The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1718

"Are you keeping something from me?"

Yasmine's hand, which had been scrolling through documents, stilled. She leaned back in her chair with the pen still in her hand, calmly observing the events unfolding in the room.

At the sound of her voice, Ava froze, her facial expression turning into a mask of shock. Queen Julia didn't look too pleased either. "Why are you back?" she asked.

Barbara had tiny beads of sweat on her face. She released her grip on the doorframe and slowly walked into the room. "I wasn't feeling well, and Chloe kindly suggested I rest. She's gone to the orchard to pick fruits for grandma."

Queen Julia watched as Barbara struggled to form the words, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Grandma, mother, what were you talking about?" Barbara didn't dwell on her illness, instead looking at the two women with a bewildered expression.d2

Ava wiped a tear from her eye, took a deep breath, and closed her eyes as if she had made a major decision. "Whatever, you're going to find out sooner or later. You should know about your father and Brisa. Brisa is pregnant with the royal bloodline now, and we have to bring her back."

Barbara's face darkened, "Father..."

Ava turned her face away, "Yes. You're going to have a little brother."

The room fell silent again.

Barbara remained silent for a while, her young face filled with sorrow. Finally, she managed a forced smile and said softly: "This... this is good news. Congratulations to grandma, the royal family finally has a successor."

Her words sounded forced, but if she had acted as if she didn't care at all, it would have seemed too fake. Now, the situation was truly heartbreaking. The 'real' reactions of the mother and daughter made Queen Julia feel a bit guilty. After all, it was her nephew who had caused this scandal.

The atmosphere in the room was strange.

Queen Julia looked up at Yasmine and saw her leaning back in her office chair, silently observing them with a faint smile. Her heart skipped a beat, but she managed to say, "Yasmine, you're really lucky. Just as you've returned, you're about to become an aunt."

Ava and Barbara slowly turned to look at her. Yasmine's face was serene, a small smile playing on her lips. Her calm eyes met their gazes, and her smile widened.

Queen Julia's words made her arch her eyebrows slightly, her lips curving into a light smile. "At my age, becoming an aunt again is nothing out of the ordinary, is it?"

Ava paused. She wanted to point out that Barbara also counted as Yasmine's niece, but how could she say it? More importantly, Yasmine's words clearly indicated that she did not acknowledge Barbara. She could hear the irony in Yasmine's words.

"Do you feel wronged by this situation?" Yasmine had both her hands casually resting on the armrests of the chair, one hand holding a pen, and the other holding the pen cap, idly clicking it on and off. Her gaze fell on Ava, making Ava hold her breath.