Ch. 641..650
Chapter 641
It broke Genevieve's revcric wlien she seemed to hear Landon calling out to her. "What did you
say?"
"I advise you not to dwell on the past since Armand is already gonc, Alcautiful and intelligent woman like you should look ahead. If you don't have a boyfriend, how about considering my son?" Landon suggested cagerly.
"Huh?" Genevieve was stunned.
Landon opened his photo album to show her his son's picture. "Isn'Timothy Jensen your friend? My son was from the same medical university as him. He's good-looking and works in the cardiac surgery department licre.
Staring at the dignified and ventic-looking man in the picture, Genevieve twitched her lips. "Ah! Dr. Sitler! I know him."
It never crossed her mind that Jermaine was Landon's son.
Landon patted his thigh and responded jubilantly, "Oh! Do you know him? It's a small world!"
"I've known him long ago, and I'd ever attended his birthday party" Genevieve explained. Even so, it was already a few years ago. She could not recall why she attended his birthday party at that time either.
"Thanks for thinking highly of me. However, my two kids are already four years old." She chuckled.
It was Landon's turn to be dumbstruck, and he only came to his senses after quite a while. Oh yeah! Genevieve had married Jack Valentine, a sabled director in Dartan, not long after she divorced Armand. Moreover, she was pregnant very soon after that.
Landon thought they had separated long ago as Jack was seldom by her side.
He could not help lamenting inwardly. Armand is pitiful indeed. He passed away at such a young age without any children.
Landon presumed Genevieve got along well with Jack and stopped talking about his son. As he threw a glance at her dainty face, his eyes lingered on it for a few seconds. "Ms. Rachford, have you ever had the feeling that I seemed to treat you unusually well?"
Genevieve nodded honestly. "Yeah, I do."
She could still vividly remember they had a meal at Golden Restaurant a long time ago. He drank wine with Jan back then but let her drink fruit juice instead. Jan even teased him for having a soft spot for her.
Landon smiled. "I've known Armand for years. Not to mention. you're his ex-wife. Of course, I should take extra care of you..."
After a pause, he elucidated sheepishly, "Another reason is, I feel that you and my wife seem
similar. Even so, I didn't dare to mention that previously, fearing that it would make you think There's something wrong with me."
In actuality, he had felt Genevieve bore a resemblance to his wife when he first met her many years ago. Other than their looks, there were similarities in their temperament too. Genevieve was momentarily stunned before she replied with a smile, "What an honor! I'm lucky to have extra care from you because of Mrs. Lebon."
Landon liked her even more as she complimented his wife instead of feeling repulsed by his words.
Beaming with delight, he added, "I've told my wife about it too. Even so, she made nothing of it, claiming that those who learn music are usually more lively. She's a music teacher." Genevieve echoed, "I share the same sentiments with her. Music enables us to relax our mind."
They chatted for quite a long time in his ward till Cooper gave her a call. She told Landon she still had something she needed to do and left.
On the way to Specter Corporation, Genevieve took the chance to stop by the dessert shop.
Nevertheless, the staff told her the owner was currently on a course in another state and would only be back one month later.
Disappointed, Genevieve chose two desserts at random before leaving for Specter Corporation.
Moments later, she stepped into the office and found Cooper in a trance while sitting behind the desk. He cast his eyes down, and she sensed something amiss from his expression. "Coop, what's wrong?" she asked quizzically.
Cooper lifted his head to look at Genevieve. Tears welled up in his eyes, and his voice sounded raspy. "I received a scheduled email from Jane on Christmas Eve."
Even so, he had been busy tracking down Xavier lately and had overlooked countless emails in his mailbox.
Chapter 642
Genevieve took over his phone and read Jane's mail.
It said: Coop, by the time you receive this email, I might already be gone forever. Don't be sad. I've been on medication since young. It's already a blessing for me to be able to stay alive till now. If you truly love me, I hope you can keep me in your heart. It's good enough if you can think about me at times. Didn't you ask me why I was overjoyed after stepping out of the hospital with Genev that day? Dr. Sirler told me he had performed surgeries for other patients like me before and could help me with that too. However, it's high-risk surgery. Even if I'm able to survive it, I car only live for four more years at most. I told him I wanted to have this surgery. It's because I yearn to be together with you. The world is beyond imagination, and there are countless picturesque sceneries for us to explore. I wish to have some memorable moments of pleasure with you everywhere. At the same time, I can't help but think how nice it would be if we could meet a few years earlier. Nevertheless, I'm well aware that you might not belong to me even if we got to know each other carlier. Coop, don't you think that time is something incredible? Because of il, we might come across someone We zuish to love deeply for our lifetime at any moment.
She continued to read the lengthy email: Dr. Sitler informed me about the time for the surgery when I went to the hospital a few days ago. At the same time, he reminded me again that it's a high- risk surgery, and I might meet my end halfway through. Nonetheless, I'm determined to go through with it. I even told him that if the surgery turned out to be a failure, it would imply that my good luck had come to an end. I bumped into Angela Seahill, an er-classmate, after stepping out of the hospital. Coincidentally, she's working at the DNA-testing center where Old Mr. Zeigler and Sylvie Clasen had their DNA test. I knew that Sylvie Clasen's mother might not be Old Mr. Zeigler's second daughter who had gone missing. After running into Angela. I requested her to help check the DNA test result for Old Mr. Zeigler and Sylvie. I promised to give her a sum of money and help her to seck another new job after she resigns from the DNA-testing center. However, I knew Xavier had escaped from prison even before she updated me on any findings. I understand that you've been keeping it from me, fearing I'll be worried about it. But don't you know that I'm worried sick about you too? I'm clueless about who's backing Xavier up in the shadows. He got my phone number and sent me a message, telling me he escaped from prison and is targeting you. On top of that, he claims that someone is helping him, and it's as easy as snapping his fingers for him to lay a finger on you. No words can describe how terrified I am. Armand is gone forever. If anything happens to you too, what is Genev going to do? Since I only have a fifty percent chance of survival during the surgery, I think I should do something more meaningful. Coop. I'm thankful to be by your side all this while. It's such a shame that I can' accompany you any longer. I've given Angela a call sometime earlier, requesting her to email me the DNA test result afte obtaining it. If nothing goes wrong, there should be an email from her in my mailbox by Christmas. Regardless of the outcome of the DNA test result, please help me give Angela the money. I'll attach her contact details at the bottom of this email. I hope you can focus on your work and take good care of yourself, Coop. If you meet any woman who has feelings toward you in the future, please don't turn her down. Give her a chance to take care of you.
Genevieve was already in tears by the time she finished reading the email.
It never came to her that Jane had done so much for her and Cooper. She did not even think twice about sacrificing her life for them.
Genevieve suddenly remembered there was something more important that she needed to do at once. After pulling herself together, she wiped off her cars and asked, "Coop, have you gone through the DNA test result?"
"I haven't accessed her mailbox," he inumbled.
Genevieve whipped out her phone immcdiatcly to key in Jane's username and password to access ber mailbox. Neverthicless, she could not find any email described by the latter in her mailbox. Narrowing liis cycs, Cooper stated grimly. "SomCon must have found out and stopped Angela when she was about to email it lo lane."
Genevieve tried to call Angela, but her phone was turned ofl.
Chapter 643
"It must be Sylvie Clasen. I suppose she found out about it. Doesn't she realize she will only trigger our suspicion that she's not Old Mr. Zeigler's granddaughter by doing so?" Genevieve pointed out confidently with a look of sheer somberness. If she has the gut to impersonale Old Mr. Zeigler's granddaughter; the Zeigler family surely woullet her of the hook!
Cooper massaged his temples that started to throb and reminded her grimly, "All the bodyguards by Sylvic Clasen's side are retired special forces. Hence, it's no easy feat to obtain her hair with follicles or blood."
"There will always be a way. Since she's an actress, she'll have to enter the filming site despite anything." Genevieve stated matter-of-factly.
Right that instant, Genevieve's phone rang.
It was a 'call from Jermaine. Startled, she answered it right away. "Dr. Sitler?"
Jermaine cut to the chase on the other end. "Sylvie Clasen is not Old Mr. Zeigler's granddaughter. I'm supposed to have told you long ago, but..."
There was intense agony amid guilt in his tone as he added, "She even demanded me to fake an accident so Jane could meet her end during her surgery. It never occurred to me that she would meet her tragic fate before her surgery."
Caught off guard, Genevieve asked anxiously, "What's going on? When did you find out that she's not Old Mr. Zeigler's granddaughter?"
Jermaine lowered his voice. "I'd been aware of it long ago. Genevieve, 12"
All of a sudden, there was an ear-splitting sound of an electric current coming from the other end. Genevieve had to take her phone away. It was as though her eardrum was going to burst. When she looked at her phone again, the call had already ended.
Genevieve tried to call Jermaine back and explained anxiously to Cooper at the same time, "It was a call from Jermaine. He had just told me he had known long ago that Sylvie Clasen is not Old Mr. Zeigler's granddaughter. There was suddenly an ear-piercing sound, and his phone was hung up the next second."
Cooper stood up and said solemnly, "I guess his phone must have been tapped, and something might have happened to him. Try to recall if you know those who are closer to him. Give them a call immediately to ask where he is now."
Genevieve called Jermaine again, but his pionie was ofl'. Iler licart sunk, and she left the oflice with Cooper hastily.
Atthe same time, she called Timothy to check with him if Jermaine was in the hospital.
The latter only replied after much hesitation, "If you wish to talk to him now, it's impossible then..."
By the time Genevieve and Cooper rushed to the hospital to meet Timothy, only then did they realize a tragic fate had befallen Jermaine. He was stabbed to death by a man after stepping out the restroom.
Later, the man stabbed a nurse who rushed over and was held by the security guard when he wa about to stab her again.
Genevieve and Timothy were thunderstruck by the devastating news.
Shortly after, the police rushed to the scene. They managed to trace the man's identity and details within a short span.
According to them, the man had been sustaining mental instability since his child drowned a yea ago. Not only that, his wife had divorced him two weeks ago. So he went berserk after discoverin that she seemed to be in a new relationship with a doctor in the hospital. Subsequently, he stabbed the doctor to death.
Even though the police revealed all the relevant evidence to Genevieve, she did not believe it.
While on the phone with Jermaine earlier, there was a loud buzzing. On the heels of that, the phone was hung up, and he was dead. She could not help feeling that everything was too sudden. It's just like what had happened previously!
Genevieve had a hunch Sylvie had manipulated the man to murder Jermaine.
Oblivious to everything, Timothy wondered why there was a drastic change in her countenance. He asked apprehensively, "Has anything happened?"
"Nothing." Genevieve shook her head.
The Zeigler family was not easy to deal with. Thus, she kept everything mum from Timothy. After all, she was afraid he would settle a score with Sylvie impulsively and place himself in deep water instead.
Chapter 645
Lucian was sensitive enough to realize that both men were at odds.
He pulled the door to the car open to clear the tension in the air. "It's freezing. Mr. Valentine, let's get into the car. Uncle Cooper, you should join us, too."
Cooper didn't want Amanda to freeze, so he waited until Lucian crawled into the car bcforc'he entered the car with Amanda in luis arms.
After placing the luggage in the trunk, Genevieve was about to get into the car when Cooper said, "Genev, you have a cold. Tell Mr. Valentine to drive the car. He slept over ten hours in the plana and needs to loosen up."
"My nose is stuffy, that's all." Jack was used to being waited upon, so there was no way Genevieve would let him drive the car.
In response, Cooper whipped his head around to stare at Jack. "Mr. Valentine, is this how you dote on my sister? She has a cold. Can't you drive the car?"
Instead of starting a fight with Cooper, Jack told Genevieve to sit in the passenger seat.
Cooper prepared a lot of sweets for the kids-fruit-flavored sweets, hard candy, and gummy
bears.
Lucian wasn't interested in candy, so he ate two and stopped. Amanda, however, kept all the candy for herself.
With her adorable looks and sweet words, she managed to cheer Cooper up. The stress that had been plaguing his heart for days faded away.
Feeling jealous, Jack asked, "Mandy, between me and your Uncle Cooper, who is more landsome?"
"Mr. Valentine, you're handsome enough to steal my heart!" Amanda shot him a lovely smile. "But for now, I think Uncle Cooper is the most handsome man!" Jack sighed. "Oh, you're heartless. I brought you up in vain.”
"When we return to Dartan, you'll be my favorite!" Amanda promised. "I'm cute and can cheer you up. You didn't bring me up in vain, right?"
"Yeah"
Hearing her comforting words, Jack stopped getting jealous.
Something occurred to Amanda. "Mommy, are we going home now? Will Aunt Jane come to visit me?"
She didn't notice the dejection in Cooper's eyes and added happily, "I love the doll Aunt Jane gave me!"
Recalling what happened to Jane, Genevieve felt a visceral pang of dismay and fell silent for a long while
A while later, she calmed herself down and responded, "Aunt Jane went somewhere far. She won't be back soon, but she misses you a lou."
Lucian glanced at her as he managed to catch the underlying meaning in her words.
Amanda wasn't as smart as him, so she assumed Jane had gone overseas for real. "It's fine. I shall wait for her return!"
I might come to Jadeborough ofren, so I'll definitely get to meet Aunt Jane soon!
It was noon by the time the car entered the city. Amanda glanced out of the window excitedly. her interest piqued.
Cooper had reserved a table at Golden Restaurant.
The children had tried Chanaean food in Dartan, but it was different from the food they were going to have today. They were impressed by the Chanacan food they got to try that day. Amanda loved one of the dishes-coconut balls. There were eight of them, and she alone gobbled up six.
Halfway through lunch, Jack received a call that he answered outside. He only returned around eight minutes later.
Returning to his seat beside Genevieve, he announced, "I'm going to Baykeep later and will be back tomorrow afternoon. I'm afraid I can't keep you company later."
"It's fine. Work is more important," Genevieve responded. She preferred spending time with the kids alone as she was still repulsed by his presence.
After lunch, Jack left.
Genevieve told Cooper to get back to work, for he would get plenty of opportunities to see the kids in the future. She wanted to bring them to the hospital to visit Johanna today. "Let's go, Sweeties!" Genevieve held their hands and brought them to the subway.
It was the weekend, so the subway was crowded. Genevieve keplan eye on them and entered the station using her digital wallet instead of letting Amanda buy tickets from the ticket machine. Suddenly, Lucjan turned at his shoulder. Genevieve asked curiously. "What's wrong, Luc?"
Lucian told her, "Someone is following us."
Chapter 646
"Yeab. They are our bodyluarus." Before Jack lelthe assigned two bodyguards to protect them in sccret.
Lucian's brows snapped together as lic glanced at the crowd behind them.
He was observant enough to think that the person following them wasn't one of their bodyguards. The person kept a distance from them and didn't seem to harbor any ill intention toward them. Lucian didn't want Genevieve to worry and didn't reveal his thoughts to her.
A few stops later, they arrived at the hospital.
Timothy had a surgery that day. The nurse told them that he had been in the operating room since morning. Thus, Genevieve brought the kids to Johanna's ward.
Amanda had never heard about Johanna. The latter was lying in bed peacefully with a protruding belly.
Unwilling to disturb her, Amanda asked softly, "Mommy, is Aunt Jojo sleeping?
Genevieve led the twins to the bed and responded gently, "Yes. Aunt Jojo is weak, so she has been sleeping here for some time. She's going to give birth to a baby soon." Amanda was confused. "If Aunt Jojo's sleeping, how will she give birth to a baby?"
Genevieve patted her head. "Aunt Jojo loves the baby, and the baby doesn't want to leave her, too. Thus, the baby grew up in her belly."
"Oh, I see." Amanda nodded even though she didn't really understand what was going on. "Were you asleep when you gave birth to Lucian and me?"
"No." However, Genevieve went through a lot to give birth to them.
As her eyes were red, Amanda flung her little arms around her legs and comforted her, "Mommy, don't cry. Aunt Jojo loves her baby, so she'll definitely wake up." Genevieve murmured a reply in the allirmative. "Why don't you talk to Aunt Jojo?"
Amanda nodded. She took Johanna's hand and said, "Aunt Jojo, I'm Mandy: I came here to visit you with Mominy today. She told me you're going to give birth to a baby soon. I'll give you my good luck so you can wake up soon."
She pressed her forehead to the back of Johanna's hand and prayed fervently.
Jušilike his father, Lucian was indifferent and didn't like physical contact.
He stood aside and watched the scene silently.
After leaving the hospital, Genevieve and the kids took the subway to various touristy spots
around Jadeborough. They bought so much stuff until their arms were laden with shopping bags.
When it was time to head back, Genevieve told the driver to head to a specific address.
She shot Amanda a mysterious smile. "There is a clessert shop that sells delicious desserts. Mandy, do you want to try some?"
"Sure!" Amanda gulped greedily. "Let's go there now, Mommy!"
Besides inheriting her musical talent from Genevieve, she was also a foodie, just like Genevieve. They loved dessert and would never get sick of it.
Genevieve pinched her flufly cheeks. "The delicious desserts are created by the owner of the shop. I heard that the owner went to further his studies recently, so I haven't got to try the desserts he created for some time. You might not be able to try his desserts even if we were to go there."
Amanda let out a disappointed sigh. Lowering her head, she clasped her hands together and made a wish. "I hope the owner of the shop is there now to make delicious desserts for me!" Lucian pursed his lips and reminded her, "Didn't you give your good luck to Aunt Jojo back in the hospitals"
"T-Then I shall get some back from her." Amanda wriggled her fingers cutely. "After we get to eat the desserts, I shall return my good luck to Aunt Jojo."
Lucian was speechless.
At the dessert shop, Amanda took one look at the name and told Genevieve, "I know that word! It means 'only one' in Frosan!"
A smile nudged Genevieve's lips as she pushed the door open so they could enter the shop.
"Ms. Rachford." It so happened that the waitress on duty that day was the same one who served Genevieve twice previously.
"Oh, your kids are cute!" she praised cheerfully. "What a coincidence. Our owner is here today for an inspection. He's in the kitchen now."
"Really?" Genevieve thought their trip wouldn't be worthwhile today.
Chapter 647
"Does that mean I can try the dessert made by the owner?" Amanda tilted her head. "Mommy. my wish came truc!"
The waitress led Genevieve into the shop and gave her the menu.
Genevieve remembered that the matcha millc crcpe that she tried last time was delicious, so she ordered the same thing and handed the menu to Amanda. "Lucian, what do you want?" Amanda asked.
"I'm not cating." Lucian wasn't interested in desserts, so he sat on the couch and played a game on his phone.
The table wasn't tall, so Genevieve poked her head over and realized he was playing the checkers game. She was both speechless and amused.
"You've been addicted to this game for quite a while, huh?" she commented.
Two months ago, Lucian was playing this game when she paid them a visit at Dartan. He was still playing this game stubbornly.
Amanda inched nearer to take a look at his phone. Smugly, she declared, "Lucian developed this game, but he isn't Daddy's match. Daddy's the best!"
Lucian slapped her head and harrumphed. "I allowed him to win so he wouldn't feel humiliated."
Amanda insisted, "You lost to Daddy. Stop putting up a tough front!"
"I'm better than you. All you do is cat every day," Lucian retorted. "You'll grow fat and ugly. No one will like you!"
Amanda's cheeks puffed up angrily. "I know many things! Lucian, you're just jealous that many people adore me."
Lucian snorted in disdain.
Genevieve felt an incoming headache when she realized their argument was about to escalate into a full-blown fight. She stopped them by saying, "If you continue lighting, I won't bring you out to have fun anymore."
Both children snorted at each other before returning to their obedient sclves.
Soon, the waitress served their desserts together with two cups of warm milk. "The owner wants your children to have this, free of charge."
Genevieve thanked her gratefully. She had a rood impression of the owner cven though she hadn't met him in person previously.
The owner treats his customers well, huh?
Amanda grabbed a cream puff from the plate and took a big bite.
"Wow, this cream puff is delicious!" she enthused.
I thought the coconut balls I had at lunch were prelly amazing. This cream puff is so much better than the ones I had previously!
Genevieve Trinncd. "Only thic desserts that the owner makes are delicious. You don't yet to cat them every time."
Amanda licked away the cream on her lips and announced, "I shall hire him! I'll offer him a high salary so he'll move to Dartan and make delicious desserts for me every day!"
"No! You have three pastry chefs back in Dartan," Genevieve refuted immediately. "I don't think he is in need of money, seeing that his shop is in this busy area."
Amanda sighed in disappointment before returning her attention to the cream pufl.
After Genevieve and the twins finished their desserts, the waitress gave them a box of palmiers. "Ms. Rachford, you reloaded your card in our shop, but we didn't give you anything. This box of palmiers is baked by the owner. They are individually packed and can be kept for a long time."
"Please thank the owner on my behalf," Genevieve said as she took the box of palmiers.
Not long after Genevieve and the kids stepped out of the dessert shop, a tall figure came out of the kitchen and headed to the cashier.
He was clad in a chef's uniform and a mask that covered half his face. The man had a pair of intense, dark eyes.
After inspecting the shop, he asked, "Did the customer take the box of palmiers?"
"Yes, she did." The waitress nodded. "The little girl praised your cream pufls. She said she'll be back next time to eat it."
Delight flashed across the man's gaze.
He told the waitresses to pack up so they could get off work earlier than usual to prevent getting stuck in the snow tonight. After that, he left through the back door.
It was eight thirty at night when the kids finally returned to Regality Gardens.
Genevieve had told Rosa to clear two guest rooms prior to their arrival. She found the kids adorable, especially the little boy, who bore some sort of resemblance to someone
Chapter 648
However, Rosa didn't ask about them.
11
Genevieve gave Kosa a monetary gili and told the latter to go on holiday
Lucian spotted the Lego blocks in the living room. Ile picked it up and showed it to Genevieve. "Mommy, did you pay a lot for this The sight of the Lego reminded Genevieve of the day she spent with Bruce previously.
As her heart clenched, her gaze turned icy. "No. My friend joined an event during Christmas and won the Lego set as the first prize." Amanda lifted her head to stare at Genevieve. "That's amazing! Mommy, who is this friend of yours?"
"Oh, just an ordinary friend." As Lucian was happily unboxing the Lego, Genevieve brought Amanda to the bathroom to wash up.
The next day, Genevieve woke up early to prepare breakfast for the kids.
Amanda was suffering from jet lag, so she was in a daze after waking up at nine in the morning.
Lucian ate breakfast early in the morning, and he was already building the Lego blocks in the living room.
After gobbling down a fried egg and a sandwich, Amanda turned to Genevieve. "Mommy, don't you have to go to work?"
"I hired employees to work in the company, so I'm not needed there." Genevieve was busy on her phone.
After reading some news, she blinked twice and told Ananda, "Your Uncle Cooper will come to pick me up later. We need to pay the art gallery a visit. Do you want to come with us?" Amanda was busy wondering how she should make Genevieve leave the house. Hearing that, she slumped her shoulders and put on a tired look. "No, I want to sleep at home." "All right." Genevieve didn't insist.
When Cooper arrived, Genevieve kissed the kids and told them to stay at home before she left with Cooper
The security was tight at Regality Gardens, so she wasn't afraid that the kids would be in danger.
After they left, Amanda went back to her room and changed into a dress that could keep her warm. She didn't forget to put on a wool hat. Skipping out, she urged, "Lucian, let's go!" "There are surveillance cameras everywhere. Ilow should we love?"
"With our legs!" Amanda tilted her head and shot him a look that seemed to chide him for being
a fool.
Lucian was speechless.
The little boy ended up spending some time hacking into the surveillance system of the building. When the staff was busy dealing with the problem clownstairs, he sncaked out with Amanda. Two bodyguards spotted the kids and went after them sccrctly.
Using her smartwatchi, Amanda brought Lucian to the subway station.
After entering the station, Lucian discovered that someone was following them again. He even got into the same subway as them.
"Lucian. what are you looking at?" As Lucian was glancing around warily, Amanda followed his gaze and soon spotted a tall figure.
Her eyes lit up as she hopped off her seat to head to the man. "Hey, Mr. Gable!"
The man squatted down and removed his mask. Flashing a pleasant smile, he greeted, "What a coincidence, Mandy. How did you recognize me?"
"You're too handsome, Mr. Gable!" Amanda responded cheekily. "I recognized you from your back!"
Amanda had a good impression of Bruce after their encounter at the skiing place. She dug a candy out of her bag and offered him one.
Lucian waved at the bodyguards who were keeping an eye on them before joining Amanda and Bruce. "Why did you follow us?" he asked.
Bruce had no idea he was this wary and sharp. "I happened to see you when I was taking the subway. I was afraid that you might run into danger and decided to follow you."
"What about yesterday?" Lucian demanded. His voice might sound childish, but his gaze was sharp
Bruce shook his head, "I was at home all day yesterday."
Amanda took Bruce's side. "Lucian, this is Uncle Cooper's friend. He's nice, so I trust him!"
Lucian glared at her. "You're foolish enough to side with him even if he betrays you one day!"
Amanda pouted unhappily.
Its okay to put your guard up, but you shouldn't be harsh to your sister," Bruce chided. He couldn't bear to see Amanda upscl. Lucian gaped incredulously.
I don't know him that well. We've only met once, but why does it feel like my dad is reprimanding me? This is strange.
Chapter 649
Patting Amanda's soft check, Bruce responded gently: "Mandy, you shouldn't trust me just because I'm your uncle's friend. I might be a bad guy. You need to put your guard up before your mommy and uncle's friends, understand?"
Amanda nodded obediently. She shot Bruce a stumped look. "Are you a bad guy, Mr. Gable? Can I still talk to you?"
Bruce chuckled. "Of course, you can."
Beaming, Amanda climbed onto a seat and told Bruce to sit next to her. She pulled out a piece of palmier from her bag and gave it to him.
"The owner of a dessert shop baked these for me. They are delicious!"
Before going to bed last night, Amanda ate one in secret. She also stuffed a few in her bag this morning.
Amanda stared at the palmier in Bruce's hand reluctantly and consoled herself, "It's so delicious that I don't want to share it with you. But you gave me a cute doll previously, and you're handsome. I can give you one, for there are still plenty back home."
Bruce took the pastry he baked, unsure of what he should feel right now. He didn't forget to thank Amanda, though.
The sight of her sweet smile made his worries and exhaustion fade away.
Amanda swung her legs and asked curiously, "Mr. Gable, aren't you a celebrity? Celebrities are ferried around in their minivans. Why are you taking the subway?"
"My minivan broke down," Bruce answered cheerfully. "I'm in a hurry to meet a friend, so I took the subway."
Amanda responded, "Oh, I see. Mr. Gable, ask where I am going!"
"Where are you and your brother going?"
"To find my daddy!" Amanda blinked her cyes and added smugly, "My daddy is handsome and rich! Of course, you're also handsome, Mr. Gable."
Bruce felt his heart expand when he heard his daughter praising him. His lips curved involuntarily as he responded, "Mm."
Lucian folded his arms and stared at Bruce as though the latter was a criminal.
Heleli strange to see Bruce gazing at Amanda adoringly. They had only met twice. Illy is he gazing al Mandy as though she was his daughter? Something seenus oll As they reached their station, Lucian hopped off his seat and took Amanda's hand. "We've arrived," he announced coolly.
Before leaving, Amanda turned at her shoulder and waved at Bruce, "Bye, Mr. Gable!"
Bruce grunted in acknowledgment and didn't look at her.
He was afraid that he would go after them and trigger Lucian's disgust.
Outside the subway station, Lucian hailed a taxi that brought them to Swallow Garden. A
The security guard thought they were residents who had fun outside, and their parents didn't come to pick them up, so he allowed them entry without asking any questions. They walked down the road and soon arrived at a gorgeous mansion.
Through the brown gate, Amanda spotted someone watering the flowers,
She yelled, "Mr. Gardener!"
Steven had come to Swallow Garden a while ago to wait for the kids. He got bored and went to water the roses in the garden.
Hearing Amanda's cute voice, he placed the watering can down and hurried to the gate.
The kids looked more adorable in person. Even their eyes were sparkling with curiosity. Oh, Lucian looks like Armand.
Lucian gazed at Steven. "Mister, why aren't you curious to see two strangers standing in front of your house?"
Steven grinncd. "I've met you before. I know your mom well."
Amanda's brows snapped together as she racked her brains to figure out who he was. Suddenly, she blurted out excitedly, "Oh, I know! You must be Steven Sullivan, my daddy's secretary, right?"
Chapter 650
"Yes. You're smart, Mandy." Steven nodded and brought them into the house.
Amanda observed the pretty and cozy house carefully. She also ran upstairs to look around. A while later, she ran back down.
Standing beside Lucian, she whispered solemnly, "Lucian, I think Daddy's still alive."
"You said that twice back in Dartan." Lucian wasn't surprised at all to hear that.
"Daddy isn't around anymore. If you see something that belongs to Daddy or Mommy in the room, the housekeeper must've just kept them instead of throwing them away. Daddy's dead," he added.
He read the news of how Armand perished in a plane crash. His body was found on the spot.
Amanda pouted unhappily and muttered under her breath, "I'm telling the truth. Daddy often appears in my dreams to tell me he misses me. Besides, I'm not sad when I'm at his house." In fact, her heart was filled with warmth. In the future, Lucian, Mommy, and I will move into this house with Daddy. Well cat together, and Daddy will read me stories to cheer me up. "That's because you miss Daddy too much." Lucian ruffled her hair to comfort her. "You can't accept the fact that he's dead."
Amanda wanted to protest, but she knew Lucian wouldn't believe her. Dejected, she said nothing else.
Steven brought two glasses of almond milk to the living room.
Amanda sipped on her almond milk and glanced at the oil painting hung on the wall. Giggling. she said, "Daddy has good taste. Look how he hung my painting in such an obvious spot!" "Of course. You did a good job painting it." Steven smiled. "Mr. Faulkner wants every guest to see your painting."
Amanda lit up. Eagerly, she offered, "I shall draw more paintings for Daddy when I'm free!
Suddenly, she decided to do something fun. "Mr. Sullivan, can you help me remove this painting?" she asked.
Steven nodded and took the painting down.
After Steven removed the frame from the painting. Amanda took it and ran upstairs without letting them know what she was up to. Over ten minutes later, she came downstairs and placed the painting in the frame before asking Sieven to hang it up.
She told him solemnly, "Mr. Sullivan, please make sure no one else but my daddy opens this painting!"
"Okay. I'll keep that in mind," Steven promised with a curt nod.
Meanwhile, Cooper and Genevieve were together.
Cooper was surprised to hear that she wanted to go to the art gallery. "You aren't interested in art. So why do you want to visit the art gallery all of a sudden?"
Back when he brought Genevieve to see the famous Mona Lisa painting at the Lusterg Museum of Art, she thought it was a waste of time to squeeze into a crowd just to see a painting. Genevieve shrugged. "I'm interested now. I want to improve my aesthetic skills."
Cooper was speechless.
Luna Art Gallery was located in the city center in a great location. The art gallery's outer walls were painted white, and its design was simple and sleek. There were two rows of trees leading to the cntrance.
The white building in the middle of the greenery didn't look out of place. Instead, it gave off a relaxed vibe.
Cooper followed Genevieve into the art gallery and flipped through the booklet given by the receptionist. After learning whose paintings were being exhibited, he shot Genevieve a look. No wonder she insisted on coming to the art gallery.
There was a new batch of paintings in the art gallery today. Some were the artworks of famous oil painters in the country, so many people showed up that day to see their paintings. Cooper wanted to see a famous artist's paintings and went on separate ways with Genevieve halfway through the exhibition.
With her bag slung on her arm, Genevieve stuck both hands into her pocket and strolled around the art gallery slowly to admire the paintings.
Soon, she came to a stop in front of one painting.
After observing it for a few minutes, Genevieve summoned an employee. She opened her bag and whipped out her card.
Giving her card to this employce, she stated, "I'd like to buy this painting."
"Sure." The employee told Genevieve the price and added, "We have a collaboration with a local children's charity. Three percent of the sales of every painting will be donated to the charity." "Oh, your boss is such a kind person," Genevieve replied with a grin. "I'll donate an extra two million to the local children's charity, then."
"Sure. Please wait for a moment." The employee took her card and left to process the purchase for her.
Genevieve remained before the painting and admired it silently. Occasionally, she would glance at her watch. I've spent a huge amount of money, so the boss must show up