting their height like it’s some kind of achievement.

Sure, she might never grow taller, but her boyfriend was plenty tall too.

Unable to turn her head, Melissa raised her voice in desperation.

"Vicente, aren’t you going to help me?!"

"Alright," Vicente’s lips curled into a doting

smile as he strode forward with his long legs, effortlessly wrapping one arm around Melissa’s slender waist to support her.

Sinclair’s dark eyes flicked toward Vicente before he finally released his grip.

With a faint smirk, Vicente gently set Melissa down, his gaze softening as he looked at her, about to say something—

But the moment her feet touched solid ground, Melissa exhaled in relief, completely ignoring Vicente as she immediately turned and marched toward Camilla.

"Camilla, look at how they’re bullying me!!"

Even Vicente: "..." Vincent watched Melissa’s movements with a helpless smile flickering in her eyes. His arm around her waist tightened, pulling her firmly against him.

"Stay still, will you?"

Melissa immediately pouted, tilting her head back to glare at Vicente.

"Vicente, how could you bully me too?

Aren’t you supposed to be on my side?"

This girl really didn’t know a good thing when she saw it.

The corner of Vicente’s mouth twitched, and instead of loosening his grip, he held her even tighter.

"Of course I’m on your side—that’s exactly why I’m stopping you."

Otherwise, she’d probably get herself thrown out right then and there.

"You—" Before Melissa could retort, Camilla stepped forward first.

"Mr. Vincent, I’m fine.

You can let Melissa go now."

She hadn’t bothered to hide her earlier protective gesture over her stomach, and she’d noticed Vicente’s glance.

She was well aware he must have figured it out.

Hearing this, Vicente gave a slight nod and finally released his hold.

Melissa immediately rushed over, wrapping her arms around Camilla’s in an affectionate embrace, not bothering to hide her indignation as she started complaining.

"Camilla, they’re all ganging up on me.

You’re the only one who’s nice to me."

Sinclair’s dark eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Melissa clinging to Camilla’s arm, her face pressed against it.

Considering Camilla’s usual indulgence toward Melissa, he ultimately held his tongue.

"They’re not bullying you,"

Camilla said with a gentle smile, her exquisite eyes crinkling at the corners, radiating warmth that made her already striking features glow even brighter.

"They’re just worried you might accidentally bump into the baby."

Just as he suspected.

Vicente’s conjecture was confirmed, his expression remaining composed.

Melissa’s mouth moved faster than her brain.

The moment Camilla finished speaking, she pouted and retorted, "I’m not a child.

How careless could I possibly—"

Mid-sentence, she froze.

Her previously sulky, beautiful eyes widened in shock as she looked up at Camilla, disbelief coloring her voice.

"Camilla, what did you just say?

Baby?!"

Was she hearing things?

"Mm-hmm," Camilla repeated with a soft smile.

"The baby in my belly." She had no intention of hiding it.

The old superstition about keeping pregnancies secret for the first three months didn’t apply to medical professionals like them.

"That’s amazing!!

But wow, this is such a sudden surprise!"

Melissa was so thrilled she practically forgot how to move her limbs.

"Let me listen—I want to hear the baby!"

Giddy with excitement, she bent down and carefully pressed her ear against Camilla’s still-flat stomach, holding her breath in anticipation.

Camilla had half a mind to remind Melissa of something, but seeing how utterly earnest she looked, she held back and simply watched with amusement.

Melissa’s over-the-top reaction was so endearing that Taylor’s eyes crinkled with deeper amusement.

Anyone who didn’t know better might think *she* was the one expecting.

Noticing the growing shadow in his friend’s gaze, he chose the perfect moment to intervene.

"Melissa, stop fooling around.

Let’s eat first."

Meanwhile. Ephemeral Club.

A notorious playground for the wealthy in the capital of Country E, where the sons and daughters of tycoons and elite families love to gather.

Private rooms are strictly members-only, and the higher the tier, the more stunning the hostesses.

Of course, privacy is impeccably guarded.

No one gets in without permission from those inside.

At that moment, in the most luxurious VIP suite.

Seven or eight young men in tailored suits lounged around, each attended by glamorous hostesses pouring drinks and engaging in flirtatious banter.

Laughter and teasing remarks floated through the air.

Seated at the center, flanked by a strikingly beautiful hostess with an innocent face and a bombshell figure, was Harrison.

His chiseled features, usually sharp and composed, looked shadowed under the dim lighting, his expression unreadable.

The others were all wealthy heirs, close friends of his.

"What’s got our President Harrison so down in the dumps? Didn’t the Bernardo family matter already get resolved?"

A lanky man nibbled on a piece of fruit fed to him by a hostess, smirking at Harrison’s brooding face.

"Or maybe... you’re having second thoughts?"

Before Harrison could respond, a blond-haired man from Country E sitting beside him chuckled and chimed in.

"It’s only natural to have regrets.

Sure, Queen has a temper, but her figure is absolutely top-notch."

"You guys don’t know what you’re talking about.

Queen can’t hold a candle to Juliet," Harrison retorted, glancing at the group as he held a slender cigarette between his fingers and brought it to his lips.

"Mr. Harrison—"

The strikingly beautiful woman beside him, with an innocent face and a bombshell body, immediately flicked open a lighter and held the flame to the tip of his cigarette.

Harrison took a deep drag, exhaling a slow stream of grayish smoke through his lips and nostrils, the sharp scent of nicotine instantly filling the air.

"If it’s not regret, then what’s eating you?"

"Haven’t you heard?"

A young man in a black shirt, with a prominent aquiline nose, took a sip of his drink before smirking leisurely.

"At today’s auction, our Mr. Harrison here got completely upstaged by some American guy."

Harrison’s fingers froze mid-drag, his expression darkening in an instant as he lifted his gaze to the speaker.

"If you can’t speak properly, then shut your mouth."