Evelyn felt a chill run down her spine at the thought of meeting Jason's mother. Rumors had circulated that just six months after the death of the elder Mr. Stark's first wife, he was ready to marry his secretary, Grace White. However, right before the wedding, Grace had a falling out with him and returned to her hometown, where she gave birth to Jason six months later.

Ten years later, Grace brought Jason back to the Stark family to reclaim his heritage, and then she moved to Capital City to start her own business, living independently ever since. Although Grace had given birth to Jason, they had never held a wedding, nor had she lived in the Stark family, making it inappropriate to refer to her as “Mrs. Stark.” Instead, people settled on calling her “Ms. White.”

Over the years, Grace had operated several high-end clubs in Capital City, proving to be strong-willed and shrewd. She had always planned for Jason to marry into a prestigious family, but now Evelyn had beaten her to it, becoming a thorn in Grace’s side. Grace saw her as a rival, someone to undermine and suppress, and over the past three years, their few encounters had been filled with Grace’s biting sarcasm.

Evelyn desperately wanted to avoid this meeting and glanced at Jason. “Your mother doesn’t like me. I don’t want to add to her troubles.”

“It’s rare for her to want to meet you; you can’t just skip it,” Jason replied firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.

With furrowed brows, she reluctantly agreed.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the restaurant. They entered through the VIP passage to a private room on the third floor.

Upon seeing Grace, Evelyn forced a polite smile and greeted her, “Mother.”

Grace, nearing fifty, had not only aged well but also looked to be in her late thirties thanks to her meticulous self-care. Dressed in a light pink suit and an exquisite emerald green ensemble, she radiated the dual aura of a wealthy matriarch and a powerful businesswoman.

Grace’s gaze swiftly bypassed Evelyn, landing on Jason. “You come here without notifying me. Are you worried I can’t afford the meal, or do you just not want to see me?”

“If you keep spinning your tales, I’ll walk out right now,” Jason replied, taking a seat on a rosewood chair. He teased, “Mother, you seem to be in good spirits lately; I suppose your investments are paying off?”

“Don’t change the subject. I called you both here for family matters, not business,” Grace said, casting a cold glance at Evelyn. “It’s been three years, and you still haven’t made any progress. If you can have children, then do so. If not, hurry up and step aside.”

Evelyn's heart trembled at Grace's words, and before she could think of a response, Jason spoke up. “As long as you can keep your comments civil, this can be a blessing for the next generation. It won’t be long before you have grandchildren.”

Grace felt her temper flaring as her son’s words struck a nerve, but she knew she couldn’t win a verbal sparring match with Jason. Frustration bubbled over, and she redirected her ire towards Evelyn. “I haven’t even said much to her, and you’re already rushing to her defense? Once you’re in the Stark family, you’re expected to take on the responsibilities of a wife. As your mother-in-law, I have every right to say a few things!”

Evelyn chose silence, fully aware that any response would only provoke Grace further. Yet, she was unprepared for Grace's escalating fury, culminating in a heavy thud as she set her teacup down. “Evelyn, give me a straight answer: when can we expect you to bear Jason a child? If you don’t want to have children, I won’t force you, but you should file for divorce immediately.”

Evelyn was ready to brush it off with a vague excuse about work, but before she could, Jason chuckled softly, cutting in. “Mother.”

“I’m speaking to Evelyn, so you can be quiet for now,” Grace snapped.

Jason cleared his throat and paused for a moment. “Eve is already pregnant. It’s just too early to tell anyone, but we were planning to wait until the three-month mark when the fetus is stable before informing you and my father—”

His words detonated like a bombshell, leaving both Evelyn and Grace reeling.

The most stunned was Evelyn. Pregnant? Too early?

It was laughable. For the past six months, she had wanted to conceive, but Jason had practically forbidden her from getting pregnant, treating her like a criminal. Now he claimed she was expecting? It was absurd.

Jason shot her a meaningful glance, but she merely pressed her lips together, not wanting to reveal her turmoil. Today, Jason seemed utterly different. In the past, he would have remained passive during Grace’s criticisms, but now he defended her and even fabricated a monumental lie to protect her.

Grace fixed her furious gaze on Evelyn’s flat stomach, nearly choking on her anger. She had never thought much of Evelyn, seeing her as someone who had used underhanded methods to latch onto her son. Grace was determined that this marriage wouldn’t last. Forcing Evelyn to bear children was merely a method of suppression; if a child came from it, it would become an inescapable burden.

Feeling Grace’s piercing stare, Evelyn instinctively placed a hand on her abdomen.

“How long have you been pregnant?” Grace asked with a falsely sweet smile, stepping closer to Evelyn. “Have you had any check-ups? How is the fetus developing?”

Jason interjected quickly, “One month.”

“I’m speaking to Evelyn! What are you so eager about?” Grace shot him a glare before turning her scrutinizing eyes back to Evelyn’s stomach. “The Stark family hasn’t welcomed a new child in over twenty years, and with the demands of your job at the television station, it might be better for you to quit and focus on the pregnancy.”

“Don’t worry, Mother; Eve and I have already considered that,” Jason replied smoothly, cutting off any chance for Grace to criticize further.

Inside, Grace seethed but had to maintain her facade of the caring mother. “That’s good to hear.”

“Tell me, Mother, that regardless of the circumstances, we will always prioritize the baby,” Jason said, pulling Evelyn into an embrace with a wry smile.

As the mention of the nonexistent baby hung in the air, Evelyn’s cheeks flushed crimson. “Jason and I do indeed feel that way.”

“I have only one son, and now Jason is about to become a father. I’m overjoyed! I’ll be back in Riverton to take care of you for the next two months,” Grace said, her tone betraying her true feelings.

Evelyn’s heart sank. Every second spent with Grace felt like an eternity, and two months felt like a lifetime.

“I can take care of myself. You have a business to manage in Capital City; you shouldn’t worry about me,” Evelyn replied, subtly signaling Jason with her eyes.

Jason appeared unfazed, calmly responding, “With how much your mother cares for you, you wouldn’t want to upset her feelings.”

Evelyn was left speechless. With her supposed pregnancy now a protective shield, Grace would only escalate her theatrics, making the atmosphere unnaturally pleasant.

As dishes began to arrive, Evelyn seized the opportunity to excuse herself for some fresh air. Grace followed her, shutting the door behind them, her expression icy as she glared at Jason. “For three years, things have been peaceful, and now you’ve decided to have a child? Are you truly planning to grow old with her?”

“You’ve seen the old man’s health reports; he may only have a couple of years left. The Stark family is in turmoil, and having more children means more bargaining chips,” Jason replied, leisurely peeling shrimp, his eyes betraying nothing.

“Other families cherish the joy of grandchildren, but Sebastian has more than enough sons,” Grace sneered. “He wouldn’t care which son it is as long as there’s a grandson. If you want more bargaining chips, your only option is through marriage.”

Jason's pupils constricted, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. “I want the marriage union, and I want the child.”

“Are you determined to make Evelyn carry your baby?”

“Leave the child, take the mother.”

As Jason spoke those words, his gaze deepened, shimmering with an unyielding resolve and a fierce intensity that left no room for negotiation.