Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1788

Janelle's brow furrowed in anger.

"If our family doesn't have the blessing, does the Sewell family?"

Mrs. Sewell looked incredibly smug.

"Not right now, but we will. My son is a normal, healthy man. He'll get married and have kids eventually."

The underlying implication that Keaton was abnormal was clear as day.

Before Janelle could snap back, Mrs. Miller chimed in.

"I've always heard that having grandchildren is a reward for good karma. If you don't have enough good deeds to your name, you don't earn the right to carry on your lineage. Your bloodline just dies out."

"So really, you can't blame Keaton for refusing to settle down. The fault lies with the parents."

"Janelle, did you and Richard do something wicked in the past? Maybe God is deliberately punishing you by denying you an heir, making sure you die out."

Without giving Janelle a chance to explode, Mrs. Miller offered another sickly-sweet smile.

"Oh, don't be angry. I'm not insulting you. I'm just curious why your son is so dead set against marriage."

Janelle's face darkened, her breathing turning jagged.

How was that not an insult? They had just accused her and Richard of being morally corrupt.

She was so furious that words failed her, struggling to find a sharp enough comeback.

Given Keaton's lifelong stance on marriage, the bitter truth was that the Huber family likely would not have an heir.

Both she and Richard had resigned themselves to this reality, but it remained a deeply painful sore spot. Bringing it up was agonizing.

Mrs. Miller knew exactly where to strike to inflict the most pain.

Because it was Richard's birthday, Janelle couldn't cause a massive scene and ruin her own event.

Forced to swallow her rage, she shot Mrs. Miller a venomous glare and stood up to walk away.

Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Sewell exchanged a triumphant look and scoffed.

"Struck a nerve, didn't we? They definitely did something wicked to deserve this."

"I'll bet my life on it, the Huber family will never have a grandchild. If they do, I'll bite off my own tongue."

"When... when did you get back to Jindale City? You..."

Tarquin stepped in, cutting off his stammering. He looked at Winona.

"Your timing is perfect. Go comfort Janelle. She's upset right now. Elysia and Blossom are upstairs with the kids and haven't noticed."

Winona's eyes narrowed slightly. She glanced at Janelle's retreating back, then swept her gaze over the cluster of socialite wives. Her lips pressed into a thin line.

She knew exactly what had happened. In a setting like this, women like Mrs. Sewell wouldn't miss a chance to make Janelle miserable.

Winona called out, plastering a warm smile on her face. "Janelle!"

She intentionally projected her voice so that not only Janelle but all the gossiping wives could hear. They turned to look at her.

Spotting Winona's slightly rounded belly, the women smirked and exchanged mocking glances.

Ignoring them entirely, Winona walked straight toward Janelle.

Surprised by the sudden appearance, Janelle hastily wiped her eyes and hurried over to meet her.