Oops! My Secret Baby Is Caught By His Top-Lawyer Daddy! Novel

---- Chapter 116: Celebrating New Year Clara looked distant as she grabbed the door, ready to slip into the private room. But Owen wasn't letting go. He tugged at her arm. "Just a few words, won't take long." The hotel manager, who had been trailing behind, stepped forward. "Mrs. Devereaux, do you need any help?" Tristan had insisted multiple times that Clara had to be taken good care of. And here she was, being harassed in her own hotel-ridiculous. Clara glanced around and noticed a small crowd of onlookers forming. "It's fine.

I'll talk to him." She followed Owen to his seat and sat down with a cool, even tone. "What's the matter?" she asked. "Oh, the past six months have been miserable!" Owen said dramatically, overplaying his misfortune. Clara eyed his flushed face and the bulge of his belly. She tugged at the corner of her mouth, smirking. Lies with your eyes wide open, really. ---- Owen ignored her reaction and continued, "Do you know Luke isn't even my biological son? I'm furious!

If it weren't for that car accident and the blood transfusion, I'd still be completely in the dark!" Clutching his chest, he went on, "Linda is such a shameless woman! She tricked me into raising someone else's son! It's humiliating! I've failed you and your mother terribly... all because of her. Sigh... what a cursed family." "What does that have to do with me? I'm leaving," Clara said, entirely uninterested in his hollow confession. After all, her mother had long since passed. "How can it not concern you? You're the only bloodline left in the Hartley family!

And let me tell you, that Linda isn't getting a cent! I even beat her up! Want to take Hartley family money? Not that easy," Owen insisted. Clara bristled slightly at the words but waved him off. "Keep the money to yourself." She stood to leave. Owen grabbed her again. "Wait! Come home for New Year's dinner." Clara arched an eyebrow. "Since you disowned me, we've had no relationship. Don't worry-you won't die childless!" ---- Her gaze flicked to the young woman sitting nearby. "You're so young! With modern medicine, you can still have a son. If all else fails, maybe IVF?" Owen's eyes lit up.

He slapped his thigh. "Of course! Why didn't I think of that?" Clara had no idea that her casual suggestion would later bring her so much trouble. By the time he snapped back, the hotel manager had escorted Clara away. "Hey! Where are you staying? Give me a number!" Clara didn't respond. Back at Greystone, she finally exhaled and relaxed. Butler Alvin came to meet her, and with Matt on vacation, Clara handed him and his girlfriend each a bonus. "Happy New Year in advance! Thanks for all your hard work!" Matt tried to refuse politely. "Thank you, Mrs. Devereaux!

The firm already gave us year-end bonuses, and we're thrilled." Clara smiled warmly. "This is just a little token. Thanks for putting up with me this past year." They got in the car, heading toward Eclipse Bay. Aaron grinned. "You're really growing into your role as Mrs. ---- Devereaux." Clara smiled back. "Don't think a compliment means you can skip preparing my bonus." "I'm already yours! What bonus could you possibly need?" Aaron said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. Leo piped up. "Dad, do I get any money?" Aaron chuckled. "Of course!

What do you plan to buy with it?" "I'm saving it to buy a gift for Elsie!" Leo said seriously. Clara laughed. "See? They say having a son is useless. He's not even married yet, and he's already thinking of pampering girls!" Aaron ruffled his hair. "Good boy! Just like your dad, you'll take good care of your girlfriend." Clara's cheeks turned bright red. Back at the villa, the decorations had been completely transformed, radiating New Year cheer. Ronni was waiting at the door, beaming. Clara smiled. "Ronni, you must have worked hard!

It must have taken a long time to get everything ready." Ronni waved it off. "Not at all! New Year should be lively. The past years were just too quiet." ---- When she saw Leo get out of the car, her smile widened. He was like a tiny Aaron! "This must be Leo! Welcome home!" Leo straightened up and greeted politely, "Hello, Ronni!" "So polite! Come on in, come on in!" Ronni was delighted-no kids had ever been around the house before. She carried their luggage to the rooms, and Clara followed to help tidy up. Then she froze. The bed was covered in glaring red bedding.

Her face flushed crimson as memories of their last sleepless, passionate nights there flared vividly in her mind. She shot Aaron a glance. He shrugged innocently. "Not my idea this time." Ronni's smile stretched to over-the-top cheerful. "Fine. Mrs. Devereaux, you rest. I'll handle it." Clara suppressed the urge to change the sheets. She didn't want to ruin Ronni's good intentions and turned to help in Leo's room instead. After dinner, Clara brought Leo to Sebastian's house. Hearing he'd be eating alone tomorrow night, she quickly invited him over, and he gladly agreed.

In past years, if he didn't have work, he would have ---- gone to his mother Judy's house for dinner. But from now on, he no longer wanted to. Clara said, "It's livelier with everyone! Lucian will come too. I haven't cooked in a while, so tomorrow I'll show off a bit." Sebastian laughed. "No need to cook. There are plenty of helpers at home. Let's just have a fun, bustling New Year together!" The next morning, Clara and Alvin went to pick up Lucian. At first, Lucian hesitated. "I'm old. Don't want to move around.

New Year's is no different than any other day." Since his son Evan didn't come back much, Lucian usually celebrated alone. Holidays weren't a big deal to him anymore. Clara assured him, "I promised Evan I'd take care of you! Come on, Leo really wants to see you too. If you feel uncomfortable, I'll take you back right after dinner." She had Alvin pack their bags, gently persuading him to come along. By afternoon, the villa buzzed with energy. Everyone was dressed up, laughter and chatter filling the air. Aaron had never seen it so lively since moving in. Several people bustled in the kitchen.

By five o'clock, ---- two tables were set with a sumptuous feast. Guests were seated at two round tables. Lucian, being the eldest, naturally took the head seat. Sebastian sat beside him. One was a legend in the music world, the other a renowned doctor. Both had rich life experiences, and their conversation flowed effortlessly, filled with stories and insights.