The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 417

"Lauren, here—a hundred million," Aaron said. He whipped out his checkbook, scribbled a figure, and tore the page off for her.

"A hundred million for all this pain?" Lauren countered.

"Two hundred million more, then."

"Are you kidding me? Why are you being so stingy?"

"Hold on," Aaron said. A moment later, he had signed over half of his entire net worth to her.

"Aaron, you'll have nothing left," she said.

"What do I need money for? As long as my wife and daughter are rich, I'm happy."

"We're about to have a son, too!"

"He's a man," Aaron grumbled. "He can earn his own keep. If he's ever thick-skinned enough to ask for a handout, I'll break his legs."

Trading barbs with Aaron actually helped; Lauren felt the edge come off the pain. "Aaron, I think we're close. Why don't you go outside and cheer me on from there?"

"No way. I'm staying right here with you."

"You're throwing off my focus."

"But—"

"Who calls the shots in this house?" Lauren interrupted.

Aaron looked at her with pure concern. "You do, of course."

"Then are you ignoring me?"

"I'm going, I'm going," Aaron said quickly. "You've got this."

"Dismissed! I need to concentrate now."

"I'm out of your hair," Aaron replied, backing away.

The moment Aaron left, the medical team in the room breathed a collective sigh of relief. They had been staying at the Cross estate for a month, on call 24/7, but they never expected that the formidable, high-powered Mr. Cross of Azure Peak City acted like this behind closed doors.

"Dad? Why are you out here?" Amelia asked as he stepped into the hall.

"I came out to cheer with you," Aaron said.

A sharp cry echoed from inside the room, and Aaron's eyes welled up with tears.

"Lauren, I'll never forget this," he called out toward the door. "I'm going to spend the rest of my life making it up to you! And you, you little brat—behave yourself! If you come out now, I'll make you Chairman. Stop torturing your mother; you know she hates pain! That's my wife in there... why won't this kid just get a move on and get out?"

Amelia and the others were used to his dramatics and paid him no mind. Inside the room, the doctors desperately wanted to tell him to keep it down, but no one dared to speak up.

As evening fell, the sharp cry of a newborn rang through the house, sending a wave of excitement through the waiting room.

"He's here! He's actually here!"

Amelia threw her arms around her father before pulling Nicole into a tight hug. "I'm a big sister now!"

"Congratulations, Amelia," Nicole said, a genuine smile lighting up her face.

Eventually, a nurse emerged carrying a small bundle. Aaron rushed forward, his voice thick with emotion. "How's my wife? Is she okay? Is she safe?"

"Mother and baby are both doing perfectly," the nurse reassured him.

Jasper stood beside her, his expression softening as he watched her.

"Jasper, look at him. He's beautiful," Nicole whispered. Most newborns were wrinkled and red, but she seemed truly enchanted.

"Look at this kid," Amelia joked. "Barely born and already playing the 'good boy' for a pretty girl." She felt it was a total double standard—he'd cried the second she tried to touch him.

"Does he have a name yet?" Nicole asked.

"Elias. Mom picked it."

"Elias," Nicole murmured, a bright smile on her lips. "I'm Nicole, and this is Jasper." She looked up at Amelia. "Do you want to try again?"

"He's probably just going to cry."

"No, he won't. That was just a coincidence. Is Elias a good boy, isn't he? Let big sister hold you."

Amelia took a deep breath and reached out. The moment she took him, her entire body went rigid. "He's... he's so small. And soft. What if he just slides right onto the floor?"

"He won't," Nicole promised, gently adjusting Amelia's arms.

Holding him properly for the first time, Amelia couldn't help but grin. "I'm your sister. Say 'sister.'"

"He's a bit young for that, Amelia," Nicole laughed.

"Listen, Elias," Amelia whispered to the baby. "There's a contract you'll need to sign later. Just so we're clear, this isn't a negotiation—it's a notice. You're going to work hard and make enough money to keep my bank account full forever. And you have to protect me. If anyone messes with me, you have to bankrupt them. That's all I've got for now."

Nicole and Jasper burst out laughing. Even the nurse shook her head in sympathy for the poor kid.

Elias, meanwhile, kept his eyes tightly shut, looking remarkably cold and detached for someone so small.