Shelly did not like Kris at all and she might even go so far as to say she detested her. She could tell that the woman was only dating Gideon to gain something from the rest of the Walton Family. The only reason why she had yet to confront Kris was because Gideon had told her not to, but that didn’t stop Shelly from throwing pointed looks at the woman every now and then.
Presently, upon seeing that Kris was about to muck things up, Shelly shot her a stern look, as though silently telling her to pull it together. Catching the older woman’s frosty gaze, Kris managed a nonchalant façade, though her fists clenched tightly at her sides. She gritted her teeth as she thought grimly, Once I get everything I want, I’m going to cut off all ties with the Walton Family and I won’t have to take any crap from this old woman ever again!
The next moment, she was holding onto Gideon’s arm as they made their rounds in the banquet hall to greet the guests. She looked pale despite the smile that was firmly plastered on her face, and she grew reluctant to clink glasses with the guests. Gideon was no gentleman, which meant she was forced to down all the drinks after the guests toasted to her and while she had only taken sips at each turn, she had ended up downing what felt like glasses of wine after going around the hall.
Her stomach was beginning to cramp and the color was draining from her face. If it weren’t for the fact that she had no desire to keep this child in the first place, she wouldn’t have downed all those drinks.
Upon noticing that something was off with her, Gideon gave her a subtle squeeze on her arm. A displeased look flashed across his perfect features as he asked under his breath, “What’s wrong?”
Kris didn’t want to downplay her condition so she answered in a low voice, “My stomach isn’t feeling too well today.”
He frowned when he heard this and while he wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth about her discomfort, he was still put off by it. After all, the banquet this evening was a very important occasion for the Walton Family—it played a pivotal role in deciding whether they could be integrated into Bradfort City’s elite business circle.
“I’m fine, though. Let’s just carry on. I know how important this banquet is to you and I don’t want to be a burden,” she murmured after seeing how his face had grown sullen at her complaint. At the thought of how she still needed the Walton Family’s help for the Green Palms Project, she straightened and forced a perfunctory smile.
It was only after this that Gideon perked up slightly and the both of them went around exchanging pleasantries with the guests once more. Finally, they ended up making their way over to where Tony stood with his friends.
Meanwhile, Tony and Myra had been standing with Shawn and Estelle before this but they were now joined by the likes of Philip, Lucas, Elliot and even Tilly. All in all, their group had a formidable presence. There were a few who had greeted them in an attempt to strengthen business relations, but it didn’t take much time for them to move on to other guests.
Estelle was laughing at a dirty joke she had just told and Shawn looked grim as he eyed her balefully, as though already planning on the ways he could get back at her. Just as the rest of them were exchanging awkward looks, Gideon and Kris approached them.
“Sis,” Kris greeted flatly, then turned to address the man next to Myra, “Tony.”
The both of them looked at her impassively and neither of them returned her greeting.
Having expected this, Kris did not falter. Despite her pallor, she kept one hand on Gideon’s arm as she flashed a dazzling smile at the group before her.
Gideon, on the other hand, raised his glass at Tony as he said, “I know we’ve been through a rough patch previously, Tony, but I’d like to take this chance to formally apologize to you. Let bygones be bygones—here’s to a strong partnership and an even stronger friendship. Cheers!”
Tony returned the toast, humming indifferently in response.
Gideon shrugged off the man’s cold demeanor and raised his glass at the rest of the group as he said cordially, “Thank you for taking the time to attend the Walton Family’s banquet this evening. Kris and I would like to make this toast as a show of our appreciation.”
With that, he glanced at Kris meaningfully, then downed his glass of red wine.
While he did so, Kris looked down hesitantly at her own glass of wine. She didn’t think she could take another sip of it but she gritted her teeth and tipped her head back nonetheless as she gulped down her drink. She gagged slightly when the alcohol pooled at the back of her throat but she quickly regained her composure.
“We have a lot of guests today, so please excuse us for not being able to entertain all of you,” Gideon said ruefully and nodded at the group as he tried to lead Kris away.
However, they had only just turned around when Kris let out a groan of pain. She hunched slightly as her hand flew to her stomach, her face sickeningly pale.
“What’s wrong?” Gideon asked with a frown.
Kris had no idea what was wrong, either. All she knew was that her stomach felt like it was on fire after she had downed her last drink. She thought the pain might go away if she ignored it but as soon as she had turned away from the group, a sharp, stabbing sensation tore through her abdomen. The pain was so unbearable that she could barely get a word out.
Upon hearing her sudden cry, Philip assessed her thoughtfully and he raised his brow when he saw that she was clutching her stomach. He exchanged a meaningful look with Tony, then stepped away from the group as he offered pleasantly, “Director Walton, I happen to be a doctor. I could take a look at Miss Stark if you don’t mind.”
“Thank you, Young Master Philip. Kris has—”
“No; there’s no need for me to be seen by a doctor. I’m perfectly fine!” Kris rasped, cutting Gideon off. She straightened up hastily and she had a panicked look in her eyes. Beads of perspiration broke out on her forehead as her face turned a ghastly shade of white.
She tugged on his arm as she added assuringly, “I’m fine now, Gideon. I had a mild stomach cramp but it’s gone now.”
“Are you sure, Miss Stark? I suspect you may be suffering from contractions. You ought to consult a doctor to make sure it’s nothing chronic,” Philip interjected calmly and he sounded unruffled.
Myra watched this exchange and she couldn’t help but be taken aback by it. She had stayed with Philip once and she knew him as a mild and affable person. I didn’t know he would be this way with strangers. Besides, why is he being so enthusiastic when the person he’s talking to is Kris? Puzzled, she and the rest of the group turned to look at Kris curiously.
Kris, on the other hand, looked regal this evening and her makeup was flawless. However, the liberal amount of rouge she had applied could not conceal her pallor, and one could tell at first sight that she was unwell.
Nevertheless, she forced out a smile after hearing Philip’s advice and answered nonchalantly, “No; I’m sure that won’t be necessary. I’m feeling much better already.”
Then, she turned to look at Gideon as she gestured toward a group of guests nearby. “Gideon, I think we haven’t greeted those guests over there. Should we make our way over now?”
When she saw that he was gazing at her thoughtfully with narrowed eyes, she felt a chill run down her spine and her smile was tight this time as she urged, “Gideon?”
“Let’s go, then,” he responded curtly. Before he led her away, he turned and nodded politely at the curious group. “If you’ll excuse us.”
Myra watched as the both of them walked away before she glanced at Tony and asked, “I wonder what’s wrong with Kris.”
She had caught the knowing look that Philip had exchanged with him earlier, and this only further piqued her interest.
“Chances are she’s pregnant,” Estelle guessed, narrowing her eyes. An excited look lit up her face as she looked at Shawn with sparkling eyes. “Wait… is that it? She’s pregnant and the child she’s carrying isn’t Gideon’s, right?”
It had taken all of Estelle’s will to refrain from making snide remarks at Kris during the exchange just now but seeing as the latter had gone away, she didn’t mind insulting her at all. She had grown suspicious of the way Kris clutched her stomach, and Estelle prided herself for having excellent intuition. She looked as though she was hiding something more than just an average stomach ache and she even panicked when Philip offered to examine her. She has to be pregnant and that child definitely isn’t Gideon’s!
Seeing the endearing gleam in her eyes, Shawn pursed his lips and he found that he couldn’t resist dipping his head to kiss her on the cheek.
Everyone else shuffled awkwardly around them and Myra averted her gaze to afford them some privacy. She then tugged on Tony’s arm, intending to ask if Estelle had been right about Kris’ situation.
What she hadn’t expected was for him to raise a brow at her as he asked, “Do you want a kiss too?”
Do you want a kiss too?
A kiss…
Upon hearing this, the rest of the group cringed and they wondered for a moment if their ears had fallen off.
They couldn’t help but notice that ever since Tony had gotten together with Myra, he had shed his usual impassive front and assumed the role of a roguish man in love.
