Ch. 221..230

Chapter 221

At the entrance of the villa, there were two bodyguards in suits and sunglasses. They were like two green pines, standing motionlessly on both sides of the door. Rose walked up to the entrance and was shocked to see the two bodyguards.

She recognized them. They were the Ares family's main bodyguards. They would usually follow Grand Old Master Ares wherever he went.

If Grand Old Master Ares was visiting, something big must have happened.

Rose hesitated whether or not to enter. Very soon, Jay Ares had caught up to her. When he saw the two bodyguards, he furrowed his brows unconsciously.

"I don't think I'll go in, Sir Ares." Rose turned and headed toward the garden to her right, but Jay suddenly reached out and grabbed her hand.

"Grand Old Master is here. Perhaps he wants to discuss with you regarding Baby Robbie's custody," Jay said.

Rose could guess Grand Old Master Ares's intentions as well, but she did not want to talk to him at all. She looked at Jay, a look of hesitation in her eyes. "Do you think he's here to discuss with me?" From her tone, he could tell that she meant that negatively.

Jay replied, "You can't solve a problem by running away from it!"

Rose retorted, slightly enraged, "You Ares and your hegemony ideals. There's no problem that you guys can't solve with money. But I'm not like that. So don't you dare try to use the money to buy Baby Robbie's custody!"

Jay nodded, his gaze lighting up with a gentle smile. "You hate us in the Ares family, but for problems that we can't solve with money, we have other ways to solve it."

Rose retorted indignantly, "Regardless, I will never hand Baby Robbie's custody to you." As soon as she finished speaking, she squared her chest and pushed the doors open boldly.

Grand Old Master Ares was sitting on the couch, playing a game with the kids. The cold eagle eyes of the ruthless businessman were currently filled with adoration and joy as if he were just an ordinary old

man.

Many people were in the room as well, and so were Jay's parents and younger sister.

When he saw Rose and Jay walk in, Grand Old Master Ares shot the nearby maid a look. The maid immediately rushed forward and led the three children upstairs.

Grand Old Master Ares smoothened his shirt which had been wrinkled by the kids, and the adoring smile was replaced with a stern expression.

"Go wait in the garden, all of you. I want to have a private chat with Miss Loyle," Grand Old Master Ares ordered.

Jay wanted to say something, but he was promptly interrupted by Grand Old Master Ares. "You too, Lil' Jay." Jay cast a worried glance at Rose. Josephine walked over to him and started dragging him out.

"Brother, let's go!"

Now, only Rose and Grand Old Master Ares remained in the room. He turned his sharp gaze toward her.

Rose was slightly taken aback.

Grand Old Master Ares and her grandfather used to be good friends. When she was a child, she always saw him around, and every time he saw her, he was full of smiles and had a doting appearance as if she were his granddaughter.

However, he was only close to Angeline Severe. To Rose Loyle, he was a stranger.

"Miss Loyle, you should know why I'm here."

"Mm." Rose nodded nervously.

"I'm grateful that you gave birth to two adorable children for the Ares family. As compensation, I will give you two billion dollars. However, you have to return Baby Robbie's custody to the Ares family." His tone implied that he would not take no for an answer.

Rose's lips quivered, but before she could speak, Grand Old Master Ares interrupted her. "I know you have your morals, and you won't be willing to accept this money. However, you have no say in this."

"Grand Old Master Ares!"

He interrupted her cruelly. "Don't try to bargain with me. There's no point."

His forceful attitude frustrated her.

She might be gentle, but she was not weak. When she was being bullied, even a small sheep like her would lose her temper.

Chapter 222

Chapter 222

"I can't accept it." Rose protested sulkily.

Grand Old Master Ares looked at Rose in a new light. Not only did she not want the two billion, but she also had the audacity to protest.

He leaned forward and spoke in a gentle yet slightly threatening tone, "Then you won't get a single cent, and at the same time, you'll lose custody of your child."

Rose stared at him, her eyes full of hatred. She challenged him in a provocative tone, "Grand Old Master Ares, you can use all sorts of ways to try and rob me of Baby Robbie's custody rights, but you'll never convince me to hand him over to the Ares family."

His gaze turned colder. "I don't need you to be convinced."

"If I'm not willing to hand him over, what's the difference between you and a thief?" Rose replied, her voice full of spite.

Grand Old Master Ares angrily slammed his fist onto the coffee table, causing the teacups to fall and shatter.

Jay heard a loud thud coming from inside the house. He quickly ran inside.

He saw Grand Old Master Ares red-eyed and glaring at Rose. Rose was glaring right back.

"Jay, I order you to get back Baby Robbie's custody rights through the court." He was furious.

Rose fearlessly looked at him and uttered, "Thief."

Jay slapped his forehead. Grand Old Master Ares and Rose were arguing?

"Rose, you should get out for a while." Jay could only hope to separate the two and let their anger subside on their own.

Rose left.

Grand Old Master Ares sat back on the couch exhausted. He said through gritted teeth, "What a fiery girl."

Jay poured some hot tea for Grand Old Master Ares. He passed it over to him and asked, "Grandfather, why are you so hard-pressed on her?"

Grand Old Master Ares squinted his eyes and sized up Jay. "Have you given up on her, or are you just showing her mercy? Why hasn't this issue been resolved yet? This isn't like you!"

Jay sipped his tea and smiled wryly. "It might be both."

Grand Old Master Ares was stunned at his response." Nancy said the reason you broke up with her had something to do with Rose. I didn't believe it at first, but now it seems like it might be true. You seem to not hate Rose as much as you used to."

It was more than 'not hate'.

Jay let out a dry laugh. He liked her, he was attached to her, and he was deeply in love with her. 1

He nodded his head.

"You like her now?" That came as a surprise to him.

Jay fell into deep thought. After some time, he replied in a serious tone, "Not just like."

Grand Old Master Ares went into shock for a while.

"Then why didn't you agree when I gave you permission to marry her?"

Jay replied, "That was back then. Things are different now."

"Oh, so you're willing to marry her now?" 1

Jay nodded.

However, Grand Old Master Ares was in strong disagreement. He said in a tone of finality, "Didn't you say after the divorce, she went off and got married to another man and gave birth to Zetty? An impure woman like that shall not be allowed to enter the Ares family." 1

"Grandfather, think about Jens!" Jay's grim voice was filled with a pleading tone.

"Say no more. I will not agree to it." He was firm in his words. "Any son of the Ares family shall not be allowed to fall to the level of marrying a woman who has been divorced twice."

Chapter 223

Chapter 223

In Grand Old Master Ares' heart, Jay was his greatest pride and joy. He had brought him up to be the perfect heir. He would not allow that salacious girl, Rose, to be the only stain in his son's reputation. "Letting her stay here isn't a good idea. Two single people like you two staying in the same room together might give the wrong impression to some people," Grand Old Master Ares said looking at Jay, his voice cold and strict.

"Grandfather, Jens needs a mother, and Baby Robbie needs her more. She has to stay here. I need her too."

Jay had always been a man of strong opinions.

Grand Old Master Ares looked into Jay's eyes and saw the faint glint of resolution that had not been there before. He knew Jay too well. Once he made up his mind about something, he would be persistent and obsessed with carrying it out.

He would persevere with his decision, no matter the cost.

"The illegitimate daughter of the Loyle family who has been divorced twice. Why does it have to be her?" Grand Old Master Ares asked in exasperation. He was deeply disappointed with Jay.

Jay looked to the skies while searching for an answer and said, "She's the only one who can manage my

emotions."

It was then that Grand Old Master Ares realized that Rose was the only person who could bully his beloved grandson without having any consequences inflicted upon her.

He went into deep thought before helplessly sighing and saying, "Go and get her to come inside."

There was no hatred or anger in his voice. He was like a defeated lion who could only accept reality in dismay.

Jay got up from the couch and went toward the back garden.

Rose was restlessly waiting for Grand Old Master Ares' 'verdict'. Josephine was by her side trying to comfort her. "Sister-in-law, don't be worried. My grandfather only acts tough, but he's soft on the inside. You're not even afraid of my brother, so why would you be afraid of my grandfather?"

"Who said I'm not afraid of your brother? Don't you see how much I try to flatter him?"

Jay was standing behind Rose. His face turned dark the moment he heard what she said.

"You're afraid of me?" A sudden whisper came from behind Rose. She immediately turned around in shock.

Seeing Jay's fierce scowl, Rose promptly tried to put on her brightest smile.

"Sir Ares, I'm not afraid of you. I respect you," Rose

said guiltily.

Josephine was amazed. Her sister-in-law really had a knack for adapting to situations.

Jay let out a sarcastic cough, obviously unconvinced by Rose's words.

That was when Rose's nerves started to heighten.

She was caught saying bad things about him behind his back! There was no way she was going to get out of this one.

Unexpectedly, Jay's expression softened. "Come inside with me."

Rose followed, her head facing down.

Josephine wanted to join in and tiptoed behind Rose. However, just as they were about to enter the house, she was shut out by Jay. Her nose was hit by the door. "Brother, my nose. I think it might be bent already," Josephine said in agony while clutching her nose.

After a few seconds, Jay opened the door.

"If you don't like the genes our family has, look closely when you're reincarnated in your next life. Don't choose our family."

Josephine's parents fired looks of disapproval at her.

"It just touched my nose," she said, ashamed.

Just as she was about to make her way through the door, Jay shut her out again.

She could only place an ear on the side of the door to try and listen to the conversation taking place inside. Jay led Rose toward Grand Old Master Ares.

Chapter 224

Chapter 224

"Rose Loyle, are you willing to remarry Jay?" Grand Old Master Ares said rather directly.

Rose's eyes widened in surprise. She could not believe what she had just heard. Surely she misheard?

The opportunity to achieve her previous dream of wanting to be Mrs. Ares had just suddenly materialized right in front of her. 1

Back then, she would have been jumping for joy.

However, now she did not feel even an ounce of joy.

Her previous seven-year marriage with Jay was a disaster.

During that time, she was humbled, endured pain, and struggled.

Her fiery love for him had been quenched by his heartlessness and indifference. 1

During that time, she could not even afford to fall sick. If she did, his unconcernedness would be too much for her to bear.

"No, I'm not," she said in a low voice.

He thought she would have happily said yes, but for some reason, she rejected him?

Being married to him had long been her dream, had it not?

Jay turned blue in the face.

Grand Old Master Ares looked at the distraught Jay and wondered. His grandson was one in a million, but somehow Rose wanted to reject him. This was really unexpected.

"Jay, you should know what to do now." Grand Old Master Ares stood up and said to Jay with a darkened expression, "You're still young. You still have a long road ahead. Don't sacrifice your future because of a woman."

Then, he turned to Rose and said in a strict tone, "If you have no intentions of remarrying Jay, you should keep your distance."

He left the room after that.

Everyone dispersed and things went back to normal.

Rose went back to the second floor and started packing her bags.

Grand Old Master Ares was right. She was not part of the family, so staying there would not be right.

Someday, this mansion would have a mistress too.

Jay followed her. His body was leaning against the door and he had his hands in his pockets. He looked casual, but inside, he was agitated. "Rose, why aren't you willing to remarry?"

Rose looked at him with a dazed expression. Why was she not willing to remarry? It was because he did not even love her.

Marriages that did not have love at the heart of them would inevitably end in divorce.

"Sir Ares, I may be dumb, but I won't be fooled twice." She stared into his eyes and noticed they were unusually bright like the stars in the night sky.

Busy packing her bags, she did not notice Jay's depressed expression.

He suddenly surged forward and pressed Rose against the drawing board. "What if it's for the kids? Would you be willing to remarry then?"

Rose replied, "I love my children, but I won't endure unjust treatment for them. I shouldn't live my life for anyone else. That would be the biggest mistake." Seven years ago, she gave herself to him only to be hurt and bruised.

Her persistence made Jay livid. He let go of her. Rose was unstable and fell toward the drawing board behind her.

The board fell to the ground, and the white cloth covering it parted a little, revealing a corner.

Rose's first reaction after falling was not to examine the cut on her arm but to frantically cover the drawing board. On the drawing board was her drawing of a younger Jay.

Jay's gaze was initially fixed on Rose' arm, but it shifted to the board the moment he saw her trying to cover it again.

Chapter 225

Chapter 225

When he reached out to grab the cloth, Rose suddenly flipped over and covered the entire drawing board with her body. Her hands gripped the cloth tightly. "What obscene thing did you draw this time?" Jay crouched in front of her and asked suspiciously.

Rose lifted her head to look at him and said sheepishly. "My drawing skills are horrible. I'd rather you not see it."

Jay suddenly lifted her with both of his hands. Her face turned pale from shock, though she hugged the drawing board tightly.

The tighter Rose's grip was on the drawing board, the more curious Jay became.

"Let go." Jay was trying his very best to hold back his laughter when he saw Rose's expression, as though her life depended on not showing him the drawing.

He suddenly flipped her around and turned her face-u P-

He leaned closer to her mischievously. His lips were about to touch hers, and he could taste her nervousness.

His hand abruptly pulled the drawing board from her grip. He placed her on the floor and tore away the white cloth that covered the drawing board.

On the paper clipped to the drawing board was a sketch of a man without a face. The man wore a white T-shirt and had long, flowing black hair. On his slender fingers was a four-leaf clover ring. He could see that the subject of the drawing was a younger version of him, even though there were no facial features.

The drawing was lifelike.

The artist must have been a master.

What made him even more surprised was that the drawing was clearly done in Angeline's style.

Jay stared at Rose, who was looking at him uneasily.

His heart surged with excitement. All his doubts vanished.

She was truly Angeline!

His Angeline!

There was no doubt about it!

"Your skills are not bad," he praised her, trying to hide the euphoria in his heart.

Rose breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he did not recognize her.

"You flatter me," Rose snatched the drawing board and once again covered the drawing.

"Why don't you draw his face? Has he done something unmentionable?" Jay asked.

On the contrary, the younger Jay Ares was Rose's pride and joy. 1

Rose could not bear to hear anything negative about her Jay. "No, it's because he's too perfect. My skills cannot evoke even one-tenth of his perfection," she retorted. Jay's eyes brimmed with joy.

Ever since they were young, she had been chasing behind him, calling him "Jaybie", never hiding her affection for him.

Her love for him was brash and unrestrained.

On the other hand, the slightly older Jay acted more modestly. He would be red in the face with embarrassment and coolly leave.

She did not know that he was embarrassed, and she would always be disappointed by his detachment. 'Why do you always ignore me, Jaybie?" 'Silly girl!'

That was always how he had wanted to reply to her, though he never called her that.

"Are you sure you want to move out, Rose?"

Now that he knew that she was the Angeline he loved, there was no reason for him to let her go anymore.

"Grand Old Master Ares is right. You'll be married soon anyway. I wouldn't want to be an extraneous presence in your house," Rose said bitterly. Rose packed her luggage and tugged the handle.

Jay placed his hands on hers. Rose wanted to pull away but his hands were firmly secured over hers like shackles.

"If you move out, what happens if Jens misses you?" His charming eyes sparkled with a cunning light.

"If you don't mind it, Sir Ares, you can always bring Jens over to visit," she said without hesitation.

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Chapter 226

"Mm," he nodded agreeably.

Rose's phone abruptly rang. Rose saw Sean's name on the phone and was startled for a while.

She remembered that the hacker who had intruded into Eminent Honor's network had an IP that came from Bell Enterprise.

Rose tried to keep as calm as possible and picked up the phone. Her voice was as cool and steady as a stream of spring water. "Mr. Bell!"

"We're no longer strangers, Rose. Why do you sound so formal? Just call me Sean," Sean's lively voice was heard over the phone. "Yes, Sean," Rose said.

"I've heard that the Grand Old Master is there at Horizon Colors. Is he giving you any trouble?" Sean asked anxiously.

"He didn't," Rose replied calmly, "But he said that it's not suitable for me to live there."

Sean was instantly excited. "So are you planning to move out? Don't worry, Rose, I own many properties. I can let you live somewhere for free."

Jay could hear Sean's excited voice over the phone,

which made him furious.

Rose had a different idea. 'I wonder if I can find out the secret behind Bell Enterprise's attack on Eminent Honor if I get closer to Sean?' "Alright," Rose agreed immediately.

Jay looked at Rose incredulously. As far as he knew, Rose's ego did not allow her to accept any charity from Jay, so why did she agree to Sean's offer so readily? "That settles it then. I'll come over and pick you up now," Sean said happily and ended the call.

Rose placed her phone down, and the smile on her face disappeared.

She turned around and saw Jay glaring at her. If looks could kill, Rose would have been utterly destroyed by now. Anyone else would have been cowed by that gaze. "Why did you accept Sean Bell's offer?" Jay said icily.

Rose did not know how to explain it to him. "It's none of your business," she said snappily.

It was already unfortunate for her that she could not win Jay's love.

If there was anything that kept her going on, it was to protect the livelihood of the Severe family.

"Don't tell me that you've fallen in love with Sean Bell?" Jay said sinisterly.

Rose's gaze flared with indignation. She could never have fallen in love with someone who brought harm to the Severe family.

"He is handsome, well-educated, and his family is rich. He is very popular among the girls, and I am all but mortal," Rose said nonchalantly. Jay clenched his fists tightly. His face was ashen as he looked at Rose.

"He is nothing more than a superficial playboy. I'm surprised that he is interested in you for more than three minutes."

He realized that he was not very well-versed at insulting his love rivals.

Tears welled up in Rose's eyes. "Do you believe in a singular, devoted love?" She said bitterly.

Jay continued staring at her. Her determined and defiant gaze suddenly pained him.

He nodded grimly. "I believe it."

Rose was shocked. "Have you ever encountered a love like that, Sir Ares? Someone who would love you as they breathe their last breath?" Jay's gaze turned profound.

'Is she talking about herself?'

He nodded seriously.

Rose sighed. "You are very lucky."

'But I am not as lucky as you.' "You will eventually meet a love like that!" He said confidently.

A hint of bitterness flashed in Rose's gaze. "Not everyone can be as lucky as you. One who is betrayed by love will learn how to distrust love." Jay closed his eyes, hiding the melancholy in his gaze.

It was all his fault. He had betrayed her love and had hurt her deeply.

Chapter 227

Chapter 227

The three cute children stood in front of Rose as she walked out of the Ares family house while tugging her luggage.

"I don't want you to go, Mommy," Jens ran over to her and hugged her tightly.

Robbie and Zetty also went over and clutched Mommy's hands.

Rose knelt down and placed her hands on Jens's cheeks. "Jens, when Mommy is settled at her new home, you can bring Daddy to come and visit Mommy often, alright?" She said gently.

Jens was silent. He turned his gaze to Jay.

Jay nodded.

He would disturb Rose every single day.

Rose had many questions when she continued walking out with Robbie and Zetty in tow.

She had expected Jay to stop her from bringing Baby Robbie away, but she was surprised that he did not put up any resistance.

'That's not his usual style!'

Sean's car was parked in front of the mansion with the boot open. When Rose wanted to bring the heavy luggage up into the boot, Jay suddenly rushed forward

and took the luggage handle.

"Allow me." He lifted the luggage and placed it in Sean's car boot.

Rose was surprised. Since when did the aloof and unmannerly Jay know how to behave chivalrously to a woman?

She had expected that he would never change.

Jay walked in front of Sean suavely. "So, where will Rose be living, Mr. Bell?"

"She can live in any of my properties in the Imperial Capital," Sean said with a smile.

Jay took out his phone and transferred a million into Sean's account. Sean was shocked when he received the notification. "What's the meaning of this?"

"Rent," Jay said.

The woman was his, and the son was also his. Even an idiot could see that Jay was declaring his dominance over Rose. Sean did not know how to react. Rose is my good friend. I'm willing to let her live in any of my properties for free..." "Save it!" Jay said decisively.

He stretched out his hand. "Give me a set of keys."

Sean was confused. "I don't think you're the one who's

renting my place, right, Sir Ares?"

"My son will be living with her. Do you have a problem if I want to visit Robbie whenever I want?"

Sean reluctantly took out a set of keys and handed it to Jay. "Sir Ares, it's lucky that I know that you don't have any feelings for Rose anymore. Otherwise, I might have thought that you're unwilling to let her go "He said blithely.

Jay placed the keys in his pants pocket and turned around to look at Rose. "Take care of yourself."

Rose was shocked.

'Jay is behaving abnormally!'

After Rose placed Robbie and Zetty into the car, she turned around and looked longingly at Jay.

Jay was holding Jens's hand. They were also looking longingly at her.

"You can stay if you don't want to leave Jens," he said jokingly.

Rose went into the car and rolled up the window.

Sean stepped on the gas pedal, and the car started moving.

Jay's gaze turned ghastly as he watched the car leave.

Sean must have a death wish for stealing his woman's affection.

As Jay's figure disappeared from her view, Rose felt a n emptiness in her heart.

"Do you have a house somewhere nearby, Mr. Bell?" Rose asked.

"Don't tell me that you still have feelings for him?" Sean said.

Rose felt bitter. The feelings she had for him was like fine wine, becoming more precious with age.

"My children are still studying in Horizon Kindergarten!" She scrambled for an excuse.

Chapter 228

Chapter 228

Sean turned the car around and drove into the nearby Cloudy Dreams Estate.

"This place is very near to Horizon Colors."

Rose could not remember the number of times she had moved house in the past seven years. Every time she moved, she felt sad that she was like a leaf blown in the wind; always wandering, never being able to settle down.

She made up her mind as she looked at Cloudy Dreams. She would save enough money and buy a house for herself.

Robbie and Zetty were good kids. They helped to alleviate Mommy's burdens whenever they could.

Sean brought Rose to her new house. The house was not as lavish as Jay's mansion, but the four-room house was nevertheless very extravagant for Rose.

"Thank you, Mr. Bell," Rose said gratefully.

Sean smiled. "Sir Ares gave me a rental fee of one million. Don't worry about it!"

After Rose settled in, Sean picked up a phone call and hastily left.

Rose quickly stopped him. "I'm looking for a job, Mr. Bell. I wonder if you have any leads for me?" She said sheepishly.

Sean smiled. "That's no issue. Just wait for my call."

Rose nodded. Her gaze turned profound as she saw Sean leave.

With her abilities, it was not hard for her to find a job. Finding a job in Bell Enterprise though, was abnormally difficult.

She had to use Sean's connections to enter Bell Enterprise.

At night, Jay and Jens sat on the sofa in the living room. On the television was a cliched love story.

"I thought you don't like these stories with implausible plots, Daddy," Jens said frustratedly.

Daddy never watched television, but tonight he was fighting with Jens for the remote.

"I realize that I can learn a lot from the male lead characters of these stories, so I don't hate them as much as I used to," Jay said profoundly.

While the father and son were talking, the lead couple started kissing passionately.

Jay reached out and covered Jens's eyes. "This isn't suitable for children."

Jens was speechless.

'If you know that it's not suitable for children, then change the channel!" "Do you miss Baby Robbie, Jens?" Jay suddenly asked.

Jens was surprised. They had not been separated for half a day yet, and so he had not missed him that much.

Jens shook his head earnestly.

"Give Robbie a call. Say that you miss him." Jay's tone of voice was like a boss giving an absolute order to his subordinate. "You're the one who's missing Robbie, Daddy," Jens said frustratedly.

Jay was taken aback. He was thinking of Robbie's mommy.

As though resigned to his fate, Jens took out his smartwatch and gave Robbie a call.

Robbie answered the call.

"Robbie, Daddy, and I are thinking of visiting you. Can you share your address with us?"

Robbie did so without a second thought.

Very soon, the doorbell to Rose's new house rang.

Rose opened the door. She was shocked as though she had seen a ghost when she saw Jay at the door.

She thought that it would be extraordinarily difficult for her to meet Jay after she left Horizon Colors, but he showed up at her house uninvited after just half a day.

"Why, don't you welcome Jens here?" Jay was dressed in a casual windbreaker and did not look as forbidding as him in his usual business suit.

Rose stepped aside to let them in and rolled her eyes at Jay. "This is also Jens's house. The two of you are always welcome here."

Jay pinched her chin and corrected her. "This is Sean Bell's house. Not your house."

Rose was speechless.

She knew that he was stubborn, but she did not expect him to be so petty to quibble over details.

Chapter 229

Chapter 229

Jay loosened his grip on Rose's chin. He walked into the house as though it was his own house and sat down on the couch.

Rose was confused. 'Why is this guy here?'

"Jens is hungry," Jay said while looking at her.

Rose was at a loss for a reply.

"Why don't you cook for him then?" She eventually retorted.

He knew how to cook anyway.

"He's used to eating your cooking, and he doesn't like anything I cook," he said.

Jens was speechless.

'Are you using me as an excuse now? I love to eat anything, as long as it's from either of you!'

Rose looked at Jens, and her gaze turned unbelievably gentle. "Mommy will cook for you now, Jens."

"Daddy hasn't eaten too!" Jens looked at Mommy with his puppy eyes. "Can you cook something for Daddy too, Mommy?" He begged.

Rose glanced at Jay. "No problem," she said generously. After all, he was the one who paid her rent.

After she went into the kitchen, she realized that she

had not replenished the food supplies of the new house. She only had noodles and salt.

Rose could only cook some noodle soup with salt. She hesitated as she brought the bowl out, fearing that Jay would not like it.

However, Jay and the kids cleaned out the bowls in no time.

"Do you have seconds?" Jay looked at her.

Rose shook her head. "That's the only thing I have in the fridge."

Jay placed the bowl and cutlery down. "I'll go and buy some ingredients. You follow me."

Rose looked at him blankly. "It's fine. I can buy it myself later."

'Is this guy possessed by another soul?'

His gaze remained cold and distant, but she could sense that the hatred and disgust that he bore for her had disappeared.

Rose felt happy for the chance in his demeanor, but a voice in her head interrupted her thoughts. "Don't you remember how he had loathed you? Are you planning to be drawn to him like a moth to a flame again?"

Robbie shoved Mommy toward Jay. "Go to the grocery store with Daddy, Mommy. Daddy is a strong man. He can help you carry the bags."

Rose glanced at Jay disdainfully and said gently to

Robbie, "He's a capitalist who only knows how to exploit the working class. How can he know any sympathy?"

Jay was speechless.

'Alright, I shall use my actions to prove to her that not only some capitalists have sympathy, but they also know how to steal a woman's heart.' Jens quickly thought of something. "Daddy, can you buy the newest programmable robot for me? And also another Lego set..." Jay smiled.

His son was his best wingman.

If Jens wanted many toys, Rose would definitely not be able to bring everything back herself, and she had to accept Jay's offer to go with her.

"Then you three kids better be good at home." 1

Jay glared sternly at her when she mentioned 'home'.

Rose was quickly reminded of his stubbornness. "Also, don't wreck Uncle Sean's house."

"We know, Mommy. Just go already!" Robbie waved at her.

Rose and Jay went out of the house one after another. Jay paused at the door for a while, and his eagle-like gaze turned menacing as he looked at the lock.

The nearby grocery store was three floors high. It had everything they wanted.

Rose got herself a shopping cart at the entrance, while Jay walked by her side.

While Rose walked toward the produce section on the first floor, Jay suddenly pulled her back and went toward the hardware section.

"Can I have a fingerprint lock, please!"

Chapter 230

Chapter 230

The employee at the hardware section recommended him various types of locks. "Just give us the most expensive one," Rose said with a smile.

The employee handed her the most expensive fingerprint lock, and Rose put it in her shopping cart.

As they left the hardware section, Jay told her, "I used to have this habit of always buying the most expensive thing, but a silly girl told me that the most expensive thing isn't always the best. I've since changed my habit because she never stops bickering about it. Now, I always survey for the most suitable item instead of the most expensive one."

"..." Rose was taken aback.

"Should I change another one?" She felt extremely awkward.

"That's too much trouble," he said nonchalantly.

Rose pouted. "That silly girl is right. You might be rich, but you shouldn't be tricked into spending more than you need to. She's not the silly one; you are."

She smiled like a blooming flower for successfully speaking up for herself.

Jay felt warmth in his heart when he saw that she was happy, even though she might have gotten the last word.

He was happy as long as she was happy.

An old woman tottered unsteadily from behind, and Jay quickly pushed the cart aside.

After the old woman passed them, Jay's hands did not let go of the cart. Instead, he pushed the cart as they walked toward the produce section.

Rose always spent a long time choosing from the endless array of items in the produce section.

On the other hand, Jay was a lot quicker in his decisions.

He remembered what she liked to eat. He would toss those items into the shopping cart without any hesitation.

Rose was surprised when she saw the contents of the cart. They were all things that she liked to eat.

However... she had to be considerate of the three children's preferences. She stopped buying food for herself ever since she became a mother. Her children always came first every time.

"Robbie and Zetty won't eat that, Sir Ares," she reminded Jay as she took out the food items that she liked from the cart.

Jay felt a tug in his heartstrings when he saw Rose take out those items without hesitation.

She had always been considerate of others. It used to be for him, now it was for the children. Had she ever spared a thought for herself? Rose smiled happily when she replenished the cart with food items that her children loved.

Jay felt some comfort for the ache in his heart when he saw her smile.

Fortunately, she was still the innocent girl that he remembered.

She had never complained about her bad luck. That was the biggest mercy that fate had granted her.

If he could, he would want to grow old with her.

He pushed the full cart toward the checkout counter.

Rose walked empty-handedly behind Jay, wondering about his sudden change in attitude.

As Jay paid for the groceries, Rose slipped ahead and quickly separated the items into four separate bags.

She lifted the four heavy bags and prepared to walk toward the exit.

"Put them down." She heard Jay's cold voice from behind her.

What did she do wrong this time?

She looked at him frustratedly, but he brusquely snatched the bags from her hands. "You're about as tall as those bags. Are you lifting the bags, or are they lifting you?" He said mockingly. Rose felt the urge to punch him at that instant.

"I'm not that short! I'm at least beautiful and have slender legs. How can you compare me to those bags?"

"In any case, you don't look coordinated when you're carrying the bags," he said with a smile in his eyes.

Rose looked at him. As he carried the bags without any loss of poise, she had to admit that he was taller and stronger.