After much thought, Diane invited Kayla out for a shopping trip. Among the entire Prescott family, she was the kindest to Kayla, so Kayla readily agreed.

After a while of shopping, Diane broached the topic. “Kayla, what are you planning to do about the baby Joyce is carrying?”

“If she wants to have it, let her,” Kayla replied indifferently. Since Tuff had gone through with the paternity test, Kayla was sure now. She would let Joyce have the baby. Once the baby’s born, they would get the paternity test done and see whose child it really was. If the kid really was Tuff’s, she would leave.

But if it was not, she would make sure Joyce was utterly disgraced.

“Kayla, you’re being way too naive. The Lambert family isn’t to be trusted,” Diane said, worry etched across her face.

“Don’t worry, Diane. I’ll handle whatever they throw at me,” Kayla replied with a smile, already steeling herself inside.

Since Diane was related to the Lamberts, she definitely knew what kind of people they were.

‘Joyce must be scheming again. What’s she up to this time?’ she wondered.

‘Honestly, I’m pretty curious,’ Diane admitted to herself.

“Kayla, even though I’m Joyce’s aunt, I really am looking out for you. Just be careful around Joyce and her parents,” Diane said earnestly.

“Thanks for the heads-up, Diane. I’ll keep that in mind,” Kayla replied. To show her appreciation, Kayla took Diane out for a nice meal.

The next day, Maggie showed up unannounced. Kayla didn’t stop her and let her in.

“This place feels so much more lively now,” Maggie said, taking a sip of water to ease the awkwardness as she looked around. It used to be plain and cold, but now it was warm and inviting. It was clear how happy Tuff and Kayla were together.

“Mom, what’s up?” Kayla asked.

Maggie pulled out an invitation from the Carter family. “Come on, get dressed. You’re coming with me to this dinner.”

“Do I really have to go?” Kayla asked lazily, leaning back on the sofa.

“Of course. You’re the new Mrs. Prescott! From now on, you need to join in the Prescott family’s social events,” Maggie said.

“Okay!” Kayla agreed. She changed into a chiffon suit, and Maggie’s eye twitched. “Don’t you have a dress? Or at least a nice skirt?”

“I do, but it’s not exactly convenient,” Kayla said with a shrug, just lifting the edge of her jacket to reveal a pistol.

Maggie nearly jumped out of her skin. “You… you’re carrying a gun?”

“Yeah,” Kayla replied. She curled her lips in a disdainful smirk, shooting Maggie a look that said she couldn’t care less about anyone’s opinion.

Maggie nearly fainted. “Are you out of your mind? Get rid of that gun right now.”

“No, I’m worried someone might try to hurt me,” Kayla replied, her tone calm and steady.

“Who would want to hurt you? This is a party! All the guests are Lunova’s elite…” she protested.

“Joyce,” Kayla said coldly. Maggie instantly went quiet.

She slumped onto the sofa, looking defeated. After a long silence, Maggie finally said, “I’m sorry for what happened with Joyce. I promise you, no matter if she has the baby or not, your place in the Prescott family won’t change.”

“I don’t need anyone to vouch for me. I know where I stand,” Kayla replied coolly, a hint of disdain in her voice.

“But then why…” Maggie began.

“The gun’s just for self-defense,” Kayla said. She let her jacket fall back into place, perfectly hiding the pistol.

Maggie let out a helpless sigh—she’d lost all interest in going to the party. But if she skipped it, there was no way she could explain herself to her mother-in-law. In the end, she had no choice but to bite the bullet and take Kayla to the Carter family’s house.

By the time they arrived, the party was already in full swing. The high-society ladies of Lunova all came over to greet them. But when they caught sight of Kayla, standing next to Maggie and looking drop-dead gorgeous, everyone was left speechless.

“Mrs. Prescott, your daughter-in-law is stunning,” one of them said.

“Wait, didn’t she have a scar on her face before? How come she looks so different now?” another whispered.

Maggie was stunned for a moment. She plastered on a smile and started explaining what happened to Kayla’s face.

Meanwhile, Kayla couldn’t help but feel pleased. After all, looks really did make the first impression. But Kayla barely had time to enjoy the attention before someone she disliked had arrived.

“Maggie,” Joyce called out sweetly, dressed in a gorgeous maternity outfit with a vivid emerald necklace gleaming at her throat.

The Lunova socialites all shared a knowing smile when they spotted the necklace, then sent Kayla looks full of sympathy. Kayla’s brows knitted in irritation.

Maggie stiffened and hurried over to block Joyce. “What are you doing here?”

“My uncle invited me,” Joyce replied with a bright, affectionate smile. She acted as if nothing had ever happened between them.

Kayla walked straight over. “Ms. Lambert, you showed up too? Shouldn’t you be at home taking care of yourself instead of making a scene here?”

“Kayla, this is my uncle’s party!” Joyce shot back.

“There are a ton of people here, and the whole place stinks of booze and smoke. This really isn’t the best place for you,” Kayla said, her voice calm and graceful, completely unruffled. She didn’t sound like the jealous wife putting the mistress in her place at all.

But with everyone already knowing Joyce was pregnant with Tuff’s child, all eyes were glued to them, eager to watch the main wife tear into the mistress. After all, no matter how many times this kind of drama played out, it was always a crowd-pleaser.

“Kayla, you’re way too nosy,” Joyce shot back, her hand resting on her belly as she gave Kayla a smug look. The socialites gave Kayla sympathetic looks. Word was, Kayla was unable to have children, which gave Joyce the perfect opening. No kids meant Kayla’s position was shaky. Once Joyce had her baby, Kayla might lose her spot in the family for good. They looked at the emerald necklace Joyce was wearing. That was the Prescott family’s heirloom, only ever worn by the main wife.

“Ms. Lambert, you’d better be careful. Don’t go falling and hurting my son,” Kayla said lazily.

Everyone was left speechless.

‘Wait, her son?’ everyone thought in disbelief.

Joyce was just as thrown. “Kayla, come on, this is my son. It has nothing to do with you.”

“How is it not my business? You just said it’s Tuff’s child, so of course he’ll be handed over to me to raise. That makes him my son, doesn’t it?” Kayla replied with a sly smile.

Joyce was so shocked she nearly lost her breath.

“Enough, Kayla! Don’t think I don’t see right through you. You’re just waiting for me to lose this baby!” Joyce snapped, her voice low and angry. “If anything happens to my child, it’ll be all your fault!”

“Ms. Lambert, you’re overthinking it. Honestly, I hate pain–if someone else wants to go through childbirth for me, I’m thrilled. A pain-free baby? That’s the dream,” Kayla said, stepping closer and giving Joyce’s belly a look so doting it was almost motherly. She looked so fond, it was almost over the top.

Suddenly, the socialites all understood. That’s what Kayla’s after. She was so clever.

“Mom, why don’t you take Ms. Lambert to rest? Make sure she’s comfortable, and nothing happens to her,” Kayla said.

Maggie thought she must be hearing things.

‘Did Kayla really just say she wanted a pain-free childbirth?’ Maggie was stunned.

“Kayla, drop the act…” Joyce snapped.

“Ms. Lambert, let’s not argue, okay? Getting upset isn’t good for the baby,” Kayla said, sighing. Kayla sighed, giving Joyce a helpless, almost affectionate look, like an old husband doting on his young wife. Her eyes were all for the baby—she acted like it didn’t even matter who was actually pregnant.

People burst out laughing, and a few even joined in, urging, “Ms. Lambert, you should focus on your pregnancy—go get some rest!”

“Kayla’s being so gracious. Ms. Lambert, just let it go,” someone else added.

Maggie was stunned for a moment. Joyce was absolutely livid.

These fence-sitters were all backing Kayla, just waiting to see her make a fool of herself. She was starting to wish she’d never shown up at all.

Maggie, worried things might get out of hand, stepped in to smooth things over, “Joyce, you must be tired from standing. Let’s go sit down over there.” Then she turned to Kayla. “Kayla, why don’t you mingle a bit?”

Kayla sneered inwardly. ‘So now the wife and the mistress are all settled? What a joke!’

Joyce was fuming, refusing to budge an inch. She glared at Maggie and snapped, “Maggie, this child is mine. I’m going to raise him myself—no way am I handing him over to anyone!”

“You…” Maggie blurted out, her voice tight with anxiety.

‘The Prescott family’s grandson belongs with us—he should be raised in our home!’ Maggie thought, her heart racing.

“Mom, Ms. Lambert’s just throwing a tantrum,” Kayla said breezily, instantly defusing the standoff.

Suddenly, it hit Maggie—Joyce was threatening her again.

“Kayla, I’m not just being difficult. I really won’t let you raise this child,” Joyce insisted.

“Alright, then let the Lamberts raise him,” Kayla replied, totally unfazed. She just went along with it, not bothered in the slightest.

Joyce was left speechless.

“Doesn’t matter who raises him, he’s still a Prescott in the end,” someone in the crowd whispered.

Joyce was practically shaking with rage. “Kayla, you have no shame!”

“Those who know all the facts and still act shamelessly are even worse!” Kayla shot back, her hand casually moving toward her waist.

Maggie jumped in alarm, thinking Kayla was about to reach for her gun. She hurriedly yanked Joyce away. “Come on, let’s move over there…”

“Maggie, this is my baby!” Joyce cried out, her eyes brimming with tears of anger and frustration.

She had shown up today with one goal: to humiliate Kayla in front of everyone. As soon as Kayla laid a hand on her, she’d throw herself to the ground and fake a miscarriage on the spot—perfectly playing the victim, getting Kayla in legal trouble, and making sure Maggie would never forgive her. But now, Kayla was just coolly accepting her, treating Joyce like she was nothing but a walking incubator. As the Lambert family’s heiress, Joyce had never been put down like this in her life.

“Joyce, sweetie, let me give you some advice—don’t go up against Kayla. She’s really not someone you want to pick a fight with,” Maggie said, trying to sound gentle.

“So you think I’m just easy to push around?” Joyce snapped, her voice shaking with fury.

“That’s not what I mean! It’s just… Kayla’s armed!” Maggie whispered, her tone full of anxiety.

“What?” Joyce was so shocked she could barely speak.

Maggie leaned in and whispered, “She’s got a gun tucked right into her waistband—she even flashed it at me before we left! If you push her too far, what if she snaps and pulls the trigger on you?”

Joyce sneered, her eyes flashing with calculation as she whipped out her phone and called the police.

Maggie panicked, grabbing at Joyce to stop her. “Are you crazy? If she gets in trouble, you’re going to drag the whole Prescott family down with you! Stop it, now!”

Joyce ignored her completely and went ahead, calling the police without a second thought.

Maggie, panicking and fuming, got up, about to rush over and warn Kayla—but Joyce’s threat stopped her in her tracks. “Or maybe I’ll just tell the cops that Tuff raped me.”