Ch. 271..280

Chapter 271

At six, Alistair said he would come to pick her up, so Audrey didn't work overtime. But when she had everything packed and went downstairs, Alistair still hadn't arrived. She thought, 'He is actually late. That never happened before!'

Audrey glanced at her watch; fifteen minutes had already passed since their agreed time. She thought, 'Is something wrong?'

Just as Audrey was letting her imagination run wild, a familiar black SUV pulled up in front of her. The car door opened, and Alistair, dressed in a white shirt, stepped out.

Whether it was just her imagination or not, Audrey felt like Alistair looked even more handsome today than usual.

The man got out of the car, his back to the light, wearing a sleek, tailored white shirt and well-fitted trousers that hugged his strong legs. Tall and lean, he had an air of elegance and sophistication.

After looking closer, she noticed that not only was his hair meticulously styled, but he also wore the silver-rimmed glasses he usually kept stored away, which concealed his sharp eyes. His outfit was carefully chosen, complete with some expensive cufflinks. Audrey thought, 'Isn't that a bit too formal?' Audrey blinked in surprise and asked softly, "Why are you dressed so formally? Don't tell me you hired a stylist just for this dinner?"

When they parted ways this morning, he wasn't dressed like this. Alistair raised his hand to touch the tip of his nose, blinking somewhat awkwardly.

The driver nearby couldn't help but let out a low chuckle. The driver thought, 'Not only did Mr. Hayes style his hair, but he also spent a long time choosing his clothes.'

He not only chose a white shirt that fits well, but even his cologne is quite special.

Alistair didn't want to make such a big deal out of it. But then he recalled Violet mentioning over the phone about introducing Audrey to a dozen guys and even urging her to consider divorce.

He thought, 'No way am I going to lose face. Though I'm not sure why Violet seems to have a grudge against me. But my competitive spirit won't let me get outdone by those guys.'

With pride getting in the way, he didn't want to tell Audrey the truth and instead said, "Logan and I planned to attend a business event."

"Oh, that's how it is." Audrey nodded thoughtfully, not doubting him at all. She then asked self-reproachfully, "Did I mess up your plans?"

Alistair immediately responded, "It's

just a boring business gathering, so it's not a big deal if I don't

go.

friends are more important

Audrey raised her eyebrows and chuckled lightly, "Violet would be thrilled to hear that!"

Alistair suddenly leaned in and asked her tenderly, "And you, are you happy?"

Audrey's eyes sparkled with a genuine smile, "Of course, I'm happy."

After all, everything he did was for her. The two exchanged a knowing smile, and the atmosphere instantly turned sweet.

To keep the driver from gossiping, Alistair chose to drive himself, taking Audrey to the restaurant he had reserved earlier.

Audrey had mentioned that Violet loved food with blended tastes, so he made sure to reserve a table at Riverdale's most famous restaurant.

It was dinner time, and traffic was bustling outside the restaurant, with no parking spaces in sight.

Alistair, not wanting Audrey's friend to wait too long, suggested she go in first while he looked for a parking spot.

After getting out of the car, Audrey looked around but didn't see Violet. Just as she was about to call her, a clear voice rang out. "Audrey!"

Audrey turned and saw a blur

moving quickly towards her. It had

been a while since they last saw

each other, and meeting again filled them with excitement.

Violet spun her around in a warm hug before letting her go. Audrey reached up to tidy her hair that the wind had messed up, her smile never leaving her face. "I was running a bit late, thought you'd be

here before me," Audrey said.

Violet fidgeted with her short hair, shaking her head slightly, lips parted as she said, "I was waiting for someone and got delayed a bit."

"Waiting for someone?" Audrey raised a confused eyebrow, only then noticing a man standing behind Violet.

Chapter 272

The man wore a long trench coat, open at the front, and the muscles under his black shirt were faintly visible. His hair fell softly, making him look like a gentle giant, but his gaze was filled with a captivating intensity. Audrey raised an eyebrow in surprise and nudged Violet, exclaiming, "Your boyfriend? Wow, Violet, you didn't even tell me you were dating someone!"

Violet waved her hand excitedly and said, "What boyfriend? I called him here to back you up!"

Audrey was completely puzzled. Violet rubbed her hands together and said, "Isn't this just your type? A sophisticated six-foot-one guy, slim in clothes but muscular underneath!"

She playfully hooked Audrey's shoulder without hesitation and said, "How about it, handsome, right? And he's got a six-pack, definitely more impressive than your plain-looking husband!"

Audrey was speechless. She previously thought Violet's talk of introducing her to a male model was just a joke. She thought, 'Who would have thought this girl was serious? If Alistair sees this...' Just thinking about it makes her scalp tingle. Unaware of the situation, Violet chuckled and waved the male model over, saying playfully, "David, come and say hi to Audrey!"

The male model stepped forward, politely reaching out to shake Audrey's hand.

"No, that's not necessary!" Audrey took a firm step back as if she were avoiding some dreadful catastrophe, her face full of fear.

"Violet, stop being ridiculous and hurry up, get that guy out of here," Audrey said. She grabbed Violet's arm, keeping a safe distance from that male model.

Violet thought she was just being shy and teased with a laugh, "Oh come on, Audrey, you're married now, but you still act like a little girl? Eating and loving are natural. There's no need to feel embarrassed!"

Audrey tugged at the corners of her mouth in silence. She wasn't embarrassed; she was afraid for her life.

Not understanding at all, Violet continued laughing, a hint of teasing in her eyes, and joked, "We find men to make ourselves happy, right?"

"Why stick with one unattractive dude when you can have new excitement every day? What, don't you find today's hottie attractive enough?" she added.

Audrey was so frustrated she wished she could mute Violet.

Violet continued with even more enthusiasm, beating her chest to assure, "He's the type that lots of young girls adore these days, really popular. Plus, his physique and skills in bed are a hundred times better than your husband's."

"Audrey, take my advice: dump that embarrassing husband of yours, and with guys like this, you can have as many as you want... uh!" Violet yelled. Violet's rambling wasn't finished before Audrey quickly covered her mouth.

Violet looked at Audrey with wide-eyed confusion, only to realize Audrey wasn't looking at her at all but at something behind her, her face turning a bit pale. Violet thought, 'Who is she looking at? Why can't I just say it?'

Violet, full of curiosity, pushed Audrey's hand away from her mouth and turned to follow her gaze. With just one look, she was astounded, her eyes widening in awe. Not far away, a distinguished man approached, wrapped in the glow of the moon.

Under the moonlight, the man was as graceful as jade, with silver-rimmed glasses on his nose, exuding a refined charm. His facial features were impeccably flawless.

His steps were calm and poised,

seemingly effortlessly elegant, yet

he carried an air of natural

superiority. As the man walked. closer against the light, his innate sharpness became more pronounced.

Violet wondered, 'Isn't this guy just top-notch? From Violet's discerning perspective, this man had virtually no flaws. While marveling at seeing such a perfect man today, Violet also felt a bit regretful.

She thought, 'If it weren't for the subtle aura of coldness keeping people at bay, he'd be quite a catch. I am definitely going to get a business card for Audrey.'

Chapter 273

As Alistair walked closer, he looked at Audrey without saying a word, his eyes filled with a cool detachment and aloofness.

Seeing his somber face, Audrey felt her heart skip a beat. Unaware of the situation, Violet foolishly kept staring at Alistair, nudging Audrey with her elbow and mumbling.

"Audrey, if you don't like the male model I brought, this guy isn't bad either. Hurry up and divorce that awful husband of yours. There are so many handsome guys out there. Don't miss out on the whole forest for one crooked tree," Violet said. Audrey thought, 'Please stop, I'm begging you.' Audrey wished she could just drop dead on the spot. To save her fragile marriage, she had no choice but to walk up to Alistair. She was just about to explain. But instead Violet disrupted her. "Audrey." Violet grabbed her hand, smiling with pride.

"You really played it smart today. If you'd done this sooner, that pretty-boy husband of yours would have been out of the picture long ago. I finally get it-you never brought him to see me because he's not worth showing off!" Violet said. Audrey felt a headache coming on. She thought, 'I am bound to be doomed by my best friend sooner or later.'

With a smile that didn't reach his eyes, Alistair glanced down at his young wife, who looked regretful, and calmly asked, "I'm not worth showing off?"

Audrey was speechless and thought, 'It's not my business. Don't ask me!' She hadn't even figured out how to smooth things over yet.

There Violet went, speaking without thinking. "No, handsome, don't misunderstand. I'm not saying you're not presentable. With your striking looks and charm, there's no way you're not! I'm talking about Audrey's husband, the country bumpkin."

"But handsome, don't underestimate

our Audrey just because she's been married. She was just unlucky to be tricked by a smooth talker. Actually, Audrey is very simple-hearted and sincere about her feelings. You definitely won't regret it," Violet added.

Listening to Violet's words, Alistair chuckled softly, giving no definite

response. Audrey's face instantly went stiff. To stop things from. getting worse, she reluctantly.

rushed over to cover Violet's mouth again.

"Stop talking! If you keep it up, my husband is going to kill someone," Audrey said.

Violet blinked in confusion, her large eyes shifting back and forth between Alistair and Audrey a few times. Once she understood what the words meant, her pupils suddenly widened.

The atmosphere became awkward and tense. Even Violet, who was usually great with smart remarks, was left completely speechless like a duck with its tongue removed. Ultimately, it was Alistair who broke the silence, saying, "It's chilly outside. Let's head into the restaurant." Then he gently guided Audrey inside, his arm around her shoulder.

David, the model, quickly noticed

things were off and said, "Violet, I just remembered I have something at home need to head out. Let's meet up another time!" Without giving Violet a chance to respond, he ran off without looking back.

Watching his committed escape, Violet stomped her foot, mumbling, "Such an unreliable guy!"

Violet thought, 'With such a flimsy excuse, I'm definitely not inviting him out next time.' Violet brushed her finger against her nose, trying to act casual.

Too bad it all fell apart in a second, and she nearly tripped over her own feet. She thought, 'This is so embarrassing. Can we even enjoy the meal now? Could this be the last meal before an execution?'

Chapter 274

Feeling nervous and unsure, Violet was about to follow them into the restaurant. Once inside, the three of them sat down.

Violet sat alone on the opposite side, wishing she could disappear from the awkwardness. When she's embarrassed, she tends to distract herself with random tasks.

Sitting with her legs together and hands on her knees, she gave an awkward laugh, then almost instinctively grabbed a napkin to clumsily wipe the table.

As she wiped, she suddenly paused, not understanding why she felt the need to clean the table in a fancy restaurant.

Throwing the napkin into the trash, Violet glanced at the man next to Audrey and, with a nervous cough, started to break the ice. "Uh... sorry about earlier, I didn't know you were Audrey's husband. You two really look great together," Violet said. Audrey, not wanting Violet to feel awkward, joined in. "Don't mind Violet. She's just straightforward. She tends to be impulsive, but she means no harm."

"She was just worried I'd get hurt, so she came up with that silly idea. But really, it was all talk. We never acted on it!" Audrey explained.

She thought, 'I really didn't go looking for any male models or anything.'

Alistair glanced at her, noticing her anxious and guilty expression, her wide eyes full of worry. He let out a small sigh, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. To be honest, he was a bit upset.

But he didn't want to put Audrey in a tough spot, so even though he was still a bit upset inside, he pretended to be okay. "I know. I'm not mad," he answered.

Hearing this, Violet breathed a sigh of relief. If she caused a rift between the couple because of her, she would be the one to blame.

Even though all three had their own thoughts during the meal, it still ended up being an enjoyable time for everyone. Alistair took the initiative to pay the bill.

As the man walked away, Violet immediately stood up and quickly moved to Audrey's side, excitedly grabbing her arm. "Audrey, is this guy an actor you hired to make me feel better?" Violet asked.

It's not Violet's fault for being

skeptical. Alistair really was just too exceptional in every aspect. He was like the ideal man straight out of a movie. Not only was he incredibly handsome, but he also took great care of people.

Throughout the meal, he was either serving Audrey food or offering her coffee, water, and napkins, attending to her every need. Violet thought, 'Can one really find such a perfect guy from a quick marriage these days?'

Audrey rolled her eyes dramatically and quipped, "With your wild imagination, you shouldn't be doing experiments. You should be writing novels. You'd definitely become a hit."

The tone made it clear he was definitely her husband. Once she was sure of it, Violet jokingly said, "After years of bad luck, you've finally hit the jackpot with this amazing husband."

Audrey wholeheartedly agreed with this sentiment. She had often felt grateful that when she decided to rush into a quick marriage, the person she met was Alistair.

Seeing Audrey's happy face made

Violet smile contentedly. "No wonder you weren't interested in the male model I brought along. Audrey, your husband looks like he's got to be at least 6'3" tall, right?" Violet said.

After all, once you've tasted the finer things, it's hard to go back to the basics. Audrey pursed her lips and chuckled softly, "No, he's 6'2"."

Violet, who was always nosy, couldn't resist. She leaned over and whispered to Audrey, "They say tall guys are usually great in bed. How about yours? Does he satisfy you?" Audrey's face turned bright red upon hearing this.

Chapter 275

Violet was unlike the demure, shy girls others imagined. She was bold and fierce, with no sense of inhibition or shyness. She could say anything and liked to tell dirty jokes.

Seeing Audrey's lack of response, Violet became even more excited, grinning mischievously. "Why are you blushing, Audrey? You've been married for so long but act like a naive girl. Could your husband be lacking?" Violet said. Audrey was badgered into embarrassment by Violet but didn't want anyone to misunderstand Alistair. So, she hesitantly replied, "He's not lacking. He's... okay, I guess." She couldn't bring herself to brag about Alistair's abilities in bed. "Just okay?" Violet was clearly a bit doubtful and said, "Didn't expect him to be more bark than bite. I thought he was intense, but can't he make you happy?"

"That's enough!" Audrey's face turned bright red as she quickly covered Violet's mouth.

They thought they were speaking quietly, but Alistair, who had just finished paying, happened to hear everything. Afraid that the two of them would embarrass themselves again in front of him, he chose not to approach them right away. Seeing that Audrey was genuinely embarrassed, Violet decided not to continue talking about it. Just then, she received a text from her lab advisor asking her to come back and fix some data.

The downside of conducting experiments is that you have to be available all the time.

Once Violet made sure that Audrey was doing well, she felt at ease. Patting Audrey on the shoulder like a proud father, she said, "Take care of things with your husband. I'm heading back to the lab."

Audrey raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You're going back to the lab this late?" she asked. She had wanted to go shopping with Violet.

Violet chuckled and raised an eyebrow, saying, "That's right. I'm off now, so I won't interrupt your romantic evening."

"You're talking nonsense again," Audrey huffed and gave her a nudge.

Violet laughed, dodging as she stood up, glanced behind them, and nudged Audrey's shoulder. "Alright, your husband's here. I really have to go now."

Audrey turned around and saw Alistair standing not too far away. She thought he had just arrived and gave him a charming smile.

The two walked Violet to the door together. Alistair politely asked, "Do you need us to give you a ride?"

Violet waved her hand and pointed to a ride-share car pulling up nearby. "No need, my car's here."

"Travel safe. See you next time." Audrey waved at Violet from the car. With the window halfway down, Violet gave a quick wave before closing it. Audrey finally turned away, linking arms with Alistair. "Let's head home too," she said.

"Okay," he said, gently interlocking his fingers with hers.

On the way, Audrey wanted to clearly explain today's

misunderstanding to Alistair. But he was focused on driving. Not wanting to disturb him, she decided to wait until they were home.

Once they finally got back to the parking garage of their apartment complex, Audrey had just unbuckled her seat belt when she suddenly felt dizzy Alistair suddenly leaned

closer, enveloping her in hisvel:

powerful presence.

The next second, she felt the seat recline, and Alistair quickly captured her lips in a fervent kiss. His breath was right there, intimately entangled with hers, as if every bit of her breath was drawn in by him.

Audrey could clearly feel that this kiss was fiercer than any before.

 

Chapter 276

Audrey felt a bit uneasy inside, but she didn't push him away. But at the crucial moment, Alistair stopped.

He buried his head in the crook of her neck, gazing at her with deep eyes, his voice hoarse and sexy. "Audrey, tonight I'm going to show you just how much I'm capable of." Audrey's pupils trembled as she suddenly realized that Alistair had overheard Violet's teasing remarks.

"Wait..." Audrey tried to explain. But before she could speak, she felt herself being lifted as the man carried her out of the car.

The next day, when Audrey woke up, daylight was already streaming through the windows, brightening up the entire head of the bed.

She turned slightly, trying to get up, only to feel as if her whole body had been run over, sore, and completely drained of energy.

She gasped, staring blankly at the ceiling, with just one thought in her mind. She thought, 'My back is broken!'

Alistair, like a ravenous wolf, couldn't get enough of her, all the while nibbling on her ear and asking if he was capable.

Just thinking about that scene made Audrey blush and feel tingly all over. Audrey thought, 'Next time I see Violet, I swear I'd leave her speechless. Otherwise, the consequences will be severe.' After lying down for another half hour, Audrey couldn't stay in bed any longer and struggled to get up.

While brushing her teeth, she caught a glimpse of her tired face in the mirror, her lips swollen, and her collarbone covered in a cluster of red marks.

Out of sight, out of mind-she quickly put on a turtleneck sweater and went downstairs.

As soon as she got downstairs, even before reaching the living room, the delightful aroma of food hit her. After a whole night of sex, the smell made her stomach growl with hunger.

Seeing that he stayed home from work and was busy in the kitchen, Audrey's frustration eased a little. At least he didn't just leave her alone.

She was about to move to the dining table when she heard footsteps behind her. Sunny seemed to appear out of nowhere and hugged her waist.

"Ouch..." Audrey's waist was already hurting, and the sudden hug made her face tense with pain, causing her to stop moving. Sunny was clearly startled and immediately stepped back looking at her with worry and fear.

Audrey quickly reassured Sunny, ignoring her pain for a moment. "Sunny, don't worry. It's not your fault. Mommy's just not feeling well." Sunny hesitated, blinking as he kept his distance, afraid to get any closer.

Audrey sighed and just as she was about to rub her waist, a pair of hands reached over and gently supported her, applying light pressure. Smelling the familiar scent of his aftershave, her eyes narrowed as she turned and gave him a fierce look, accusing him, "It's all your fault!"

She had cried so much last night that her voice was now hoarse, making her sound less intimidating and more like she was whining. Alistair accepted the scolding with a good-natured smile. "Yes, it's all my fault. It won't happen again. Want me to carry you over?"

"No way!" Audrey glanced back at Sunny and nudged Alistair behind her with her elbow. "The kid's here, act properly. Have some shame!" Audrey called out.

"Sure, whatever my wife says is right," Alistair gently coaxed her, guiding her to sit at the dining table.

Only then did Audrey turn to Sunny, patting the seat next to her. "Sunny, come eat breakfast with me, okay?"

Sunny silently observed her for a good while. Seeing no more pain in her expression, he finally walked over, climbing onto the stool on his tiptoes.

"Such a good boy." Audrey couldn't resist the temptation and raised her hand to pinch his chubby little cheeks.

At the dining table, Alistair was very attentive, almost wanting to feed Audrey himself. Seeing him so

had already disappeared.

thoughtful, most of Audrey me

But before she could enjoy being happy for too long, Alistair, who had just put down his utensils, said "Audrey, I have to go on a business

one

trip in a few days."

 

Chapter 277

Audrey was taken by surprise for a moment and asked, "Why so suddenly..."

Since they got married, except for the time Sunny relapsed, Alistair had never left her.

Alistair explained, "There's an issue in Willowdale that I need to go and deal with."

Since it was work, she couldn't really say anything more.

Audrey composed herself and asked, "How many days will you be gone?"

Alistair frowned, thought for a moment, and shook his head, saying, "Not sure yet, but I'll try to get back as soon as possible." Hearing this, Audrey thoughtfully asked, "When's your flight? Do you need me to help pack your luggage?"

Eager to rise and help, she tried to stand but was still too weak, and her vision spun as she sat back down.

A glimmer of tenderness flashed in Alistair's eyes as he secretly regretted being too intense last night.

Holding her shoulders, he softly said, "Just rest well. I've taken care of everything."

Upon hearing this, Audrey felt a moment of emptiness, realizing he'd already decided to travel and was only letting her know now.

Alistair assumed she didn't want him to leave, tousling her hair helplessly, and added, "In a couple of days, a guest might come over, so I'll have to trouble you to entertain him." 'A guest?' Audrey wondered.

She looked up at Alistair in confusion. "What guest?"

Hearing Alistair mention that a guest might be coming over, Audrey instinctively felt a bit nervous.

She wondered, 'What if his parents come from Willowdale and I am home alone? How should I deal with it?'

Alistair didn't know why Audrey was nervous, so he honestly said, "I found a child psychologist for Sunny. She's awesome. I've been searching for a long time and recently contacted her. She should be returning from abroad in the next couple of days." Audrey wanted to say that with her skills, she could gradually help Sunny through their daily interactions. She was confident about it.

But thinking about how Alistair had been in touch with this person for a while meant that person must be quite capable.

Having another person to treat Sunny was also a good thing, so she agreed to host this guest for Alistair.

The company was going through a rough patch lately, and after Alistair went on a business trip, Audrey was busy too.

At first, she didn't notice much difference without Alistair around.

Sunny had professional care and she came home to a hot meal every day.

But when the night was silent, lying alone in bed, she felt like there was an emptiness next to her.

Her longing for Alistair came over her like a wave.

On the weekend, Alistair still hadn't come back.

Audrey and Sunny sat at home, feeling a bit bored.

Realizing she hadn't visited her parents in some time, Audrey suddenly felt inspired and asked

Sunny, "Hey Sunny, want to join me for a meal at your grandparent's place?" en FindNovel

'Join for a meal?' Sunny didn't quite get what that meant. But seeing Audrey's excitement, he nodded obediently.

Audrey joyfully ruffled his little head and said with a smile, "Hold on a minute. I'm going to call your grandma."

There was a concern that Jessica

might not fully understand Sunny and there might be

misunderstandings or adjustments during their time together.

Before visiting, Audrey made sure to call Jessica and inform her about some of Sunny's details.

Jessica had met Sunny once before.

She used to think this kid was just a bit withdrawn, but when she found out he was autistic, her heart went out to him.

For a moment, she didn't care that

Sunny was Alistair's ex's son, and she reminded Audrey, "Remember to stay safe when you come over. I'll have something delicious ready for you at home."

"Thanks, Mom," said Audrey.

 

Chapter 278

After hanging up, Audrey dressed Sunny in a cool casual outfit and took him out.

Jessica immediately put on an apron and started preparing to cook.

Before heading into the kitchen, she glanced at Miles, who was playing on his phone, and said, "Miles, Audrey is coming over with Sunny. Go get some fruit and bring out those fun toys Trevor made. Make sure Sunny has a good time." Hearing this, Miles frowned unhappily, "I'm not going. That kid isn't even blood-related to Audrey. Aren't you worried you'll end up raising another Eliza by treating him so well?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Jessica's expression turned stern as she shouted angrily, "How can you compare Sunny with Eliza?"

Miles noticed her anger and felt a bit intimidated, yet he still stubbornly argued, "Why can't I compare them? We used to think Eliza was our family too and see how that turned out. I bet Sunny is just another ungrateful brat." Jessica was furious. She raised her hand and threw the tomato she was holding right at his head, scolding, "Shut your mouth! If you dare say this in front of Audrey and Sunny, I'll beat you up!"

Miles snorted and took a bite out of the tomato instead.

Jessica couldn't bring herself to mention Sunny's autism, so she sighed helplessly, "Even though Sunny isn't Audrey's biological child, he still calls her mom now.

"Then he is Audrey's son and my grandson. If you dare to say anything to upset him, I'll have to teach you a lesson!"

"Alright. I get it," Miles said reluctantly under pressure. Then he whispered, "He hasn't even officially come in yet, and he's already your grandson. Humph, you women change your minds so quickly!" She used to say she didn't like Sunny.

Jessica poked her head out of the kitchen and said, "What are you muttering about? Go take the toys out, and then go buy some fruit."

"Got it. I'm on it," Miles responded, carried a few wooden toy carvings from his room, tossed them on the sofa, and then asked Jessica for money to buy fruit.

Jessica said the money was in the drawer of the coffee table, but Miles searched everywhere and still couldn't find it.

Jessica scolded, "If I come out and find the money, I'm going to twist your ear off!"

She wiped her hands, came out of

Shef

the kitchen, and pulled open the drawer. With a quick swipe, a stack of cash.

Swcontent

Miles felt guilty and his eyes shifted nervously as he said, "I really didn't see it just now."

Jessica sneered, about to criticize him, but then she noticed a piece of paper sticking out from under the coffee table. "What is this?" Jessica asked.

Finding it odd, Jessica stood up to pull out the paper stuck under the coffee table leg.

Miles's expression changed, and he instinctively blurted out, "Mom, it seems like something's burning in the kitchen!"

He said this quickly, panic on his face as he tried to grab the paper from Jessica's hand.

Sensing pulled

thethemething was off, Jessica

paper out forcefully and

then she discovered a folded.

belongs to en.kikistoriet

paper under the table.

'It's over! I'm screwed!' thought Miles.

Miles felt his vision dim, took two silent steps back, and thought about running away.

"Stop!" After seeing all the test

papers with failing grades, Jessica's eyes widened in anger. "You little

brat! Your grades are failing, yet you told me the results weren't out!"

The more Jessica spoke, the angrier she got. She grabbed a feather duster and swung it at Miles.

 

Chapter 279

Ten minutes later, Audrey arrived at the Harper residence with Sunny.

She paused for a moment when she saw Miles opening the door, his face swollen.

"What happened? Did you get into a fight? How did you end up looking like this?" asked Audrey.

Too embarrassed to admit he'd been beaten by his mom for failing his exams, Miles stuttered, "No fight. I just... tripped."

Words failed Audrey. She thought, 'So unbelievable! Tripped and ended up with a face like that?'

Seeing the doubtful look on Audrey's face, Miles quickly changed the topic. "Audrey, didn't you say you were bringing someone over? Where is he?" Miles didn't want to go into detail, and Audrey didn't press further. She looked down with a smile and said, "Here he is. Sunny, say hi to Uncle Miles."

Upon hearing Audrey's words, Miles looked down at the little one he had completely overlooked.

Sunny was naturally adorable, and today he was dressed in an incredibly cute bunny outfit.

When he heard Audrey mention saying hello, he obediently held Audrey's hand with one hand and clutched a lollipop with the other.

As he looked up at Miles, his eyelashes fluttered unconsciously, making him look both cute and innocent.

Miles, who had initially wanted to make a stern impression, was stunned.

He could not possibly bring himself to scold someone so soft and cute.

While Miles was sizing up Sunny, Sunny was also cautiously observing Miles.

Seeing Miles's bruised face reminded Sunny of his own childhood.

'Back then, I would have a lollipop every time I got beaten. Uncle Miles got beaten up so badly. He probably wants a lollipop, right?' thought Sunny. With that in mind, Sunny suddenly stepped forward and placed his lollipop into Miles's hand.

Then he quickly retreated to Audrey's side, sticking close to her.

Miles, suddenly holding an extra lollipop, was confused. He wondered, 'What's happening? Is this little guy trying to win me over with candy?'

Miles sighed with a sense of resignation. As the saying went, gifts blinded the eyes. He would let it slide today.

Taking the lollipop, Miles sighed silently and welcomed Sunny into the house, showing off his prized collection.

Even though he had many toys at home, Sunny had never seen so many handcrafted ones.

He was amazed, eagerly waiting for Miles to show him how to play.

Even though Sunny didn't say a word, Miles felt really proud and started teaching Sunny how to play with the tangram, step by step. Even though they didn't seem close, the atmosphere was still harmonious.

Watching the scene unfold, Audrey couldn't help but smile.

At their first meeting, Sunny was able to interact with Miles independently. She thought that was a good start.

With Miles looking after Sunny, Audrey took the opportunity to assist Jessica in the kitchen.

Seeing Audrey come in, Jessica quickly said, "The kitchen's quite smoky. Why don't you go watch TV? I can handle it myself."

"How have Trevor and Dad been lately?" Audrey rolled up her sleeves, started washing the vegetables at the sink, and asked about Peter and Trevor. Jessica's eyes twinkled with a warm smile as they started talking about daily life.

Jessica said, "Your dad's company hasn't been doing well lately, so he has to work overtime to earn money. He won't be able to join us for dinner tonight.

"Trevor's job is improving. He even got a big contract from another state and left for a business trip yesterday. It'll be just the four of us for dinner tonight, so I only made three dishes and a pot of soup."

QUMS

"That's good enough," Audrey said, casting a glance at the dishes. She grabbed the vegetables to wash and added, "I's Dad's job taking a toll on him? Long drives can be tough If it's getting too much, he might want to consider a different job?"

Chapter 280

Jessica knew what Audrey was worried about and chuckled, "Your dad's been a driver for ages. It's what he knows, but don't fret. He looks after himself and gets plenty of rest. If the job ever gets too grueling, he's not above calling it quits."

"That's good." Audrey didn't push further.

As they talked about these family matters, Audrey felt an unprecedented sense of peace.

The aroma of the steaks simmering in the pot filled the kitchen as Audrey picked through vegetables. Thinking about the bruises on Miles's face, she cautiously asked, "What happened to Miles's injuries? Is someone at school picking on him?" Bringing this up, Jessica couldn't help but sigh, "Is that what he told you?"

Audrey shook her head. "No, he said he fell, but those bruises look more like someone hit him. I'm afraid he's being picked on at school and keeps it to himself, not wanting to cause us any distress."

Jessica chuckled, "He's just too embarrassed to tell you."

Audrey raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's going on?"

"I'm the one who gave him those bruises..." Jessica sighed and explained the whole situation to Audrey.

With everything clear, Audrey was rendered speechless.

Jessica wiped her hands and said softly, "I didn't mean to be hard on him. I was just frustrated that he tried to hide his test paper instead of owning up to his mistakes.

"Miles is not stupid. In fact, he's smarter than Trevor. He's just been preoccupied with looking after me, which has affected his schoolwork."

Jessica's voice turned somber as she spoke, a tinge of guilt in her words. "Truth is, I've been what's been holding him back. I'm doing much better now, but with the SAT right around the corner, I'm worried Miles might not make it this time..." Seeing the guilt on Jessica's face, Audrey comforted her, "We're family. No one's holding anyone back. We still have some time before the SAT. I can help with some tutoring for Miles and see if he can catch up."

A flicker of joy appeared in Jessica's eyes when she heard this.

But then, her face clouded with concern. "Wouldn't that be a lot to ask of you? You've got enough on your plate with work."

Audrey patiently explained, "It's no trouble. I still remember most of the high school stuff, so I can help Miles get a basic understanding."

"If he has a chance to succeed this year, we can hire a tutor to help him, so he won't waste a whole year," Audrey said.

"Sounds good," Jessica thought it

over and realized it made sense. She couldn't contain her excitement as she urged Audrey, "Go and see if there's still a way to help Miles. I can handle the kitchen myself

Knowing Jessica had a quick temper, Audrey chuckled and left the kitchen just as she was told.

In the living room, Miles was playing with Sunny on the couch.

Audrey didn't disturb them. Instead, she picked up the test papers from the coffee table and started to look through them.

Initially, she thought Miles was having trouble with the basics, but after thoroughly checking the test paper, she noticed something was wrong.

Miles was losing points on the basic

questions, the simplest ones, but he was getting the complex problems right at the end, with a very clear thought process.

It was clear that Miles was purposely controlling his scores.

Audrey didn't understand why he was doing this, so she simply put the test paper in front of Miles and said, "Explain this."

Miles's eyes flickered as he rubbed

the back of his head and said,ē

"Audrey, I just wasn't focused during

the test, so I didn't pass. Don't worry. I I'll read the questions carefully next time."

'You little rascal, still not telling the truth!' thought Audrey.

Audrey shook her head, her eyes piercing. "Were you not reading the questions carefully, or were you just pretending to hold back?" Miles widened his eyes in shock.

He was taken aback and said, "Audrey, how did you figure that out..."

Halfway through his sentence, Miles suddenly realized he was giving himself away, so he immediately stopped talking.