Chapter 182: Sloane Bennett Arched an Eyebrow

"They're just two nobodies. Not worth getting upset over."

Sloane Bennett arched an eyebrow. "True! But if there's a next time, they'll taste my fists."

Since Clara was too soft-hearted, she'd gladly play the villain.

"Alright, alright—" Clara linked arms with her. "You had a scare today. My treat—what do you want to eat?"

Sloane slung an arm around her neck. "Been waiting for you to say that! Let's go, I'm treating you to something good."

"Wait—shouldn't that be my line?"

"Same difference. You're paying anyway."

* * *

In the backseat of the luxury sedan, Catherine Holloway traced the ultrasound report, lips curving at the doctor's words: "The fetus is developing well."

Paige Lawson stole a glance at her expression and exhaled silently.

This was her first meeting with Grant's mother.

Throughout their relationship, Grant never spoke of his family. She only knew he came from wealth and had a younger sister.

After being unilaterally dumped, Paige exhausted every means to reach him—all messages vanished without a trace.

Desperate, she obtained Catherine's number through connections and directly announced her pregnancy.

So far, the future mother-in-law seemed... moderately pleased.

Paige retrieved an exquisitely wrapped gift from her bag, offering a demure smile. "Auntie, a small token of my regard. I hope you like it."

Catherine mused that this girl had more tact than that Clara. "Did you pick it yourself? How thoughtful—"

Her words died as the box opened.

Nestled in blue velvet lay a clumsily hand-knitted scarf—uneven stitches, loose threads, frayed ends.

"You... made this yourself?"

Paige nodded eagerly. "Two whole weeks of work! Do you like it?"

"..."

Catherine snapped the lid shut, barely masking her distaste.

An eyesore!

Even Clara's worst gift was a designer silk scarf. This looked like something salvaged from a thrift store.

She had access to Grant's supplementary card, yet offered this shoddy scrap?

"Auntie... don't you like it?" Paige's voice trembled. "I thought handmade gifts show sincerity."

She'd pulled all-nighters knitting it for this first meeting.

Catherine forced a smile, resting a hand on her still-flat stomach. "Of course. Handmade treasures are priceless."

Paige beamed. "Then I'll make you one every year!"

Catherine: "..."

God forbid.