Reborn Heiress: Taking Back What Is Rightfully Hers!
Chapter 462: Being Followed

Chapter 462: Being Followed

Amanda stared speechlessly at Eric’s retreating figure, feeling like she had just seen a ghost. Was this really the same Mr. Nelson from the office? He seemed nothing like the cold, intimidating man she knew at work!

"He’s totally a wife-slave!" Amelia snorted. "Ella, remember, just one bite! Got it?"

Ella nodded, her large, sparkling eyes brimming with laughter. "Just one bite, just to satisfy my craving!"

She was absolutely dying to eat barbecue. She hadn’t had any for such a long time! The mouthwatering aroma had been teasing her since they arrived, and her salivary glands hadn’t stopped working overtime.

What made it worse was that the foods Ella used to love before her pregnancy no longer appealed to her. Instead, she now craved things she’d rarely eaten before—many of which were strictly off-limits according to her doctor.

Pregnancy was tough. As a mother-to-be, she had to avoid so many of her favorite foods, be extra cautious, and eat things she didn’t particularly like.

Amelia nudged Ella’s arm. "Your husband’s so good to you, Ella. You must have done something amazing in a past life to deserve this!"

A past life?

Ella pressed her lips together. Only she knew how miserable her "past life" had been. Maybe that’s why the heavens had taken pity on her, blessing her with such a wonderful husband now.

"Totally! I’ve never seen such a considerate man before," Chloe chimed in, glancing over at Damien, who was chatting animatedly with Richard nearby. She couldn’t help but pout.

Damien treated her well, too, but not in the same attentive and gentle way Eric treated Ella. Damien’s affection was more clumsy and straightforward—sweet in its own way, but he lacked Eric’s tender, almost mischievous charm.

Ella sat comfortably in the pavilion, sipping the bottle of mineral water Mia handed her. Her eyes lit up when she saw Eric returning with a large bag of barbecue. Did he change his mind? Was he actually going to let her indulge a little more?

Wait... should she go ahead and eat all those chicken wings and drumsticks if he let her?

As Ella fantasized, Eric arrived, the tantalizing aroma of freshly grilled food wafting from the bag. But to her surprise, Eric started distributing the chicken wings and drumsticks to Richard and the others.

In the end, he kept only one big drumstick.

"Sweetheart, you said one bite, right? Here, just one small bite, and I’ll take care of the rest!" Eric teased, holding the drumstick tantalizingly close to Ella.

Ella pouted but obediently opened her mouth, intending to take a big bite. But just as she leaned in, Eric pulled the drumstick back slightly, and she ended up with only the tiniest nibble.

The piece she got wasn’t even enough to satisfy her hunger. She chewed happily but then noticed everyone else devouring their wings and drumsticks. Meanwhile, she could only sit on the sidelines, watching with longing.

Determined, Ella shuffled closer to Eric. "Hubby, can I... maybe... have one more little bite?"

Eric turned to see her pleading eyes and smirked wickedly. "Sure, but when we get home tonight!"

Ella tugged at his sleeve, her tone soft and imploring. "Hubby, have some mercy on me!"

With his mouth full of delicious barbecue, Eric raised an eyebrow mischievously. "Sweetheart, our daughters don’t like this kind of food. You should hold back, okay? Once we’re home, I’ll take *very* good care of you."

Ella looked like she was on the verge of tears.

For the first time, she truly experienced the agony of seeing delicious food right in front of her but not being able to eat it.

Her frustration only grew as she watched her "friends" gleefully enjoying their barbecue. Her stomach growled audibly once more as she swallowed hard.

Mia walked over with a tray. "Ella, here are some boiled eggs, bread, and bottles of milk. If you’re hungry, eat these instead!"

Ella rolled her eyes and glared at Amanda, who was grinning smugly at her from the sidelines. "You bunch of useless friends—just you wait!"

Everyone couldn’t help but smile. Ella had always been pretty composed, but ever since she got pregnant, she had undeniably turned into a foodie!

In the end, her growling stomach forced her to reluctantly eat four boiled eggs and drink a bottle of milk.

After everyone had finished eating, they continued exploring, heading toward an ancient-style building ahead.

But it didn’t take long before Ella started complaining about being hungry again. Mia hurried over once more, dutifully bringing her snacks.

Ella shook her head gloomily. Seeing no other option, Eric took his now fully food-obsessed wife to eat outside the park.

As they got into the car, someone withdrew a pair of binoculars from a nearby building.

The observer made a phone call. "Young Master, Eric and Ella went to the botanical garden today. Do we continue tailing them?"

A cold voice replied from the other end, "No, following them any further will arouse suspicion. Pull back and await further instructions."

"Understood, Young Master. We’ll withdraw for now," the man replied softly before hanging up. He and two assistants left the hotel room they had been using as their observation post.

Meanwhile, Ella and Eric were entirely unaware that they were being watched.

The tracking was conducted from a distance, making it difficult to detect for the time being.

At the S Grand Hotel, Ella stopped eating halfway through her meal and patted her round belly. "I’m so full. But pregnant women get full quickly and hungry just as fast. Hubby, let’s walk around a bit and then head home—I’ll probably be starving again by then."

Eric chuckled softly. "No problem. However much you want to eat, I’ll make sure it’s ready for you."

Ella squinted at him mischievously. "By the way, how’s that Melissa doing lately?"

"Why do you ask?"

Eric responded in a low voice, glancing casually at Richard in the distance. He knew that Melissa had nearly caused a serious rift between Richard and Amelia.

"I just want to know the fate of a foolish mistress," Ella said with a faint smile.

"She got fired by our department director," Eric said, raising his eyebrows slightly. "She was jealous of Amanda and spiked her tea with a laxative. Once it was discovered, she was immediately dismissed."

Ella frowned but said nothing, turning to look at Amanda, who was chatting and laughing nearby. Amanda had clearly matured. She hadn’t even mentioned such a petty incident to Ella, likely to avoid burdening her.

Amelia’s cheeks were rosy as she exchanged a few words with Richard. Although their interactions weren’t perfect, it was clear their relationship was gradually warming again.

"Ella, your baby’s already five months along. When Eric isn’t around, you should stay home for safety. If you get bored, call us to come over and keep you company!" Amelia said with a smile.

"Exactly! There are too many people outside, and the air isn’t as good as it is at your place," Chloe quickly added, worried Ella might take offense.

Ella nodded. "I know. I usually only go out about once a month anyway."

Eric gave a gentle smile. "It’s fine to go out for a bit. Anyone would feel cooped up staying home all the time."

Richard smirked slyly. "Wow, Mr. Nelson spoils his wife so much. I should really take notes!"

Amelia shot him a glare. "Even if you try, you couldn’t manage even a tenth of his effort!"

Ella’s bright eyes sparkled as she was about to respond when she suddenly gasped softly, her right hand instinctively moving to her belly.