Ch. 1421..1425
Chapter 1421
After remaining in the hospital until past noon, she began to feel better and decided that it was time to leave. She got herself an e-hailing ride.
The car was driving back to the hotel.
Sherry took out her phone and took a look at the conversation with John.
The prompt displayed on the screen indicated that the message she sent was not delivered successfully as she was not in the recipient's friend list.
Surprisingly, she did not feel as upset as she thought she would be. Perhaps it was due to her passing out, coupled with the amount of rest she got in the hospital which allowed her time to cool down.
She sighed and dismissed the idea of finding some other messaging platform to tell him off. She stuffed the phone back in her pocket and quietly gazed out the car window, taking in the ride.
Half an hour later, the car stopped outside the hotel. She got out of the car and walked inside, covered in a thick jacket. She lived on the eighth floor and had to take the elevator 1. up. The elevator entrance was located in the corridor connected to the right side of the lobby. After stepping through the entrance, she immediately turned to her right.
Just as she was about to step into the corridor, she heard the grave, familiar voice of a man. “Sherry, why did you come back so early? Where are those two handsome gentlemen of yours who were supposed to attend to you?”
Sherry halted immediately.
Just several meters to her right was the common area of the lobby where couches and tables were set for guests. The same man who had attacked her earlier today was sitting on the couch as if nothing had happened. He held a cup of tea in his hand and was peering at her through the gold—framed glasses.
Sherry was startled by his appearance and asked with vivid surprise, “You b*stard, why are you here?” John smiled coyly. “What, am | interrupting your plans?”
Sherry grimaced. “What are you talking about? Quit being so weird!”
What was he going on about? Handsome gentlemen
attending to her? Interrupting her plans? This man was raving!
She had just returned from the hospital, what plans was she supposed to have?
John smiled menacingly, his entire demeanor became somber.
any
Sherry narrowed her eyes and barked at him without tone of affection. “Could you say whatever it is you came here to say and scram?’
“| heard that you were picked up by two gentlemen, weren't you?” John set down his teacup and said as he leaned against the couch lazily with the usual arrogant smile. “Who are they to you?”
Sherry thought for a moment and asked, “By gentlemen, are you talking about the two guys who helped me into the taxi and took me to the hospital this morning?”
Something flashed in John’s eyes as he interrogated Sherry, “They took you to the hospital?”
Sherry put his hands in her pockets and stated while grinning, “Yes, they had a noble heart unlike a certain Master Stockton and couldn't bear to see me freeze to
death on the side of the road.”
A frown immediately formed on John’s face, and he glared at her up and down.
After a brief silence, he scoffed. “With how thick-skinned
you are, you can stay out there for a day or two without any worry of freezing to death.”
Sherry grimaced rightly. “What are you doing here anyway? Are you here just to tell me that I’m thick- skinned?” John sneered at her. “Who told you | was here for you?”
“God, do | look like an idiot to you?” Sherry mimicked John’s condescending smile. “Why else would you be here if it weren’t for me?”
John took a careful sip from the teacup.
Sherry scoffed and approached John. “How did you know those two men helped me? Did you go back there to look for me? You've been acting very strangely since the moment you got here. You're not jealous of those two men now, are you?”
John glared at Sherry.
She was only about a meter away from him.
From this distance, he immediately noticed the purplish area around her cheeks, an evident mark left by frostbite. Her lips were without color and her entire complexion seemed sickly.
((
He smiled in his usual charismatic and devilish way. Sherry, in the last two years that we haven't met, you’ve developed such a thick skin that it truly amazes me.”
Chapter 1422
Chapter 1422 Sherry felt a lump growing in her throat.
She was in no mood to get into a screaming match with John. Still, she voiced her frustration with him. “John, just say whatever is on your mind and stop being so weird about it.”
John smiled coyly. “I did go back there to find you, but that’s mostly because you’re the mother of my daughter. You can humiliate yourself all you want but it’s when it starts affecting my daughter’s reputation when it concerns me.”
Sherry felt something tightening in her chest, suffocating her.
Upon noticing her reaction, the smile John wore grew wider. “You asked me why | was asking about the nature of your relationship with those two men you speak of. Well, | was just wondering what the current state of your private life is like. If you've done something
inappropriate with them, | believe you'd not be fit to become a mother and I'll immediately have you kicked out of this city.” He made a point of emphasizing the sentence ‘kicked out of this city’. His tone was unfalteringly threatening.
Sherry felt like John had plunged a dagger into her heart as he said this. She gestured helplessly with her arms and said, “You don’t have to worry about that, I’m doing well enough on my own. Those two are the only good Samaritans who took the time to take me to the hospital. They left immediately after that.”
“Good.” John set the cup down and rose.
He was a head taller than her so the moment he rose to his feet, Sherry felt meek in his presence. She quickly drew to the side, away from him.
John glanced at her and stepped forward.
After having taken two steps, he suddenly came to a stop as if a thought occurred to him. He looked at her intently and said, “Sherry, since you abandoned Caprice two years ago, I've lost all respect for you. If you're still capable of feeling any shred of shame, Id like you to stop trying to fool yourself by telling yourself that | still care for you.”
Sherry grimaced and took a deep breath. She smiled sarcastically and said, “You don’t have to worry about that. Even if I’m as thick—-skinned as you said | am, | still have some self-respect. I’d pick any common man off the street before even considering the great Master
Stockton.”
Asharp look greeted John’s eyes for a split second.
He quickly wiped away the look and smirked. “I hope
you're speaking from the heart.”
As if fearful that Sherry was lying about her feelings, he made sure to add, “The sheer sight of a woman like you disgusts me.” With that departing statement, he dragged his tall figure past Sherry and walked out of the hotel.
Although the hotel lobby was warm and cozy, Sherry felt a cold gush of air rush past her and shivered all over.
She could feel her entire body seizing up with a cold and turning stiff.
After a while, a rush of warmth poured over her face.
She snapped back to her senses and realized that the warmth she felt was her tears. She wiped away her tears and went toward the elevator.
Asilver car was parked on the roadside outside the hotel.
As soon as Peter recognized the striking figure stepping out of the hotel, he quickly got out of the car and opened the door for him.
As soon as the door was opened, a tiny figure clad in a red dress pried her head out while crying out in a honeyed voice, “Daddy!”
John beamed with affection. A heartwarming smile immediately formed on his lips.
He quickened his pace toward the car.
Caprice slid inside the car to make space for John.
John dove into the car.
As soon as he sat down, the child practically threw herself into his arms.
John put his arms around her and asked her with a gentle smile, “Caprice, when did you wake up?” Caprice was still clutching a pack of snacks that she had not finished. She rested her head against John’s chest and declared proudly, “I’ve been awake for a long time!”
John smiled and asked, “Why didn’t you tell Uncle Peter to call daddy?”
Caprice chirped. “I don’t want to disturb Daddy when he’s busy.”
John was moved by how thoughtful Caprice was, especially considering she was only a toddler.
John embraced her tightly. “Caprice, next time you wake up and don’t see daddy around you, you can look for daddy even if you know he’s busy, you got it?”
“Okay, | got it!”
John patted her head and stayed silent.
The car started its engines.
He turned in the direction of the hotel, a dark cloud cast over his eyes.
Perhaps what he had said just now was too hurtful?
However, the fact was that she had abandoned him as well as their daughter two years ago, and she did not have a spot of affection for him.
Besides, he doubted that his words would have any effect on her whatsoever considering how thick-skinned she was. With this in mind, a sharp and uncaring look returned to his eyes.
Chapter 1423
An ungrateful and despicable woman like her deserved to be told off right in her face. Sherry sunk into sleep and when she woke up, she felt the first wave of fever settling in. She felt like she was burning all over.
She had to go to the hospital again.
After she was prescribed medicine, she returned to the hotel.
After three days of intensive rest, the fever finally subsided.
She was feeling better physically and finally feeling clear- headed for once.
She took a car to the Stockton Tower in the city center.
She stayed in the area until nighttime.
Around evening, the employees slowly flocked out of the entrance of the building and headed back to their respective homes.
Sherry stared at the door.
After most employees had left, she finally recognized a
familiar figure.
The man was wearing a slim suit with Caprice in his arms.
as usual. He was heading toward the parking lot.
Peter and a bodyguard were following him closely.
Sherry stared at the girl in his arms.
She could not get a good look from where she was but she could vaguely make out that Caprice was sleeping. Carried in the arms of her father, she seemed very much so at
peace. The look in Sherry’s eyes softened. The built-up
frustration and exhaustion over the past few days were instantly washed away. Suddenly, the man came to a halt.
Sherry quickly ducked into a dark corner where she would
not be seen.
After a while, she slowly pried her head around the
corner. She saw that John had already gotten into the car along with Caprice and the car was slowly pulling out of the parking lot.
She sighed and approached the side of the road. She planned to call a taxi to take her back to the hotel.
Around the same time, several middle—aged men emerged from the building as well. They were in the middle of a rather intense conversation, it seemed like
they were high-ranking members of the organization. Sherry overheard their conversation while she was waiting for her taxi on the side of the road. “Madam Stockton is going to be hosting a party at the Glanchester Hotel tomorrow night, are you going?”
“Of course, it’s Madam Stockton we're talking about. | heard that all the friends and relatives of the Stocktons are invited as well. Since she was so kind to invite us, she must see us as part of her close circle as well. I’d drop anything to attend the party.”
“Hehe... that’s true.”
Sherry was alarmed by the conversation she had overheard.
Tomorrow was Saturday, and Madam Stockton was going to host a party at Glanchester Hotel at night? She was inviting all the friends and relatives of the family?
John must be present as well.
Since he was going to be present, one would only assume
that Caprice would be there with him as well.
She wondered how she could sneak into the party.
Midnight.
The cold wind whistled over the city and beat against the windows panes.
Caprice was afraid of thunder, darkness, and strong winds that screeched in her ears. John got Aunt Wanda to give Caprice a bath first, he took a quick shower himself as well.
Shortly after he came out of the shower, Caprice, who was already dressed in pajamas and ready for bed, sprang toward him while crying out tenderly, “Daddy!”
John smiled and took her effortlessly into his arms and carried her to bed.
The girl pulled herself closer to him, smothered John with affection by burrowing her head into the crevice of his neck. John wrapped one arm around her.
He turned off the lights once he realized she had fallen asleep.
He had trouble falling asleep himself.
Why was that woman not making any moves? Why was she not trying to find Caprice?
Chapter 1424
Chapter 1424 The next day, the sky was clear.
By the time John woke up, his room was already basked in sunlight. It must be partially because it took him a while to fall asleep last night.
Caprice even woke up before him.
Although she was not rummaging around wildly, she did manage to wake John up with the movements she made, shuffling around on the bed.
She was dressed in white like an angel and was busy playing nurse, giving her dolls injections one after another. John found himself surrounded by her stuffed dolls laid out across the bed.
Upon noticing John waking up, her eyes shone with brightness. She remarked in an adorably serious voice, ” Wait a moment, Daddy, it will be your turn soon.”
With that, she took her toy syringe and jabbed it into one of the monkey dolls on the bed. John smiled and nodded. “Sure.”
He slowly sat up.
He waited until Caprice studiously poked him with the
toy syringe before finally getting out of bed.
He reached for the phone on the nightstand.
There were some unopened messages, mostly from Peter and some of his other employees. Their contents were work-related as usual.
He briefly went through them before selecting Sherry’s contact.
He had removed her from the blacklist last night but the last exchange between them displayed on the phone was still from several days ago. It was when she voiced her grievances at him after he left her all alone on the roadside amid the freezing cold.
He frowned.
Perhaps what he had said to her had stung a little too much? Was this why she had stopped trying to see Caprice and would not text him again?
The day passed in the blink of an eye. Evening.
There was a sudden knock at the door. Before John could even respond, Caprice sprang toward the door and threw it open, her enthusiastic cry immediately followed after, Hello Aunt Julie.”
Julie greeted her with a warm smile, then she turned to
((
John. “John, the party is about to start. Mom and Queenie are ready, would you like to come with us?” She said while slowly approaching John.
Clad inside a silky long dress that dragged all the way to her ankles, she resembled a fairy. The skirt was inlaid with pieces of glittering diamonds that reflected the ceiling lights and dazzled with every step she took.
Her hair was curled and draped over her shoulders, like a woman who had stepped out of a painting. She smiled politely as she headed toward the man sitting at his desk.
John swiped a look at her. “I still have to deal with
something, you girls can go first. I'll bring Caprice with me later.”
Julie seemed slightly dejected by this but did not let it show. “Alright.”
She turned and prepared to leave.
“Hold on,” John called after her suddenly.
Julie turned around expectantly, not concealing her eagerness with a smile. “Is there something | can do for you?” John said with a faint smile, “You look good.”
He spoke with an unusual gentleness in his voice. His face seemed to radiate a warm glow as he said this, a soft crease formed along the edge of his eyes as he delivered
the unexpected compliment.
Julie was completely caught off guard, her cheeks immediately flushed red before she knew it. She bowed her head courteously and thanked John, “Thank you for the compliment.”
John observed how flustered she had become and
remarked, “Julie, you’re still so young. You should take the time to dress up more in the future.*.
Put in some effort in presenting herself better so that she may attract some potential suitors, that way she would not have to remain chained inside the house for the rest
‘of her life.
Julie kept her head bowed so John would not see the pink
shade washed over her cheeks as well as the excitement in her eyes. “I got it, thank you again for the compliment.”
“Yeah, go on, now.”
Julie did not linger a moment longer in the room and quickly left.
After she left, Caprice performed her duties as a little
assistant and went to the door to close it.
Then she went to John’s side.
John took her into his arms.
He put her on his lap and directed his attention back to
the documents on the computer.
He only left for the party after he had sorted everything out.
Glanchester Hotel.
The largest ballroom was located on the first floor. The venue was designed with transparent floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides, providing a wonderful night view of the city.
Chapter 1425
The party had just started and most of the guests had arrived. They were mostly scattered across the ballroom in small groups and were mingling with wine in their hands.
The chandeliers overhead cast a warm glow over the guests and served to color the venue with a certain elegance that was not overbearing.
At this time, the silver car had just arrived outside the hotel.
The valets at the hotel immediately stepped forward to get the door.
Two figures emerged from the car, one of a tall man and the other of a tiny figure.
The man was dressed in a dark gray handmade suit and had on a pair of gold—framed glasses.
He was devilishly handsome. The light fixtures of the hotel beat down on him like a spotlight and highlighted his fine features. He wore a subtle smile on his lips.
Upon closer inspection, one could identify the devilish charm lurking in the depths of his eyes. It was as alluring as it was dangerous. His eyes were a bottomless pit that
would pull its prey closer and entangle them before they even knew it.
Fortunately, the hotel staff who went up to greet him were aware of his identity. They only dared to cast a brief look into, his eyes before turning away sheepishly.
The little girl he carried in his arms was just as eye- catching as he was.
Dressed in a large fiery red coat and wearing a crimson red hat, her fair complexion stood out more than anything. Her puffy, chubby cheeks were especially visible along with a pair of jeweled eyes that seemed to take in all the light in the room.
She resembled every bit of a princess who came out of a painting. She was adorable and charming, a little great beauty. Before they even stepped into the hotel, a group of people had already flocked out of the venue to greet them. “Master Stockton, good evening.”
“This must be the little miss, she’s so cute.”
4
11
Everyone wore the same polite smile and was more than eager to greet the two of them.
John kept a formal smile on the entire time and
responded nicely to their warm welcome.
Caprice stared at them quietly, her eyes wide open the entire time.
The father and daughter swiftly entered the venue.
That was when Caprice suddenly spotted something amid the crowd as she expressed in a confused voice, “Huh?” She cast an intent look in one particular direction.
John immediately followed her line of sight and saw nothing but the same crowd of people.
There was a clearing behind the crowd and nothing else beyond that.
He adjusted Caprice’s hat and asked, “Caprice, did you see anything?”
Caprice shook her head but kept her eyes fixed in the same direction.
She must have seen something particularly interesting to
her.
John did not pay further attention to it.
Several relatives had just come up to greet him so he turned his attention back to them.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the venue.
Behind a wall that was out of Caprice’s line of sight.
Sherry squatted low, her back pressed against the wall. 1
She never expected Caprice to be so sharp and
immediately notice her the moment she stepped into the ballroom.
It was fortunate that she hid quickly. She doubted that Caprice would have identified her in such a short time.
She remained there for a short while.
She heard the sound of the crowd slowly dispersing. The circus around John should have scattered away by now. She took a deep breath and prepared to get up.
That was when a bright red shape came into her peripheral vision.
She looked up and met a pair of large, shining eyes.
She was so taken aback by this that she sat back down again.
Caprice observed her quietly and said, “You're the liar.”
Sherry was not expecting Caprice to remember her especially since it had been several days since their last meeting. She smiled and said, “Caprice, I’m nota liar.”
Caprice’s large eyes quaked a little inside their sockets. ” Then who are you?”
Sherry looked around, then cautiously whispered to her, This isn’t a good place to talk. Let’s find a quiet place for us to talk, okay?”
Though she was hiding behind a pillar that kept her out of view, Caprice was too conspicuous in her bright red get -up.