Chapter 5 If Anything Happens to Kiera

"But Henrietta…" Josephine began. "Setting aside the fact that the Marquette family raised Thalia since birth—if it weren't for the Marquette family's help, Crestfall Group would've never become as successful as it is now." Henrietta continued defending Thalia, reminding the others not to be ungrateful. "We're the ones who benefited now that Thalia has married into our family. So what if Alden helps his in-laws out? He's Thalia's husband, after all. Heck, Thalia could have all of our family's properties if she wanted," Henrietta concluded. Henrietta was still the family's current matriarch. No matter how displeased with her Josephine was, she still couldn't directly confront Henrietta. "Kiera is your daughter-in-law, too, Henrietta. She's even pregnant with your great-grandchild right now. Even if you do split up the inheritance, you still have to give some to the baby…" Josephine said weakly. Henrietta pretended not to hear her. She turned to Thalia and said, "You and Alden have to work a little harder and try to get pregnant by the end of the month. That way, you can give me a darling great-grandbaby by the year's end. "Once the baby's grown up, they'll become the family's successor. Any child of yours and Alden's is bound to be exceptionally clever." A wave of bitterness swelled in Thalia's heart. Alden only had sex with her once a month and even gave her contraceptives right afterward. There was no way Thalia could get pregnant, even if she wanted to. Now that Thalia was preparing to divorce Alden, she wasn't going to be getting pregnant with his child whatsoever! Kiera knew that Henrietta wasn't fond of her and would dote on Thalia instead. So, Kiera never dared speak loosely in front of Henrietta. But hearing Henrietta mention bequeathing all of the family's assets to Thalia's child made Kiera panic. Kiera pinched Alden hard when no one was looking, letting him know her displeasure at the situation. "Don't worry. It'll all go to you and the baby. No one can take it away from the both of you," Alden quietly reassured Kiera. This made Kiera feel much better. Henrietta was quite old now and didn't have long to live anymore. Alden and Josephine would be the decision makers in the family once Henrietta passed. So, even if Henrietta wanted to give all the assets to Thalia, whether or not Thalia would get any was still left unanswered once Henrietta passed away. Kiera didn't need to worry anymore. So what if Henrietta doted on Thalia? Kiera had Josephine and Alden backing her up, which meant Kiera still had the upper hand over Thalia! Josephine spoke up for Kiera as well. "How can you be so biased, Henrietta? Kiera is the eldest daughter-in-law and also the one who got pregnant with a baby boy first. Thalia would never be in line for the family inheritance, no matter what." Henrietta snorted. "What makes you so sure Kiera's baby is a boy?" "I just am." Josephine was very confident. Henrietta gave Kiera a stern look. Kiera was a schemeful young woman with a shady past, and now, she was using her pregnancy to cause trouble—she had no right to be the Crestfall family's matriarch. But Thalia was different. Henrietta had watched Thalia grow up since young, and so she knew Thalia very well. "That's enough. I have my own plans in that regard." Henrietta didn't want to speak on the matter any longer. She glanced at Alden, who was holding Kiera's hand, then knocked her walking cane on the floor. "Did you forget who your wife is, Alden? Come here and hold Thalia's hand." Kiera could clearly tell that Henrietta was trying to create an opportunity for Thalia. The moment Kiera felt Alden's hand loosen around hers, she quickly clutched her belly with a pained expression on her face. "Ow…" "What is it?" A look of sheer panic appeared on Alden's face as he grabbed Kiera by the shoulders. "Aldy, my stomach… It hurts…" Kiera said weakly. Josephine was incredibly anxious as well. "It must be the lack of breakfast that's affecting the baby! Hurry and bring Kiera to the hospital for a check-up, Alden." Josephine then shot Thalia an evil glare, as if Thalia were the one responsible for harming Kiera's baby. Alden hurriedly bent down and lifted Kiera into his arms bridal-style. "Don't be scared. We'll head to the hospital right now. You'll be okay." Alden then shoved Thalia aside and dashed over to the front door. Meanwhile, Thalia fell over from the shove and hit her tailbone on the floor. The pain was so great that it made her flinch. Josephine didn't care about Thalia's condition whatsoever. Before she went after Alden and Kiera, she even gave Thalia a warning. "Enough of your little tricks! If anything happens to Kiera, you'll have to answer for it!"