Give Up, Mr. Lawyer! This is Not Your Child-Chapter 137: Have a Son

The sharp needle in the words was glaringly directed at Jean Ellison.

Jean Ellison’s knuckles whitened slightly as she held the water glass.

She lifted her eyes to meet Leah Sutton’s gaze, her tone calm and unruffled.

"I just hope Miss Sutton can have her wish and give birth to a son."

Justin Holden, who had been sitting silently in the main seat, dressed in a dark suit, with a stern face.

He seemed oblivious to the sparring between the women, focusing solely on the cutlery in front of him.

However, at the moment Jean’s words fell, the glass filled with clear water beside him suddenly slipped from his fingers, with a crisp "clang," shattered on the ground, fragments and water scattered everywhere.

The waiter quickly stepped forward, apologizing repeatedly, deftly beginning to clean up.

"It’s okay." Justin Holden’s voice was deep, emotionless.

He pulled out a napkin and slowly wiped the water stains from his fingers, his gaze never meeting anyone’s.

The small episode made the atmosphere even more stagnant.

Leah Sutton seemed somewhat displeased at having her topic interrupted, and she glanced at the freshly served braised prawns on the table, coquettishly spoke to Justin Holden.

"Justin, I want to eat prawns, help me peel them, will you?"

Justin Holden paused for a moment.

He lifted his eyes, his gaze finally moved, first skimming quickly past Jean Ellison, who was lowering her head, concentrating on the dishes in front of her, as if she hadn’t heard Leah’s words.

His gaze eventually fell on Leah Sutton’s face, without much expression, only lightly responding, "Okay."

He put on disposable gloves, picked up a prawn, his movements not particularly skillful, but very carefully started peeling the shell.

Long fingers tore open the red prawn shell, revealing the white tender prawn meat inside, then steadily placed it on Leah Sutton’s plate.

Jean Ellison’s heart felt as though hit heavily by something, a dull pain.

She forced herself not to look, but caught a glimpse of Justin Holden’s focused prawn-peeling profile from the corner of her eye.

In the past... In the past, when they were together, had Justin Holden ever taken care of anyone like this?

He was always the one in need of care and concessions, noble yet aloof.

Now, he could do these trivial things for Leah Sutton.

An indescribable bitterness and desolation spread in her heart, almost suffocating her.

She stared intently at the white rice in her bowl, feeling her eyes slightly warm.

Just then, a distinctly jointed, slightly calloused hand gently placed a cleanly peeled, plump shrimp into her bowl.

Jean Ellison abruptly looked up, caught in the warm gaze of Philip Paxton.

Philip Paxton was dressed in a simple light-colored shirt, his figure tall and straight, posture upright, exuding a policeman’s unique poised demeanor. He said nothing, only slightly nodded to her, his eyes containing silent comfort and understanding, then continued naturally picking another prawn, peeling it for himself.

His actions were swift, carrying a steady sense of power.

This unexpected shrimp dispelled some of the coldness in her heart.

She softly said, "Thank you."

Philip Paxton shook his head, indicating she need not be courteous.

Across the table, Leah Sutton witnessed this scene, a faint, ambiguous smile curled at her lips, she took a bite of the shrimp peeled by Justin Holden, spoke to him.

"This shrimp tastes good, peel a few more for me."

Justin Holden responded with an "Okay," continuing his actions, silent as an iceberg.

Jesse seemed to sense the unusual atmosphere between the adults, quietly eating the dish placed by her mom, daring not to speak randomly.

Leah Sutton occasionally found topics to talk about with Justin Holden, his responses were always brief.

Jean Ellison ate very little, mostly just quietly listening.

Philip Paxton occasionally exchanged softly with Jesse, asked if she wanted some water, what she liked to eat, skillfully easing the situation.

When dessert was served, Leah Sutton rested her hand on her belly, her tone carrying a hint of flaunt.

"I’ve been feeling very tired lately, Justin said for me to rest more, put the company stuff aside for now."

She looked at Jean Ellison, "Miss Ellison, it must be hard taking care of Jesse alone, if there’s anything you need help with, feel free to ask, don’t be shy."

Jean Ellison put down the small spoon, wiped the corner of her mouth: "Thanks for your concern, Editor-in-Chief Sutton, I’m fine, Jesse is also very good, doesn’t require much trouble."

"Yes, Jesse is indeed very good." Leah Sutton smiled, her gaze shifted to Jesse, "Jesse, do you like Uncle Holden?"

She deliberately emphasized the words "Uncle Holden" slightly heavy.

Jesse glanced at Justin Holden’s stern profile, timidly shrank towards Jean Ellison, did not answer.

Justin Holden’s eyebrows frowned almost imperceptibly, but soon returned to smooth.

Philip Paxton timely spoke, said to Jean Ellison: "It’s getting late, Jesse still has kindergarten tomorrow, should we leave early to rest?"

Jean Ellison gratefully looked at him, stood up in accord: "Yes, it’s indeed late. Thank you so much for the hospitality, we’ll be leaving first."

Justin Holden also stood up, he looked at Jean Ellison, his lips moved, seemingly wanting to say something but ultimately only spat out two words: "Take care."

Leah Sutton leaned back in her chair, waved her hand with a smile: "Miss Ellison, be careful on the road."

Philip Paxton helped Jean Ellison pick up her coat and bag, took Jesse’s hand: "Let’s go, I’ll take you back."

Watching the backs of Jean Ellison, Philip Paxton, and Jesse leave, disappearing at the restaurant door, Justin Holden slowly sat back down.

He stared at the cup of tea that had long cooled in front of him, his gaze profound, showing no emotion.

Leah Sutton leaned close, her voice carrying a hint of coquettishness: "Justin, let’s go back too, I’m a little tired."

Justin Holden didn’t look at her, only calmly said: "Okay."

Throughout, he didn’t look at her, striding away from the dining table, Leah Sutton following closely behind, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

If it weren’t for his aunt’s request, Justin Holden wouldn’t have taken her shopping, nor would he have considered buying baby supplies.

She naturally knew these things wouldn’t be used; the child in her belly would last at most five months, unable to be born.

But she couldn’t make it public, couldn’t let anyone know this secret, especially Justin Holden’s parents.

Stepping outside the restaurant, the night breeze was slightly cool.

Philip Paxton went to get the car, Jean Ellison holding Jesse waited by the roadside.

Jesse tilted her face up, asked in a soft voice: "Mom, why did that aunt say Uncle Holden’s parents wants a grandson? Isn’t a granddaughter good?"

Jean Ellison felt a pang in her heart, crouched down, adjusted Jesse’s collar, softly replied: "There’s nothing not good, boys and girls are the same, all are treasures, Jesse is Mom’s most precious treasure."

Jesse nodded thoughtfully without fully understanding.

Philip Paxton drove the car over, got off to open the back door for them.

Jean Ellison and Jesse got in.

The car drove steadily into the night.

Philip Paxton glanced at Jean Ellison through the rearview mirror, she was slightly turning her head, looking out the window, neon lights flickering on her face.

"Don’t take it to heart." Philip Paxton’s voice sounded in the quiet carriage, steady and powerful, "Some people speak just to please themselves."

Jean Ellison turned her head and managed a smile, "I know, thank you, Officer Paxton, for the trouble again today."

"A small matter." Philip Paxton paused, "Jesse is quite sensible."

At the mention of her daughter, Jean’s gaze softened, "Yes, she’s always been well-behaved."

After sending Jean and Jesse to the apartment building, Philip Paxton watched them enter the hallway. The lights lit up layer by layer until the window of a certain floor glowed warmly, then he turned to get in the car, started the engine, and drove into the night.

In the apartment, Jean put Jesse to sleep, sat by the bed, and looked at her daughter’s peaceful sleeping face, feeling a mix of emotions.

She gently stroked Jesse’s hair. In the child’s brows and eyes, there was a faint shadow of Justin Holden, though he himself had never noticed, or rather, never cared.

Meanwhile, Justin Holden took Leah Sutton back to the old Holden residence.

After the car stopped, Leah Sutton did not get out immediately.

"Justin," she turned sideways, "You didn’t seem very happy today, is it because of Miss Ellison?"

Justin Holden gripped the steering wheel, staring ahead, his voice indifferent, "No, you’re tired, get some rest early."

Leah Sutton stared at his cold, hard profile for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Alright, I won’t ask anymore. I’m going in, drive safely."

She pushed the door open and walked into the brightly lit villa.

Justin Holden did not leave immediately; he sat in the car, lit a cigarette.

Amidst the swirling smoke, the scene from dinner replayed in his mind, where Philip Paxton placed shrimp into Jean’s bowl.

Annoyed, he stubbed out the cigarette.

The night was deep, and in the study of the old Holden residence, only a vintage green-shaded desk lamp was on, casting large shadows on the dark wooden bookcase.

Mr. Holden sat in a spacious armchair, dressed in loungewear, a half-burnt cigar between his fingers.

He hadn’t gone to bed, clearly waiting for his son to return.

Justin Holden pushed the door open and came in, bringing the night’s chill with him.

He took off his suit jacket, draped it casually over the back of the sofa, his expression a mix of fatigue and his usual sternness.

"Dad, you’re not resting yet?"

He sat in the chair opposite his father, long legs crossed.

Mr. Holden exhaled smoke, looking at his son.

"Saw your car outside, thought I’d chat with you."

He paused, then got straight to the point.

"About Leah Sutton, what are your plans? Your mother mentioned again today that the wedding should be on the agenda."

Justin Holden’s brow immediately furrowed, his tone resolute, leaving no room for negotiation, "I won’t marry her."

The study fell silent for a moment.

Mr. Holden didn’t show much surprise, he simply asked slowly, "Because of Jean Ellison?"

Justin Holden’s jaw tightened a little, his gaze fixed on a point in the void, "Not entirely, even without Jean Ellison, I would not marry a woman scheming to conceive."

There was a barely perceptible hint of disgust in his voice.

"As for her collusion with Zoe Holden, for the sake of Mom, I won’t pursue it further, but marriage is absolutely impossible."

Mr. Holden sighed, extinguishing the cigar in a crystal ashtray.

"I’m not here to force you into marriage, you’ve had your own ideas since childhood, I can’t push you. I just want to know, what are your plans for Jean and Jesse? That child..."

He recalled the timid little girl at the dinner table, his gaze complicated.

Justin Holden was silent for a moment, then when he spoke again, his voice was a little lower.

"They’ll go to Gresten, the paperwork is already in process. The living environment there is more suitable for Jesse’s growth."

"Gresten?" Mr. Holden was a bit surprised, "And what about you? Are you going too?"

Justin Holden’s lips curved into a somewhat self-deprecating smile, devoid of warmth.

"What would I go for? Jean doesn’t want to see me."

He recalled the dinner, her downcast eyes, and the shrimp Philip Paxton placed in her bowl, a dull ache in his chest.

"If I go there, it would only upset her. Besides, Professor Thorne has urged me several times to go to the United States to take over his project."

"So you’re going to the United States?"

Mr. Holden caught the implication in his son’s words.

"There’s nothing worth lingering for here."

Justin Holden’s tone returned to its usual indifference.

"Once the important projects here are smoothly handed over, and I get them settled, I’ll probably go to the United States, not Gresten."

The last few words were spoken very lightly.

Mr. Holden looked at his son. Under the light, Justin Holden’s profile was sharp, but the insuppressible gloom in his eyes did not escape his father’s notice.

He knew his son’s arrangements, though seemingly calm and rational, were in fact a form of escape.

"That’s also fine." Mr. Holden finally nodded, "Going abroad to clear your mind would be good too. As for the child Leah is carrying..."

He ultimately asked, after all, it involved the Holden bloodline in name.

Justin Holden’s gaze suddenly grew cold, like a layer of frost.

He stood up, walked to the window, looking out into the deep night, his back to his father, and his voice was frighteningly calm.

"That child is unlikely to be born."

Mr. Holden was taken aback, "What?"

Justin Holden cut him off, his tone devoid of any emotion.

"There are things I know that the doctors haven’t told her. You needn’t ask further, just know the outcome."

He turned and looked at his father.

"Please comfort Mom a lot; she’s longed for a grandchild for so long, only to be disappointed, she’ll surely feel hurt."

Mr. Holden looked at his son and suddenly understood many things.

The child Leah carries can’t be kept, likely due to some genetic issue, whether she knows or not is uncertain.

"Sigh..." Mr. Holden sighed deeply, waving his hand in resignation, "I understand. Handle it appropriately. Going to the United States is your decision. It’s late, go get some rest."

Justin Holden nodded, said no more, grabbed his jacket, and left the study straight away.

That night, he neither stayed at the old Holden residence nor returned to the apartment, but went to Samual Pryce’s place. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

He got drunk again.