Rebirth Revenge Is Everything (Ariana) novel Chapter 618

Logically speaking, Shawn shouldn't have been seated at the Stone family's table since he wasn't a member of the family.

But Old Mr. Stone wasn't an unreasonable man.

After all, he was just a child.

Besides, the Stone and Morris families had business ties, and Old Mr. Stone knew Shawn had been staying with Lucian at the Stone Family residence these past few days. Thinking it might ease Lucian's loneliness, he had tacitly allowed it. As for the seating arrangement? That was even simpler—Aster had taken her grandson back to the second branch's villa, leaving a spot open.

It was a holiday, after all, and the old man didn’t want to sour his own mood. So he refrained from banishing the entire second branch from the gathering, merely agreeing to his wife’s suggestion that the second son’s wife take Collin and leave.

The second branch breathed a collective sigh of relief.

At the long dining table, the lingering tension from Old Mr. Stone and the matriarch’s earlier outburst kept most of the family silent. Only Kevin, Carson, and Lucian—the three brothers—occasionally exchanged words with the elders, gently easing the strained atmosphere.

Khloe, the wife of the eldest son, watched the three boys with a mix of envy and resentment, a faint irritation prickling at her.

Madelyn was currently in the hospital, nearing her due date, which was why she was absent from tonight’s gathering.

But the thought of soon holding a chubby, healthy grandson in her arms swept away Khloe’s gloom, replacing it with quiet anticipation.

About half an hour into the meal, Lambert suddenly addressed Old Mr. Stone. "Grandfather, Ronaldo mentioned he’d like Alvin to stay with the Lawrence family for a while."

In truth, Ronaldo had already decided to adopt Alvin as the heir to the Lawrence Corporation. He had informed Lambert of his intentions some time ago, and he had promised to relay the matter to the old man.

As for whether to agree or not, that would depend on the future relationship between the Lawrence and Stone families. Ronaldo understood this, so he agreed to wait.

The old man was sharp as a tack. The moment Lambert spoke those words, he immediately caught the underlying implication.

His eyebrows shot up briefly before he replied, "Fine, let him go. After all, the Lawrences are Alvin's maternal relatives—it’s good to maintain ties. Just don’t let him stay too long. Even though he’s only in elementary school now, we shouldn’t let his studies suffer."

On the surface, his words sounded perfectly reasonable, like any concerned grandfather. But Lambert detected the real message: the old man was signaling that the Lawrence family would have to negotiate directly with him.

The Stone family already had a suitable heir.

Sending Alvin back was an option.

But the Stone family wouldn’t just hand over their grandson without gaining something in return.

A faint smirk tugged at Lambert’s lips. He had no intention of dwelling on the old man’s calculations. Coolly, he responded, "Understood." His part was done—he’d delivered the message and repaid Ronaldo’s favor. What happened next was up to him.

Throughout this exchange, Khloe had been frowning.

She had tried several times to cut in—after all, as the eldest branch, she and her husband were Alvin’s rightful grandparents. But each time, her husband shot her a warning look.

She knew he was afraid she’d misspeak and repeat the earlier blunder of the second branch. Still, the thought of decisions being made about her grandson without consulting her—his grandmother—left her seething with resentment. But she didn’t dare speak up.

Khloe was also unnerved by Old Mr. Stone and the mistress today.

That retching—it could only mean one thing.

She wasn’t the only one who noticed. The old madam, Jolene, Gwen, and others all turned to stare at Ariana. The old lady’s face lit up with delight. "Ariana, dear—could you be expecting again?"

Ariana: "..."

Lambert’s usually composed demeanor shattered for a split second as he gaped at his wife, as though the possibility had never crossed his mind.

The old madam, still riding the wave of excitement, declared, "It must be true! We’ll have the doctor check right away." But then a flicker of doubt crossed her mind—what if it wasn’t pregnancy, just an upset stomach? That’d be awkward. So she quickly added, "Even if you’re not, it’s fine. You’ve already blessed the Stone family with three lovely grandsons. No pressure. Still, best to get checked early if you’re feeling unwell."

Ariana gazed at the eager expressions around her and couldn't help but feel a wave of uncertainty wash over her.

To be honest, she was completely caught off guard.

The possibility of pregnancy had never even crossed her mind. Sure, her appetite had been poor lately, but she'd chalked it up to stress and irregular eating habits. The thought of *that* hadn't even occurred to her. But now, as she thought about it more carefully... she realized her period *had* been absent for quite some time.

A dazed expression flickered across her face.

Almost instinctively, her hand drifted to her abdomen.

The elderly matriarch, noticing Ariana's reaction, chuckled warmly. "If you *are* expecting, that would be wonderful—this time, let’s hope for a girl. Madelyn’s already had it confirmed she’s carrying a boy. Come to think of it, all the great-grandchildren in our Stone family are rowdy little boys—not a single sweet little girl among them. And with a beauty like you, Ariana, any daughter of yours would surely be just as lovely."

Though the family patriarch had never been particularly fond of Ariana as his grandson’s wife, even *he* couldn’t suppress a glimmer of joy and satisfaction at the news of her possible pregnancy.