She stopped in front of me. A flicker of awkwardness crossed her face, one hand still pressed protectively over her lower belly. She nudged Ethan, signaling for him to speak.
He frowned, then looked at me. After a moment of silence, he finally said:
"Alex, I want Victoria to keep this child."
He stared at me intently, probably waiting for me to explode into hysterical rebuttals like before.
After all, over the past seven years, every woman who got pregnant with his child was someone I personally escorted to the hospital for an abortion—without exception.
After a pause, perhaps seeing that I didn't immediately blow up, he added:
"Victoria's already had three abortions for me. The doctor said if she has another one, she might never be able to get pregnant again."
Whispers rippled through the crowd—probably betting on how spectacular my outburst would be.
But I only lifted my gaze, met his eyes calmly, and said two words:
"Okay."
Everyone froze. The probing in Ethan's eyes gave way to shock, and he stood there blank for a moment, not reacting.
Before either of them could say anything else, the host's voice rang from the front of the banquet hall, announcing that the birthday banquet was beginning.
According to the program, next came the gift presentation segment.
Guests stepped forward one by one, delivering carefully prepared gifts to Richard, offering auspicious words of blessing.
Soon it was Victoria and Ethan's turn. She clung to his arm with one hand, the other protectively cradling her lower abdomen, holding that pine-and-crane painting as they walked slowly toward the main seat.
"Uncle Richard, I wish you blessings as vast as the ocean and a life as enduring as the mountains."
"This is a birthday gift Ethan and I specially picked out for you. I hope you like it."
Richard's gaze fell on the painting, and his eyes brightened—just slightly.
But when his gaze swept over Victoria's protruding belly, they went dark again.
With so many guests present, he held his tongue. He nodded faintly and had the butler take the gift.
"Thoughtful. Take your seats."
Victoria's smile stiffened—she hadn't expected such a cold reception—but she didn't dare push it. She followed Ethan obediently back to their seats.
The moment they sat down, all eyes turned to me.
"What about the young madam of the Gilbert family? She hasn't given a gift yet, right?"
"What did Miss Ye prepare for the old man?"