Deceiving Her Ears: Ignoring Your Call-Chapter 111: Pregnant?

Wednesday, Natalie Kendall and Isaac Vaughn were invited to attend a wedding.

They didn’t go to the church ceremony during the day, only came for the evening banquet.

The banquet gathered quite a few of Janton’s elites and business magnates.

Glasses clinked, luxurious gowns and sharp suits filled the scene.

Natalie wore an understated evening dress, only a bracelet on her wrist, no other jewelry, as she entered arm in arm with Isaac.

Though they tried to keep a low profile, their identities simply wouldn’t allow it.

What’s more, their relationship was still the much-gossiped "scandal" of the circle.

So, at their appearance, they drew plenty of attention and whispered commentary.

Isaac glanced at Natalie from time to time, checking her reaction, only to see her face calm and unreadable, as if completely untouched by it all.

"Isaac, sister-in-law."

Ethan Vaughn and Nancy Huxley came over to greet them.

In public, Isaac was careful not to make a scene with Ethan, and simply nodded with indifference.

Only Nancy was rather warm, coming over to take Natalie by the arm and saying, "We’re family, but I still don’t have your contact. Let’s add each other then—when we’re free, we can go shopping or eat together."

Natalie softly agreed.

Nancy happily turned and looked at Ethan.

Ethan gave her a doting smile, but when his gaze landed on Natalie’s face, a strange look flashed in his eyes.

Tonight, not only Ethan and Nancy were here—Julian Beckett was, too.

But at this moment, he was talking to someone else.

The banquet was a buffet. Just as Isaac was about to take Natalie to get some food, Ethan said, "Isaac, I just saw Uncle Payne. Dad didn’t come tonight, let’s go say hello on his behalf."

Isaac frowned.

Natalie whispered, "You should go."

"Then have some food first, I’ll be back soon."

After Isaac and Ethan left, Natalie picked up a plate and chose a few desserts at random.

Behind her, a man’s voice sounded.

"Miss Kendall."

Natalie turned and was surprised to see Tristan Jordan.

She only found out upon asking that he was a relative on the bride’s side.

Since his transfer, they’d scarcely met—it was hard to know what to say in the moment.

Tristan had just intended a polite hello before leaving, but face to face with Natalie, he couldn’t make himself go.

The two exchanged small talk, neither really engaged, when Vivienne Jordan walked over.

"Brother."

She linked her arm through Tristan’s, her gaze toward Natalie frosty.

Natalie used the moment to slip away.

Vivienne saw her brother looking intently at Natalie’s retreating back and couldn’t help but ask, "Brother, do you really like Natalie that much?"

Why is it that everyone she cares about ends up caring about Natalie?

Tristan snapped out of it and replied in a flat voice, "Don’t talk nonsense."

"How am I talking nonsense? You were staring at her just now!"

"Vivienne!" Tristan’s voice chilled. "I’m warning you again—don’t run your mouth."

Vivienne pouted.

Tristan then asked, "What about what I told you not to let out—did you say anything?"

At that, Vivienne’s expression turned guilty, her eyes shifty.

Tristan’s face fell. "You told someone?"

"No..."

With Tristan’s hard expression and tone, Vivienne never dared to admit.

"I didn’t... didn’t say anything."

For some reason, as he looked at his sister, Tristan felt an unsettled anxiety.

Elsewhere.

After exchanging pleasantries, Isaac was about to find Natalie at once.

Ethan said with a half-smile, "You’re really playing the part, Isaac."

Isaac paused his steps, turned, and looked at him, eyes stormy.

Ethan continued, "Well, if you’re not convincing, how else can you fool people, right?"

"Shut up!"

Isaac grabbed Ethan by the collar.

Ethan lost balance, gripping his cane, but his face was still annoyingly smug. "What, did I say something wrong? But Isaac, at an event like this, you shouldn’t show so much hostility."

As he spoke, he gripped Isaac’s wrist and pried off the hand clutching his collar.

Stepping back, Ethan quickly smoothed his clothes.

"I’ve got something interesting on me, Isaac. Want to know what it is?"

Isaac instinctively felt it must be the agreement between him and Old Mr. Beckett, and his expression darkened instantly.

"Funny thing is, do you know who gave it to me?" Pausing, Ethan lowered his voice so only the two of them could hear, "Cynthia Kendall."

Isaac’s body jolted.

"You know, Natalie is truly pitiful. Not a single person around her genuinely wishes her well."

"Not you. Not her own mother."

"Pathetic. Utterly pathetic."

Ethan was quite satisfied to see Isaac’s face darken further, a thrill running through him.

After enjoying the show, he turned and hobbled away on his cane.

Not far off, Jessica Vance watched the whole scene from a corner, smiling with delight.

But as the smile faded, a wave of sorrow passed through her eyes.

"Jessica?"

Hearing someone call her, she turned and saw Vivienne Jordan.

Vivienne walked over, greeting her, "You’re here too?"

Jessica replied coolly, "I came with my husband."

"You..." Vivienne hesitated, but finally couldn’t hold back, "You really don’t plan to divorce him? He keeps hitting you, what if..."

"He won’t anymore." Jessica cut her off. "He won’t hit me again."

Vivienne frowned, "He said that? You believe him? I’m telling you, when it comes to domestic violence, there’s no such thing as just once. You can’t trust him. He’s just lying so you won’t leave."

"It’s not that. I’m pregnant."

Jessica said this, touching her stomach. "His child is here. He won’t hit me now."

Pregnancy should be a happy thing, but there was not a trace of joy on Jessica’s face—only pain.

She’d almost had the chance to leave her abusive husband.

But because of the child, she was trapped.

All her efforts and planning, in the end, led nowhere. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

She wondered if this was her punishment.

——

Restroom.

Natalie forced down a wave of nausea and walked to the sink.

After washing her hands, she looked at her own somewhat pale face in the mirror, brow tightly knit.

Suddenly, she heard dry retching sounds from a stall—just like the ones she’d made earlier.

Soon, the door opened.

Jessica Vance walked out, and upon seeing Natalie outside, paused in shock.

Natalie was the first to look away.

Jessica stepped up to the sink and turned on the tap to wash her hands.

Natalie had already dried her hands with a tissue and was about to leave. After only a couple steps, Jessica’s voice rang out, "Were you the one retching in the next stall just now?"

Natalie’s steps halted.

Jessica, looking at her back, spoke with a cold edge: "Are you pregnant?"