Whats She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 130

Chapter 130

Noelle left it at that, knowing better than to push too hard, and quietly continued massaging Elaine’s shoulders.

Elaine, seemingly exhausted from venting, closed her eyes and rested for a moment before saying, “Noelle, I trust you the most. Keep a close eye on the company. If anything happens, you need to discuss it with Finnian immediately. If it’s something hard to bring up with him, tell me directly.”

Noelle was overjoyed but maintained her facade of only caring about the big picture. “Yes, I’ll remember that, Mom. For Finnian, for the company, and for the peace of the Sanders family, I will watch over everything at work.”

Elaine finally looked satisfied, patting Noelle’s hand. “Good. With you there, I feel much better.”

At The Sanders Estate, Kaia spent over half an hour performing physical therapy on Josephine. The matriarch leaned back against the plush cushions, her eyes closed, looking infinitely more relaxed. “Kaia, your techniques are far better than those so–called health experts,” Josephine sighed, feeling the tension melt from her shoulders as her energy returned.

“You flatter me, Grandmother. I’m just glad it helps,” Kaia replied while packing up her tools.

“Get some rest, Grandmother…”

Josephine hummed in acknowledgment, but just as Kaia reached the door, she added, “Go tell Finnian to come here. Tell him I need to speak with him.”

Kaia paused for a second before nodding. “Okay, Grandmother.”

A few minutes later, Finnian knocked and entered the room wearing a gray bathrobe. “Grandmother, you asked for me?”

Josephine looked at him, her eyes sharp and clear, and motioned for him to sit in the chair beside her.

“Is the group very busy lately?” she asked.

Finnian’s heart tightened. He had no idea where this conversation was going, so he answered cautiously. “It’s alright. A bit busy.”

Josephine frowned and let out a soft scoff. “So busy you forget to handle your domestic duties?”

A flash of embarrassment crossed Finnian’s handsome face. He had no idea what ‘domestic duties‘ she was referring to.

“I’m old, but I’m not senile. You and Kaia haven’t been intimate for a long time, have you?” Josephine stared directly at him, her gaze piercing.

Finnian’s face instantly turned red. “Grandmother, Kaia and I have just been really busy lately, there’s a lot going on…”

Josephine looked him up and down. “You’re in your twenties and you want to live like a monk? If you’re having issues, go see a doctor.”

“Grandmother, there’s nothing wrong with me.” Finnian’s face flushed an even deeper shade of red,

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his hands balling into fists at his sides.

Seeing how embarrassed he was, Josephine dropped that specific angle and pivoted. “Brynlee is a good kid. She’s smart, well–behaved, and everyone loves her. She is the first grandchild of our family. But having only one child makes the family tree feel a bit sparse.”

Finnian’s heart skipped a beat at those words.

Was his grandmother pushing for a second child?

Josephine ignored his rapidly shifting expression and continued. “The Sanders family needs to branch out. More children mean a stronger foundation. While you’re both young, you need to put this on the agenda.”

Finnian’s throat went completely dry. He felt his heart racing erratically. It takes two to tango; he couldn’t just magically make a baby happen on his own.

“Grandmother, about this…” Finnian desperately wanted to explain, but he didn’t know how to even

begin.

“It’s settled,” Josephine cut him off, her eyes holding a heavy expectation. “Finnian, with Rafael gone, burden is heavier. I know you’re busy, but there are some responsibilities you cannot avoid. Kaia

eat health. If you have a child now, they’ll surely be bright and capable.”

was my condition for allowing Noelle to stay near the Sanders family. Think it over.”

nian didn’t dare argue with the matriarch. He just nodded. “Alright. I understand.”

“Understanding isn’t enough. You are a man; take the initiative. You won’t lose anything by trying.” Josephine knew he wasn’t someone driven by lust, but how were they supposed to have a baby if

weren’t sleeping together?

urned beet red again. He absolutely could not discuss this with his grandmother, so he

“Okay, I understand what you mean, Grandmother.”

Firman quickly left her room. As he walked past the guest room, he noticed the small nightlight was still on. Brynlee’s voice drifted out from inside: “Why isn’t Dad here yet? I miss him.”

Finnian hadn’t had an excuse to go in, but hearing those words, he pushed the door open. “Dad!” Brynlee peeked out from under the blanket, waving happily at him. “Dad, sleep here.” “Why are you still awake? I thought you were going to sleep earlier,” Finnian said gently.

As he spoke, he walked around to the other side of the bed. Though he was talking to his daughter, his eyes were fixed on Kaia, who was half–lying down on the far side, scrolling through her phone.

Finnian hesitated for a moment before pulling back the covers and lying down. Brynlee happily rested her head on his arm. “Dad, I couldn’t sleep without you here.”

“Alright, Dad is here. Go to sleep,” Finnian coaxes her in a low, gentle voice.

“Dad, will you come into my dreams and help me fight monsters? If I’m in danger, will you come save me right away?” Brynlee whispered softly.

“I will,” Finnian answered.

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Brynlee fell asleep quickly after that. She had eaten a bit too much at dinner and was suffering from. mild indigestion, causing her to toss and turn. Finnian reached out to pat her arm to soothe her, but his warm palm accidentally bypassed his daughter entirely.

His hot palm landed right on a small patch of exposed skin on Kaia’s waist, revealed when her shirt had ridden up as she slept.

Chapter 127

She turned down Finnian’s offer and carried Brynlee out.

Silas stood by, arms crossed and eyes dark, watching the exchange without saying a word.

After two seconds of strained silence, Finnian forced out, “Drive safe.”

Kaia turned to Silas. “Thanks for the invite. Happy Birthday.”

Chapter 131

1. on. Instead, she sat down directly across from Kaia, setting her folder aside.

“Kaia, I think I saw Leo here yesterday. He was probably looking for Finnian to discuss a partnership. How is your brother’s business doing?” Noelle asked, her tone dripping with concern.

Kaia’s fingers tightened slightly. Her brother was at headquarters yesterday?

She had no idea.

“Is that so? You must have been mistaken. My brother always consults with me before coming here.” Kaia said it with absolute certainty because Leo had always discussed his plans with her first. Only after finalizing a proposal would he try to reach Finnian through her.

Finnian was a man who seemed warm on the surface but was actually quite aloof–unfathomable and intimidatingly high–status. Leo was actually a bit afraid of him. Because Finnian was impossible to read, approaching him felt like staring into an abyss, and Leo never dared to bother him lightly.

Noelle looked at her with a knowing half–smile. “I doubt I’m mistaken. Leo and I are quite well–acquainted, after all. Why don’t you ask him? He might actually need some help.”

Before Kaia could respond, Noelle casually added, “Actually, there’s a preliminary assessment for Aethelstan’s new biopharma industrial park sitting on my desk right now. I haven’t had the chance to look through it yet, but I wonder if it has anything to do with Leo’s pharmaceutical distribution company. Once I review it, I’ll chat with you about the details.”

Kaia’s tone turned ice–cold. “The conglomerate has countless investment projects. Even if it involves my brother, it’s not my place to comment. There’s no need for you to discuss the details with me.”

Noelle chuckled softly. “True. Leo has always wanted to build a massive empire on his own. Living in his sister’s shadow… well, for a man, that must be hard on his pride.”

Kaia glared at her and issued a cold warning, “Ms. Lawrence, trying to drive a wedge between my brother and me won’t do you any good.”

“Kaia, you’re misunderstanding me. I… oh, never mind. Let’s drop it.” Noelle turned and walked away, her steps elegant, leaving behind a polite smile and the faint, lingering scent of her signature cherry blossom perfume.

Noelle’s words sent a chill down Kaia’s spine. She always knew about her brother’s ambition and his desperate need to prove himself to his mother–in–law. Because he had married into a slightly wealthier family when he wed Sophia, Leo always had a chip on his shoulder, constantly pushing himself to achieve massive success.

Kaia sat alone as the bright sunlight streamed through the window. She took a sip of her cold coffee. Not knowing the exact situation, she wondered if she should ask him about it.

Or should she pretend she knew nothing?

Kaia decided to leave it alone for now. If her brother really wanted her help, he would come to her directly.

She pulled out her phone and subconsciously scrolled for a moment before her finger hovered over Finnian’s chat window.

Should she ask him?

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Elaine frowned, her tone impossible to read. “Why is Aethelstan coming to you for help? Aren’t you transferred to Veridian?”

Before Kaia could answer, Finnian spoke up. “Mom, the project used Kaia’s framework, so only she could handle it. No one else could fix it.”

Elaine swallowed her frustration and nodded. “Work is important, yes, but missing your husband’s birthday party as his wife looks bad. You need to remember for next time: the Sanders family’s dignity and your husband’s pride should be your number one priority as a wife. Understood?”

Finnian’s hand paused as he reached for his glass. He looked at his mother, then quickly at Kaia.

Kaia frowned, her tone hardening. “As a wife, I did fall short. But as a researcher, I have to answer to my team. Everyone was working overtime; I couldn’t just abandon them as their leader. It was an impossible position to be in. If you think I was in the wrong, Mom, I apologize.”

True to her word, Kaia stood up and offered a formal, albeit cold, apology.

This strategic retreat made everyone at the table gasp.

Elaine’s face turned three shades darker. Was Kaia intentionally provoking her?

“Elaine!” Right as Kaia apologized, Josephine suddenly spoke up, her voice ringing with absolute authority. “Don’t cross the line.”

Elaine froze and immediately turned to the matriarch. “Mom, I…”

Josephine stared her down sternly. “Kaia has always known her boundaries. Asking her to juggle both family obligations and a crisis at work is putting her in an impossible position. Even if she did make a mistake, you shouldn’t publicly reprimand her like this. As a senior member of this family, you are severely lacking in grace and broad–mindedness.”

Elaine never expected to be scolded so bluntly in front of everyone just for bringing the issue up. Her face flushed bright red.

Josephine didn’t care how embarrassed Elaine looked. She kept going. “How do you think the Sanders family got to where it is today? Kaia knows the big picture. She handles herself impeccably at home, and she holds her own at the company. She has brought so much honor and glory to this business. Stop harping on trivial marital matters and making a public scene. Learn to prioritize.” Elaine’s face went from red to a dark, furious purple. Her biggest, most painful insecurity was that since marrying into the Sanders family, she had never once participated in running the company. Josephine had built the empire from the ground up alongside her husband and knew the business inside and out. Now, Kaia was a pillar of the corporation, capable on all fronts.

Josephine’s words hit Elaine right where it hurt the most.

Of the three generations of women in the family, Elaine was the only one who stayed home and contributed nothing, yet still tried to give orders without knowing a thing about the industry.

Elaine forced her expression back to neutral and said respectfully, “You’re right, Mom. I was too impatient and short–sighted. I was just thinking of the family.”

Josephine nodded. “Your intentions are fine, but mind the occasion. Minor things like this can be resolved with a quick phone call. Don’t drag it out in public and waste everyone’s valuable time.”