Ch. 786..790
Chapter 786
It felt good. He pinched her face several more times until there was a reddish mark on her cheek before letting go of her. Sylvia was fast asleep so she did not even react to the pinch.
Sleeping like a pig
Odell snorted but even his narrowed eyes and furrowed brows could not hide his amusement.
Next, his eyes fixed upon Sylvia's luscious lips.
Her pink lips were moist and full.
After staring at her for a while, he started to feel his desire rise.
He narrowed his eyes further and moved his face closer to hers.
Just before his handsome face touched her delicate cheeks, he sensed someone looking at him from the side. His gaze shifted. He straightened up and saw Liam staring at him with his big round eyes.
The boy had been sleeping beside Sylvia. Somehow he had woken up without his father’s knowledge and was now staring at him intensely.
“Daddy, are you trying to kiss Mommy?” he asked.
Odell awkwardly cleared his throat and said, “No.”
The boy stared at him. He was quiet yet his face clearly showed his disbelief.
Odell’s gaze shifted and said solemnly, “I saw a mosquito on her face just now, so | was just trying to check if it’s still there.”
The boy continued staring at him in disbelief. Odell frowned and his face instantly turned cold. “Why are you looking at me? Close your eyes and go to sleep!”
Liam pouted and shut his eyes. The boy showed no interest in arguing with his father. Odell gulped nervously. He loosened his collar and said to Liam, “Don’t tell your mother, or you won’t see her again.”
Liam did not answer him. Instead, the boy got up and kissed Sylvia on the cheek before burying his face in the crook of Sylvia’s neck while turning his back to his father.
Odell was rendered speechless and his expression turned grim.
He suppressed the urge to pull the kid away from her. He pursed his lips and left the room.
Sylvia woke up after an hour or so.
Liam was already up and reading a book beside her.
Isabel had also woken up but she remained sleepy. She hugged Sylvia’s arm tighter and refused to let go.
Sylvia hugged the girl and stayed in bed for a little longer. Only when the little girl had finally become more alert, did Sylvia bring both sister and brother to the living room.
She saw Odell sitting on the couch as he read a book while having some tea.
The black shirt and black pants on him complemented his elegant seating posture.
When Sylvia looked at him, he turned to look at her, looking as cold and aloof as usual. Sylvia lifted the corners of her lips into a smile. “Good afternoon.”
He hummed in reply and then looked at Liam beside her.
Liam returned his gaze with a frosty look of his own. His little chubby face looked cold, the expression very similar to his father. Odell cleared his throat awkwardly before taking a sip of tea from his cup.
Sylvia did not notice the quick exchange between the father and son. She sat down on the other side and played
with the remote-controlled car with Isabel.
Liam hopped onto the couch and read his book. The peace and quiet of the living room was shattered by the little girl’s cheerful screams. Sylvia would joke with Isabel from time to time, their cheerful and energetic voices sounding very pleasant to the ears.
Odell was distracted from his reading, he soon shifted his attention to the mother and daughter having fun. However, the precious family time was cut short by a phone call.
Sylvia’s phone rang.
Odell quickly returned to his book and pretended nothing happened. Isabel pursed her lips and kept quiet. Only Sylvia’s voice could be heard in the living room.
“Mr. President, have you arrived there already?
Chapter 786
It felt good. He pinched her face several more times until there was a reddish mark on her cheek before letting go of her. Sylvia was fast asleep so she did not even react to the pinch.
Sleeping like a pig
Odell snorted but even his narrowed eyes and furrowed brows could not hide his amusement.
Next, his eyes fixed upon Sylvia's luscious lips.
Her pink lips were moist and full.
After staring at her for a while, he started to feel his desire rise.
He narrowed his eyes further and moved his face closer to hers.
Just before his handsome face touched her delicate cheeks, he sensed someone looking at him from the side. His gaze shifted. He straightened up and saw Liam staring at him with his big round eyes.
The boy had been sleeping beside Sylvia. Somehow he had woken up without his father’s knowledge and was now staring at him intensely.
“Daddy, are you trying to kiss Mommy?” he asked.
Odell awkwardly cleared his throat and said, “No.”
The boy stared at him. He was quiet yet his face clearly showed his disbelief.
Odell’s gaze shifted and said solemnly, “I saw a mosquito on her face just now, so | was just trying to check if it’s still there.”
The boy continued staring at him in disbelief. Odell frowned and his face instantly turned cold. “Why are you looking at me? Close your eyes and go to sleep!”
Liam pouted and shut his eyes. The boy showed no interest in arguing with his father. Odell gulped nervously. He loosened his collar and said to Liam, “Don’t tell your mother, or you won’t see her again.”
Liam did not answer him. Instead, the boy got up and kissed Sylvia on the cheek before burying his face in the crook of Sylvia’s neck while turning his back to his father.
Odell was rendered speechless and his expression turned grim.
He suppressed the urge to pull the kid away from her. He pursed his lips and left the room.
Sylvia woke up after an hour or so.
Liam was already up and reading a book beside her.
Isabel had also woken up but she remained sleepy. She hugged Sylvia’s arm tighter and refused to let go.
Sylvia hugged the girl and stayed in bed for a little longer. Only when the little girl had finally become more alert, did Sylvia bring both sister and brother to the living room.
She saw Odell sitting on the couch as he read a book while having some tea.
The black shirt and black pants on him complemented his elegant seating posture.
When Sylvia looked at him, he turned to look at her, looking as cold and aloof as usual. Sylvia lifted the corners of her lips into a smile. “Good afternoon.”
He hummed in reply and then looked at Liam beside her.
Liam returned his gaze with a frosty look of his own. His little chubby face looked cold, the expression very similar to his father. Odell cleared his throat awkwardly before taking a sip of tea from his cup.
Sylvia did not notice the quick exchange between the father and son. She sat down on the other side and played
with the remote-controlled car with Isabel.
Liam hopped onto the couch and read his book. The peace and quiet of the living room was shattered by the little girl’s cheerful screams. Sylvia would joke with Isabel from time to time, their cheerful and energetic voices sounding very pleasant to the ears.
Odell was distracted from his reading, he soon shifted his attention to the mother and daughter having fun. However, the precious family time was cut short by a phone call.
Sylvia’s phone rang.
Odell quickly returned to his book and pretended nothing happened. Isabel pursed her lips and kept quiet. Only Sylvia’s voice could be heard in the living room.
“Mr. President, have you arrived there already?
Chapter 788 The car headed to the art academy.
Moments after they had set off, Simon asked, “Sylvia, where have you been for the past six months? You haven't been picking up my calls.”
Sylvia knew that Simon was asking purely out of curiosity, but she really did not want to think back on all the things that had happened in the past six months. She casually said, “Something happened and | went abroad for a while.”
Simon's gaze shifted. “Are you alright now?”
His voice was full of concern. Sylvia smiled and said, “I’m doing okay now.” Simon smiled in relief and simply let the topic go.
Then, he chatted to Christopher about the event.
The event was more of a social gathering. Other than the artists who had been invited, many other influential figures had been invited as well.
Suddenly, Christopher asked, “Simon, did you bring your work?”
“Yes, | did.”
“Great, as long as you remember.”
Simon then asked Sylvia, “Sylvia, did you create any new work recently?” His gaze showed anticipation , seemingly wanting to see her new work.
Sylvia shook her head. “No.”
Thinking about how there must have been a bitter reason for her to disappear for six months before returning, Simon thought that it was normal that she had been unable to create any new work. He pursed his lips and added, “I see. If you do produce any new works, please be sure to tell me! | want to be the first to see it!”
Simon admired Sylvia’s work the most among all the artists under the art association, so he had been looking forward to her new work since a year ago.
Sylvia simply hummed in reply. Awhile later, the car drove past the art academy and arrived at the glamorous art hotel.
The art hotel’s event hall had been fully booked by Master Springsteen for his event and the guests required an invitation card to enter.
Sylvia was with Christopher and Simon, so she was granted entry without any hindrance. Minutes before the event started, the event hall was
already filled with people. The guests were standing in groups as they chatted over some champagne and admired the artwork on display. Christopher , being the president of the art association , knew many of the guests, so he greeted each and every one of them from the moment he stepped inside.
Both Sylvia and Simon were not fans of mingling, so they hung back and waited patiently for the event to start.
Minutes later, there was a commotion from outside the door.
Christopher left the crowd and came back to them and said, “Simon, Sylvia, Master Springsteen is here. Let's go and say hi.” Sylvia could not refuse this time as Master Springsteen was the host of the event.
“Okay,” she said.
Sylvia and Simon then followed Christopher outside.
The crowd surged over. They waited for the others to finish greeting Master Springsteen before they stepped forward.
Under the bright lights, an elderly man with silvery white hair with a solemn but kind look on his face walked over with the help of his assistant.
Christopher stepped forward and reached out for a
handshake. “Master Springsteen.”
Master Springsteen smiled happily at Christopher's
friendly gesture. He shook the man’s hand and said, “Oh, Chris! I’m glad you made it!”
Christopher then stepped aside and introduced Sylvia and Simon to Master Springsteen. “Master Springsteen, | would like for you to meet Mr. Amos and Sunflower.”
As soon as Christopher’s word subsided, Master Springsteen widened his eyes at the two of them with utmost excitement. The crowd also started to size up the two of them. Simon wore a smile and said, “Master Springsteen. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Master Springsteen smiled. “Welcome, welcome. There’s no need to flatter an old man like me. | am just an avid collector of your work.”
Chapter 789
After speaking, Master Springsteen then turned his wise and experienced eyes to Sylvia. He was intrigued by Sylvia, or more precisely, Sunflower.
Sylvia’s lips curved up in a smile as she said, “Master Springsteen.”
Master Springsteen smiled back. “You're Sunflower?”
“Yes, | am.”
“You're so young.”
“You flatter me.”
“Oh, you are the one who is too kind to an old man. You are a mother-to-be yet you're attending my event,” he said as he shifted his gaze to her belly.
Before Sylvia could answer, a sharp voice came from behind him. “Of course, she would not miss this great opportunity to climb the social ladder to meet you in person, Master Springsteen.”
Sylvia froze.
Master Springsteen, Christopher and the others immediately turned to the owner of the voice.
At the entrance, Ramona, dressed glamorously and
covered in dazzling jewelry, came over with Lily and Madam Springsteen, who were similarly dressed.
As soon as Ramona’s voice subsided, Madam Springsteen furrowed her brows. “Ramona , | think it’s better not to talk about such things on such an occasion.”
Ramona snorted in Sylvia’s direction and continued,” Why? If she has the guts to show up here, then | can say whatever | want.” Lily also frowned. “Aunt Ramona , this is grandfather’s event, | think it'd be better if you stop.” Their little squabble had silenced the crowd and everyone was now looking at them, baffled.
Master Springsteen asked solemnly, “What are you guys talking about?”
Ramona immediately answered , “Master Springsteen , didn’t you know? Sunflower here is not what she seems. Her name is Sylvia Ross and she’s my grand-nephew’s ex -wife.”
Her words echoed across the silenced crowd.
Everyone shifted their attention to Sylvia, including Master Springsteen. Almost everyone in Westchester knew that Lily was Odell’s new fiance and yet Sylvia , his ex-wife, had still attended the event.
Had she not known Master Springsteen’s granddaughter was her ex-husband’s current fiance?
Sylvia trembled under the pressure of having all the eyes on her, sizing her up.
She looked down, with brows furrowed and fists clenched.
She had forgotten about Lily being Master Springsteen’s granddaughter and she had not expected Lily to attend this event either.
While she was at a loss for what to do, a kind voice suddenly spoke up to defend her, “Ms. Ross might be my fiance's ex-wife, but she’s also the famous artist Sunflower . She was invited by my grandfather through official means, so please stop looking at her like that. You too, Aunt Ramona.”
It was Lily who had defended Sylvia.
Sylvia had not expected Lily, out of anyone, to defend her. She looked at the beautiful young woman in surprise.
Lily smiled generously and elegantly. Her words had attracted all the attention to herself and everyone was now looking at her in awe. Someone exclaimed, “Ms. Springsteen really has a great temperament, as expected of the daughter of the Springsteens.”
The frosty look on Ramona’s face eased and she smiled at Lily. “Fine, I'll spare her tonight for your sake.” Many of the guests continued to stare at Sylvia contemptuously.
Sylvia’s chest tightened under all the pressure, she pursed her lips and looked down. “Enough,” Master Springsteen suddenly firmly stated, sounding very unhappy. The guests immediately withdrew their gazes.
Ramona and Madam Springsteen were surprised by Master Springsteen’s reaction as well. At the same time, Christopher and Simon walked over to stand beside Sylvia.
Simon looked at her with a compassionate gaze. Christopher then said to Master Springsteen, “Master Springsteen, Sylvia is indeed Master Carter’s ex-wife, but they divorced peacefully some time ago. It’s in the past now. She had not actually wanted to come today but | was the one who had insisted on inviting her.”
Chapter 790 Master Springsteen looked at Sylvia and then said to
Christopher, “There’s no need for you to explain this to me. | only see the famous artist Sunflower at my event tonight, not someone's ex-wife.”
Christopher’s eyes gleamed. He smiled and said, “I understand, Master Springsteen.” Sylvia’s cold, clenched hands relaxed slightly.
In relief, she smiled at Simon and gestured at him not to worry.
The remaining guests who were still standing around to watch the scene, now withdrew their scrutinizing gazes from Sylvia and resumed what they were doing before.
Only Ramona was left looking unhappy, as if she had suddenly been slapped in the face. Madam Springsteen was also displeased but she was in no position to lecture her husband, hence the silence. As for Lily, she maintained an elegant smile on her face.
After Christopher and Master Springsteen finished talking, Lily stepped forward and hooked an arm through one of the elderly man’s. She then said with a smile, “ Grandfather, don’t just stand here. Let's invite Mr. Amos and Ms. Sunflower inside.”
Master Springsteen had always loved his only granddaughter and was especially pleased after she had courageously stood up for Sylvia. She had not disappointed him at all.
“Okay, okay, let’s go in,” he said with a smile. He then looked at Christopher, Simon and Sylvia, “Come on, let’s go in. Don’t just stand here.” “After you, Master Springsteen,” Christopher said with a nod and then looked at Sylvia and Simon.
He was relieved when he saw that Sylvia was holding up just fine. He said to her in a whisper, “Sylvia, Master Springsteen has already made it clear what his sentiments are, so | believe that old lady won't give you a hard time anymore. Just follow me and Simon. Don’t wander away alone.”
Sylvia smiled. “Okay, | understand.” She stayed close to Simon and followed the group of guests, led by Master Springsteen, into the event hall.
After that, the event progressed smoothly and the atmosphere grew livelier by the minute. While everyone was talking about the works of art on display, a towering figure entered the hall.
The man wore a black suit and when he came in through the door, his eyes scanned over all the guests.
‘That woman should have already arrived, right?’
He did not spot the woman that he was looking for, so he strode further into the crowd.
Someone recognized him shortly after his arrival.
“Master Carter?”
“Master Carter is here?!” Odell pushed his way through the crowd as he tried to approach Sylvia. Just as he spotted her and wanted to go closer, Lily walked over to him.
With a smile on her face, she took one of his arms and whispered into his ear, “Master Carter, if you don’t want Ms. Ross to become the center of attention again, you better keep your distance from her.” Odell shot a frosty gaze at her. “What do you mean?” “Have you forgotten? We're engaged. Grandfather and grandmother are here too,” she reminded him.
Odell frowned and stopped moving, but his eyes were still fixed upon Sylvia.
Sylvia was with Simon. For some reason, her delicate face looked pale and tired, making her seem a little out of place with the lively atmosphere here.
“Master Carter, my grandfather is over there. Let’s go say
hi,” Lily said. Master Springsteen was the most senior person in the hall and also the host of the event, everyone who attended would have to greet him in person. Odell withdrew his gaze. He then pulled his arm away from Lily and walked over to Master Springsteen. Lily pouted and frowned as she followed him over to her grandfather. On the other hand, Sylvia had already heard the commotion from the crowd when Odell had arrived.
‘He’s here?! Is it because of Lily?!’
Since Master Springsteen was the host of the event and Lily was also in attendance, as her fiance, it was not unusual for Odell to show up. However, if Sylvia had known that Odell and Lily would attend the event together, she would have never agreed to come even if Christopher had held a knife to her neck.
She started to regret her decision.
Chapter 790 Master Springsteen looked at Sylvia and then said to
Christopher, “There’s no need for you to explain this to me. | only see the famous artist Sunflower at my event tonight, not someone's ex-wife.”
Christopher’s eyes gleamed. He smiled and said, “I understand, Master Springsteen.” Sylvia’s cold, clenched hands relaxed slightly.
In relief, she smiled at Simon and gestured at him not to worry.
The remaining guests who were still standing around to watch the scene, now withdrew their scrutinizing gazes from Sylvia and resumed what they were doing before.
Only Ramona was left looking unhappy, as if she had suddenly been slapped in the face. Madam Springsteen was also displeased but she was in no position to lecture her husband, hence the silence. As for Lily, she maintained an elegant smile on her face.
After Christopher and Master Springsteen finished talking, Lily stepped forward and hooked an arm through one of the elderly man’s. She then said with a smile, “ Grandfather, don’t just stand here. Let's invite Mr. Amos and Ms. Sunflower inside.”
Master Springsteen had always loved his only granddaughter and was especially pleased after she had courageously stood up for Sylvia. She had not disappointed him at all.
“Okay, okay, let’s go in,” he said with a smile. He then looked at Christopher, Simon and Sylvia, “Come on, let’s go in. Don’t just stand here.” “After you, Master Springsteen,” Christopher said with a nod and then looked at Sylvia and Simon.
He was relieved when he saw that Sylvia was holding up just fine. He said to her in a whisper, “Sylvia, Master Springsteen has already made it clear what his sentiments are, so | believe that old lady won't give you a hard time anymore. Just follow me and Simon. Don’t wander away alone.”
Sylvia smiled. “Okay, | understand.” She stayed close to Simon and followed the group of guests, led by Master Springsteen, into the event hall.
After that, the event progressed smoothly and the atmosphere grew livelier by the minute. While everyone was talking about the works of art on display, a towering figure entered the hall.
The man wore a black suit and when he came in through the door, his eyes scanned over all the guests.
‘That woman should have already arrived, right?’
He did not spot the woman that he was looking for, so he strode further into the crowd.
Someone recognized him shortly after his arrival.
“Master Carter?”
“Master Carter is here?!” Odell pushed his way through the crowd as he tried to approach Sylvia. Just as he spotted her and wanted to go closer, Lily walked over to him.
With a smile on her face, she took one of his arms and whispered into his ear, “Master Carter, if you don’t want Ms. Ross to become the center of attention again, you better keep your distance from her.” Odell shot a frosty gaze at her. “What do you mean?” “Have you forgotten? We're engaged. Grandfather and grandmother are here too,” she reminded him.
Odell frowned and stopped moving, but his eyes were still fixed upon Sylvia.
Sylvia was with Simon. For some reason, her delicate face looked pale and tired, making her seem a little out of place with the lively atmosphere here.
“Master Carter, my grandfather is over there. Let’s go say
hi,” Lily said. Master Springsteen was the most senior person in the hall and also the host of the event, everyone who attended would have to greet him in person. Odell withdrew his gaze. He then pulled his arm away from Lily and walked over to Master Springsteen. Lily pouted and frowned as she followed him over to her grandfather. On the other hand, Sylvia had already heard the commotion from the crowd when Odell had arrived.
‘He’s here?! Is it because of Lily?!’
Since Master Springsteen was the host of the event and Lily was also in attendance, as her fiance, it was not unusual for Odell to show up. However, if Sylvia had known that Odell and Lily would attend the event together, she would have never agreed to come even if Christopher had held a knife to her neck.
She started to regret her decision.