Chapter: 498

“I'm heading to the hospital to visit Alice and handle some matters."

“Okay. Phillip and I will head to work later."

After exchanging their plans, Norah grabbed her handbag and departed.

Norah felt fortunate to have a communicative boyfriend who Listened to her requests. When dealing with Derek, she had to guess his thoughts while making decisions since he always scolded her whenever he wasn't pleased. He was even hesitant to let her go out unaccompanied.

According to Sharon and Derek, going out alone implied cheating on Derek with another man. Consequently, when Norah was still part of the Carter family, she rarely ventured out. She spent most of her time either with Sharon or the maids, devoid of personal space.

Around the Carter Manor.

A man and a woman sat in a black car parked outside the gate. The atmosphere was heavy with tension.

Gripping Madeline's hand, Derek voiced his frustration, "Madeline, why didn't you tell me about your pregnancy? If Kathy hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have been aware of such significant news.

After having a baby, you should stay home and rest more. It's not wise to go out."

Madeline bit her lip, realizing Derek's ulterior motives for taking her out. He had mentioned taking her home to meet his family, but she hadn't anticipated him knowing about her pregnancy.

“I've reached out to your parents. They'll be arriving shortly,"

Derek announced.

Derek tenderly stroked a strand of hair beside Madeline's cheek.

“Madeline, I'm overjoyed," he whispered, placing his hand gently on her belly. “We're going to be parents."

"I'm also excited, Derek. I wanted to pick the right moment to share the news," Madeline replied with a smile, though a cold gleam flickered in her eyes.

Inside, Madeline seethed with resentment toward Kathy. If not for Kathy's interference, she could have quietly terminated the pregnancy without involving the Carter family. She looked down on the Carter family's social status and felt they were unworthy of her.

“Come on, my mom and grandma are eagerly awaiting your arrival. My grandpa and father are already inside," Derek stated, urging Madeline to join him.

Derek's father and grandfather had never been keen on involving themselves in family matters. They believed that women could stir up unnecessary drama, so they showed little interest in attending to those trivialities.

However, upon learning of Madeline's pregnancy, which was significant to the future of the Carter family lineage, they were willing to wait in the living room, feeling it was important to be present for such occasions.

Grabbing Madeline's shoulder, Derek attempted to pull her out of the car.

"Derek, can we postpone this meeting?" Madeline pleaded, her eyes welling up with tears. She grasped Derek's hand tightly. "I wasn't prepared to meet your family today."

Madeline wore a black dress with a short, daring hemline and an exposed back. The bodice, adorned with gauze, accentuated her allure and sensuality. She appeared anything but pregnant.

It wasn't until Derek's grandmother's call that Derek hastily whisked Madeline over. The Powell family set off to the Carter Manor on short notice.

Derek concurred with his grandmother's urgency. The wedding should proceed swiftly, especially since Madeline's pregnancy was still in its early stages.