Miles Jenkins wanted to refuse, but seeing Lia so determined, he pressed his lips tightly together. This was essentially being kept by someone, and he never thought that one day he would walk such a path. One wrong step leads to more mistakes. The rumors spread quickly online and disappeared just as fast. By the time Ashley Dawson saw the discussions, the matter was almost over, and she didn’t even remember taking such a photo with Eleanor Hollis. She gritted her teeth, thinking about the unexplained fainting in the morning. Although she woke up in the same place, she must have been taken to see Eleanor in between. She touched her own belly, remembering the photo of Miles Jenkins; it dawned on her that besides Evan Yancy, she had also been with Miles during that time. She couldn’t be sure if this child was his. Miles Jenkins was just an unknown little celebrity and could not be considered a big deal. If the child were his, Old Master Dawson would probably not approve. A glint of determination flashed in Ashley’s eyes. It seemed she needed to confirm the child’s true parentage quickly to avoid wasting efforts later. In the Dawson Family, Old Master Dawson also saw the news. His brows furrowed; just a while ago, he learned that Ashley was pregnant, and now it broke out that the child’s father might be a minor celebrity. The elite families looked down on those in the entertainment industry. If the child’s father was that actor, it wouldn’t matter even if it were a boy; he wouldn’t accept it. He made a call to Ashley, trying to probe her. Upon hearing Ashley firmly state that the child was Evan’s, he breathed a sigh of relief. The storm of public opinion thus passed, causing just a slight ripple, and no one paid further attention to the matter. Eleanor Hollis had been drinking herbal medicine recently, to the point of nausea. Each time she smelled that pungent scent, she couldn’t help but frown. "If you don’t like it, we can stop. After all, your body doesn’t have major issues." Hugo Quinn watched her with a look of steely resolve as she held up the herbal medicine, feeling a bit unbearable and said. Herbal medicine was indeed bitter, and adding sugar made it taste strange, so Eleanor never added sugar to it. "It’s alright, my health isn’t great, and it truly needs some adjustment." Eleanor pinched her nose, gulped down the herbal concoction, and within seconds, hurried to the bathroom. The nausea surged up her throat, tormenting her stomach. Hugo patted her back, "Honey, let’s go for IVF, and we can get a surrogate. I don’t want to see you suffer ." Given Eleanor’s current physical condition, IVF was undoubtedly the best decision, but the idea of someone else carrying their child made her feel uncomfortable, somewhat hard to accept. But with only a year and a half left, and Ashley already pregnant. After much deliberation, Eleanor still decided against IVF. Whenever they found time, they tried to conceive naturally, yet her belly showed no change. That night, she was called to the Dawson Family by Old Master Dawson. He must have learned about her health issues by now. Eleanor’s eyes flickered but she still went. Upon entering the Dawson Family, the first person she saw was Ashley, sitting on the sofa. Seeing Eleanor arrive, Ashley gave a gloating raise of her eyebrows. Eleanor called out as she sat down beside him. She couldn’t bring herself to call him Grandpa, so she respectfully referred to him as Old Master Dawson. Old Master Dawson’s brow furrowed, his gaze lingering on her belly. "I’ve heard there’s still no response from your womb?" Eleanor pressed her lips together. She didn’t like the tone of his question, as if in his eyes, women were merely tools for childbirth. "Yes, my health isn’t very good, and pregnancy is quite difficult for me." As soon as she finished speaking, Old Master Dawson’s face darkened. "Then why don’t you opt for IVF? Eleanor, I have high hopes for your child. IVF is the best choice now." Eleanor shook her head, unwilling to have another woman carry Hugo’s child, not to mention IVF was tough on women, reportedly very painful. "I don’t plan on doing that." Old Master Dawson’s face turned even grimmer. Hugo’s genes were excellent, and their child should not turn out poorly. He had high expectations for their child, but Eleanor’s body was apparently unsuitable for pregnancy. Ashley had been listening in on their conversation the whole time; her lips curled up as she lowered her gaze to her belly. There, a little life was sprouting. So long as it was a boy, the Dawson Family’s fortune would definitely fall into her hands. She glanced at Eleanor with a look full of resentment. Every face is unique, but because of this person, everything had changed. Eleanor felt her gaze. From the first time they met, Ashley never looked at her kindly. "Eleanor, if you’re not going for IVF, then what’s your plan?" Old Master Dawson took a sip from the cup on the table. "I’m adjusting my body with herbal medicine. Once my health is better, pregnancy won’t be difficult." As soon as she finished speaking, Ashley made a sarcastic remark. "Do you know how long it takes for herbal adjustments to work? Herbal effects are slow; it takes at least a year. Eleanor, by then, my child will already be born. Why not just give up this competition now?" Eleanor stared at her, curving her lips. "Are you so sure you’re carrying a boy?" Ashley’s face paled at her words, and she reluctantly closed her mouth. Old Master Dawson massaged his temples, "I want results. You two sort it out. With Dylan Dawson causing such a mess, there’s no way the Dawson Family will be handed to him. If neither of you has a child, I’ll choose another heir." He stood up, tapping his cane loudly on the floor. Once Old Master Dawson left, Eleanor rose slowly to her feet. Ashley also stood, following behind her. Eleanor frowned, instinctively stepping aside. "If you’re leaving, go ahead." Ashley sneered, bumping her shoulder hard before departing. When Eleanor returned home, she felt utterly exhausted. Every medicine has its toxicity; drinking so much herbal concoction seemed to affect her mood. A pair of arms wound around her waist, and she knew immediately who it was. Calmly, she leaned back into his embrace. "Honey, do you also wish for us to go for IVF?" Hugo propped his chin on her head, his lips curling slightly. "Not at all, Eleanor, I have no interest in the Dawson Family. Having a child isn’t like completing an assignment." ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝕟𝕖𝕥 Eleanor heaved a sigh of relief, her voice muffled. "I know, but even Old Master mentioned it tonight. It’s been on my mind." Hugo planted a kiss on her hair, pulling her closer into his embrace. "Don’t overthink it, just sleep."