Ch. 1411..1415

Chapter 1411

Once she said she had enough fun, she would never pick up the toy again. John knew the little girl's temper, and she said she had enough because she did not want to disturb him working He smiled and said, “Caprice, ll play with you again when | finish work, okay?" Caprice’s eyes shone. “Mm-hmm, mm—hmmt John returned to his working desk. Caprice grabbed her little toy and went to the corner of the office, where she had her own personal play area. The space was filled with fluffy stuffed animals. ‘Since she was bored, she brought all the stuffed animals out and categorized them according to their looks. ‘Some time later, when John finally finished reading the documents, he went up to the girl and saw the neatly organized stuffed animals in groups of three around her. He smiled. He pointed at the pink little pig that was grouped with the yellow tiger and the red bunny, asking, “Caprice, why did you put these three together?’ The little girl pointed at the pig and then the tiger. “This is me, this is you.” John pointed at the bunny. “Who is this then?” ‘Mommy. John pursed his lips. Amoment of silence later, he pointed at another group of stuffed animals. “Then, who are they?” “Me, Daddy, and Mommy.” Looking at the dozen groups of him, Caprice and Mommy, John was silenced.

Awhile later, when the girl finished grouping all the stuffed animals, she looked at him and asked, “Daddy, where is that liar? Will she ever appear again?”

John narrowed his gaze. He smiled and said, “I caught her last night, but she’s too cunning and slippery. She escaped.” The girl pouted. “Fine.”

She was obviously disappointed.

John stroked her face. “Caprice, Daddy has finished working. Let’s play.”

The girl’s eyes shone and answered happily, “Yay!”

John’s gaze softened as he curled his lips.

Sherry had no idea why bodyguards nowadays were more

professional than ever. She had to run more than two street blocks to shake them off, and all the running exhausted her. It took her quite some time to recover her breath. When she did, she took a detour to sneak into Stockton Tower again. The day went by in the blink of an eye.

In the evening, John carried the little girl out of the office. She was asleep on his shoulder after a whole day of playing. John steadily paced to his car, afraid that he would wake the little girl. He carefully put Caprice into the car before he looked behind him. He saw a few passersby, the building security guard, and no one else.

Slightly disheartened, he went into the car.

The silver MPV's engine roared to life.

Meanwhile, in the darkest comer of the parking lot, Sherry finally stood up after hiding for a while.

She pursed her lips. All that was in her mind now was Caprice’s adorable face while sleeping in the man’s arms. It was pointless to continue hiding. Caprice barely knew her, so she had

to think of a way to meet and talk to the girl Itwas then that a familiar figure came out from the building

Sherry’s eyes flickered. She quickly headed to the side of the road

Peter was planning his schedule for tomorrow while

heading out. His ride was already waiting for him by the road

Right when he was about to get in, someone tapped his shoulder.

Startled, he turned around immediately, and when he saw the person, he nervously staggered backward

He wore a polite smile and asked, “Ms. Flower, what brings you here?

 

Chapter 1412

Sherry curled her lips into a polite and welcoming smile. “ I'm looking for you. Peter instantly got cautious and nervous. “What is the matter?” With her smile widened, Sherry said, “Don’t be nervous. I'm not asking you to commit a crime.

Peter awkwardly chuckled. “Then, what do you want me to do?”

‘| want to know about Caprice.”

‘Uh... Ms. Caprice is always with Master Stockton. Why don't you just ask him yourself?”

‘You know he and | are having a fallout right now. He might not even want to see me.

Peter pursed his lips. “I believe if you could just beg, or maybe meet him in the middle, he would want to see you.

Beg? Meet him in the middle?

She had never begged him, but she had been trying to meet him in the middle for days now. Sherry sighed. “I tried that, but he kicked me out of the car.”

Peter was left speechless. What she did was not try to meet John in the middle. While he was at a loss for words, Sherry’s eyes got teary.

Sherry took a deep breath and said in a sobbing tone, That bastard took my baby Caprice away before | could even spend a month with her, My precious baby was just as big as a ball back then. She couldn’t even speak yet, and she was taken away from me!

“It has been two years since she left me. Every night is a sleepless night. The moment | close my eyes, | see him take my baby away from me, and how she cried her lungs out...

“Peter, you are a man. You have no idea how painful it is for a mother to lose her child. |...” Sherry choked on her words and tears, and could not finish her sentence.

Peter was rendered speechless.

After being quiet for a while, Peter helplessly said, “Ms. Fowler, please calm down. I'll tell you how Ms. Caprice has been doing lately.”

Sherry continued to bury her face behind her hands, but her sobs grew softer.

Peter said, “Ms. Caprice is always with Master Stockton, even if he goes on a business trip. Please don’t worry. Even though you have not been by her side for the past two years, Master Stockton has been taking good care of her...”

While he was patiently telling her how Caprice has been

doing, Sherry’s sobs suddenly grew louder. Her face remained buried behind her hands as she said, “My Caprice, my poor girl, my pitiful child...”

Peter was confused. He had not once used the word ‘poor’ or ‘pitiful’ while talking about Caprice.

He immediately explained, “Ms. Fowler, please calm down. Please don’t overthink it. Master Stockton really takes good care of Ms. Caprice. He loves her. He doesn’t allow others to touch her. Not even Madam Stockton or Ms. Queenie can carry her without his permission.”

Sherry continued, “My poor baby... She’s still so young and she has to travel up and down with her father to make a living...”

Peter was once again left speechless.

It was off-duty hours, and many of the employees were leaving the building. When they passed by the pavement, they all glanced at Peter and Sherry by the side of the road. Many were curious about what happened, but most of them were just busybodies, looking for matters to poke their noses into.

Peter helplessly sighed and said, “Ms. Fowler, you're not here to ask about Ms. Caprice, am | right? What do you want?”

Sherry continued to sob but grew softer gradually.

Peter said, “Why don't we talk in the car?

Sherry instantly stopped sobbing although her face remained covered behind her hands.

Peter opened the door for her, and she got into the car in a flash

Peter sighed and got into the passenger seat.

The car then drove off into traffic.

Peter asked, “Ms. Fowler, please be honest with the intention of your visit.”

‘Assistant Johnson, Peter, my man! Since we've known each other for so many years, can you at least give me your contact number?”

 

Chapter 1413

Peter turned around to a delightful woman with a bright smile, who looked nothing like someone who had cried her lungs out because of her daughter. Confused, he asked, “Why do you want my contact number?"

Nothing. I've just admired you for a long time now.

Do you think I'll believe that?"

‘So, yes or no?” Sherry asked.

‘Can | say no?" Peter asked meekly.

Sherry switched her expression and covered her face with her hands again.

Peter frowned. With a bitter look, he said, “Fine, fine. I'll give you my contact number. The silver MPV cruised along the road for a while now. The silence was broken by a sudden phone call

The man glanced at the sleeping little girl in his arms. He grabbed his phone using his idle hand and answered the call cautiously, “What is it?”

Peter said in a small voice, “Sir, | ran into Ms. Fowler while | was going home.”

John’s expression changed. “Sherry?”

‘Yes, sir.

‘What's the matter?”

“She said she wanted to know how Ms. Caprice is doing lately. She cried and begged me to tell her more.” John narrowed his eyes. “She cried in front of you?”

“| believe it’s an act, but her sobs grew louder and | didn’t know how to stop her. | simply said you’ve been taking good care of Ms. Caprice, but she didn’t take my word for it. Her crying got even louder.”

John scoffed. “I think that's not her real intention.”

“Yes, sir. She asked for my contact number.”

John curled his lips. A hint of frostiness flashed in his eyes as he said gruffly, “Why did she ask for your contact number?” ...1 don’t know.

“Hmm? How did she ask for it?”

“| don’t know why she asked for it.”

John chuckled. He switched to a softer tone and continued, “I didn’t ask why, | asked how.”

Peter's voice grew softer on the phone as he said, “She said... she’s admired me for a long time now...”

‘Hmph.

“Sir, you know her. It must be some excuse she came up with just to get my number.”

I know.

“But you sound so... cold, sir.”

“You must be hearing things.” A moment of silence later, John continued with a smile, “If I’m correct, she probably wants to know my schedule through you so that she can follow me and Caprice. Keep an eye out for her. If she contacts you, inform me immediately. I'll tell you how to reply.”

Peter sighed a breath of relief at his boss’s answer. “Yes, sir. | understand.

John curled his lips. “Oh, and the project at New Life Square is starting tomorrow, am | right?”

‘Yes, si.

‘Tm slightly worried about the workers there, so | want you to take my place and go inspect the site.”

Peter was silenced.

It's only going to be a short trip, around a week or so.

John then hung up the phone.

Peter stared at his darkened screen helplessly and annoyedly.

‘The project in New Life Square was a new initiative started by John himself. It was located in the suburbs of Glenchester, which was rather far from the city center. Aside from the

inconvenience to reach all kinds of infrastructure and public transport, the environment there was rather poor.

Even the lower-ranking employees refused to inspect the site due to its poor condition, let alone him.

John must have sent him there to inspect the site because he was unhappy with Sherry asking for his contact number and claiming that she had ‘admired’ him for a long time.

Peter sighed heavily. He was just an employee of the company sandwiched between the couple's arguments. He wanted to be excused from any future arguments if possible.

 

Chapter 1414

Later that night, Sherry collapsed on her bed after cleaning up and texted Peter. ‘Assistant Johnson, are you asleep?

Peter texted her back after a moment. “What's the matter, Ms. Fowler?’

Sherry sent him a smiley face emoji. “Nothing in particular. Do you have time tomorrow?”

Peter texted back after a minute. “Why do you ask?”

She avoided the question and replied with another question. “Are you going out tomorrow? Or are you going back to the office?’

Aminute later, Peter's reply came. “I am going out on a business trip tomorrow.”

Sherry’s eyes gleamed. “Where to?’

‘A site inspection on a project in the suburbs.

As John’s assistant, Peter usually stayed by John’s, side. Therefore, if Peter were to go on a business trip, John would probably be with him. If John went, Caprice would be there too.

Sherry asked, “The suburbs are huge. Which area are you going to?”

On the other hand, Peter sent a screenshot of every conversation he had with Sherry to John.

At the Stocktons’ residence, Caprice sat in her baby chair obediently and ate the food Aunt Wanda delivered to her mouth. Her crystal clear eyes were glued to her father.

John was on his phone beside her. He was looking at the screenshots Peter sent him.

‘Hmph. Look at the words she uses with Peter. | bet she’s been fooling around with men in the past two years,’ John thought. His lips curled subtly as he replied, “Tell her the address.”

“Yes, sir,” Peter answered.

A few seconds later, Peter sent him another screenshot. The screenshot showed Sherry’s reply after Peter texted her the address.

“Why is it so far away? | heard it's going to snow tomorrow. Assistant Johnson, remember to bring extra clothes and keep yourself warm.”

John’s expression turned cold.

Ding!

Peter texted him, “Sir, how should | reply?”

John curled his lips into an ominous smile. “Reply however you want.”

A few seconds of silence later, Peter reluctantly replied, Yes, sir.”

Then, Peter sent him another screenshot that contained his reply to Sherry. “Thank you, Ms. Fowler. | have something else to do. If there’s nothing urgent, please excuse me.” Sherry texted back, “It’s okay. Go do your thing. Heart emoji.”

She sent Peter a heart emoji?!

John’s gaze turned cold. Not even his golden-framed glasses could conceal his grim gaze. The air at the dining table suddenly turned quiet.

It was until Caprice’s adorable voice sounded that the silence broke.

‘Daddy.

John recovered his composure and put his grim expression away. He turned to her with a soft gaze. Caprice said, “Daddy, I'm done.”

John smiled and patted the girl's head. “Good girl.”

She pouted. She put both her hands out, signaling him for a hug.

John carried her into his arms.

The girl then reached out to the spoon of soup and fed him. She said, “Daddy, aaah... Caprice feeds you. John’s eyes flickered before he opened his mouth in delight.

The girl fed him a spoonful of soup.

‘She wanted to feed him another spoon, but John held her hand. “Thank you, Caprice. | can eat by myself. Caprice pouted. “Daddy is not happy. You are not eating. The soup is cold

John looked slightly surprised

 

Chapter 1415

It seemed like the girl had captured his grim expression while instructing Peter how to reply to Sherry. He pinched the girl’s cheek and said, “Sorry. I'll eat now.’

He scooped a spoonful of soup into his mouth.

The little girl curled her lips into a sweet smile.

John held Caprice with one hand while he ate using the other hand.

Aunt Wanda and the other two servants cleverly stepped aside and sighed a breath of relief. They had seen John’s terrifying expression as well.

John usually looked like a humble gentleman who never showed his temper in public, but when he did, he would be scarier than a demon from hell.

Fortunately, Caprice was around to hold him down, or else Aunt Wanda and the servants would be horrified. The weather forecast was surprisingly accurate about the snow.

The next morning, while Sherry was heading toward the suburbs, it started to snow. The land was covered with a layer of white before she knew it.

The driver did not drive her to the destination due to unforeseen circumstances. He said apologetically, Madam, the road ahead is narrow and steep, and it hasn’t been repaired since ages ago. It’s dangerous for me to go any further. It’s only a kilometer away from your destination, so why don’t you go there on foot?”

Sherry did not force the driver to go on further. She got out and traveled on foot while wrapped in layers of winter clothes.

It was snowing heavily. The unforgiving wind whistled and shook even the trees along the road. There was not a single soul in sight.

Sherry shrank her neck into the jacket and moved on slowly.

Awhile later, just before her nose froze and fell off her face, she spotted the construction site.

Next to the site was a temporary shed built for the workers.

Maybe because of the weather, the workers were not around. Only two security guards were there chatting with each other. Sherry knocked on the door and asked politely, “Hello, is Master Stockton here?”

The security guards were confused. “Master Stockton?”

“John Stockton, the CEO of Stockton Corporation.”

The two security guards cackled with laughter. “Madam, are you kidding us? Why would he be here?”

“Yeah. This place is remote and far away, and it’s snowing today. Not even his employees would come here, let alone himself.” Sherry furrowed her brows. “What about Peter? Assistant Jackson. Is he here?”

“No. No one is here today. It’s just us on duty.

“Madam, please leave. The snow is getting heavier. Leave while you can.”

The two security guards urged her to return.

Sherry was disheartened.

Peter did not come to the site today? But he said he would come here to inspect the progress yesterday!

Sherry pulled out her phone and called Peter

immediately. Due to the poor signal, she had to wander around in the snow for better reception. When the call got through, she asked, “Assistant Jackson, where are you?”

Peter answered, “Ms. Fowler, I’m at the office. What’s the matter?” Sherry inhaled deeply and bellowed out of annoyance, “I thought you said you would come to the suburbs for a site inspection? Why are you at the office?”

Peter answered in a small voice, “I planned to, but it’s snowing today. The road gets slippery and uneven, so | didn’t go to the site.”

Sherry remained annoyed. “Then, why didn’t you tell me?!”

Peter said, “Um... why would | tell you about my schedule?”

Sherry choked on Peter’s answer.

Amoment of hesitation later, he said, “Ms. Fowler, it’s snowing heavily. Please don’t tell me you are at the site now.”

Sherry hung up the phone immediately.