At night, in the Carter residence, Winona hung up the phone and sat on the bed, uncertainty clouding her eyes. She suspected Victor had recently learned something; otherwise, his changed attitude was inexplicable.

Unease gnawed at her. "If Victor found out about my affair with Robert," she thought, "how could he remain silent?" She gritted her teeth. She had secretly confirmed her pregnancy—a boy—without the Carter family's knowledge. If her child were to inherit the Carter estate, Victor couldn't be allowed to live.

Winona glanced at Robert, sleeping soundly beside her. She pinched her arm, faked a few tears, and shook him awake.

Robert, annoyed at being roused, glanced at Winona's belly, which tempered his anger somewhat. "What's wrong?" he grumbled. "It's the middle of the night. Why the fuss?"

Winona felt a pang of guilt. Robert had recently resumed contact with a college student; their messages had sickened her. But she endured, unable to confront him yet. Her pregnancy had been a gamble to keep him close.

She shed a tear, her voice choked. "I had a bad dream, and I needed comfort. Are you losing patience with me? I knew it. Your declarations of love were lies."

Robert, bewildered by her pregnant sensitivity—the constant complaints, the nightmares, the lack of peace—felt a measure of sympathy for her. Seeing her genuine fear, he attempted to soothe her. "Nightmares aren't real. You're overthinking. Just go to sleep."

Winona looked lost, further confusing him. "Winona, what's really bothering you? What did you dream about?"

Tears streamed down her face. "I think… I think Victor might have found out about us. He's been looking at me strangely… like he wants to kill me. Honey, if he tells anyone, we're doomed. Mr. Carter won't let you off the hook."

Robert shot upright, horrified. "What? Victor knows? That's impossible!"

He vehemently denied it. How could Victor remain silent? he thought. There would have been an uproar. Suspicion flickered. "Was it you? Did you tell Victor?"

Winona vehemently denied it. "No! Am I crazy?"

Calming down, Robert also considered it unlikely. Yet, Winona's words echoed Victor's recent odd behavior. Doubt took root.

His gaze hardening, he stared at Winona's belly. Finally, his voice grated, "Is it a boy or a girl?"

Fearful, Winona replied, "It's a boy. I went to the hospital; the doctor said he's healthy."

Robert's chilling laugh sent shivers down her spine. "If I fail with Victor, I can start over. I still have time to cultivate another heir."

He continued, "Even if Victor knows, as long as he doesn't talk, no one will find out. You just need to have this baby quietly. I'll raise him to be the next heir."

Joy flooded Winona. This was what she wanted. Blood is thicker than water? she thought. Robert is selfish; as long as he's okay, he doesn't care about sacrificing his own son. I've known this for a long time.

Feigning surprise, she whispered, "You mean… to…"

Robert nodded. "Victor is my son. I'll let him live, but he'll be bedridden for life."

Winona remembered Victor's new car, soon to arrive. Making someone a vegetable... the best way is a car accident, she thought. She said, "Isn't that difficult? Besides a car accident, what other way is there?" Immediately contradicting herself, she added, "Oh, nonsense. Don't take it seriously."

Robert's eyes gleamed. After the lights went out, Winona snuggled close, a sly smile playing on her lips. A perfect scheme. The father and son would destroy each other, leaving her and her child to inherit the Carter fortune.

At the Chambers residence, the servants bustled; the eldest daughter, Yvette, had returned. Zachary had cleared the second floor, creating a personal entertainment zone for her.

Watching Yvette devour a late-night snack, Zachary marveled at her appetite. She paused, then placed a quiche in his bowl. He was touched, until she declared, "This one is yours, these are mine," indicating the remaining quiches.

Zachary asked, "Yvette, how did you manage after Lilian was gone?"

She finished her quiche, wiped her hands, and replied casually, "Using my fists and my brains. I'm doing pretty well." Zachary thought, Yvette is unique; most would be seeking sympathy.