Give Up, Mr. Lawyer! This is Not Your Child-Chapter 141: Leave the Jewelry to the Daughter

Chapter 141: Chapter 141: Leave the Jewelry to the Daughter

In the dining room of the old Holden residence, the lights were bright, and the long mahogany dining table was filled with exquisite dishes.

The light from the crystal chandelier refracted off the polished tableware, casting a gentle sheen.

The air was filled with the enticing aroma of food.

Mrs. Holden sat in the main seat, with a satisfied smile on her face, continuously using the serving chopsticks to pick dishes for Leah Sutton, who was sitting to her right.

"Eat more of this steamed fish, it’s high in protein, good for the baby, and won’t make you gain weight."

"And this bird’s nest soup, I specially asked the kitchen to stew it lightly. You need nutrition now."

"This asparagus stir-fried with shrimp is also good, full of vitamins..."

The plate in front of Leah soon piled up like a small hill.

She was wearing a loose maternity dress; her abdomen had not yet bulged, yet she still exuded the posture of an expectant mother, occasionally touching her belly.

Her face carried a gentle and appropriate smile as she repeatedly expressed her gratitude.

"Thank you, Auntie, it’s too much, I can help myself, please eat too."

"Oh, you’re eating for two now, can’t be neglected."

Mrs. Holden looked at her, her eyes full of undisguised expectation and affection, as if Leah’s belly for sure carried the Holden family’s grandson.

Sitting to Mrs. Holden’s left, Zoe Holden watched her mother’s attentiveness, pursed her lips, and half-jokingly, half-coquettishly said:

"Mom, you’re being so biased. The whole table is filled with things Leah loves to eat. I’m pregnant too, how come I don’t see you having the kitchen make my favorite sweet and sour ribs or braised prawns?"

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Holden shot her daughter a reproachful glance, yet her tone remained indulgent.

"You, at your age, still vying for attention like a child. Next meal, I’ll have the kitchen make them for you. Aren’t all my most treasured things, jewelry, and accessories, kept for you? Could I treat you unfairly?"

Zoe felt relieved upon hearing this, but her words remained unyielding, she deliberately glanced at Leah and jokingly said, "That’s because Leah doesn’t like jewelry or accessories, she’s too lofty, so Mom could only leave all of them to someone mundane like me."

Her remark carried a subtle barb.

Leah paused slightly in her movements of picking up food and then resumed naturally, looking up with a gracious smile.

"Sis is joking, I just think those things are too precious, I don’t wear them often. Having them with me would just be a waste. Auntie’s kind intention is enough for me."

Her words were impeccable, maintaining her image of not valuing material things while also flattering Mrs. Holden.

Only she knew that when Mrs. Holden had offered her the box of jewelry to choose from, she had politely declined, saying she didn’t like such things, hoping the other would insist a bit more, showing she valued her.

Unexpectedly, Mrs. Holden had simply put away all the jewelry, stating they would be left for Zoe in the future.

Having spoken her words, she could not take them back no matter how much she regretted it. She could only continue playing her role of valuing emotions over materialism.

What she truly wanted was never just a few pieces of jewelry, but the title of Justin Holden’s wife and the resources of the entire Holden family behind it.

Mrs. Holden was clearly very pleased with Leah’s demeanor, nodding in approval.

"Leah is indeed considerate, knows how to care for others. Not like Zoe, spoiled by me from a young age."

Saying this, she ladled a spoonful of chicken soup for Leah.

Throughout, Mr. Holden, sitting across from Mrs. Holden, remained silent, head down, focused on eating the rice in his bowl, occasionally picking the closest greens.

He seemed oblivious to the seemingly intimate yet subtly turbulent conversation at the table, his face expressionless, only a faint, persistent gloom in his brow.

He ate quickly, yet his actions weren’t hurried, just a sense of wanting to linger no longer than necessary.

Zoe noticed her father’s silence and directed the conversation his way.

"Dad, what’s wrong today? Is the food not to your liking? You haven’t said a word."

Only then did Mr. Holden look up, his gaze sweeping over the table before settling back in his bowl, replying vaguely, "No, it’s fine. Just a bit tired."

After speaking, he lowered his head again.

Mrs. Holden also noticed her husband’s unusual demeanor, placing a piece of fish on his plate.

"Yes, Old Holden, eat more. Is it that there are too many things at work lately? Justin is at the firm every day and can’t help his father manage the company."

Mentioning Justin Holden caused a momentary pause in the atmosphere at the dining table.

Leah’s smile faded a bit, subconsciously touching her belly.

Zoe also toned down her playful demeanor.

Mr. Holden’s chewing paused slightly before he quicker shoveled a few mouthfuls of rice, mumbled, "It’s okay, he is doing well as a lawyer, doesn’t need to take over the company."

Clearly not wanting to discuss the topic further, he swiftly finished his meal, took a napkin, and wiped the corner of his mouth.

"I’ve finished eating, take your time. There is a document I need to review, I’ll head to the study first."

Finished speaking, without waiting for reactions, he stood and left the dining room.

His silhouette appeared somewhat hurried, even carrying a trace of escape.

Mrs. Holden watched the direction her husband departed in, sighed, then turned back to Leah and Zoe with a forced smile.

"Justin can’t be relied on, my darling grandson will have to take over his grandfather’s company in the future."

"Never mind the father and son, we continue enjoying our meal, Leah, have some more soup..."

Just after Mrs. Holden had placed a piece of boned fish onto Leah’s plate, Zoe was leisurely sipping her soup, the empty seat left by Mr. Holden seemed particularly conspicuous.

A middle-aged maid in a gray uniform quietly walked in, face full of hesitance, approached Mrs. Holden, and whispered, "Madam, Young Master just called the home phone."

Mrs. Holden looked up, a bit surprised.

"Justin? What did he say? Is he almost home?"

She instinctively glanced at the deepening night outside the window.

The maid rubbed her hands, speaking even softer.

"Young Master said he was already at the airport, about to board a flight to the United States. He said the work in the United States is urgent and he must go immediately, return date indefinite."

"What?"

Mrs. Holden’s smile instantly froze, and the chopsticks in her hand dropped onto the bone china plate with a crisp "clink."

"Going to the United States? Now? With no return date?"

She fired off questions, her voice rising with disbelief and obvious displeasure.

"Leah is still pregnant, and as her due date is approaching, how can he run off to such a far place at this crucial time? Work, work, what’s more important than a wife and child?"

Under the table, Leah Sutton’s hand clenched tightly around the napkin on her knee, her knuckles turning white in an instant.

A rush of heat surged to her head, and she felt a heavy blockage in her chest.

But she took a deep breath, desperately suppressing the rising anger, and quickly replaced her expression with one of understanding and docility.

She gently laid down her chopsticks, reached over to place her hand on Mrs. Holden’s, and spoke in a gentle and gracious tone.

"Auntie, please don’t get upset, don’t harm your health over this. Justin must have a very urgent job for such a hurried departure. It’s good for men to focus on their careers, I can understand. With you, my sister-in-law, and so many servants at home taking care of me, you don’t have to worry about me."

As she spoke, she even forced a consoling smile.

"He’s working hard outside for the sake of our family, for the child, so we can have a better life."

Zoe Holden watched from the side and immediately chimed in, "Mom, look at how thoughtful Leah is. I say, my brother is finally waking up, realizing he’s going to be a father, and his sense of responsibility has kicked in, knowing he needs to work hard to support the family. This is a good thing. Our family doesn’t lack maids or servants; what could a big man like him do at home? Serving tea and pouring water is not his role. Having ambition is better than being idle, don’t you think?"

Listening to Leah and Zoe, Mrs. Holden’s expression softened slightly, but her brows remained furrowed.

She held Leah’s hand in return, looking at her with heartache, "That’s all well and good, but you’re expecting, and this is the time you need your husband the most. For him to leave without even a definite return date, what kind of behavior is that? He shows no semblance of being a father, it’s just outrageous."

The more she spoke, the more she found Justin’s actions reprehensible, her tone tinged with complaint.

Leah lowered her eyelids, her long lashes concealing the storm of anger in her eyes, her voice remaining gentle.

"Auntie, I’m really fine. As long as Justin holds us in his heart, it doesn’t matter where he is."

As she spoke, she lifted her hand to gently caress her burgeoning belly, a gesture full of maternal glow, which softened Mrs. Holden’s heart once more.

The dinner ended abruptly in a forced calm. Zoe held onto her mother, leading her to the living room to rest, while Mrs. Holden continued to complain about Justin.

Leah maintained a smile on her face, saying she felt a bit tired and wanted to rest in her room.

She walked steadily up the stairs, her back perfectly straight.

Once inside the guest room that belonged to her on the second floor, she closed the door behind her and locked it.

The façade of gentleness and graciousness shattered instantly, her face turning livid and contorted.

Her chest heaved violently, her breathing rapid.

She glanced around at the exquisitely decorated room that lacked any trace of Justin’s presence, more like a luxurious cage.

Her gaze finally landed on the heavy glass tumbler on the vanity.

She rushed over, grabbed the tumbler with all her strength, and hurled it fiercely at the opposite white wall.

"Crash!"

A piercing shatter echoed as the glass exploded into fragments, spreading everywhere and leaving a messy wet stain on the wall.

This wasn’t enough.

She spun around, spotting a decorative ceramic vase on the nightstand, with several fresh lilies inside.

She seized the vase, along with the flowers and water inside, and again smashed it hard against the wall.

"Smash!"

The vase shattered on impact, shards of porcelain, flower petals, and water scattering everywhere.

The sound reverberated throughout the room.

Standing amidst the chaos, Leah braced herself against the edge of the dresser, gasping for breath, her eyes bloodshot with rage.

What work, what United States, it was all an excuse.

He simply didn’t want to see her.

Didn’t want to take responsibility for her and their child.

She had painstakingly planned, resorted to all means, even enlisting Zoe’s help to finally conceive this child, believing she could tightly bind Justin and the Holden family.

But him? He just left like that, with no definite return date.

Leaving her to face others’ ridicule and sarcasm alone.

All those words about disliking jewelry, valuing emotions, were complete nonsense.

Justin never even regarded her, giving the jewelry meant for his daughter-in-law, because of her so-called "nobility," to Zoe instead.

In this house, what was she?

She looked at the woman in the mirror, whose face was twisted, eyes filled with malice, and suddenly raised her hand, sweeping everything off the vanity to the ground.

Another round of clattering broke out.

A cautious knocking and inquiry from a servant came from outside the door.

"Miss Sutton, are you alright? I seem to have heard something..."

Leah abruptly ceased her actions, took a few deep breaths, and calmed her swirling emotions.

She walked to the door, not opening it, but spoke through the door, with a voice as calm and even carrying a hint of fatigue as possible.

"I’m fine, just accidentally knocked over a cup, got startled. You don’t need to worry, clean it up tomorrow."

The servant hesitated for a moment before replying with an "Alright," her footsteps gradually fading away.

Leah slid down to the floor, her back against the cold door.

Now she was not only humiliated by Justin but also ridiculed by the Sutton family; those so-called relatives were all waiting to see her make a fool of herself. No one thought she could marry into the Holden family; they all said she married because of the child, moving into the Holden house was nothing, becoming Mrs. Holden was her true accomplishment.