Stop Panicking! Miss Jacobs will Not Look Back!

Chapter 360: Chapter 360: The Pregnancy Can’t Be Hidden Anymore

Adrian Langley leaned back on the sofa, showing no reaction to the "harmonious family" scene before him, even appearing somewhat detached.

His elder brother’s family considered him and Iris Paxton as a natural couple, as it should have been, since he had promised to marry her.

Yet, for some reason, a slight unease crept into a corner of his heart.

Unclear why, yet it genuinely existed.

When... would she return?

The Innovation Hub.

As the workday was nearing its end, Raine Kane knocked on Juliana Jacobs’s office door.

"Juliana, look who’s here."

She stepped aside, and Jared Langley came forward.

Juliana was quite surprised and quickly stood up.

After not seeing him for a few months, Jared had returned to his dignified and modest appearance typical of the Langley Family’s eldest son, though an inerasable gloom lingered between his brows.

He didn’t hold back, casting a glance around the simple office with a smirk devoid of warmth.

"Your office is quite elegant. It seems my second uncle’s place is getting increasingly crowded, pushing you out to the company."

Juliana knew his bad temper hadn’t changed, and a faintly indifferent smile appeared on her face.

"President Langley, you’re joking. Actually, your second uncle is quite straightforward, openly showing his preferences, unlike some people who hesitate after making promises, afraid to take responsibility. Both might be ’scoundrels,’ but your second uncle is a more sophisticated one than you."

Jared knew she was referring to his affair with Sylvia Sheridan, his face turned pale for a moment, but he quickly regained composure.

He sighed and shook his head.

"Seems like soaking in the waters of Kingsford hasn’t smoothed out your edges; instead, they’ve gotten sharper. Honestly, from a man’s perspective, Iris Paxton is more to my taste."

"Is that so?" Juliana replied ambiguously, "Surely President Langley didn’t come all this way just to share men’s ’perspectives’ with me?"

Jared had no words to counter her retort, acknowledging defeat in this round, but he didn’t lower his head.

"The whole family is dining at Aethelgard tonight. I was out running errands and happened to be on the way, so I kindly... decided to take you to the battlefield."

Juliana almost laughed aloud at his use of the word "battlefield."

She forced a cold face, full of disdain.

"Knowing that place is bound to be full of conflict, yet heading in regardless, what does it matter as a spectator? The wind doesn’t just blow on one person, and the fire doesn’t just burn one spot."

The casualness on Jared’s face diminished slightly.

He understood Juliana’s unspoken message: if their father was determined to support Iris Paxton against her, then the storm wouldn’t just be confined to Adrian Langley’s domestic affairs.

"Let’s go," he quickly masked the hint of contemplation on his face, his tone returning to its usual playfulness, "We used to get along so well in Kenton. If we’re late, who knows what my second uncle will think."

"Oh, please! Who got along with you? Stop bringing up old interactions and taking advantage; I might retaliate by blending fragrances against you!"

Blending fragrances in retaliation was Sylvia Sheridan’s expertise.

Jared’s eyelids fluttered twice, a smile played on his lips, and he followed her out.

By the time they reached Aethelgard, night had fallen.

Just as Juliana arrived at the private room door, she heard Victor Langley’s gentle voice.

"Iris, once you and Elias have settled things, we’ll arrange for Mrs. Sinclair to assist with treatment. If you can give Elias a son, you’d be the hero of the Langley Family."

Iris blushed and leaned shyly against Adrian Langley’s shoulder.

Adrian didn’t offer much room, subtly frowning.

Jared’s eyes fell on Juliana’s face.

She merely smiled calmly, then pushed open the door.

Iris was startled, instinctively sitting upright.

Juliana cast a cold glance at Adrian Langley, and something deep in his chest was suddenly struck hard, causing his body to stiffen imperceptibly for a moment.

Victor Langley was extremely surprised.

He hadn’t mentioned Juliana all afternoon at his younger brother’s place, specifically to prevent her from attending this Langley family reunion dinner, yet she showed up anyway.

At this moment, Jared followed in from outside.

"Did you come together?" Victor Langley inquired.

Jared replied casually, "I had some errands to run and happened to pass by her company, so we arrived together."

It was his son who brought her, so Victor couldn’t say more.

"Just waiting for you two, quickly take a seat, there’s..." He glanced deliberately at Adrian Langley and Iris, "no seat for you, so just sit by the door."

Jared had his seat beside him, already reserved.

So this remark was targeted at Juliana.

Adrian was about to speak, but Rosalind Linton tugged at his sleeve, signaling him not to take a clear stand.

Victor Langley thought that with Juliana’s character in Kenton, she’d surely consider the bigger picture and sit down, swallowing her grievances at this meal.

But to his surprise, Juliana stood there, slightly curling her lips.

"Chairman Langley, you’ve lived for over fifty years; surely you understand the concept of propriety. How is it that the older you get, the more you resemble an unsophisticated mistress?"

Victor Langley’s face turned livid at these sharp words.

"We’re family, why adhere to formality? Sit down quickly and don’t delay everyone’s meal."

Juliana raised an eyebrow, "Are you so hard up for food in Kenton that you’re here to beg my husband for a meal?"

"You..."

"Aunt is absolutely right."

Jared leisurely interrupted his father’s impending outburst.

"By rights, Aunt should sit beside Uncle. That’s the rightful place."

"But Miss Paxton is a distinguished guest. Are you suggesting she sit by the door?" Victor Langley asked through gritted teeth.

He couldn’t understand why his usually astute and competent son would fail to see the situation clearly and side with Juliana.

Iris immediately turned to Adrian Langley, both understanding and slightly aggrieved.

"I can sit anywhere; after all, this seat... rightfully belongs to... your wife."

Her intention was to pressure Adrian Langley into confronting Juliana.

But unexpectedly, after she spoke, Adrian nodded, "Indeed, you should sit by the door."

Iris, "..."

"No, that’s not okay!" Victor Langley stood up immediately, "Miss Paxton’s status requires a better seat than that!"

Jared calmly suggested, "Dad, you’re also sitting next to Uncle, why not take my seat, and I’ll sit by the door."

His arrangement left Victor Langley speechless.

Juliana faintly smiled, "Chairman Langley has grown older, indeed it’s time to make way for the newcomers."

Victor Langley’s face instantly tightened, but he couldn’t further express anger out of respect for his younger brother.

This dinner, due to Juliana’s presence, subdued Victor Langley’s previously lively demeanor.

Originally, he had prepared topics to get closer to Iris, but now he couldn’t bring them up, feeling somewhat stifled.

On the way, Juliana had a cup of ginger tea, and now she selected a few light dishes, eating slowly without showing anything unusual.

At this moment, a serving of hairy crabs was brought to the table.

Iris turned slightly, speaking softly to Adrian Langley beside her, "Adrian, I’m... not very good at peeling these, could you help me?"

As soon as she finished speaking, she seemed to realize something and quickly corrected herself, "Oh dear, look at me, only thinking of myself. Adrian, could you help us both, me and President Jacobs, with one each? She would surely like it too."

Upon hearing this, Juliana’s hand holding the chopsticks slightly tightened.

Due to health reasons, the doctor had advised her to absolutely avoid all cold foods.

Especially crabs.

The amount from one crab was enough to induce a miscarriage for her.

However, if Adrian peeled it for her and she didn’t eat it, others would surely notice, and her pregnancy would be revealed.