Chapter 318

Adrian's eyes turned to steel as they locked with Margaret's growing fury. After a tense silence, he exhaled sharply, forcing his voice into a gentler register though the undercurrent of annoyance persisted. "Vivian and I are actively trying for a baby. Can we please stop dredging up irrelevant history?"

Margaret's features froze momentarily, her anger dimming slightly though suspicion still clouded her gaze. She shot Bianca a sideways glance. "Is that your new strategy? Distract me with talk of grandchildren? Trying to silence me because I'm asking uncomfortable questions?"

Adrian stretched his muscular frame across the sofa with practiced ease. "Why would I fabricate something so easily disproven? In three months, the truth will be evident. Lying now would only create unnecessary complications later."

Bianca pouted, muttering under her breath, "Half the women in Crestwood would kill to bear your children. Why must it be her?"

One dark eyebrow arched in response. "Because she's my wife. Any child of hers would be the legitimate Blackwood heir. Offspring from other women would be bastards - a scandal that would tank Blackwood Group's stock price overnight."

Bianca huffed in frustration, strangling a throw pillow in her grip until she fell silent. Margaret's expression darkened. "Conception doesn't happen by wishing upon stars—"

Suddenly, her eyes lit with realization as she snatched up her phone, firing off a voice message. "Mrs. Harrington, do you still have those fertility supplements your daughter-in-law used?"

Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose. "Mother, do you honestly believe I need pharmaceutical assistance in that department?"

"What would you know about women's health?" Margaret kept her eyes glued to her screen. "They're not for you, they're for her. Coming from that backwater town, I worry about her nutritional deficiencies."

Adrian's gaze drifted toward the slender figure moving about the kitchen. She was painfully thin. If they were serious about starting a family, she'd need proper nourishment first.

"Dinner's served," Vivian announced as she emerged carrying a steaming bowl.

At the sight of Vivian, Bianca's appetite vanished. She tossed aside the pillow, muttered an excuse, and fled the penthouse.

Throughout the meal, Margaret displayed unprecedented kindness, heaping Vivian's plate with extra portions. Vivian shot Adrian a panicked look, silently begging for intervention.

"Eat up," Adrian said smoothly, shifting in his chair. His polished Oxford accidentally brushed against Vivian's bare calf beneath the table. Unable to resist, he let his foot linger, tracing idle circles against her skin.

Vivian glared daggers before discreetly scooting her chair away. If Margaret noticed, the blame would fall solely on her while Adrian would remain above reproach.

Adrian chewed methodically, maintaining perfect composure while pretending not to notice his wife's irritation.

"You need more meat on your bones," Margaret declared, ignoring their silent exchange, her concern genuine though her delivery remained stiff.

"I understand, Margaret," Vivian replied softly.

The remainder of the meal passed in strained silence. When Vivian moved to clear the dishes, Margaret waved her off. "Let the staff handle it. You two should retire early." Her tone brooked no argument.