Ch. 311..315: Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire Chapter 311-315
Chapter 311: Stella Swift’s Final Case Verdict
The courtroom was silent, save for the faint shuffling of papers as the judge prepared to read his final ruling. Unlike the previous hearings, this session was completely private—no reporters, no cameras, no unnecessary spectators.
Only the legal representatives, the jury, the prosecution, and the defense were present. And among them, sitting alone in the gallery, was Stephanie Swift—the only member of the Swift family who had chosen to attend.
Her expression was unreadable, her posture poised as she watched her former sister-in-law, Stella Swift, standing at the defendant’s table in her beige prison uniform, her wrists shackled in front of her.
For weeks, this trial had dragged on. Witness testimonies, forensic evidence, financial records—all had piled up against Stella, proving her involvement in multiple crimes.
And now, the final moment had arrived.
The judge, an elderly man with a firm yet neutral gaze, adjusted his glasses and began.
"The defendant, Stella Swift, is hereby found guilty on the following three charges:"
1. First-degree murder – for orchestrating the assassination attempt on Aurora Swift, which led to the unintended death of her own husband, Adam Swift, instead.
2. Obstruction of justice and evidence tampering – for covering up her role in the crime by ordering the murder of the hired assassin, ensuring there were no witnesses to tie her to the crime.
3. Conspiracy to commit murder – for planning and funding the assassination of Aurora Swift, an act that resulted in the tragic chain of events that followed.
Stephanie sat still, showing no reaction, while Stella visibly stiffened. Her face, once carefully composed, paled slightly as she braced herself for the sentencing.
The judge took a deep breath before delivering his final ruling.
"In light of the overwhelming evidence presented, and given the severity of these crimes, this court hereby sentences you, Stella Swift, to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Your sentence shall be carried out immediately."
A gasp rippled through the courtroom.
Stella froze, her fingers tightening into fists as the weight of the verdict settled over her.
Life in prison. No chance of freedom. No second chances.
Her breathing turned shallow, her eyes darting toward her lawyer in desperation, but he only looked down, defeated.
Then, the reality of it all crashed down on her, and she snapped.
"NO!" Stella slammed her fists against the table, her voice breaking into a desperate scream. "This isn’t fair! I was framed!"
The judge remained unmoved. "The evidence disagrees with you, Mrs. Swift."
Two uniformed officers approached, preparing to escort her out, but Stella wasn’t done.
"You can’t do this!" she shrieked, her eyes blazing with fury as she turned toward Stephanie. "This is your fault! You wanted this! You—"
Stephanie finally looked at her.
Not with anger. Not with satisfaction.
Just cold, empty indifference.
She tilted her head slightly, as if observing an insect struggling for life, before turning away without a word.
That dismissal—more than the judge’s verdict—sent Stella into a blind rage.
"STEPHANIE!" she screamed, fighting against the officers as they grabbed her arms. "LOOK AT ME! DON’T YOU DARE TURN YOUR BACK ON ME! THIS ISN’T OVER! I SWEAR, I’LL—"
Her voice cut off as the guards forcibly dragged her toward the courtroom exit, her screams echoing down the hall.
And just like that, Stella Swift disappeared from sight, forever removed from the life she once controlled.
A heavy silence followed.
Stephanie sat motionless for a moment before rising gracefully from her seat. She smoothed down her dress, adjusted her purse, and walked out of the courtroom without looking back.
It was finally over.
---
OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE...
The moment Stephanie stepped out of the grand courthouse doors, she was immediately swarmed by a sea of eager reporters, their microphones and cameras thrust toward her.
"Mrs. Coker! Can you confirm the final verdict?"
"Chairwoman! Is it true that Stella Swift has been sentenced to life in prison?"
"Will the Swift family be releasing a statement?"
"Did Stella show any remorse during the trial?"
The bright flashes of cameras flickered around her, but Stephanie remained poised and untouched by the chaos.
She raised a single hand, signalling for silence.
The crowd fell still, hanging onto her next words.
With a cool, controlled voice, she delivered her only response:
"The judge’s ruling will be made public soon. Until then, I advise you to wait for the official court statement."
Without another word, she walked toward her waiting car, leaving the reporters buzzing in speculation.
Within hours, news of Stella Swift’s sentencing would dominate headlines across Wing City.
But for Stephanie, this Chapter was already closed. Her brother has finally gotten his justice.
And Stella was no longer her problem.
---
Xander’s Private Residence.
The fire crackled softly in the dimly lit living room, casting warm golden hues against the walls. Aurora sat curled up in an armchair near the fireplace, her gaze fixed on the flickering flames. A soft woolen blanket draped over her legs, but despite the warmth surrounding her, there was a distant look in her eyes—one of deep thought rather than comfort.
Footsteps approached, slow and steady, before stopping beside her.
"Here," Xander’s familiar voice murmured.
She turned just in time to see him kneeling beside her, offering a cup of hot chocolate. Steam curled from the surface, carrying the sweet scent of cocoa and cinnamon.
Aurora gave him a small smile and took the cup, the warmth spreading through her fingers. "Thank you."
Xander didn’t say anything right away. Instead, he settled down on the couch next to her, stretching his long legs and letting the silence linger.
The fire crackled. The wind outside howled faintly.
And then—he spoke.
"It’s over." His voice was quiet, but firm. "Stella was sentenced to life in prison today. No parole."
Aurora stilled.
She exhaled softly, her fingers tightening around the mug as she processed the words. "That’s a relief," she said after a moment. "My father’s murderer is finally getting punished."
But though her lips formed the words, her expression wasn’t one of triumph or satisfaction. She simply looked... thoughtful. Maybe even a little tired.
Xander noticed.
He reached out, carefully slipping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her against him. "Come here," he murmured, mindful of the cup in her hands.
Aurora let herself lean into him, resting her head against his shoulder. The steady beat of his heart beneath her ear was comforting. Safe.
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head before speaking again, his voice softer now. "It’s okay to feel however you’re feeling right now."
Aurora closed her eyes for a moment, letting herself settle into his embrace. She wasn’t sure what she felt, really. Relief, yes. But also... an odd sort of emptiness. Like something had come to an end, but it didn’t bring the satisfaction she once thought it would.
"I know," she whispered.
Xander rubbed slow circles along her back, letting the silence return. He didn’t push her to speak further. He just held her, letting the warmth of the fire and the quiet understanding between them do the rest.
Chapter 312: Olivia’s Public Enemy
Twenty-four hours later, the Tea Time Gossip Blog finally released an article about Stella’s sentencing that drove netizens wild.
---
Tea Time Gossip Blog: Breaking News – Stella Swift Sentenced to Life in Prison!
Tea Timers, the moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived!
Stella Swift, the once-respected businesswoman and socialite, has officially been sentenced to life in prison without parole for her crimes. That’s right—no more postponements, no more delays. The judge brought down the hammer, and there’s no getting out of this one!
Now, let’s do a little recap, shall we?
Stella Swift was found guilty on all three counts of her heinous crimes:
1. The Murder of Adam Swift – She allegedly ordered a hit on Aurora on the night of her own daughter’s wedding celebrations, but the assassin botched the job and ended up killing her husband, Adam Swift, instead. A twist that even the best crime novelists couldn’t make up!
2. Conspiracy to Commit Murder – To cover her tracks, Stella had the assassin eliminated before he could expose her. Cold, calculated, and completely ruthless.
3. Obstruction of Justice & Evidence Tampering – She tried every dirty trick in the book to throw off investigators, but alas, justice caught up with her in the end.
With such serious charges stacked against her, it’s no surprise that the court delivered the harshest punishment possible—life behind bars with no chance of parole.
The trial was a closed session, meaning no reporters were allowed inside, but sources close to the case tell us that Stephanie Swift was the only family member present. And let’s just say... her exit from the courthouse was very interesting. When surrounded by desperate reporters looking for details, her only response was:
"Wait patiently for the official statement from the judge."
Cold. Direct. No room for nonsense. We expected nothing less from Chairwoman Stephanie.
But what does this mean for the Swift family moving forward? Will they recover from the shame of having a convicted murderer in their bloodline? And more importantly, how is Olivia Swift handling the downfall of her mother?
So many questions, and so little time. But for now, let’s open up the floor, Tea Timers.
What do YOU think about this sentencing? Do you think justice was served? Or do you think she deserved something even worse? Sound off in the comments!
---
Comment Section:
@JusticeForAdam: Finally! That woman thought she was untouchable, but now she’ll spend the rest of her life rotting in a cell. It couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person.
@WingCityInsider: Life without parole? Good. But honestly, she should have gotten the death penalty. She took a life; why does she get to keep hers?
@NotStella’sBiggestFan: I know she’s guilty, but life in prison is a bit much, don’t you think? People have done worse and gotten less time.
@SippingTea2024: LMAO, Olivia is really going through it. First, her ex-husband marries his mistress, and now her mother is in jail forever?? Somebody check on her before she explodes.
@ColdHeartedTruth: Y’all are acting like Stella is the first rich person to order a hit on someone. Half the elite in Wing City are probably guilty of worse, but she’s just the unlucky one who got caught.
@StephanieFanPage: The way Stephanie just walked out of that courtroom without saying anything more than "wait for the official statement" was ICONIC. She’s basically saying, "Don’t ask me, I don’t care."
@OliviaDeservesThis: Karma is coming for that entire family, and I am HERE FOR IT. Olivia thought she could get away with everything, but look at her life now. No man, no money, no reputation, and now no mommy to clean up her messes.
@NotMeFeelingBad: Am I the only one who actually feels bad for Olivia? Like... yeah, she’s terrible, but losing your mom forever like this has to hurt.
@AuroraWonThisBattle: The universe was always going to balance itself. Aurora lost her dad, but she’s got her justice. Meanwhile, Olivia & Stella’s downfall was inevitable.
@JailbirdSwift: So when does Olivia get locked up too? Or are we just waiting for her to self-destruct first?
@WhoCares?: Can we talk about how rich criminals never face real justice? Yeah, she’s going to prison, but let’s be real, Stella’s probably going to be living in some luxury jail suite with a private chef.
@BiggestShocker: I just want to know who actually snitched on her. Someone from the inside had to have helped take her down.
@TeamOlivia’sBreakdown: I’m honestly disappointed that Olivia didn’t show up at all and pull some dramatic stunt at the courthouse. No screaming, no throwing things? Not even a single "Do you know who I am?!" I expected more.
@SavageStephanie: Stephanie distanced herself from Stella so fast, she’s basically pretending she was never related to her. And honestly? I respect it.
@ReporterInDisguise: Now, the real question is... Who will be the first to visit Stella in prison? My money’s on Olivia trying to beg for advice on how to get revenge.
@BoredNow: This case dragged on for too long. Can we get back to the real drama? Like, when is Owen’s new wife going to cause problems?
---
And that’s a wrap, Tea Timers! The Swifts are officially down bad, and we are loving every second of it. We’ll keep our ears open for any updates from inside the prison walls. You never know—Stella might have one last trick up her sleeve.
Until next time, keep your cups full and your gossip hot!
~Tea Time.
---
Juliet snuggled in bed while reading the Tea Time article that popped up on her feed. Her face was full of smiles, and she had no reason to hide her happiness with Owen washing up in the bathroom.
"Finally, Olivia will have to keep her face down for a long time," she smirked. "And the people in the comment section have no filter in their mouth. They are definitely after her mental health."
Juliet chuckled heartily before finally following the blog, which caused an uproar when other smaller gossip blogs carried the news.
A few people said that Juliet was finally declaring herself Olivia’s public enemy openly after marrying Owen.
But the said woman didn’t care about any of that because she had just got started with her hundred ways to pepper Olivia Swift.
Chapter 313: The Last Visit to Her Mother
The evening of the next day was cold, the sky painted in dark hues as Olivia stepped out of the black car and walked toward the heavily guarded prison facility. Her heels clicked against the pavement, echoing ominously in the quiet air.
She had debated whether or not to come after reading her mother’s letter that morning. A part of her wanted to ignore it—to leave her mother to rot in her misery without the satisfaction of a final conversation. But another part, the one that still craved answers, had driven her here.
Now, standing in the dimly lit visitors’ room, Olivia sat stiffly on one side of the metal table, waiting.
A minute later, the steel door creaked open, and two wardens escorted her mother inside.
Olivia’s expression didn’t change as she took in the sight of her mother.
Stella had aged—significantly. More streaks of grey had sprouted in her once-dark hair, and her once-fierce, piercing eyes were now dulled by exhaustion. The weight of her crimes, her imprisonment, and the loss of power had finally caught up to her.
Still, Olivia didn’t feel an ounce of sympathy.
Stella took a seat, her eyes studying her daughter carefully. "I wasn’t sure you’d come," she finally said.
Olivia leaned back, crossing her arms. "Neither was I."
Silence stretched between them for a moment before Stella exhaled. "Tomorrow, I’ll be taken to prison permanently. I wanted to see you before then."
Olivia didn’t respond, her expression unreadable.
Stella straightened. "There’s something important I need to tell you. Something you must never forget—"
Olivia arched a brow. "What is it?"
Stella’s gaze hardened. "Stephanie. You must never let her get her hands on your shares. She will try to take everything from you, Olivia. She will manipulate, deceive, and when the time is right, she will strike. You have to be careful."
Olivia scoffed. "No one would dare touch anything my father left for me."
Stella’s lips pressed into a tight line before she added, almost as if by accident, "Especially if she ever finds out that you are not your father’s biological daughter. She won’t spare anything in your name."
A cold silence fell over the room.
Olivia’s heart stopped.
Bells rang in her ears, drowning out everything else as the weight of her mother’s words settled in.
Slowly, Olivia sat up straighter, her fingers gripping the edge of the table. "What did you just say?"
Stella’s body tensed.
Olivia’s eyes narrowed. "Repeat that."
Stella looked away, suddenly aware of the mistake she had just made.
"Mother." Olivia’s voice was dangerously calm, but beneath it was a storm. "Say it again."
Stella remained silent.
A second later—BANG!
Olivia’s palm slammed against the metal table, the sound reverberating through the small room. Stella flinched.
"Tell me right now—" Olivia leaned forward, her voice shaking with barely contained rage, "—that Adam Swift was my biological father."
Stella lowered her gaze and, after what felt like an eternity, shook her head.
The world tilted.
Olivia stared at her mother, her mind racing, her breath uneven.
Her entire existence—her name, her identity, her place in the Swift family—had just been obliterated with a single shake of the head.
She staggered to her feet, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "No. No, that can’t be."
"Olivia, calm down—"
"How the hell do you expect me to calm down?!" Olivia’s voice cracked as she glared at her with raw fury. "My entire life has been a lie!"
Stella sighed, rubbing her temple. "I never meant for you to find out like this—"
"Oh, but you meant for me to never find out at all, didn’t you?" Olivia spat, her hands trembling. "All these years, you let me believe I was Adam Swift’s daughter while you had me bully Aurora for being an illegitimate child. But in the end, I was no different from her, was I?"
Stella swallowed hard, her lips parting as if to say something—anything.
But Olivia wasn’t finished.
She leaned over the table, her nails digging into the cold surface. "Did he know?" Her voice was low now, eerily calm. "Did my father—no, did Adam Swift know that I wasn’t his daughter before he died?"
Stella hesitated before shaking her head. "I don’t think so. If he had known, he wouldn’t have left you some of Vintage Cellar’s shares or included you in his will."
Olivia clenched her jaw. "And Stephanie?"
Stella exhaled. "I doubt she knows. But to be safe, you must ensure she never finds out."
For a fleeting moment, Olivia felt the numbness seep in. But it didn’t last long.
The anger came back—hot, boiling, consuming.
She had been deceived. Played like a fool by the very person who was supposed to protect her.
Her eyes darkened. "I hate you for this."
Stella’s face paled. "Olivia—"
"I hate you," Olivia repeated, venom dripping from every syllable. "For everything."
A pained silence filled the room.
Then, unexpectedly, Olivia let out a sharp, bitter laugh.
"You know what’s funny?" she sneered. "You ruined my life. You made me fight Aurora because of some ridiculous lie. You taught me to be cruel, to be selfish, to destroy everything in my path. And look at me now—I have nothing."
Tears welled in Stella’s eyes. "I called you here to apologize."
Olivia folded her arms. "Then do it." She demanded, not wanting to waste any more of her breath.
Stella swallowed her pride and, for the first time in her life, whispered, "I’m sorry," to her daughter about the ugly secret.
But Olivia only smirked, watching the tears slide down her mother’s face. "Too late." Knowing what her mother was like, she didn’t even think that her apology was genuine.
A heavy silence stretched between them before Olivia suddenly changed the subject. "I assume you’ve heard about Owen’s marriage."
Stella exhaled. "I have."
Olivia scoffed. "Did you also know that I deliberately caused my own miscarriage?"
Stella’s head snapped up. "What?"
Olivia tilted her head. "I killed my own child, Mother. I took pills every day to make sure I lost it. And when Owen pushed me, it was just a bonus."
For a moment, Stella looked genuinely horrified. "Olivia... tell me you’re lying."
But Olivia only smiled coldly.
A heartbeat later, Stella lurched forward, reaching for her daughter, but Olivia pulled back just in time.
"You’re insane!" Stella hissed, raw emotion bleeding into her voice. "How could you—your own flesh and blood—?"
Olivia simply rolled her eyes. "Spare me the theatrics, Mother. I learned from the best. But there is something more important I have to ask you."
Stella was already breathing fire at this point. Her rage was building, knowing how foolish her own daughter had been.
"Were you the one responsible for Casey losing her eye?"
Chapter 314: Olivia Gathers Information
Stella stiffened, her rage deflecting as soon as she was asked that question.
Olivia’s eyes flashed. "Tell me the truth."
There was no way to lie now. Stella took a deep breath and admitted, "Yes."
A chill ran down Olivia’s spine. "How could you be so cruel? You took someone’s eye over something so small?"
Stella’s expression hardened. "She went against me. She tried to expose you. And I did what I had to do to protect you."
Olivia’s stomach churned with disgust.
She had always known her mother was ruthless—but this? This was another level of evil.
For the first time in her life, Olivia saw her mother for exactly who she was. Accidentally killing her father wasn’t enough and now, she had the zeal to go after plucking people’s eyes.
And she loathed her for that.
Olivia pushed back her chair and stood up. "Enjoy the rest of your miserable life, Mother. We’re done." She was completely done with her.
As Olivia turned to leave, Stella suddenly lunged forward, screaming, "YOU UNGRATEFUL CHILD!"
The guards rushed in, grabbing Stella before she could reach Olivia.
Olivia didn’t even flinch. She simply watched as her mother was restrained, her eyes cold and emotionless.
As Stella was dragged away, her final words echoed through the room.
"You’ll regret this! You’ll regret everything!"
Olivia stood still for a long moment.
Then, without a word, she turned on her heels and walked out of the room.
For the first time ever, she felt truly alone.
And strangely enough—she didn’t mind it.
---
The next day...
The private booth of Le Maison Luxe, an exclusive high-end restaurant, exuded elegance with its dim lighting, plush velvet seating, and soft classical music humming in the background.
The rich aroma of premium steak and fine wine filled the air as Olivia sat comfortably, a glass of red wine delicately held between her fingers.
Across from her, her three closest friends—Ella, Caro, and Rita—were already deep in conversation, their eyes occasionally flickering to Olivia with concern.
Despite the luxurious setting, an air of curiosity and tension lingered between them. After all, it had been only two days since Olivia’s mother, was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. And while the media buzzed with speculation, none of them had heard Olivia utter a single word about how she truly felt.
Ella, ever the bold one, leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. "Alright, Olivia. Spill. How are you really holding up?"
Olivia swirled her wine lazily, her expression unreadable. "How do you think?"
Caro chimed in, tilting her head. "I mean... it’s a lot. Your mother being sentenced like that, the media constantly watching—"
Rita cut in softly. "We’re just worried about you."
Olivia took a small sip of her wine before finally responding. "Honestly? I was disappointed. Gravely disappointed." Her voice was even, calm. "But what can I do? I’m going to live my best life and move forward."
A brief silence followed. Ella, Caro, and Rita exchanged quick glances, as if waiting for more. But that was all Olivia gave them.
Sensing that she wouldn’t elaborate, Ella smoothly shifted the conversation. "Enough about that, then. Let’s talk about something else. Like..." She smirked, tapping a manicured nail against her wine glass. "Owen and his adorable new marriage."
Caro instantly sat up, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Oh, you’ll never believe what I saw the other day."
Olivia raised a brow, intrigued. "Do tell."
Caro leaned forward conspiratorially. "I was at the Chanel store on Fifth Avenue, just minding my business, when I saw none other than Juliet, strutting around like she owned the place."
Ella scoffed. "What was she doing?"
"Throwing her weight around, obviously." Caro rolled her eyes. "She was speaking to the shop attendants like they were beneath her. She had this ridiculous air of superiority, like she was some royalty just because she’s married to Owen now."
Rita sighed dramatically. "That woman is going to give Owen so many headaches."
Ella chuckled darkly. "Well, he deserves it."
Olivia smirked, enjoying the direction the conversation was going. "Let him see what he signed up for. I guarantee you, that low-class woman is going to make his life a living hell."
Her words dripped with venom.
Rita nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! She doesn’t belong in our circle, Olivia. She’s from a completely different world. She wasn’t raised with our standards, our etiquette. The moment the honeymoon phase ends, Owen will realize what a mistake he made trying to pepper you."
Caro huffed. "He’s already blind if he doesn’t see it yet. I mean, have you seen the way she carries herself? She reeks of someone who has never tasted luxury before, and now that she has it, she’s overcompensating."
Ella laughed. "Owen is going to regret everything. And I can’t wait for that day to come. We will all be here, watching the drama. Tea Time won’t spare him."
Olivia’s smirk deepened as she swirled her wine again, her mind already spinning with cruel amusement. "People should really learn that class matters when it comes to marriage. You don’t just drag a nobody into a family like the Scotts and expect it to work out."
Her friends agreed immediately, each throwing in their own thoughts about how Owen had downgraded by choosing Juliet.
But Olivia wasn’t just here to gossip.
She was here to gather information.
Leaning back into her seat, she played with the rim of her glass, adopting a casual tone. "So, apart from that Chanel store, has anyone seen her anywhere else?"
Caro’s eyes brightened as she snapped her fingers. "Oh! I heard she recently registered at Beauty Spec Spa—the one near Madison Park."
Rita nodded. "And she has visited the Rosewood Jewelry Boutique four times already since her marriage to Owen.."
Ella tapped her lips thoughtfully. "I think she’s also been at Élégance Beauty Salon a few times. Probably to maintain whatever image she’s trying to build."
Olivia listened carefully, each name burning into her mind.
She masked her satisfaction with an indifferent nod, taking another sip of her wine. "Interesting."
Her friends had no idea that they had just handed her the perfect ammunition.
She wasn’t going to let Juliet sit comfortably in her place. She will make her learn a few lessons the hard way.
Chapter 315: Jetting Off to Switzerland
The crisp morning air carried a bite of cold as multiple luxury vehicles pulled into the Scott family’s private takeoff location.
A massive private jet, owned exclusively by the Scott family, stood proudly on the runway, its polished exterior gleaming under the soft winter sun.
Every couple arrived in their own vehicle, each taking their time to step out while the staff efficiently transferred their luggage onto the jet.
Soon, a sleek black Rolls-Royce Phantom glided smoothly to a stop.
The chauffeur swiftly stepped out, walking around to open the passenger door.
Xander Scott emerged first, dressed in a tailored winter coat over a cashmere turtleneck. His sharp, chiseled features were set in their usual air of authority, yet his gaze softened slightly as he turned to help Aurora out of the car.
Aurora, wrapped in a stylish winter jacket, stepped out gracefully. A thick muffler was draped around her neck, shielding her from the icy breeze. The moment she straightened, Xander reached over, adjusting the muffler carefully before zipping up her coat completely.
His eyes scanned her face. "Are you still cold?" he asked, his deep voice laced with concern.
Aurora shook her head. "I’m fine," she assured him, a small smile playing on her lips.
Xander studied her for a moment longer before taking her gloved hand into his own. "Good," he said, then, with a slight smirk, added, "Let’s get inside before you change your mind."
With his hand firmly in hers, he led her toward the jet, where their family members were already boarding.
---
Inside the private jet, Xander’s parents—Old Mr. and Mrs. Scott—were already seated, their presence commanding as they settled into their luxurious leather seats.
Aurora greeted them first, the same way Xander always did—with a light kiss at the back of Old Mrs. Scott’s hand before pressing it to her forehead.
The old woman’s face lit up with approval. "Ah, my dear girl," she said warmly. "How are you?"
Aurora smiled softly. "I’m doing well, Ma."
Old Mrs. Scott’s keen eyes flickered to Aurora’s midsection, taking in the small but noticeable baby bump. "And my great-grandchild?" she asked.
Aurora chuckled. "The baby is doing well, too."
The old lady’s smile widened. "Good, good." Then, as if remembering something, she reached into her black handbag and pulled out a packet of heat packs. "Take these," she said, handing them to Aurora. "Keep warm."
Aurora accepted them gratefully. "Thank you."
With the pleasantries exchanged, Xander and Aurora moved on to the next section, where Richard and his wife were seated.
Aurora greeted them politely. "Good morning."
Xander, far less formal, simply nodded in their direction. "Brother, sister-in-law."
Patricia, was visibly pleased to see Aurora. "Oh, Aurora dear," she said with a warm smile, "you’re glowing. How are you and the baby?"
"We’re fine," Aurora responded.
After a brief exchange, Xander led Aurora toward the back section, where the more private seating was located. He pulled out her pink Birkin bag, setting it on the table between their seats before gesturing for her to sit.
Aurora eased into the plush leather seat, adjusting herself comfortably. Xander sat directly across from her.
Glancing around, Xander noted something. "It seems Owen and his new wife aren’t here yet."
Aurora followed his gaze and nodded. "They must be taking their time."
Xander scoffed but said nothing further.
Aurora busied herself with the heat packs, pulling out two before handing the remaining ones to Xander, who tucked them into her bag. As she placed them on her sides, Xander smirked at her.
"Would you like some hot chocolate?" he asked.
Aurora’s eyes lit up instantly, and she nodded enthusiastically. "Yes!"
Xander chuckled, stopping one of the flight attendants as she passed. "A cup of hot chocolate for my wife."
The flight attendant smiled politely. "I’ll bring it in a minute, sir."
True to her word, she returned shortly with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. Xander took it from her and personally handed it to Aurora.
"Enjoy your drink, ma’am," the flight attendant said before walking away.
Aurora took a small sip, humming in delight.
Half an hour later, Xander leaned forward slightly. "I’m going to say hello to the captain."
Aurora nodded, watching as he stood.
Before heading toward the cockpit, Xander whispered something into his father’s ear. The next second, Old Mr. Scott stood as well and followed him toward the cockpit.
Aurora shook her head fondly, taking another sip of her drink. But just as she was beginning to relax, she felt a familiar pressure in her bladder.
She sighed, reluctantly placing her Birkin bag on her seat before standing up. With graceful steps, she made her way to the restroom at the back.
---
Half an hour later...
Owen and Juliet, being the last to arrive, had their black Bentley roll up to the private jet.
As they boarded, Owen greeted his grandmother first, but her response was less than welcoming.
The old woman narrowed her eyes at him. "Do you have any idea how long we’ve been waiting?" she scolded.
Owen grimaced, rubbing the back of his neck. "I’m sorry, Grandma. We got delayed—"
She waved him off. "Enough excuses. Just take your seat."
Juliet, standing beside him, forced a polite smile, but the tension was palpable.
As they moved deeper into the jet, they stopped by Owen’s parents’ seats to greet them.
Patricia turned away, her displeasure evident.
Richard, however, wasn’t as dismissive. "Brace yourself," he muttered to Owen. "Your grandfather won’t let this slide."
Owen sighed. "I figured."
With that, he led Juliet further down the jet.
As they approached the private seating area, Juliet’s eyes landed on an empty window seat with a plush table beside it.
She tugged on Owen’s hand excitedly. "That one looks perfect."
Without hesitation, she walked over and grabbed the pink Birkin bag sitting on the seat, placing it on the floor before lowering herself onto the chair.
Owen frowned. "I think that seat’s already taken."
Juliet dismissed him with a wave. "No one’s sitting here."
Owen wasn’t convinced, but with a sigh, he drew the curtain closed and settled into the seat across from her.
He glanced around, wondering if his uncle, Xander and Aurora had arrived.
Before he could ponder further, Aurora emerged from the restroom behind him.
Her steps slowed as she took in the sight before her. Her seat was occupied, and her Birkin bag was on the floor.