bChapter /bb82 /b

Brian drove with Jacob in the car. The excitement at possibly seeing Jessica made Jacob fidget nonstop

Only Upon reaching Giant Group Brian realize that today was Sunday, and Jessica would be at home.

He hesitated over the prepared fruits and pastries. Delivering them to Grant Manor would be inappropriate, as if the Grant family couldn’t provide for Jessica He finally decided not to send them over there.

He kept a portion in the car and headed straight to Grant Manor. Coincidentally, another car came from the opposite direction.

Jacob tapped excitedly on the window. “It’s Mom! Mom!”

Unfortunately, Jessica couldn’t hear him, Their vehicles crossed paths without stopping, Jessica’s car speeding away.

Brian swiftly made a U–turn to follow.

Jessica browsed mall boutiques, selecting new arrivals while pretending not to notice Brian and Jacob

At the cafe. they lingered conspicuouslyb, /bclose enough to be seen.

Jacob strained toward her, bonly /bfor bBrian /bto bhold /bhim back. Better this distance than driving her away

Their striking looks soon draw whispers. “That bman /bis so handsome, is that his bson/b? They are both stunning”

“Wow, that little boy is so adorable. What are those two staring at so secretly?”

“Are they staring at that woman drinking coffee?”

“Oh my! Are they family?”

Murmurs multiplied as passersby gawked at Brian and Jacob, who stood quietly nearby, watching bJessica/b.

Their breathtaking looks drew attention from bpassing /bshoppers.

Jessica stiffened as murmurs sivelled around them. To avoid a scene, she abandoned bher /bcoffee and strode btoward /bthe elevators.

Brian and Jacob instantly followed, which only confirmed the suspicions of nearby girls who started whispering and gasping

“Jessi, wait in the lounge over there. I’ll clear the whole floor so you can shop in peace,” Brian called, no longer feigning discretion.

Jacob scurried forward with her forgotten coffee. “Mom, you dropped this”

The absurdity of Brian’s offer made Jessica broll /bher eyes at bhim/b. “Are you insane? My shopping has nothing to do with you.” She pped his phone away mid–bcall/b, leaving a red mark on the back of his hand.

Brian hung up the call without a word.

Jessica didn’t want him interfering, and she was clearly annoyed.

“Then let me apany you.” bBrian /bbargained.

“Me tool” bJacob /binterjected, ring at Brian for nearly excluding him again. “I’ll bgo /bshopping with you, Mom”

The elevator bdoors /bfinally opened. “Stay away from me,” Jessica hissed, stepping binside/b.

Brian and Jacob exchanged a look and followed her in.

Jessica’s brows furrowed. She went to the sixth floor, and so did Brian and Jacob.

They had been following from several feet away. Now, they were walking right behind her.

bEvery /bnce at merchandise triggered immediate purchases, Before she could evaluate ba /bhandbag, Brian was alreadymanding, “Pack it bup/bb./b”

Jacob was even more eager, pointing at the most expensive bag on the counter. “Mom, do you like this one? il buy it for you”

Jessica’s enjoyment evaporated. From then on, every time she lingered longer than busual /bon merchandise, Brian simply had the sales associate pack it up and pay.

When Brian and Jacob followed Jessica to the underground parking lot, they finally realized she was done shopping for the day.

Jacob watched her taillights disappear. “Is Mom leaving because she doesn’t like what we bought?”

“Maybe…” Brian’s arms were overflowed with shopping bags. He thought Jessica would like them. There were still more items in the stores waiting to be delivered.

Jacob shook his head. “No. Mom is not tired of us. She’s just tired from walking too much.”

“Right.” Brian bgave /bJacob a relieved smile. “I should’ve suggested a foot massage.” After all, Jessica was pregnant. She got tired easily

They went back and forth in conversation, almost convincing themselves. Their mutual delusion solidified–Jessica’s departure stemmed from fatigue,

not their annoying bpresence/b.

The next day, there was a meeting in the boardroom of Grant Group

“The dedicated team will handle the follow–up progress, and the statistics database will be distributed via email.” As Jessica concluded, overhead lights

zed onb. /b

Some skeptical directors, who bhad /bpreviously questioned her abilities, nodded approvingly, Herpetence matched exactly what they had expected. Jessica gathered the folders on the table and left bfirst/b. Behind her, she bfaintly /bheard whispers of praise–how decisive and efficient she was,

Dereck

Back in her office, Jessica rubbed her temples, surveying the absurd scene before her. bWhat /bwas tropical fruit stand.

much like

once a pristine executive space now resembled a

Thanks to Brian, the employees of the CEO’s Office had been flooded with imported fruitstely. Every few days, delicate and fancy cakes showed up as well.

Jessica had even called Brian and warned him not to send anything. However, Brian Ignored her and continued sending new surprises daily. In addition, after school, Jacob would often insist on waiting downstairs for her with Brian,

Every time Jessica went out or had lunch at a nearby restaurant, they would appear from nowhere.

Jessica lost her temper uncontrobly, but Brian and Jacob were cheeky. They just let her vent, as long as she didn’t drive them away.

“Herbert, distribute them, Jessica sighed.

L.” Herbert separated a portion for Jessica before hauling the rest away

“Got it, Ms. Grant.”

Brian: Jessi, what do you feel like eating bfor /blunch?]

Ever since Jessica unblocked his number, Brigh had been texting her at least two or three times a day.

At Atkinson Group, Brian messaged Jessica as usual. He had bhired /ba chef whose family had served as royal chats for generations, just in case Jessica wanted a meal specially bprepared/b.

Minutes passed. There was still no reply from Jessica, Brian had long epted this. He stood up and strode toward the conference room, regaining his

cold demeanor.

From the hallway outside the office, a sound of nausea broke the silence.

Brian paused mid–step. For a moment, he thought it was Jessica. He turned slightly and listened carefully.

The noise came from the restroom. Janice Zade, a member of the publicity department, merged, pale–faced, Just then, she heard ba /bcold voice. “Are you pregnant?”