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17 The Lunchroom Incident
Huling Na-update:
2025-03-03 14:48:35
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Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 18 Being Watched
Adela had grown accustomed to the whispers and pointed glances at Walton Enterprises. She tried to brush them off, telling herself it didn’t matter, but the persistent undercurrent of judgment still stung. To avoid further scrutiny, she kept her head down and focused on her work, even if the sting of isolation lingered in her heart.After a long day, Adela gathered her things and prepared to leave the office. Since her last encounter with Layson, he’d had Barnes arrange an apartment for her and Herbie near Walton Enterprises, as well as enroll Herbie in a nearby preschool. Adela was grateful for the support, though she hadn’t yet had the chance to thank Layson personally—he’d been elusive.As she left the building, she hesitated, contemplating calling Barnes to find out where Layson might be. When the call connected, she heard Barnes’s ever-professional voice on the other end.“Adela, how can I help you?”Adela hesitated, her grip tightening on the phone. Asking about Layson felt too
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 19 Pregnancy
Adela carried the food tray to the table, her eyes scanning the play area where Herbie was happily sliding down. She waved at her sister, her voice soft but commanding.“Herbie, come over and eat first before going back to play.”Herbie, her small frame radiating energy, bounded toward her with an infectious grin. She was sweaty, her hair sticking to her forehead in damp strands. Adela couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm, even as she reached for a napkin.“Look at you, all sweaty. Go wash your hands first,” she said with a mix of exasperation and affection.From a table nearby, Evelyn observed Adela. She had chosen a seat diagonally across, curious yet conflicted. There was something about Adela’s face—a vague familiarity Evelyn couldn’t place. She toyed with her untouched burger, her mind flipping through faces from her past like a Rolodex.Herbie returned, her small hands freshly washed. Adela opened the burger wrapper and handed it to her. As the aroma of the food hit her, Ad
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 20 Taking Care of You
After what felt like an eternity of waiting, the test results finally came in. The report confirmed it: Adela was three weeks pregnant. Layson held the paper, scanning it carefully, his expression unreadable.“How’s the baby?” he asked the doctor, his voice calm yet firm.“The baby is healthy. Nothing to worry about at this stage,” the doctor reassured him. Then, turning to Adela, she rattled off a long list of precautions, some of which were so personal that Adela’s face turned bright red.Assuming the two were a married couple, the doctor included Layson in the conversation, urging him to ensure Adela was well cared for. “You must look after your wife properly,” she emphasized, unaware of their unique arrangement.Layson, however, remained composed, responding to the doctor’s instructions with polite but detached efficiency. Adela, on the other hand, felt awkward throughout, her embarrassment growing with each word.As they exited the hospital, Layson glanced at Adela and said, “I’l
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 21 Engagement
The next morning, Adela walked into Walton Enterprises with a mix of apprehension and exhaustion. She was already feeling the physical toll of early pregnancy, and the thought of the office gossip weighed heavily on her.Since discovering she was pregnant, Adela had been trying to keep her emotions in check, but the whispers and speculative glances from her colleagues had been draining. Today, however, something felt different.As she walked past the reception desk, the receptionist greeted her warmly—a rarity given the cold shoulders she had grown used to.“Good morning, Adela,” the receptionist said with a smile. Adela blinked in surprise, nodding back hesitantly. Her curiosity deepened as she noticed the absence of hushed murmurs and judgmental stares as she moved through the corridors.Once she reached her desk, she leaned toward Bella, the department manager, with a puzzled expression. “Bella, is it just me, or is something different today? Everyone’s acting... friendly.”Bella l
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 22 The Uninvited Guest
Adela leaned against the cool elevator wall, rolling her neck to ease the tension from a long day. The familiar ding signaled the elevator’s stop, and the doors opened to reveal a poised and elegant woman stepping inside.Adela instinctively moved to the side, creating space even though there was no need; they were the only two in the elevator. Something about the woman’s presence commanded respect. She exuded a quiet grace, her faint floral perfume adding to the aura of sophistication.As the elevator began its descent, the woman turned to Adela with a soft but clear voice. “Are you Adela?”Startled, Adela blinked. How does she know my name? she wondered, but she nodded out of politeness. “Yes, I am.”The woman smiled gently, her demeanor warm yet unreadable. “I thought so.”Before Adela could ask anything, the elevator arrived at the ground floor, and the doors slid open. Neither woman moved. The woman finally extended her hand, her smile deepening.“My name is Evelyn.”Adela hesita
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 23 The Truth
Liam Walton and Layson Norman stepped out of the upscale private club into the crisp afternoon air of New York. They had come together for business-related matters, but now it was time for each of them to head their separate ways. Just as they were about to part, Liam caught sight of a familiar figure across the street, inside a small, street-corner café with large glass windows.“Is that… Adela?” Liam’s voice was tense, his brows knitting together in disbelief. He narrowed his eyes, peering through the reflective glare of the café’s glass. Next to him, Layson squinted as well, adjusting the collar of his tailored coat. Adela, Liam’s long-lost sister, was sitting at a corner table. What was she doing here alone, and, more importantly, who was she meeting with?Liam’s heart sank with worry. He knew that Adela wasn’t supposed to be indulging in too much caffeine these days—her health had been delicate. And yet, there she was, leaning over the small wooden table. He and Layson both notic
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 24 Fainting
When Liam Walton felt Layson Norman’s firm arm holding him back, he realized only then that his body had tensed, ready to dash after Adela without a second thought. Forced to stop, Liam turned and found himself face-to-face with Evelyn. He saw a new expression there—one he had never seen before. Evelyn, who had always been gentle, soft-spoken, and keenly aware of propriety, now stood before him, eyes rimmed red from tears she had tried to restrain, shoulders drawn tight with remorse.He himself was unsettled by the note of anger and doubt he had heard from her earlier. It was the first time Evelyn had spoken to him that way, her voice laced with bitterness and jealousy. She was usually so understanding, gracefully fitting into the Walton family’s expectations, never raising her voice, never challenging Liam’s decisions. Now, she looked lost and guilt-ridden, as if only now comprehending the consequences of her impulsive confrontation.“I’m sorry,” Evelyn managed, her voice barely abov
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-03Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 25 The Abandoned Child
The soft click of the door opening echoed in the quiet hospital room. Adela, who had been lying in bed with her eyes closed, instinctively squeezed them shut even tighter. She had woken up some time ago but wasn’t sure how to face anyone, especially after everything she had learned. So when she heard the faint sound of the door, she remained motionless, pretending to be asleep.Layson Norman stepped in, his gaze sweeping over Adela’s still figure. Seeing no movement, he assumed she hadn’t woken yet, so he lingered at the threshold. After a brief moment, he quietly slipped back out, gently closing the door behind him so as not to disturb her.Out in the corridor, Liam Walton had just returned from escorting the doctor out, during which he’d also gone over Adela’s test results and arranged for any additional examinations she might need. Concern weighed on his usually confident features as he spotted Layson standing near the door.“Is Adela awake?” Liam asked, his voice low, but edged wi
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-03
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Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 223 Sabotage
Adela had been busy for days—trying on gowns, learning to walk the runway, practicing expressions and stage presence. She was basically training like a pro model.Normally, Layson would just drop her off and leave, but today, he happened to run into Liam Walton at the venue. He wasn’t too busy, so he decided to tag along.“Layson, you probably don’t know this yet,” Liam said, grinning. “The gown Adela’s wearing for the runway? It’s from Evelyn’s studio.”That actually surprised Layson.Barnes, ever the well-timed assistant, added, “This show’s a big deal in the jewelry world. Evelyn’s studio collaborating on this is proof of their talent.”Liam had heard tons of compliments before, but coming from Barnes? That hit different—because everyone knew Barnes usually spoke on behalf of Layson.He grinned ear to ear, looking proud as hell, like his wife had just won an Olympic gold. Meanwhile, Layson looked completely uninterested in the bragging. Instead, he walked straight toward Adela’s dr
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 222 The Runway
Barnes stared at Lily, who looked totally off—there was something more going on. He waved for someone to take Marah away, then turned back to Lily and asked calmly, “I don’t believe in coincidences. If someone’s threatening you, just say it. You won’t have to deal with the consequences.”Lily hesitated. For a split second, it looked like she might break. But then she clenched her jaw and took full responsibility.Barnes could see she was dead set on protecting Marah, which only made him more wary of that woman. Marah clearly played this game too well.They handed Lily over to the police for spreading false rumors—and she didn’t say a word the whole time.On the other end of the line, Barnes reported everything to Layson. Layson listened quietly, cigarette between his fingers, brows furrowed slightly when he heard Lily was willing to go to jail for Marah.After a long silence, he finally said, “Have someone follow Marah. Don’t alert her.”Out on the balcony, the tip of his cigarette gl
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 221 It Was All Me
Adela took a deep breath, trying to steady her voice. “Richard was right there when it happened. How could that photo be real? Someone’s clearly trying to frame me.”Gina looked like she wasn’t totally buying it. She leaned in closer to the phone screen and squinted. “Huh... actually, now that you mention it, if you zoom in, you can see a hospital bed between you two.”Her tone was a weird mix—was she more disappointed or entertained? Even Adela couldn’t tell.Gina scrolled casually through her feed and laughed. “Honestly, I thought if even someone like Mr. Norman gets cheated on, that’s just tragic.”Adela rubbed her forehead and immediately called Layson. He picked up almost instantly.“Layson... something’s happened.”Her tone was exasperated but still held a trace of something softer—maybe even a bit of helpless affection. Gina, watching from the side, sighed. That should’ve been me.Layson got there fast. He didn’t waste any time on small talk. He walked in calm and composed, voi
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 220 The Cheating Scandal
The whole incident with Richard’s car accident had been quietly handled by Layson. After all, the Norman Group was a publicly traded company. Richard might not have been in charge, but he was still a shareholder.Any news about his health could shake the stock price. Suppressing it was his own idea too.Layson’s own gossip, though? That wouldn’t touch the market. That’s why, no matter how much Richard disliked Adela, he never seriously made things hard for her.In his eyes, it was just his son’s personal drama. As long as it didn’t mess with the stock, it was nothing serious.Publicly announcing a girlfriend? That was a private family issue—nothing to do with the company.The middle-aged man Layson had greeted earlier—Jason—chuckled when he heard that explanation, then turned his gaze to Adela and patted Layson on the shoulder.“Man, ever since you popped up on TV a couple weeks back, all the young ladies have been crying their eyes out.”Jason had made his fortune overseas years ago
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 219 The Photos
Marah sat at the edge of the bed, watching Lily’s unconscious face with a smile that never quite reached her eyes.She slowly spread out her fingers, admiring her freshly manicured nails, and murmured to herself, “You once said I go to great lengths for little gain... But tell me, doesn’t this look like a fine result? You’re lying right here, exactly where I wanted you.”The sun dipped low in the sky, painting the room in shadows. The light dimmed into dusk. Just then, her phone buzzed from inside her handbag—it was a call from Bard.Marah blinked as if waking from a trance, quickly drew the heavy curtains tight to ensure no light leaked in. She checked Lily’s breathing, then pulled out a small vial of incense and placed it by the bed.Only after making sure Lily wouldn’t wake soon did she return Bard’s call.He had the candlelit dinner ready and was waiting downstairs.Marah left the top-floor presidential suite and made her way to the second-floor private dining room. Bard stood the
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 218 Drugged
It was just past ten in the evening when Layson returned to the apartment from the Norman estate.The moment he stepped through the door, the warm glow of the soft lighting melted some of the cold edges from his heart. On the sofa, Adela was video-chatting with Herbie on her phone.Months of rehab had done wonders for the little girl. Her once pale and fragile face now carried a healthy glow. Though the process was tough, Herbie had inherited Adela’s unyielding resilience. Every call home, she masked her pain with joy. If it weren’t for the nurse Layson had hired to stay with her, they would never have known how often Herbie cried into her pillow at night.When Adela found out, it had broken her. She was determined to keep Herbie hopeful. Every phone call was filled with encouragement, silly stories, and laughter. Herbie always hung up smiling.As soon as Layson sat down, Herbie spotted him through the screen and grinned. “Layson! You came to see my sister!”She didn’t yet know that t
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 217 The Warning
Lily scrambled to recall the design’s theme, her mind spinning. Then she remembered what Layson had said—the diamond element was meant to represent him.Seizing on the connection, she confidently redefined the entire piece: the design symbolized love.Now that she had calmed down, her thoughts were more structured. She had decent analytical skills—she wouldn’t have made it into Starry Jewelry otherwise.Carlton listened without interruption, his face unreadable. When Lily finally finished, he shifted his gaze toward Marah, his expression now laced with unmistakable disappointment.Marah frowned slightly, sensing something was off. Carlton’s silent disapproval began to fill her with unease.The air in the conference room turned heavy and suffocating. Carlton tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table before turning to Adela.“When you created this design,” he asked, “what was its true meaning?”The color drained from Lily’s face. Her hands began to tremble.It was clear now—no matter
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 216 Termination
Adela had reached the edge of fury—but oddly enough, that brought her calm.She inhaled deeply, casting a cold glance at Marah before turning to face Carlton, her expression once again unreadable, as steady as still water.“Director,” she said calmly, “this design is indeed mine. I can explain every single line, every embedded meaning. Both my home desktop and laptop have versions of this design—the concept sketches, early drafts, and every single revision saved across different files.”After finishing, she no longer looked at Carlton. Instead, she turned to Lily, her gaze sharp and unwavering. “Tell me, Lily—how many revision records do you have on your computer? Don’t tell me this design came to you in one perfect draft.”Her words were laced with sarcasm, and the cold gleam in her eyes bore straight into Lily’s now-tense expression.Even master jewelers wouldn’t dare claim a design came to them fully formed. Adela knew Lily had copied her work. At best, Lily might have tweaked a fe
Reclaiming His Runaway Baby Mama 215 Who Copied Whom
The day before the final deadline for submitting design entries had arrived.Adela informed Richard that she needed to leave early for the competition. For the first time in days, he actually glanced at her directly.“You’re participating in that contest?” he scoffed. “Marah told me it’s only for top-tier designers. Do you really think you’re at that level?”Dexter, who was standing nearby, couldn’t take it anymore and was about to jump in, but Adela quickly spoke up before things escalated.“Anyone can register for the competition,” she said calmly. “It’s about growing and pushing yourself. Winning isn’t the only point.”Richard sneered but didn’t press further. “Fine. Go on then. At least I won’t have to deal with you hovering around me all day. Must be a relief for you, huh?”Adela clenched her jaw but didn’t rise to the bait. She gave him a slight nod and walked out of the hospital with her laptop, determined not to let his bitterness affect her any longer.Just as she exited the
