Ch. 561..565
Chapter 561
“Mommy!” Isabel scuttled away from Aunt Tonya and ran toward her mother.
Sylvia carried the little girl in her arms and sat down beside the quiet little boy
She then smiled at Aunt Tonya. “Aunt Tonya, I'll take care of them. Why don’t you go have some rest?” Aunt Tonya rubbed her eyes tiredly. “Okay. you too.” “Thank you.”
Aunt Tonya then went out of the room.
Sylvia sat down on the bed with both of her children in her arms.
The two little ones looked at her and the girl asked, “Mommy, why is your face red?”
Sylvia recalled Odell’s forceful kiss and it made her blush even harder.
She gasped for air and forced a smile on her face. “Maybe it's the wind.”
“Are you sick again?” Isabel then got up and put her tiny hand on Sylvia’s forehead. Her soft and warm hand stroked the forehead for a few seconds before she retracted it. She could not tell if her mother was having a sever or not.
Sylvia smiled and stroked her head. “Don’t worry, Mommy is fine” The little girl hummed a reply obediently Liam then asked, “Mommy, you’re early today.”
“The event ended early, so | came back.”
Liam tilted his head and stared at her with his obsidian-like eyes. He was a four-year-old but his gaze felt like an adult. Sylvia nervously blinked a few times.
Liam pursed his lips and hummed a reply before he continued playing with his toy.
Sylvia sighed a breath of relief. She accompanied the two of them until they were sleepy. After she put them to bed, she got up and returned to her room.
Meanwhile, at Carter residence, Odell had been sitting beside Madam Carter’s bed ever since he got horne. A while later, the phone buzzed. He pulled it out and answered, “What did you find”
Hill's voice came through the phone. “I found out that the Second Master is teaching elective PIA classes in the Art Arademy, but he didn’t jolat the same time is Madam. He was amely there a month brlore Mariann joined”
Odell furrowed her brows. “Since when did the Art Academy provide elective piano courses?”
“I've checked on that as well. This elective course was introduced just last year and since Second Master is a musical genius from Liberty Music Academy, they had been wanting to invite him to teach at the academy.”
“Does he have any other jobs in Westchester City other than this?” “So far we only found out that he’s teaching at the Art Academy.” Odell’s gaze turned frosty. “What about his mother?” “She’s still abroad. The men we arranged there informed us that she has been living more or less the same routine daily and would only go out shopping once in a while.” The frostiness in Odell’s eyes softened a bit. He continued, “Continue to keep an eye out on her. Send someone to the Art Academy to watch Thomas as well. Starting from the next semester, | want to know every interaction he has with Sylvia.” “Yes, Sir. I'll make the necessary arrangements.” The call ended. Odell pocketed his phone and stared out the window. Thomas was a few years. younger than him. He was not exactly close with his brother but there was no conflicting interest as well. Even though Odell chased Thomas’ mother out of the company back then, there was still no argument between the brothers. However, as a widely recognized musical genius, why did he not pursue his musical career or even teach in a more prestigious institute such as the one he graduated from? Why would he come to Westchester City to be an elective course lecturer? He was teaching in the same place as Sylvia and joined the institute a month earlier than her.
The coincidence was uncanny.
Chapter 562
On the second morning, Sylvia was still fast asleep when she felt something heavy on her stomach. It felt like a soft rock falling on her.
She opened her eyes and saw Isabel giggling at her. “Mommy, the sun is up! Hurry up and wake up!”
“Isabel? Why are you awake at this hour?” Sylvia got up with a confused look. “The baddie is here. He said he’s taking us to some fun place today.” Isabel then looked outside the door.
Sylvia followed her gaze and saw Odell waiting outside the door. He was leaning on the frame with a sleepy Liam in his arm. He had been staring at her deeply when she was still asleep. Sylvia glared at him the moment she widened her sleepy eyes. He got in! Not only that, he came all the way to her room! Odell curled his lips. “I’m here to bring the kids out. Are you coming?”
Sylvia did not want to talk to him but she tended to be less frosty to him in front of the kids. “I have to attend some events at the Art Academy today. | don’t have the time.” Odell’s delight froze and shattered. Before he could say a word, Isabel pouted and bawled. “Mommy, why are you busy again? You don’t like to play with us anymore?”
Sylvia immediately pampered the girl and said, “Isabel, Mommy loves you and Liam the most. | wish | could play with you all day long but | have to attend an event at the academy. You and Liam can go play with Daddy. Be a good girl.” Isabel pouted her puffy face. “I want to play with Mommy, Liam, and the baddie!” Sylvia shot a troubled gaze at Odell and furrowed her brows, signaling him to calm the girl down.
Odell turned a blind eye to her. Not only did he ignore Sylvia, but he also started patting Liam. Sylvia choked on the reaction she received.
Isabel was still throwing a tantrum in her arms. The girl nuzzled her head against her shoulder and pouted as if she was going to cry.
Sylvia knew the little girl well enough to know that the girl would not simply cry because of such a trivial matter. She was merely acting
However, the acting worked and Sylvia started to feel bad for the girl
Shr hugged the pill for a while and came up with an excuse. “Isabel, i’ve already promised I’d attend the event, so | can’t just leave like that. Huut the event ends early, I'll go find you and Lian How about that?”
Isabel's pour y rxpression changed “Heally?” “Really,” Sylvia said. She had to attend the Art Academy's New Year event but even if the event ended early, she would probably not join her kids.
Isabel believed her and the pouty expression went away. “Mommy, then you must hurry up and go meet us later!”
Sylvia smiled. “I will.” The little girl jumped down and ran to Odell. Odell stood outside the door and shot a cold gaze at Sylvia. Sylvia’s expression turned frosty as she shot a strong gaze at him.
The little girl reached his side. Odell bent over and carried Isabel up with his idle arm. He had one last glance at Sylvia before he went away with the kids. Sylvia sighed a breath of relief. She got up and started to prepare for the event later.
The New Year event was held in a spacious hall. Christopher invited almost all the lecturers of the academy. The event was filled with all kinds of activities and they were all quite interesting.
The event started at 10:00 a.m.
Chapter 563
Sylvia arrived at the event venue just on time and it was already crowded with people. She greeted the other lecturers she saw on the way as she went inside. Christopher found her soon enough and waved at her. “Sylvia, come on! We're preparing to bake our New Year’s cake! They are all waiting for you!”
Sylvia went over with a smile.
The cakes were already baked, so all that was left was the decoration. There were colorful creams, icing, chocolate-made figures, and all kinds of intricate decorations for everyone to decorate their own cake. Almost everyone participated in the cake- decorating event. It was even livelier than the Springsteen family’s event last night.
The liveliness spread swiftly and Sylvia soon found herself decorating the cake with several other lecturers.
One of the lecturers asked, “Ms. Ross, | heard you and Mr. Carter danced at the Springsteen family’s ball last night.” Her words directed almost all the attention toward Sylvia.
Sylvia’s gaze shifted as she said calmly, “We were standing together and the spotlight just so happened to pick us, so we had to dance.”
“Why do | think you and Mr. Carter are perfect for each other?”
“Yeah. Mr. Carter has a frosty personality and he doesn’t like to talk to us. Before you joined the academy, we invited him to many events but he never once showed up. It was after you joined, that he would attend events that you attend. Look, speaking of the devil, there he is!”
Sylvia furrowed her brows and saw Thomas standing with the other male lecturers on the other side. His tall figure and outstanding presence stood out from the rest, making him easily recognizable.
When Sylvia looked at him, he too, looked at her. Sylvia slightly furrowed her brows and retracted her gaze. She continued decorating the cake and explained, “Our parents were good friends, and we knew each other since we were young, so we're rather close.”
“Really!”
“Yeah ” Sylvia put an end to the topic with that last word
The other lecturers wanted to continue the gossip but Sylvia reinained quiet throughout the Tolentirse questioniny, so they all returned to the cake decorating
Alors Sylvia divorced Odell for the first time, she learned culinary skills froin Auni Tonya and i granted les am o ur of food, be it necorating or cooking
The other lecturers were also creative in their decorations Half an hour later, everyone was done with their cakes. Sylvia and the lecturers sat down for a rest and snacked on the fruits provided. However, the other female lecturers were only interested in Thomas’ private life, so the topic eventually switched back to him. Two of them even had multiple glances at Sylvia.
The prying gaze started to make Sylvia feel uncomfortable, so she simply came up with an excuse and left the group.
She went over to the literature side of the event where some of the literature lecturers were reciting famous quotes from books. Sylvia listened to the recitation and got carried away. She did not even notice that a man was standing beside her. “Okay, everyone. Stop what you're doing. It’s time to eat cakes!” It was until Christopher called out to everyone, only then Sylvia regained her composure. The moment she turned around, she saw Thomas standing beside her.
His hands were pocketed in his jacket and he was listening to the recitation until Sylvia turned around.
Sylvia smiled at him and wanted to go back to the cake section. It was then a chilly finger stroked the tip of her nose.
Chapter 564
Chapter 564 Sylvia froze
Thomas stroked and wiped the tip of her nose and then siniled at her. “There’s icing on your nose.”
He smiled softly, as though he was a flower that bloomed in the spring after the snow melted away. He looked a lot warmer than his usual frosty self.
Sylvia had a difficult time smiling or appreciating his kind gesture.
Thomas noticed her blank reaction, so he asked, “What’s wrong?”
“N-Nothing. Let's go back, our cake is waiting,” she stammered and nervously walked away. trying to draw distance from him. Thomas felt slightly disheartened, but he followed her nevertheless.
However, when he was at the table, he saw Sylvia got herself sandwiched between two female lecturers. He paused for a moment and sat down opposite her. The group soon gathered around the table.
Apiece of cake, taken randomly from everyone’s masterpiece, was served together with boxes of fruit juices. Christopher said with a smile, “Before we dig into our masterpiece, let's have a toast using the juice box!”
Sylvia raised the juice box along with everyone else but she met Thomas’ gaze as soon as she looked up The man was looking at her with a frosty gaze.
Sylvia’s gaze turned evasive before she nervously looked away. After a sip of Juice, she started scooping the cake into her mouth Thomas sat opposite her, eating his own plate of cake while watching her eat
He felt disheartened when he noticed she showed no intention of looking at him.
The event continued after the cake-eating session but Sylvia lost interest to enjoy the other activities
She tried her best to avoid Thomas’ gaze at all times. She either squeezed herself into a group of female lecturers or stayed beside Christopher
When it was time to play inint games and everyone way requested to have intiinate Interaction, she carne up with an excuse and escaped to the wasliroon
She managed to make it until the end of the event
fter Christopher announced the end of the event, Sylvia grabbed her coat and left from the nconspicuous side door, attempting to flee to the parking lot without being noticed. However, the moment she stepped out of the door, a person came in from the side and stood in front of her The man stared into her eyes coldly. Sylvia awkwardly smiled and asked, “Thomas? What are you doing here?” “Why are you avoiding me?” Thomas went straight to the point with his question. Sylvia’s gaze turned evasive. She said, “W-What? Since when am | avoiding you?” “From the cake-eating to the mini games, you have been avoiding me,” he said as he continued to stare into her eyes, Sylvia gulped nervously. His eyes were crystal clear with a hint of resentment. He was like a boy whose candy was taken away from him.
Sylvia felt bad and guilty because of his gaze. A few seconds of awkward silence later, Sylvia helplessly said, “Thomas, I’m not avoiding you on purpose.” “Then why?” “If we're too close, it will raise a lot of questions and garner unwanted attention. A lot of people think we’re romantically involved.” A quick pause later, she continued, “You're still young. You haven't even started dating. | cannot ruin it for you.” He continued staring at her. “Are you telling the truth?” She avoided him because she was afraid to ruin his future? Or had she noticed his feelings for her, hence the intentional avoiding? Sylvia blinked blankly and said, “of course, I’m telling the truth.” Thomas looked at her. “You won’t ruin it for me.” Sylvia was stunned by his words and also bis deep and sincere gaze,
Chapter 565
Chapter 565 He curled his lips and eyes and continued with a warm smile, “You're only ruining it for me when you avoid me.”
His words were like explosives that went off in Sylvia's head. It blasted all the messy thoughts away and widened her eyes in shock
What did he mean by that?
Thomas noticed the blank look on her face. He pinched her nose and said, “Stop staring into the air Aren’t you going home?” His touch felt like a sting from a bee and it startled her, causing her to stagger a few steps to the side.
It was at that moment that she saw Odell standing further behind Thomas.
The man was wearing a navy blue coat. The frosty expression on his face was as cold as the weather Isabel was in his left arm and Liam was on his right, holding his hand.
The brother and sister were also staring at her and Thomas.
Sylvia froze “Odell? Why did you bring Isabel and Liam here?”
Thomas heard her and turned around too.
Odell stood there and glared at her and Thomas for a few seconds before he said, “Isabel and Liam miss you. | brought them here to pick you up.”
He then put Isabel down on the ground The little girl ran toward her mother and then sized up Thomas from top to bottom Liam also came over and did the same.
The girl then asked, “Mommy, who's this handsome guy?” Sylvia awkwardly chuckled Before she could explain, Odell’s gruff voice said, “He’s your uncle.”
Uncle? Isabel’s eyes gleamed she turned around to her father and asked, “So, he’s your brother?” Oddell hummed a reply Isabel then turned back to Thomas and introduced herself with her meek voice, “Hi, Uncle. I’m Thabel. This is my brother Llam.”
The girl was infatuated with Thomas’ good looks.
Thoinas smiled and greeted her and Llam, “Hello” Isabel grind and her eyes curved into the shape of acresent inoon 1 anin simply stated at hun quietly
Isabel then curiously asked, “Uncle, what are you doing here with Mommy?” Before Thomas could explain, Sylvia said, “Mommy and your Uncle Thomas are working here in the Art Academy, so we attended the event together.” “Oh, | see.”
The girl had no more questions. Thomas and Odell stood opposite each other. One of them emanated a frosty presence and the other one looked like a monster with obvious killing intents. Sylvia felt the awkwardness in the air and it gave her chills.
She carried | sabel into her arms and held Liar’s hand. She then said to Thomas, “It’s getting late. | have to bring the kids back home.”
She then had a glance at Odell and he shot a deep gaze at her. Sylvia retracted her glance and walked past him with the kids. The mother and children headed to the parking lot.
Soon, she brought Isabel and Liam to the car. She strapped the two little ones in the rear seats before she got into the driver’s seat. It was then Isabel asked, “Mommy, are we not waiting for the baddie?” Sylvia had a glance at the side door. Odell was still silently confronting his brother Neither of them budged and they seemed to have a lot to talk to each other. Sylvia said, “I think Daddy has a lot to talk to your uncle Let’s not wait for him.” “Okay.” Isabel obediently sat down on the child's seat and Sylvia started the car.