Ch. 1011..1015
Chapter 1011 Seeing that Odell got her out of a fix during lunch, Sylvia decided to cut him some slack. She put her hand on his.
The man’s dark brows on fleek and deep eyes reflected his surprise. However, the curl across his lips soon followed as he held her hand. “Take your time. Watch your feet.”
Turning her head away, Sylvia paid him no heed. Odell quietly curled his lips. On the other side, John approached the shuttle bus after Odell.
Standing next to Sherry’s seat, John checked Sherry out from head to toe before asking with a smile, “Do you need my help to get off the bus?”
As cheerfulness lifted from her face, Sherry mimicked his fake smile and replied with a question, “Are you willing to help me?” “It would depend on whether you need it.”
“| need if you want to, but | don’t if you won't.” He was not the only one who had a way with words.
John never broke character with the grin. “I want if you need. | won't if you don’t.”
Sherry responded, “Ha... Why don’t you guess if | need it then?”
John snapped back. “You can guess if | want to.”
Sherry retorted, “I asked you first.”
John remarked, “I know. So?”
Sherry looked daggers at him.
Curling his lips, John smiled warmly.
Sylvia had gotten down from the vehicle and was twitching by the corner of his lips. It completely slipped her mind that the man was still holding her hand.
Off the bus, Liam and Isabel lifted their chins as they, along with Flint in Sherry’s arms, watched the episode between John and Sherry. Curiosity and confusion could be read in their eyes.
Awhile later, John and Sherry were still engaged in a stare-down.
Sylvia elbowed the man beside her so that the latter could remind John to get a move along. Playing dumb, Odell brought her into his embrace and breathed into her ear. “What’s the matter?” His husky voice and warm breath swirled into her ear, sending a numbing tingle under her skin. Unamused, she pushed him and tried to break free, only for him to lock her tighter within his clutch. Sylvia glared at him.
Odell observed John and Sherry with a straight face as if unaware that she was pushing him away. He put his muscles to work and strapped her against his chest
the more Sylvia put up a fight. Rage overtook Sylvia as she tried to kick him, but Isabel’s innocent voice interrupted her from picking up her leg. “Uncle John, Aunt Sherry, are you fighting ?”
Sherry turned her face away.
After a fleeting discomposure, John turned to Isabel with a smile. “No, we’re just asking each other questions.”
Isabel pursed her lips. “You better not. That's what we kids do. It’s childish for adults to bicker.” John replied, “...Yeah. You’re right.”
Sherry remarked, “Ha.”
She then told John, “I want to carry my son down. Please move aside, and don’t get in my way.”
“You're very clumsy. You might bump the kid when you get down. It’s best that you give him to me.” While speaking, John extended his hands to Flint.
Before Sherry could refuse, Flint leaned his head and his fleshy hands toward John. Sherry, “...”
With a smirk, John brought Flint to his chest.
The little man snuggled up against his neck and started to act cute.
Lowering his head for a good look, John was caught in a daze.
Chapter 1012 After getting ahold of himself, John reflected tenderness and joy through his facial features.
With Flint in his arms, John turned around and said to Odell and Sylvia, “Master Carter and Mrs. Carter, let’s get in the car.” It did not matter to him whether Sherry had exited the shuttle bus as John carried Flint straight into the limo.
Sherry jumped off the shuttle bus. “Give me Flint!”
She went after John.
Since it was not the time and place to pick fights with Odell, Sylvia let him take her into the car.
It was a spacious vehicle.
Sylvia and Odell were sitting down when Sherry squeezed into the seat next to John to fight over the baby. “Give Flint to me now!”
John was too preoccupied with holding Flint to give her the time of the day. Sherry extended her arms to steal Flint back. John finally looked at her. Behind the lens of his glasses, his gentle eyes turned cold and hostile.
Pale in the face, Sherry withdrew her arms, but nothing could stop her from mumbling her disgruntlement. “I carried Flint out. He wanted me first.”
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John scoffed with a smile as his eyes met a smiling Flint.
Isabel and Liam got into the car. There were seats next to Sylvia and Sherry.
Sylvia beckoned them over.
The two children ignored her and went to sit in the row behind her together.
Liam picked up a book to read.
Isabel crammed into the seat and rested her head against Liam's shoulder while rambling, “We don’t want to be the third wheel.” Sylvia, “...”
The remark sucked the noise out of the vehicle for a few seconds.
Odell looked back. “Put on your seat belts.”
“Oh,” Isabel obediently responded before buckling up together with her brother.
The car soon cruised along the road.
John carried on with the baby-holding duty while Sherry stared intently at Flint, eyeing her chance to take him back. Sylvia’s hand was still held captive by the man next to her.
Since he did not seem to have any intention to let go, she tried to pull her hand back.
Her hand only ended up trapped in his clutch.
She lifted her gaze to look at him.
The affection was visible through his dark eyes as he looked back at her.
Somehow feeling the heat, Sylvia broke away from the stare and whispered, “Let go.”
He curled his lips and asked, “What did you say?”
Compared to her inaudible voice, he spoke in the normal range of volume that everybody in the same space could hear him.
It was deliberate!
Sylvia glared at him while withdrawing her hand desperately.
Keeping a smile across his lips, Odell worked his muscles without breaking a sweat.
Try as she may, she could not escape from his clutches.
Sylvia was seething.
Had it not because John, Sylvia, and the children were in the car together, Sylvia would have cussed Odell out. It took a while for her to swallow her anger and look to the other side.
Odell let out a smile while gripping onto her hand.
Half an hour later, the car stopped at the entrance of a standalone villa.
With Flint in his arms, John grinned at the rest. “Master Carter and Mrs. Carter, this estate is the biggest resort in Glanchester. A lot of the scenic features are incorporated into the interior . The place offers first-class recreational services for children and adults.”
Nodding his head, Odell remarked, “Pass Flint to me.” It was inappropriate to burden John further since he carried the baby throughout the car ride.
John replied, “The young master doesn’t want to part with me. Let me hold him for a while more.”
Chapter 1013 Odell glanced at Flint in John’s arms.
The little guy was tugging and pulling on John’s collar, the same kind of stuff Flint would do when he was bored. There was no hint of the separation anxiety suggested by John.
Odell pursed his lips. “Sure.”
It was still a good idea for John to hold Flint so that the baby did not come in between him and Sylvia.
The estate was huge. They got out of the car, only for the resort host to pick them up on a shuttle bus.
While on their way in, the host went on and on about the place.
As John stated, the place boasted fantastic views and first class recreational facilities.
There was a massive playground just for the kids.
The spa, sauna, steam baths, and so on were catered to the adults. It was everything Sylvia could think of and more. The shuttle bus first arrived at the children’s zone.
Sylvia’s eyes lit up at architecture that could only exist in fairytales.
Isabel jumped off the shuttle bus but not without calling Liam to come with her. “Come on, Liam!”
The moment Liam stepped off the bus, Isabel dragged him into
the children’s zone.
Despite Sylvia's intention to join them, Odell held her back.
She scowled at him.
He faintly uttered, “Let them have some fun. Ben and Jacob will watch them.”
Ben and Jacob had been tagging along all the while. They were presently behind Isabel and Liam.
John added, “Mrs. Carter, they take security measures seriously here. You can relax. The young ones are in safe hands.” Sylvia pursed her lips.
She wanted to keep a distance from Odell, but the kids took off afar. What more could she say now that John put it that way? The shuttle bus drove along a winding path.
It did not take long before the host turned his head back toward the passengers. The host uttered with a smile, “Mr. Stockton, Master Carter, and misuses, the scenic spot is up ahead. | should leave you to enjoy the view.”
“I'm not his wife,” Sherry blurted. Taken aback, the host moved his gaze toward John.
John glanced at Sherry before chuckling . “She’s not my wife. Thank you, Mr. Powell. You can go about your business.” “Um... Alright, Mr. Stockton.” Hitting the brakes, the host got off the bus and went on his way.
John looked back at Odell and Sylvia. “Master Carter, where would you like your first stop?”
Odell remarked, “It’s quite a view here. We should split up.” The change in John’s expression nearly went amiss. “Sure. Exactly my thoughts.”
He then hopped off the shuttle bus while cuddling Flint.
Sherry chased after John right away. “Why are you still holding Flint? Give me him!”
Giving Sherry the cold shoulder, John had no plans to return Flint to Odell and Sylvia either. He traveled far in no time. Sylvia furrowed her brows and wanted to catch up with the runaway, but the nearby man grabbed her.
Having put up with his antics thus far, Sylva shouted at the man, “Let me go, Odell!”
Odell turned a blind eye to her fury and calmly pointed in a direction. “The scenery there looks good. Let's walk around.” “John carried Flint away!”
“| know,” he softly said, “He and Sherry will look after him. Don’t worry.”
Sylvia was not comforted, to say the least. “Do they even know how to care for a child since they’re not parents themselves ?” “They might have experience caring for children and want one of their own.”
Sylvia met his profound eyes amid her shock.
His dark pupils reflected the usual tenderness.
Sylvia pulled away from the locking gaze. “Go on then. I'm going to stroll around on my own.”
“Where do you want to go?”
“Mind your own-”
Before she could make a full snide remark, Sylvia was literally swept off her feet and carried down the shuttle bus.
Chapter 1014
There were not a lot of tourists at the estate, but that did not mean there were none. A few nearby people looked over as Sylvia was lifted off the vehicle.
Sylvia covered her face. “Odell, what the hell are you doing? Put me down!”
“Tell me where you want to go.” Lowering his head, he brushed his thin lips against her ear and murmured gruffly, “I'll carry you there.”
Sylvia, “...”
She felt a creeping rush under her skin while rosiness flushed her cheeks.
Sylvia shot him an angry look. “Put me down now!”
Curling his lips, Odell put forth his charms. “You can start by telling me where you want to go.” Sylvia shoved her fury back down her throat. “I’m not going to go off on my own. I’m coming with you.” No sooner had Sylvia said it than she was put back down on her feet.
Without a chance to step away from Odell, Sylvia was seized by the hand.
“Come on. Let's go over there.”
Holding her hand, he led her to the pine tree forest.
The pine tree lined up in neat rows with lush foliage hanging tall and proud. The rushing of breezes brought along whiffs of pine while the earth was scattered with pinecones.
It was like walking into another world.
The greenery took away all of Sylvia’s worries and burdens, even to the point that she could forget about his control over her hand.
The forest was pretty big.
Although they had been hiking for quite a while, Sylvia believed that they were going deeper into the forest with no end in sight. Somehow or rather, other tourists were nowhere to be found. They were all alone. Suddenly, she felt a warm graze across her forehead.
Sylvia lifted her chin and met him at eye-level. “Why did you touch me?”
The annoyance was apparent in her tone and face.
The man simply grinned. “A pinecone fell on your hair.”
“Why didn’t | know about it?”
“Maybe you didn’t feel it.”
Sylvia stared intently at him. “Where’s the pinecone?”
He kept a straight face throughout. “It dropped on the ground.”
Sylvia shifted her gaze to the ground and found pinecones everywhere.
She glared at him before moving ahead.
Still holding her hand, Odell quietly stayed by her side. A cold breeze blew against their skin. Sylvia shivered as the wind was chillier than ever.
Ajacket was then draped on her shoulders. The huge and wide jacket bore the warmth of his body. The warmth was transferred onto Sylvia’s body.
Less than two seconds later, Sylvia reached out to pull the jacket off.
Odell held her hand down. “It’s chilly. Don’t take it off.”
He sounded forceful.
Sylvia furrowed her brows at him.
All he was wearing was a black shirt.
“I'm not cold. You can have it,” she replied.
Seeing that she was awkward about the whole thing, Odell uttered with a smile, “I don’t feel cold either.” “| didn’t say you were cold.”
“| never said that you didn’t say that | was cold.”
Sylvia could burn holes in his head with the look she was giving
him.
He smiled faintly albeit tenderly and charmingly.
This was not the same cold and cruel man as she remembered three years ago.
Yet, this was the guy who was unfaithful to their marriage, knocked her off her feet, pinned her down, and slapped her sixty times just because of what Tara said!
Overwhelmed by restlessness, Sylvia blurted, “Save your kindness for someone else. I'd rather freeze to death than wear your jacket.”
Under the bright light, the man’s lofty silhouette froze. Shock was written all over his handsome face. It never occurred to him that these heartless words could come from Sylvia. His hand over hers withdrew and fell by his side.
Sylvia removed his jacket right there and then before tossing it at him. Turning on her heel, she walked on.
Chapter 1015
The nerve of that prick. As if sweet nothings could make Sylvia get over all the hurt Odell had caused! Sylvia picked up the speed in her feet.
All she could hear were the wind and the crushing of pinecones under her feet.
The man, accustomed to power and prestige, was likely offended and would not come after her. Letting out a deep breath, she slowed down the pace.
Just then, a flurry of footsteps drew close from behind.
An arm slipped around her waist before she knew what was going on.
Thud.
She crashed onto a firm chest.
With one hand apprehending her, the man used the other arm to drape the jacket over her shoulders. Looking up, Sylvia appeared in a daze.
Was he not angry? Why did he come after her?
Odell put his arms around her over the jacket. Sensing her gaze, he lowered his head and looked into her eyes with a scowl. “You have to wear it regardless.”
His voice was raspy but reflected dominance.
Sylvia pursed her lips. “What if | refuse?”
He curled his lips. “You can try me.”
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Sylvia had no intentions to take off the jacket, but his remark got the best of her. She reached out to remove the jacket. Odell locked Sylvia in his embrace, linking both arms behind her to trap her against his chest.
Sylvia’s hands were held down despite her efforts to move.
She glared at him. “Odell, you'd let go if you have the balls!”
He chuckled. “You'd know if | have the balls.”
There was an emphasis on the last word.
As a flush crept onto her complexion , Sylvia shouted, “I don’t mean that!”
“No need to explain. | get what you mean.” Curling his lips, he gave a suggestive look.
Sylvia, “...”
It was probably the rush of blood to her head because she opened her mouth and bit him on the chest. She bit him over the fabric.
The man’s lofty figure stood still.
Awhile later, Sylvia loosened her grip. Still, he showed no reaction.
She had to lift her head to look at him.
As they locked eyes, Odell grinned and asked, “Feel better?”
Something snapped inside Sylvia as she broke away from the stare. “You're imagining it. I'm not angry because of you.” “Oh, really?”
“Yes, really!”
“Why did you come all the way to Glanchester without a word? Why did you ignore me the whole week?” His deep eyes fixated on her.
Shifting her gaze to the nearby pine trees, Sylvia coldly uttered,“ Because | want to.”
“So, you’re mad with me.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
“No, I’m not.”
“You are.”
Sylvia yelled, “I’m not!”
She looked daggers at him.
He was looking at her dead in the eyes, wiping the seductive smile off his face.
Odell said, “Sylvia, I've done you wrong three years ago.”
Sylvia was stumped like there was a catch in her throat. She was caught in a moment of loss.
“If | could go back in time, | won’t ... Never mind. It’s pointless saying that.” Cupping her face, Odell caressed her cheeks with his finger before proclaiming, “Trust me when | say it won’t happen again.”
Sylvia parted her lips. “Again? There’s no again between us.” “What did you say?” He narrowed his eyes. There was a chilly undertone in his voice.
Although her pupils dilated for a moment, Sylvia was not afraid of him. She stared him straight in the eye and replied, “There’s no again between mgh-”
His fine facial features abruptly magnified within her line of vision.