Chapter 317

Evelyn's breath caught in her throat as she stared at the legal document Eleanor had thrust into her hands.

The revelation that her unborn twins had been officially named heirs to the Whitmore fortune left her completely stunned.

Though initially shocked, Evelyn tried to convince herself this was just another of Eleanor's whims - something that could be reversed after the surgery.

But Eleanor had gone beyond mere words. She'd prepared binding legal documents and was now demanding Nathaniel's immediate signature.

Once signed, this would become ironclad.

Evelyn's resolve hardened. She wouldn't let her children become pawns in the Whitmore dynasty.

Beatrice's hands trembled as she snatched the papers from Eleanor.

Scanning the contents, her face paled. The implications were so staggering she nearly collapsed.

"Mother, this is absurd!" Beatrice exclaimed. "Why force Nathaniel to sign now? Don't you trust your own grandson?"

Eleanor's gaze turned steely. "It's not Nathaniel I distrust. It's the vultures circling this family."

She pointed a bony finger at the document. "No matter what happens between these two, Evelyn's children will inherit. That's final."

Beatrice swallowed hard. "And if she bears daughters?"

"Gender is irrelevant!" Eleanor snapped.

The unexpected ultimatum before surgery had caught everyone off guard, especially Beatrice.

Desperate, she turned to Nathaniel. "Please talk sense into your grandmother!"

Beatrice saw this as an obvious trap.

Their plan had been simple: have Nathaniel divorce Evelyn post-surgery. But signing this document changed everything.

Evelyn could use legal technicalities to avoid divorce, even manipulate Nathaniel into conceiving again.

Beatrice wouldn't allow it. Victoria was her chosen daughter-in-law, and Evelyn wouldn't stand in the way.

Nathaniel took the document, his voice icy. "I refuse."

Evelyn exhaled in relief. The document must remain unsigned.

Beatrice nodded vigorously. "Exactly! This isn't the time for such decisions."

Eleanor's piercing gaze locked onto Nathaniel. "Explain yourself."

Nathaniel's jaw tightened. "I'll sign... after your surgery. Not a moment before."

Evelyn's head snapped up in shock. She studied Nathaniel's profile, searching for some clue to his sudden compliance.

How could he agree to this?

Beatrice looked positively ill. "Nathaniel! Have you lost your mind?"

If he consented now, what future would Victoria's children have? Would her son be denied his birthright?

Nathaniel ignored his mother's outburst.

He tossed the document onto Eleanor's bedside table. "If you have so little faith in me, perhaps you should handle family matters yourself."

The air crackled with tension as grandmother and grandson engaged in a silent battle of wills.

Two titans of the Whitmore empire clashing, while lesser mortals held their breath.

Evelyn gently took Eleanor's hand. "Grandmother, Nathaniel makes a valid point. Let's discuss this after your procedure. There's no urgency—"

"No!" Eleanor's voice cracked like a whip. "Either he signs now, or I cancel the surgery entirely."

Nathaniel's lips thinned. "Must you be so unreasonable?"

Eleanor's eyes flashed. "At my age, I've earned the right to be unreasonable. Sign the damn papers, boy. Must we argue over everything?"