Ch. 2291..2300
Chapter 2291 Chapter 2291 "He has such a handsome face. Goodness, I've become a fan."
Xyla Quest was pleased when she saw those comments from netizens.
Thanks to X Entertainment's promotional effort in the background, Lukas Ronaldo's pictures were everywhere on the internet.
She wanted to highlight Lukas at this juncture because he would soon be participating in a talent show.
With this promotional campaign, he would have a slight advantage to ensure a successful debut.
So far, their plan was working.
Netizens were becoming his fans because of his good looks, so his identity became the most intriguing subject.
Some even managed to find out, so Xyla had achieved her objective.
Lukas would undoubtedly receive the most attention during the talent show this way.
Right then, Xyla noticed many unread messages on Weibo.
She immediately clicked on her notification page to find tons of private messages related to Lukas- "Ms. Quest, please look after Lukas Ronaldo. I'm certain he will have a bright future when he successfully debuts."
"Lukas is very handsome. Invest in him, please? The making of the next Josh Batton depends on you."
"Xyla, you have great judgment. Lukas was a great find."
"I'm willing to make you my idol if you're willing to support Lukas."
"Xyla, make sure you invest a lot of money in Lukas! He must become popular!"
She felt even more delighted when she saw how excited netizens were.
She briefly glanced through all those messages without bothering to reply before opening the list of hot topics to check out other content on the list.
There was a hot topic related to Lukas on the fifth spot. 'Stunningly handsome man at the metro station#'.
She knew what people were likely to be saying on that topic. They were probably praising Lukas for his looks, similar to how people did on the first topic.
After briefly going through some gossip on the list of hot topics, Xyla directly closed Weibo before heading into the bathroom.
She smiled upon seeing her reflection in the mirror, pleased to find that her makeup had been removed.
She knew instantly that Stanley Batton had done it.
She couldn't help but imagine her husband carrying her home while she was asleep and then removing her makeup carefully. Her heart filled with warmth when she thought about all this.
After quickly brushing her teeth, she took a ரே in the bathtub. She put on a facial mask, washed her hair, and applied hair condit Once she was done, she covered herself in a bathrobe and sat on the edge of the bathtub to apply skincare products.
She then applied a layer of foundation and some light makeup on her face.
Xyla was already glowing before that, but after applying some makeup, she looked even better.
Once she was happy with her appearance, she walked into her huge closet to choose her outfit for work.
She selected a simple white shirt and a black, high-waisted dress that came down to slightly above her knees, highlighting her beautiful legs.
She walked out of her room and into the nursery once she was satisfied with her appearance.
Chapter 2292
Chapter 2292
Lynette Batton and Leon Batton were lying down on a white woolen carpet in the nursery, attempting to turn over. After several months of careful feeding, the twins were fairer and plumper with increasingly distinct facial features. They didn't seem agile when they tried to turn over clumsily as if they needed a lot of effort.
They didn't manage to turn over even after attempting to do so for a while.
It was a very adorable sight.
Xyla Quest couldn't look away once she set her eyes on them as they reminded her of adorable, furry, white cubs.
The entire nursery smelled of a unique baby scent.
Her children's scent and their adorable antics made her feel very happy.
Today, Sharon Lindt and Wilson Batton had gone to look after Josh Batton's son, leaving behind a group of nannies who remained in the house.
Even so, the children were still very joyful.
The nannies immediately greeted Xyla when they saw her walking through the door, and she returned their gestures before sitting between her children while holding their hands gently and watching them turn
over.
Soon, Lynette turned over successfully, making her mother overjoyed at the sight.
The little girl seemed equally pleased with herself, kicking her feet and waving her hands in excitement while looking at her mother as she laughed.
Meanwhile, her brother Leon also managed to turn over not long after, smiling while kicking and waving his hands as enthusiastically as her.
They looked so adorable that Xyla found it hard to resist picking them up to kiss them, but she couldn't carry them both simultaneously, so she picked up Lynette first.
She gently touched her mother's face with her small, fair hands, making Xyla's heart burst with warmth.
It was as if the warmth from Lynette's hand could travel through to the depths of her heart.
"Lynette, you're such a smart girl. You learned how to turn over all by yourself," she praised softly.
Her daughter might not have
understood what she said, but she
continued touching her face white fluttering her long lashes and
smiling at her mother with such joy
in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Leon silently reached out to touch Xyla's thigh and started tugging at her skirt repeatedly as if he was asking for his turn in her arms. Xyla slowly lowered Lynette to the ground, picking him up carefully to press her forehead against his. "Do you want me to hold you too, Leon?"
He couldn't reply, so he merely peered at her and smiled.
She chuckled. "You are not making a fuss anymore, so I guessed correctly, didn't I? Did you miss me a lot when I didn't come to see you two last night, hmm?
"Mommy misses you both, too. I love you two more than anyone in the world apart from Daddy, Grandpa, and Grandma," she declared affectionately. The twins responded by kicking their feet excitedly.
She wasn't expecting a verbal response, anyway. She merely spoke on her own accord.
Then, she heard someone's voice.
"Ms. Quest? Mr. Batton left home early in the morning. Before he left, he instructed-"
Chapter 2293 Chapter 2293 "Mr. Batton instructed us to prepare a nice meal for you, so we've already prepared lunch. Mr. Batton specifically chose all your favorite dishes. You may go down and eat now," a nanny informed her respectfully.
Xyla Quest nodded without taking her attention away from Lynette Batton and Leon Batton.
At that moment, she didn't want food but to stay with her children.
They hadn't seen each other for only a day, but she had missed them terribly, so it felt almost like a long-awaited reunion after being apart for half a century.
She wanted to make up for lost time with her children.
Sometimes, she wished she could lounge around at home with them.
She constantly yearned for freedom and her job back when she was going through postpartum recovery.
However, once she became truly free, she realized she barely had any time for her children.
Out of twenty-four hours in a day, she could only spare two to three hours for them, so she began to miss the time she spent during postpartum recovery.
At the very least, she could constantly be around her children to accompany them during those days.
"Ms. Quest, would you like to head down for food now?"
"I'm not in a hurry," she answered with a smile. "I'd like to spend some time with the kids first."
The nanny smiled and nodded. "Okay, take your time. The kids probably missed you a lot. I can tell even though they can't speak yet.
"When you and Mr. Batton didn't return last night, they kept peering around as if searching for you. They also stayed up late, which was unusual for them. Perhaps they were waiting up." Xyla felt her heart melting upon hearing this. "Is that so?"
"Yes. Look how happy the kids are to see you now," the nanny gestured to them. "They weren't this lively yesterday."
Xyla began feeling guilty as she turned her attention to them. "I'm sorry. No matter how busy Mommy gets, I'll always make sure you get to see me."
Then, she gently pressed her forehead against Leon's as they continued to grin and blink at her silently.
"Leon and Lynette are truly adorable."
"Yes. The longer I look at them, the more adorable they seem to me. I've never seen children more adorable than these two."
"They're the best-looking children in the world. I'm sure men and women would fall head over heels in love with them once they've grown up."
"I'm sure they would be very attractive Ms. Quest, I think they are suitable for the entertainment industry. You are very influential, so I'm sure you can set them up. You could even start now."
One by one, the nannies spoke with sincerity, their eyes filled with affection when they gazed at the twins.
Xyla chuckled. "I don't want to influence them on whether they enter the entertainment industry. They can decide themselvesconce they become independent adults.
"I shouldn't decide anything on their behalf. I hope my children will live freely and do whatever they want," she added.
She never understood why some parents forced their will upon their children and even detested those who planned out their children's lives.
Everyone was born to be independent with the right to choose the kind of life they wanted to live.
That choice belonged to that person alone without interference from others.
The nannies nodded in agreement at her words.
"You're right, Ms. Quest. You are indeed so open-minded."
Chapter 2294 Chapter 2294 "Yes, Ms. Quest is very open-minded. Normally, other parents wouldn't think this way."
"Yes, Leon and Lynette are so lucky to have you as their mother."
"That's stating the obvious. Only lucky people are born into the Batton family. Isn't that so?"
"Exactly. The twins are already lucky for a start."
Xyla Quest chuckled when she heard their comments. "There's no need to exaggerate."
The rest of them laughed. "We aren't. We are only speaking our minds."
Xyla chuckled without replying to them and began to talk to Lynette Batton and Leon Batton while repeatedly kissing and hugging them. It felt so satisfying to be able to sit with them.
After staying in the nursery for a long while, she eventually went downstairs to have her lunch.
As soon as she finished her meal, Xyla returned to the nursery to spend more time with her children before reluctantly leaving the house. Although she was eager to spend time at home with them, she couldn't do that because many things needed her attention out there.
She had to be somewhat like a female warrior who could handle anything, hence she was destined to give up a lot of time with her children.
***
Elsewhere, Rachel Wood and Sebastian Brenand were having lunch together, eating dishes he had cooked personally.
Those dishes included a beef stew, sour-and-spicy potato strips, steamed fish, and dumplings.
Every single dish looked appetizing.
Sebastian kept researching various recipes to make sure Rachel was eating right these days.
He was as good as a trained chef now that she no longer wanted to eat out because his cooking suited her taste perfectly.
She only wanted to eat his home-cooked meals at home.
For some unknown reason, she was partial to the sour dishes made by Sebastian and would have a healthy appetite because she liked it so much.
She was practically eating three times as much as she had before.
He felt satisfied by how much she seemed to enjoy his food.
Beep, beep, beep- His phone started ringing right then, the sudden sound disrupting the peace in the room.
When Sebastian saw that it was from an unknown number, he immediately picked it up. "Hello?" "Come back right away, you b*stard! Your father is in the hospital."
That voice belonged to his mother, prompting him to hang up instantly the upon hearing it before bet number in irritation.
After what happened to Rachel, he He Shated them despite how had cut off all ties with his parenteet much time had passed.
Not only that, but his hatred toward them had grown so much he could never bring himself to forgive them.
He didn't even know how to face them.
He didn't expect he'd ever go home again, even if his father had been admitted to the hospital.
Chapter 2295
Chapter 2295
Sebastian Brenand could no longer trust his parents.
He didn't care if his father was only pretending to be sick or if he was genuine. He wasn't interested to see him, even if it was true.
His parents had put him and Rachel Wood in a hopeless situation where they made sure she was defiled and kept away from him.
He was very close to never seeing her again, so how was he supposed to forgive them for what they did?
Seeing them only made him feel more disgusted and further intensified his desire to murder them, so it was best not to see each other again.
His parents did such terrible things to Rachel. Staying away was the best outcome for them.
Rachel heard everything as she slowly took a sip of water. Her gaze landed on Sebastian as she ate a piece of beef from the stew.
"You can decide however you want. I won't get angry, so don't worry about me," she assured him.
Hating the Brenand family was her own choice. She would never force him to hate his own family, too.
She couldn't make him choose between her and his family.
He was free to do whatever he wanted.
His heart grew with warmth when he heard her, increasingly feeling that she was the kindest person after everything his parents did.
"Do you think that's even possible?"
he said mockingly before holding her
kingly before
hand gently. "I'm telling you,
would never forgive them. Ever.
WK
, I
"You might forget how they have treated you, but I never will. So, don't mention my parents to me again and let me do as I wish, okay?"
He seemed resolved in his decision and wore an equally determined look in his eyes.
Rachel nodded, knowing his temper well enough that she would heed his words.
However, she sometimes worried he might regret his decision one day.
Seeing that she understood, Sebastian moved to sit next to her, ruffling her hair as if he was petting a cat or a dog.
"Good girl. I'm much happier now
after leaving them. With help from Stanley and the others, my business has been improving, and all my plans are going well.
"Most importantly, you and I are also much happier. I like peaceful days like this. I won't allow anyone to ruin this again," he added.
She nodded again and then froze, feeling nauseous suddenly.
"Ugh."
tob
She lurched to her feet and ran into the bathroom, prompting Sebastian to run after her. He knelt worriedly beside her, gently patting her back as she placed her hands on the edges of the toilet to heave
ove i
repeatedly into it.
Nothing came out despite her nausea.
Chills erupted all over her body, and she felt an indescribable sense of exhaustion.
Chapter 2296
Chapter 2296
Rachel Wood soon collapsed on the ground in an exhausted heap.
Her face turned red, and the veins on her neck became prominent as the urge to be sick intensified.
Seeing her this way made Sebastian Brenand's heart race with worry. "What's the matter?"
Rachel shook her head. "Ugh, I don't know. I feel like vomiting. I'm cold, and I feel weak, too."
Her voice began to tremble as she spoke, feeling weaker with every word.
He felt anxious then, so he quickly gathered her into his arms. "Let's go get you checked at the hospital. It looks like a bad case of food poisoning."
She nodded, still feeling nauseous, but she couldn't purge no matter how she tried.
Ten minutes later, Sebastian brought her into the Municipal Hospital, where the Director, Stephen Harris, ran her blood test in person.
Then, he carried her and followed Stephen into his office.
The three of them sat in front of the coffee table while waiting for the test results.
A nurse delivered the test results directly to Stephen about ten minutes later. Glancing at it, he smiled in satisfaction.
Meanwhile, Rachel's stomach felt much better. Her dry heaving had stopped though her nausea had faded slightly.
However, she still felt weak and could only sit upright by leaning against Sebastian, who wore a nervous expression at Stephen's smile.
"What happened? What are the results? And why are you smiling?"
He couldn't figure out why the Director seemed so happy.
"Well, I already suspected she might be pregnant after hearing your description of her symptoms earlier but I wanted to run a blood test to be sure," Stephen replied immediately. "The results show that she is indeed pregnant."
Rachel and Sebastian were both overcome with joy at his words.
He sprang to his feet and picked her up, spinning them around several times.
"This is wonderful! I finally have children of my own. Thank you, Rachel," he exclaimed happily. "I'm going to be a father! We have our happy ending at last. I love you!"
He seemed as happy as a child then, making Rachel glad to see his happy reaction. She was ecstatic to be pregnant as well.
Not long ago, she had been envious
when Georgie Clementine, Xyla Quest, and Annabeth Cates became mothers. She wanted children of her own, too, but never expected her wish would come true so soon.
They had been through so much in their relationship, but now, they finally had their happy ending.
Stephen immediately put a stop to Sebastian spinning her around. “All right, stop that. She is still in the early stages of pregnancy. She can't go through this when the embryo is only twenty days old."
He quickly stopped at the Director's advice, setting her down on her unsteady feet.
Rachel felt even dizzier and weak from all that spinning around, but it was a cause for celebration, and she was in a good mood, so she didn't put up a fuss.
They settled down on two seats across from Stephen's desk. "Tell me what I need to know," Sebastian told him. "I'm becoming a father for the first time, and I don't have any experience."
"I'll send everything to you on WeChat, including things to pay attention to and food that a pregnant woman should avoid," Stephen told him.
Chapter 2297
Chapter 2297
Sebastian Brenand nodded before turning to look at Rachel Wood. "Honey, do you still feel sick?"
She nodded, prompting him to look over to Stephen Harris. "She feels weak and chilly. Is this normal? Is there any way to make her feel better?"
"There's nothing to do. Rachel would need to get plenty of rest. These are all typical reactions at the start, but things should improve after the first three months.
"Of course, I've seen a minority of people suffering from morning sickness throughout the pregnancy," Stephen explained, making his heart twinge painfully when he heard this.
He gently caressed Rachel's face. "Honey, I'm sorry for what you have to go through. I'll treat you better from now on."
"It's not a big deal. Don't all women have to experience this anyway?" she replied, chuckling.
"How can it not be a big deal? I think it's a huge deal," he retorted indignantly.
"Don't exaggerate things. I'm not that fragile," she insisted, but he didn't believe her.
"You can act tough, but I can't. I went through a lot to keep you by my side."
Rachel felt warm in her heart again at his words, feeling so touched she might even cry. Tears filled her eyes without her realizing it.
Her tears made his heart feel like it was embraced by a pair of warm hands.
He cast an affectionate look at her. "All right, silly girl. You're going to be a mother soon. You shouldn't be so emotional."
"But I feel very touched," she said.
"You're just like a kid," he said tenderly, making her smile with eyes still brimming with unshed tears.
The days spent with Sebastian were very comforting, with each passing day filled with laughter.
If she ever cried, there would only be tears of joy.
Rachel enjoyed their lives this way.
Stephen couldn't stand their display of affection any longer, helplessly pinching his nose before looking at them. "What have I done wrong to get to know people like you? Every couple in your group shows off their love in front of me.
"Do you know how horrible it feels for a single guy like me?" he lamented with a shake of his head.
Rachel fixed her hair out of
embarrassment while Sebastian
continued to hug her calmly. "You'l
get used to it sooner or later,
Stephen. You're not used to it
because you haven't seen enough of it yet."
"Mr. Brenand, can you show some kindness?" Stephen asked.
"I am very kind. I'm offering a display of affection for everyone to see. Isn't that kind of me?" Sebastian countered.
"Yes, yes, you're the kindest person in the world. I think you even deserve an award for it." Stephen replied, his sarcasm instantly making the couple laugh.
"I'm sorry, Dr. Harris. It must be hard on you," Rachel said sheepishly.
"I'm glad one of you is aware," the Director said. "All right, I have to prepare for surgery later so I won't be seeing you off. Rachel, make sure you get enough rest when you get home.
"A pregnancy is still unstable in the first three months. It is best to avoid any physically demanding chores. Also, be giving you a list of food to avoid, so pay attention to that list, all right?" he added.
Rachel immediately nodded.
Chapter 2298 Chapter 2298 Rachel Wood loved her baby very much.
She would follow anything Stephen Harris advised to ensure her baby could be delivered safely.
If he'd asked her to avoid eating something, she wouldn't eat it.
Feeling assured, he nodded and stood up to watch them leave before returning to his office with a smile.
Meanwhile, Sebastian Brenand and Rachel took the elevator downstairs before leaving the hospital building.
Their affectionate interactions had attracted a lot of attention.
Sebastian, who was behaving like the perfect boyfriend, won the hearts of many young ladies.
Rachel felt deeply embarrassed with everyone watching, but she was left with no choice as he insisted on carrying her.
After getting into the car, he carefully fastened her seat belt and then turned the ignition on to begin driving very slowly throughout the journey at only thirty miles an hour. It was a far cry from how he used to drive.
Moreover, he peered around cautiously to avoid knocking against anything that might cause a traffic accident.
From her perspective, he seemed almost like a bandit right then.
Rachel gazed at him helplessly when she saw him acting this way. "Is this necessary? I'm pregnant. You're driving even slower now when your previous speed was fine.
"Besides, even if you were trying to be careful by slowing down, did you have to drive as if you're a thief?" she asked, finding his behavior laughable and adorable at the same time.
Undeterred, Sebastian continued to glance around carefully with his face nearly pressed against the steering wheel. "Didn't you hear what Stephen said?
"Things are still unstable during the first three months. I must be careful now so that nothing would go wrong. I'm doing the right thing," he insisted.
Seeing how determined he seemed, Rachel didn't argue further and resigned to let him do as he pleased as she shook her head helplessly. "Would you like anything to eat? I can buy whatever you want right away," he asked.
"Let's wait for the list from Dr. Harris first, as I bet there is a lot of food m not supposed to eat. Besides, kam not hungry yet," she replied, still feeling nauseous from before.
She didn't want to eat anything right then.
Sebastian instantly nodded. "Okay, that makes sense. Honey, I'm worried you would have to stop eating a lot of food you normally like."
"I can do it for the sake of our child. Besides, I don't think of it as a sacrifice when I'm more than willing."
He let out a chuckle. "We finally have a complete family of three. Thank you, Honey, for giving me a family."
Her smile widened gradually. "I have to thank you for not giving up on me.
You gave me a home so that I wouldn't have to wander for the rest ouldn't of my life. You've offered me a lifetime of love and protection."
Not long ago, Sebastian had to divorce his ex-wife by force.
A few days later, he'd married Rachel.
Now that she was pregnant, they would soon become a complete family
Chapter 2299 Chapter 2299 Now, Rachel Wood felt very happy.
Sebastian Brenand smiled and held her hand. "Silly girl, I wanted to give you all those things because I love you. From now on, I will work even harder to be a good husband and father."
She nodded instantly, knowing he would do what he said.
"Also, don't bring up things like that again. I don't exactly have a pristine past, either. There is no reason for me to judge you. Also, even though you went through all those things, you're always the purest in my heart.
"Rachel, let's not talk about that again, okay? Leave it all in the past," he told her, knowing she would be sad whenever the sore subject came up.
So, he hoped she could forget all of it in time, despite knowing how traumatic the experience had been for her.
Rachel nodded and subconsciously tightened her grip on his hand.
When they returned home, Sebastian carefully carried her to the couch as if she was a fragile heirloom.
Once she was seated comfortably, he sat beside her and took his phone out to check on his WeChat to find that Stephen Harris had just sent him a reminder of things he needed to do during Rachel's pregnancy.
The message included a list of food to avoid, prompting him to make a mental note of everything as he read.
Beside him, she was also reading the message and tried to remember everything.
Then, he lowered his phone to gaze at Rachel. "It isn't easy being a pregnant woman. There are so many things to learn.
"Moreover being pregnant truly poses a lot of risks. A single mistake could lead to the loss of two lives,"
he added, feeling sorry for her as he recalled what he read.
He swore he would protect her and ensure the safe delivery of their child.
She smiled. "Yeah, I heard Xyla and Georgie talking about it in the past."
"Rachel, thank you for having my child," he said solemnly.
"It's not just for you," she grinned in response. "It's for us. The child is mine, too."
"I still ought to thank you."
Rachel gently rested her head against his shoulder with a sweet smile. "Tell me, do you think our child would be a boy or a girl? Do you have a preference?"
"I don't mind as long as the child is from you he said. "All I care about is whether you can deliver the baby safely. I'm only concerned about your well-being during the pregnancy."
"I'm sure everything will go well. Honestly, most pregnant womenz can deliver their babies safely. Those who had complications like excessive bleeding or death are a minority," Rachel said.
"Even so, we still need to be careful," he insisted.
She nodded in agreement.
"Our child will take after your surname," he said a moment later, surprising her to hear that.
Children born in Country Z usually took their father's surname.
Chapter 2300 Chapter 2300 The father would usually have to consent if his child were to take after the mother's last name. In most cases, the father might not agree.
However, Sebastian Brenand brought this up when the thought didn't even cross Rachel Wood's mind, so she was surprised but understood his reasons behind the suggestion.
She knew it was because he was thoroughly disappointed by his parents and no longer wanted to extend his family's bloodline.
"The Brenand family doesn't deserve a child with its surname or someone as kind as you," Sebastian said. "That's why you must listen to me on this matter."
"Have you thought it through? There's no going back if your parents find out about this," Rachel replied with uncertainty.
"Hah! I never thought about going back," he sneered. "Besides, it's my decision to make. What's wrong with that?"
She refrained from arguing further after seeing how determined he seemed.
"What do you think we should name our child? How about Mandy, if it's a girl? It sounds lovely," he said. "And if it's a boy, we'll name him Moses. It has a more dignified quality to it." Sebastian had a look of adoration in his eyes when he spoke.
She nodded. "As long as you're happy. Are you sure you don't want our child to take after your last name?"
He nodded firmly. "There's no negotiating this. Listen to me, all right?"
She agreed with a silent nod and didn't say anything else.
In any case, they'd already done everything they could to rebel against his parents. They didn't mind adding another one to the list.
"Okay, good. Do you want to eat anything? The doctor said you should be eating more fruits, especially apples. I'll buy apples for you right now. What do you think?
"You happen to feel nauseous anyway. Eating some apples will help," he said, changing the subject.
Rachel instantly shook her head. "I used to like apples, but I haven't felt that way recently. My appetite might have changed due to the pregnancy.
"I feel so tired now. I don't think I'll eat anything. I'd like to go upstairs for a nap," she added wearily, her head feeling heavy. It made her feel as if she could pass out any second.
Seeing this, he slowly stood up and picked her up. "All right, I'll take you upstairs for a nap. I'll nap with you."
She nodded. "Honestly, you don't have to keep carrying me. I can walk on my own. Dr. Harris never said I couldn't walk, but only to be careful. He didn't ask you to treat me as if I can't walk."
"There's nothing wrong to be a little more cautious. We'll discuss this after the first three months," he insisted.
"Are you going to make me go through this for three months? Am I not allowed to walk outside at all?" she asked with an incredulous expression on her face.
"Not quite, but I'll make sure you rest more often in bed. I'll also hire the best nannies in town to serve you. You have everything you need without lifting a finger," he told her.
"Really, that's not necessary," she objected.
"It is. It is very much so."