C371 Emmanuel

The Gupta Family estate was far busier than usual. From the break of dawn, maids and servants could be seen moving around the massive compound. Some were cleaning the pathways while others decorated the main villa. Large tables were being arranged in the reception hall, and several cooks were already preparing food in the kitchens. The entire estate was preparing to welcome the family of the next matriarch.

Although the atmosphere looked cheerful on the surface, not everyone was happy. Samson stood on a balcony overlooking the courtyard, watching the servants move around below. His expression was dark. Very dark. Alicia giving birth had already caused uneasiness in him. A son. She had given birth to a son. To many people, it was simply the birth of a child. To Samson, it was a disaster. For years he had convinced himself that the fall of the third Family would give him a chance to rise higher within the Gupta Family hierarchy. But now things had changed.

The next Matriarch had appeared. Not only had she appeared, she had already given birth to a male heir. That single event made the future much harder to manipulate. Still, Samson forced a smile onto his face. No matter what he thought, he could not show it. Not today. Today the Mooney Family was arriving. Today everyone would be watching. Behind him, Darry continued complaining. "You promised me a company." Samson rubbed his forehead. "Darry..." "No." Darry folded his arms. "You promised." "You said once everything settled down, you would give me control of one of the family companies."

Samson sighed. "We'll discuss it later." "You always say that." Samson finally turned around. "And you always ask at the wrong time." Darry opened his mouth to argue again. Then he noticed Samson's expression and wisely decided to remain silent. Meanwhile, inside another villa, Miller had woken up unusually early. Unlike Samson, he was in an excellent mood. A very excellent mood. He sat comfortably in a large chair while holding little Emmanuel in his arms. The old man looked happier than anyone had seen him in years. "Look at you."

He gently touched the baby's tiny nose. "You caused quite a commotion yesterday." Emmanuel responded by waving his little hands. Miller laughed loudly. "See?" "He already understands me." The guards nearby exchanged helpless smiles. Everyone knew the baby understood absolutely nothing. But nobody dared ruin Miller's happiness. Inside the ancestral hall, Alicia sat with Victor. Unlike the lively atmosphere outside, the room was quiet. Several ancestral tablets stood before them. Victor looked toward Alicia. "My grandchild." Alicia looked up. "Yes, Grandpa?"

Victor glanced toward the doorway. "Have you thought about Emmanuel's future?" Alicia lowered her gaze. "He was only born yesterday." Victor smiled. "That is exactly why we should start thinking." "He is a son." "He could one day lead this family to even greater heights." Alicia remained silent for a moment. Then she slowly shook her head. "Grandfather, before we discuss Emmanuel's future..." "I still don't fully understand the present." Victor raised an eyebrow. Alicia continued. "I've only been here for a short time." "Yet even I can see that you and your brothers don't truly get along."

Victor didn't interrupt. "I can see the tension." "I can see the hidden conflicts." "You all smile at each other." "But it feels forced." She sighed softly. "I don't want my son to suffer because of battles that started before he was born." Victor became quiet. For several moments he simply stared at the ancestral tablets. Then he spoke honestly. "As the future leader of this family, you deserve the truth." Alicia listened carefully. "I told you before." "There are many people who expected the Gupta Family to fall." "They waited." "They hoped." "They plotted."

His eyes hardened. "But the family never fell." "And now that you have appeared..." "And now that you've given birth to a son..." "They will be even less happy." Alicia lowered her eyes toward her child sleeping nearby. "So you're saying Emmanuel might be in danger?" Victor didn't hesitate. "Yes." The answer came immediately. Alicia's expression changed. "As a mother, my first duty is protecting my child." Victor nodded. "And as a mother, you should understand something." "What?" "It's already too late." Alicia frowned.

Victor pointed toward Gold and Diamond. "Whether you involve him or not, he is already involved." "The moment you became the next Matriarch, he became part of this family's future." "The moment he was born, he inherited both opportunities and enemies." Alicia remained silent. Victor continued. "Even if you hide him." "Even if you send him away." "Even if he never lives here." "Those who wish to destroy this family will still see him as a target." Alicia's heart tightened. She understood what kind of life her son has inherited. Before she could respond, a knock sounded at the door. Knock. Knock. Knock.

Angus the Hammer entered respectfully. "Madam." Alicia immediately looked up. "Yes?" A small smile appeared on Angus's face. "Your family has arrived." Before he could finish speaking, Alicia was already standing. Victor laughed. "My granddaughter really has no patience." Alicia ignored him and hurried outside. Several vehicles had just entered the estate. The moment I saw her, I immediately rushed forward. "Wife!" I wrapped my arms around her tightly. "Are you okay?" "Don't ever scare me like that again."

For the first time since yesterday, I felt my heart settle. Alicia smiled softly. "I'm fine." "Unexpected things happened yesterday." Mark approached next. His eyes immediately moved toward her stomach. Then he froze. "Alicia..." Everyone followed his gaze. Her belly was gone. Completely flat. My eyes widened. "What happened?" Sarah and Samantha exchanged glances. Neither spoke. Before Alicia could answer, another voice sounded. "Move aside." Everyone turned. Miller was being pushed forward in his wheelchair. And in his arms... Was a baby.

The entire group froze. My brain completely stopped working. I pointed at the child. "What..." Alicia smiled brightly. "Yesterday I gave birth." Silence. Then she added, "This is Emmanuel." The moment she said the name, Samantha froze. Her eyes immediately became moist. Georgia and Mary practically sprinted forward. "Move!" "Let me see him!" Miller laughed loudly. "Careful!" "He's not running away." Neither woman listened. Georgia was the first to hold him. The moment she looked at the baby, her face lit up. "Emmanuel!" "You are so big." Mary laughed. "Look at his head." Everyone immediately looked.

Mary nodded confidently. "It is exactly the same as Mike's head when he was a baby." The entire courtyard erupted into laughter. I nearly choked. Quinton walked closer. "He really does look like Mike." Laura suddenly looked confused. "Wait." She pointed between Alicia and Sarah. "Did you two get pregnant at the same time?" Alicia blinked. Then looked at Sarah. "Sarah..." Her eyes widened. "You gave birth too?" Without answering Sarah rushed forward and hugged Alicia tightly. "Thank you." Alicia smiled. "For what?" "For saving me."

The courtyard became quiet. Alicia hugged her back. "We're family." "The Lions." "There was no way I was letting you die." Several people nodded emotionally. Laura folded her arms dramatically. "But Lions aren't supposed to keep secrets from each other." Everyone laughed. Alicia looked confused. "What secret?" Then she suddenly remembered something. She looked at Sarah excitedly. "Wait." "Did you have a niece for me or a nephew?" Chris immediately grinned. "A healthy baby boy." Sarah laughed. "With a very big head."

Chris pointed at her. "See?" "She keeps saying that." Everyone laughed again. Nearby, Samantha finally approached Emmanuel. She gently touched his tiny hand. A warm smile appeared on her face. "Emmanuel is a beautiful name." She looked at him lovingly. "You have to grow up and become the most handsome man." Everyone smiled. I looked at Alicia. Alicia looked back at me. "Emmanuel?" I asked softly. She smiled. "It was the only name I ever heard you say you wanted for your child." My heart warmed. Laura immediately protested. "Seriously?" "Even you Alicia will ignore the fact that you kept secrets from me?"

Alicia laughed. Then her expression became serious. "Laura." "Yesterday wasn't normal." The laughter disappeared. Alicia slowly explained. "Sarah was supposed to give birth a month before me." Everyone nodded. "But yesterday..." She touched her shoulder. "I gave birth during my eighth month." Everyone froze. "What?" Alicia nodded. "Jack shot me." The atmosphere instantly turned cold. She pointed toward the bandage on her shoulder. "Right here." Gasps sounded around the group. Peter stepped forward. "So it really was the Gupta Family that saved you."

Alicia nodded. "Yes." "If Angus and his team hadn't arrived..." She didn't finish the sentence. She didn't need to. Everyone understood. Peter walked toward Miller. His expression was sincere. "Mr. Gupta." The old man looked up. Peter bowed slightly. "The Mooney Family owes you a debt." "You saved my granddaughter." Miller immediately shook his head. "No." "Alicia is our granddaughter too." His smile softened. "Protecting her is our responsibility." Then he looked toward everyone. "Now enough standing outside." "Come inside." The entire group followed him toward the villa.

Far away, inside Willy's private estate, the atmosphere couldn't have been more different. Willy sat behind his desk. His face was green with anger. His fingers tapped the table repeatedly. "Jack was supposed to finish everything yesterday." Brian stood nearby. Silent. Willy slammed his hand onto the desk. "Then why haven't I heard anything?" "No news." "No confirmation." "No updates." "And now his phone isn't answering." Brian lowered his head. "Boss..." "Maybe he changed his mind."

Willy's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Then why isn't he answering?" The room became silent. A bad feeling slowly formed in Willy's chest. Uneasiness appeared on his face. He slowly stood up. "What if something happened?"