Chapter 4: Pregnancy Plan

Her words draw everyone's attention, including the imposing and aggressive king figure who is walking down the grand staircase. Evan walks with one hand in his pocket and several maids trailing behind him. He halts his determined stride for a moment after hearing Avery mention a problem.

"I seem to remember that, according to our prenup agreement, if I propose the divorce, I won't get a settlement. So I decline," she announces.

Everyone gasps. This woman is out of her mind. First, she implies that she's the one who proposed the divorce, and then she refuses five billion dollars. Does she know what she's doing?

"Mrs. Howel, Avery has been drinking," Anthony, the patriarch of the Peters family explains, "She's not thinking straight."

His words carry a hidden warning to Avery to stop talking nonsense. Avery ignores him. She doesn't want to waste any more time finalizing the divorce.

She throws the papers at the butler, "I refuse a settlement. I'll sign the papers as long as you take that out. I don't want anything to do with this family anymore, and I especially don't want your money."

The butler, hesitant, awaits Mrs. Howel's instructions.

"I hope you don't regret your decision," Mrs. Howel says, gesturing for Robert to do as Avery asks.

"The only thing I regret is my marriage with Evan."

Everyone gasps. What has happened to Avery? Where has this newfound courage come from? When did she become so bold? Anthony exchanges a look with Gabrielle and she pulls on Avery's arm, but Avery completely ignores her sister. She stares boldly and directly at Mrs. Howel like a general who has just won a great victory.

"Miss Peters, the agreement has been modified as you requested," Robert says reappearing at the table, "Please have a look."

"There is no need."

Avery takes the pen in her fair and elegant hand and begins to sign the agreement. As soon as she begins to sign her name, there is a commotion at the door. Suddenly, the journalists rush in without any interference from the bodyguards. Dozens of them stand against the walls and set up their camera equipment, but they don't even fill the dining room. It is rumored that the Howels' dining room is as big as half a football field. It turns out the rumor is true.

"How dare you!" Mrs. Howel screams, "Who let these people in? Get them out of here."

Outsiders aren't allowed to intrude in the Howels' private residence. The journalists couldn't even pay to fix the floor if their equipment damaged it.

"It was me," A commanding voice cuts through the noise in the room, and Evan appears like a glorious god.

He slowly finishes descending the grand staircase and enters the room. As he walks, he casts an arrogant look at Avery.

Poised mid-signature, it's clear that Avery would rather become a penniless outcast than spend another minute married to Evan. The gentle and vulnerable lamb has changed.

"Mr. Howel, can you tell us something about your divorce?" One bold journalist asks the question everyone is dying to hear answered.

Evan looks condescendingly at the flushed man who returns his gaze. They stare each other down; the tension in the room is palpable.

Suddenly, an abrupt voice interrupts the standoff between Evan and the journalist, "Oh my God, Mrs. Howel is signing the agreement!"

Everyone turns to look at Avery, and the cameras click and flash as the journalists take pictures of the signed papers. Avery allows them to take as many pictures as they want, posing with the pen in her hand even though she's aware that Evan will ultimately decide what they're allowed to print in the papers. He's that powerful.

She knows that if Evan ordered it, the news of the divorce could be changed to a pregnancy announcement. Tomorrow's headlines will say whatever Evan wants them to say. In fact, none of the journalists will be allowed to leave the mansion before Evan's security team inspects their photos and deletes anything their boss wouldn't like. Usually, Evan doesn't allow any media coverage of photos, but today he needs to send a message to the media.

Avery gives Evan a provoking look. Every sound, person, and thing in the room seems to blur and fade. It feels like it's only the two of them in this massive room.

"It's not divorce papers," Evan announces, "It's a pregnancy agreement."

The journalists all begin to shout questions at once. This is the opposite of what they'd heard from informants. The room is in chaos.

"That's right. Mrs. Howel and I have decided to produce an heir," Evan says. He smirks at the journalists, "To that end, she gave her best last night, and I expect we'll be announcing a pregnancy soon"

Avery looks down at the agreement she's just signed and realizes it's been altered. Instead of divorce papers, she's signed a paper giving Evan Howel all parental rights to any child she has with him. As angry as she is about the deception, she's even more enraged to hear him talk about sex in front of their families and the journalists. Has he no shame?

Evan's words relax everyone in the room. The tension vanishes, replaced by an expectant and exciting atmosphere.

"No wonder Evan looks at Avery so lovingly," the journalists think.

Avery stares at him. If she didn't know better she'd think his gaze really was full of passion and love.

"So he's taken my divorce announcement and turned it into a press conference publicizing our fake marital happiness," she thinks, "It's not over yet, though."

Evan's scheming nature won't change overnight, but Avery is determined to get her way. She resists an overt display of anger and sneers at her husband. She doesn't say anything to defend herself; instead, she waits for the right moment.

The journalists are eager to film Avery. They point their cameras at her and shove their microphones in her direction.

"Evan-" a sweet voice calls from outside the door. Avery's expression changes instantly. Her haughty and prideful look suddenly vanishes and her face becomes an expressionless mask.

The cameras flash wildly. Surprised, the speaker hesitates. Leonie Summer enters the room and blushes with embarrassment. Her sweet voice turns bashful and she murmurs a shy apology, "I'm sorry. I didn't know there was an interview."

A few hours ago, Leonie had received a mysterious message inviting her to come to the Howel residence to comfort Evan's after his divorce. She hadn't expected such a grand scene. She wonders if they've officially announced the divorce yet.

She turns and looks at Avery, her expression smug and gloating. If the Summer family hadn't lost so much money, she would have been able to compete with the other high society women to become Mrs. Howel. If she'd been involved, Evan would have never married unworthy Avery.

"Leonie, how nice to see you," Mrs. Howel waves at her, "Come over here, dear"

"I heard that Evan was talking about divorcing Avery after what happened three days ago," Leonie smiles at Mrs. Howel with false concern, "I got worried and wanted to talk some sense into him."

Mrs. Howel looks calculatingly at Leonie, "What happened three days ago?"

"Er…" Leonie bites her lower lip hesitantly and glances at the journalists who are pushing each other to try to get closer to Leonie. She can't help gloating.

"Talk to me," Mrs. Howel says with concern.

It's all too evident that the older woman prefers Leonie to Avery. Now that she has Mrs. Howel's encouragement and support, Leonie sneaks a smug smile at Avery.

"It's just, Avery pushed me down the stairs," she says.

The news explodes among the journalists. This story is turning out to be even more scandalous than a divorce, and they're glad they've made the trip to the Howel's residence. Have the Howel used the pregnancy announcement to cover up an attempted murder?

Avery sips her wine as if none of this concerns her.

Leonie smiles to herself, "Don't worry. It's nothing too serious. My injuries have almost healed. The doctor says I need to go back to the hospital to make sure my concussion isn't too severe, but it's okay. Evan, don't blame Avery. It'll break my heart if you divorce her for me."