Ch. 561..570

Chapter 561

"But I want to hold him," Mila whispered eagerly.

Nathan smiled warmly, gently transferring the baby into her arms. As he pulled away, his arm brushed against Mila's ample bust. It made his heart race. A faint blush tinted his cheeks. Their experience of intimacy had been confined to that one night a year ago, a memory that Nathan held dear.

Nathan observed Mila as she gazed down at the baby. Both of them showed deep affection in their eyes.

Upon returning home, after the family had admired the baby, the maternity nurse took him back to the room to tend to his needs.

Mila appeared captivated. She leaned over the baby crib and watched the baby sleep peacefully. His small size due to being born prematurely, tugged at her heartstrings.

After observing him for some time, the baby stirred awake, signaling hunger. The maternity nurse prepared a formula to feed him.

Once he had been fed and his diaper changed, he drifted off to sleep again.

Mila couldn't tear her eyes away from the baby. Her gaze lingered on him for what seemed like forever.

Nathan entered the room, leaning on the side of the crib to admire their son, though his real intention was to draw closer to Mila.

"Our son is such a calm baby," Nathan remarked, feeling sentimental.

Mila's attention remained fixed on their child. She nodded with a sweet smile. "Yes, he takes after you in looks but has my personality."

Nathan felt a rush of warmth flood over him at her words, finding them incredibly touching. A wide smile spread across his face, his happiness overflowing. It dawned on him then that Mila was no longer distancing herself from him.

His heart swelled with a sweetness akin to honey. Turning to Mila, he suggested, "How about you give him a name?"

Mila paused, her gaze softening as she met Nathan's eyes. "You're his father, you should name him."

"But you're more educated than I am," Nathan protested.

"You're pretty smart yourself," Mila replied, smiling.

They playfully exchanged banter, their smiles growing wider with each quip.

Suddenly, the maternity nurse suggested, "How about we let the baby's grandfather decide? In our culture, it's tradition for the eldest family member to give the child a name. It's considered to bring the child a bright future."

"Should we consult with Gary?" Mila asked.

"Absolutely," Nathan agreed.

Mila rose and took Nathan's hand. "Let's head downstairs."

Nathan's heart skipped a beat, his gaze deepening with surprise as he looked at Mila's hand intertwined with his. Her touch was soft and warm. It sent a surge of electricity coursing through his veins.

He remained stunned while Mila led him out of the room. Though it seemed like a small gesture, it sparked a rush of emotions in him. Nathan couldn't help but grip her hand tighter as they descended the stairs.

QU

Mila scanned the living room, searching for any sign of Gary and Florence.

Just then, Edgar entered, followed by Cameron. Edgar announced, "General Morrison, Mr. Hudson is looking for you."

Nathan and Mila glanced toward the entrance as Cameron approached, looking agitated.

Cameron was unaware that today was the day their child was discharged. He wasted no time and headed straight for Nathan.

"Nate, I've been looking everywhere for you. We need to talk about Fenna," Cameron said urgently.

Nathan's face hardened, and Mila slowly pulled her hand away. She mustered a smile and said, "You two go ahead and talk. I'll go find Gary and Florence myself." Nathan was worried about Wanda's feelings and wanted to go after her. "Wanda—"

However, Cameron seized Nathan's hand. "You've got to handle the Intelligence Agency's investigation into Fenna first."

Chapter 562

Nathan guided Cameron into the study. As soon as the door clicked shut, Cameron burst out, "Nate, I've pieced everything together. Fenna isn't a spy!

"It's unjust to have the Intelligence Agency interrogate her over a single act of defiance. She's been detained for a whole week now. You have to find a way to bring her back home!"

Nathan settled onto the couch, motioning for Cameron to sit opposite him. He calmly said, "Take a seat and let's talk."

Frustrated, Cameron headed to the couch and sat down heavily. He leaned forward anxiously and insisted, "I'm telling you. Fenna is innocent!"

"A year ago, I never would've imagined Lucas turning against us," Nathan said.

"How can you even compare Lucas to Fenna?"

"Why not? Lucas wouldn't even think about going through my phone without asking, let alone disconnecting my calls or turning my phone off. But Fenna did."

Feeling powerless, Cameron let out a deep sigh. "Yes, what she did was wrong and foolish. But, Nate, have you thought she's acting this way out of jealousy or possessiveness because she's fond of you? She

Nathan cut him off, "That's just a possibility, not a certainty, right?"

Cameron fell silent right away.

"If she's innocent, the Intelligence Agency will let her go. Why are you stressing?" Nathan said.

Annoyed, Cameron snorted. "Stressing? She's stuck in jail, stripped of her freedom! Who knows how she's holding up and how she's feeling?

"She's never been through such an unfairness and hardship before. This interrogation by the Intelligence Agency could ruin her future career!"

Nathan's face grew steely as he emphasized each word. "Then, maybe this is her chance to learn what unfairness and hardship are."

Cameron's shock was apparent as he gazed at Nathan in disbelief before blurting out, "Has our friendship of over a decade meant nothing to you? Are you even human?"

The mention of their friendship

ignited a fierce anger within Nathan.

If he hadn't valued their friendship and agreed to Donald's

arrangements, Fenna wouldn't have

ended up as his assistant.

If he hadn't put their friendship first, he would have backed Mila's suggestion to transfer Fenna. They wouldn't be in this mess now.

Nathan was furious, his voice getting louder as he spoke, "My family is falling apart because of Fenna! Do you realize how much Wanda has suffered because of her?"

Cameron looked confused. "What does Wanda have to do with this?"

Nathan sneered, his voice filled with icy anger. "Wanda's always been sweet and kind. She never mentioned the sneaky things Fenna was doing behind my back!

"If Phoebe hadn't informed me, I wouldn't have realized that Fenna was intentionally antagonizing Wanda.

"She called Wanda lazy, and useless and said she wasn't good enough for me. Fenna even went as far as to provoke Wanda with actions that could easily be misinterpreted!

"Keep in mind, Wanda was pregnant at the time. Is Fenna even behaving like a decent human being?"

Cameron's expression darkened as he struggled to respond.

Nathan tightened his fists, his

expression darkening with rage. "When Wanda was in danger and

called me, Fenna hung up on homet

and turned off my phone. She

almost put my family and Phoebe in danger."

Cameron bowed his head in shame. "Even though Fenna was wrong, the main blame lies with the assassin."

Anger boiled within Nathan, his eyes

Qu

flashing red with fury. Through clenched teeth, he growled, "If I had picked up that call, I would've immediately dispatched my from the nearby dormitory them! .

wn cue

"We might've even apprehended the assassin who dared to harm Wanda!"

Chapter 563

"Thanks to Fenna, Wanda could only anxiously wait for the police and ambulance to arrive. I can't imagine what would've happened if the ambulance had been just a few minutes late! "The despair and fear Wanda felt at that moment made me wish I could kill myself hundreds of times over!

"I've lost Wanda's trust after this incident. She was close to filing for divorce." Nathan's words dripped with bitterness and anguish. "Luckily, we have a son, or Wanda would have left me." Cameron's anger gradually subsided, his voice quiet as he apologized, "Nate, I'm sorry. On behalf of Fenna, I apologize to you and Wanda.

"She went too far this time. I'll make sure to discipline Fenna properly in the future, but for now-"

Nathan cut him off, "She's an adult. She needs to face the consequences when she messes up."

Cameron hesitated. "But-"

Understanding Cameron's concern for Fenna, Nathan composed himself and spoke slowly, "Fenna is close friends with the President's daughter. You don't need to worry about her living conditions or food. No one dares to mistreat her."

Feeling troubled, Cameron buried his face in his hands and sighed deeply. His expression clouded with melancholy.

After venting their pent-up emotions, a heavy silence settled between them.

Suddenly, Nathan rose from his seat, surprising Cameron, who glanced up at him.

"My son is back. Would you like to meet him?" Nathan asked gently.

A smile brightened Cameron's face. "Of course!"

"Come on." Nathan led the way.

Upstairs, they entered the nursery. The maternity nurse cradled the baby in her arms, feeding him formula.

Cameron and Nathan paused a few steps away from the baby, observing him with fascination as he drank his milk. They were completely engrossed in the moment. A smile crept onto their faces. The soft cooing noises the baby emitted while feeding were utterly heart-melting. Nathan felt his heart swell with affection.

Overcome with curiosity, Cameron asked, "How old is he?"

"Over fifty days," Nathan replied.

"That's nearly two months, but why does he still seem so tiny?"

"He was born prematurely."

Cameron's smile stiffened as he remembered Fenna's mistake, which had nearly cost the baby's life. Flooded by sadness, he mustered a smile and said, "I'll go greet Wanda and then I'll leave."

Nathan led him downstairs once more.

In the garden gazebo, they spotted Mila, who was talking with Gary and Florence, deliberating over the baby's name.

Gary and Florence were immersed in flipping through the dictionaries, deeply engrossed in their task.

As Cameron and Nathan approached, Cameron greeted cheerfully, "Hey Gary, Florence, and Wanda, keeping busy?"

Gary and Florence glanced up and greeted Cameron politely, "Hey Cameron, good to see you. Come, join us. We're brainstorming names for our grandson. Any ideas?"

Cameron chuckled awkwardly as he settled into a seat. "I'm afraid I'm not good with that."

Meanwhile, Nathan sat beside Mila

and

obsesed intently on her,

l.ne

observing her mood and behavior.

He asked tentatively, "Wan

still

haven't settled on a name you like?"

Mila stayed composed, shaking her head as she continued to flip through the dictionary.

Nathan leaned closer to her and whispered, "Regarding Fenna's matter, it will be handled impartially."

Mila pursed her lips, looking indifferent as she nodded.

Cameron noticed how Nathan behaved around Wanda and it touched him.

He wondered whether a man's

excessive love for his wife was always good. Even though Nathan held a position of power in society, he acted humble and carefu whenever he was with Wanda.

At that moment, Gary pointed at a word in the dictionary, his excitement apparent as he exclaimed, "This name is good, Evan Hoffis."

"Evan Hoffis? That's not half bad," Florence said.

Yet, Mila frowned slightly.

"The name has a nice ring to it," Cameron remarked.

Nathan glanced at Mila and asked in a gentle tone, "Wanda, do you like it?"

Chapter 564

Mila hated to spoil Gary's and Florence's excitement, but she didn't like that name. So, she leaned into Nathan's arm and whispered in his ear, "Evan Hoffis is a fantastic poet overseas." Nathan felt a warmth inside as he glanced down at his arm, where Mila was intimately close to him. He realized she was fine with Cameron's arrival.

After clearing his throat, Nathan said, "Dad, let's consider another name."

Florence and Cameron looked at Nathan with confusion.

"But this name seems perfectly fine," Cameron said.

Florence chimed in, "Yes, it's a nice name. Are you opposed to giving the child Wanda's surname?"

Nathan looked helpless as he explained, "It's not about the surname. It's just that the name isn't ideal. It happens to be the same as a foreign poet."

Mila beamed as she suggested, "Let's have our son carry Nathan's surname. It has a strong presence."

Gary and Florence nodded with warm smiles. "That sounds good. Let's pick a name that goes well with Morrison."

Just then, Cameron chimed in with a playful tone, "Nicolas Morrison."

Mila and Nathan were left speechless.

Cameron chuckled at his own joke.

"Sounds great! That name really stands out," Gary exclaimed excitedly.

"Yes, it's a solid choice, though it sounds familiar," Florence agreed with applause.

"No," Nathan disagreed firmly.

Cameron scratched his chin thoughtfully, his expression serious as he suggested, "How about Emeric Morrison?"

Gary's excitement resurged, and he pounded the table in agreement. "Brilliant! The name is sophisticated, unique, and right on trend."

Mila was at a loss for words. She let out a helpless sigh.

Emeric Morrison was a remarkable foreign scientist renowned for his groundbreaking inventions.

Nathan couldn't stand Cameron any longer. He tugged at Cameron's arm and said, "You must be busy. Let me arrange for the driver to take you home." Cameron shook his head firmly. "I'm not busy at all."

Nathan looked annoyed and stared at him, "Are you deliberately messing around here?"

Cameron grinned and winked. Then, he turned to Gary and Florence. "What about Gaius Morrison? It has a nicer meaning."

Mila sighed. Leaning her elbow on the table, she rested her head on her hand, looking defeated.

Florence and Gary, both unfamiliar with foreign cultures, were hearing these names for the first time. They thought the names sounded fantastic and grew more excited as they continued talking.

Cameron proposed another name. "Percival Morrison."

Mila couldn't contain her laughter.

Growing increasingly frustrated, Nathan exclaimed, "You're definitely doing this intentionally."

Gary was taken aback. "What's the issue? I think all of Cameron's suggestions are quite nice."

"Gary, Florence, I've read Evan

Hoffis' poems and books by Emeric

In

Morrion and Percival Morrison. I've even played Nicolas Morrison's compositions. They're all great names but famous worldwide," Mila explained calmly. .

Gary and Florence smiled awkwardly while Cameron chuckled, trying to stifle it with his hand.

Nathan couldn't take it anymore. He yanked Cameron's arm and said, "You've got stuff to do. I'll walk you out myself.""

Cameron reluctantly rose to his feet. "No, I don't-"

Nathan continued to push him forward. "Yes, you are!"

Helplessly, Cameron glanced back as he walked away. "Guys, I'll head back first!"

The trio waved goodbye, offering polite smiles as they watched Cameron leave.

Nathan walked Cameron to his car and pushed him into the driver's seat before closing the door.

Cameron leaned out the window and asked, "When's your wedding?"

Nathan pushed Cameron's head back inside. "I'll tell you when it's happening so you can be my best man."

"Sure thing, I'll be waiting," Cameron

replied with a warm smile, tinged with guilt. "Nate, I'm genuinely sorry this time. I promise to step up as a brother and keep a closer eye on Fenna from now on."

Nathan just waved in response before departing.

Chpater 565

Nathan walked along the garden path, his eyes focused on the gazebo up ahead. The breeze and sunshine enveloped him.

As he approached Gary, Florence, and Wanda, he silently vowed to safeguard them for as long as he lived.

Inside the gazebo, Mila felt a strong gaze upon her. Looking up, she locked eyes with Nathan.

With a gentle smile, he approached with confidence. He seemed to glow from a distance.

Mila couldn't help but smile as warmth flooded their exchanged glances.

After hours of deliberation, they were still searching for the perfect name.

Despite Nathan's suggestion to take their time, Gary and Florence were completely engrossed in their search for the perfect name. Their dedication to this task surpassed even their commitment during their time as students.

As night descended, Mila disregarded the maternity nurse's advice and insisted on sharing a bed with her son. She positioned herself in the middle, with Nathan on one side and their son on the other. It wasn't until later that night that she realized the nurse had been right.

At midnight, her son began to cry, prompting Mila to wake up immediately to prepare formula. Hearing the noise, Nathan woke up as well.

Together, they clumsily prepared the formula, fed the baby, changed his diaper, and burped him.

By 2:00 am, they repeated the same routine preparing the formula, feeding, and burping the baby. After soothing the baby back to sleep, Mila and Nathan found themselves wide awake.

Mila was still in the midst of her postpartum recovery. She faintly heard her son cry once more at 4:00 am. However, this time, the crying was short-lived.

As she reluctantly peeled open her heavy eyelids, she found Nathan cradling their baby. He was soothing their son from crying while preparing formula with his other hand.

Nathan was accustomed to military life, yet he was now tenderly tending to their baby in the quiet hours before dawn. The sight was both touching and surprising.

Utterly drained from the night's demands, Mila succumbed to sleep.

Around 6:00 am, their son's cries filled the air once again. Mila groggily opened her eyes to find Nathan taking their son out of the room.

After just one night, Mila already felt that the maternity nurse's high salary was well-deserved.

Fortunately, Nathan was there to help, allowing her to catch a few hours of sleep during the latter part of the night.

However, Nathan himself hadn't slept at all. Despite his packed schedule and limited rest, he cared for their son attentively.

At that moment, Mila couldn't shake

off a

off a feeling of guilt. Se

would be best for their son to

with the maternity nurse

Besides tending to the baby, the nurse had ample time to rest, unlike Mila and Nathan, who were juggling their work commitments.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Mila saw Nathan coming back into the room.

He gently laid down on the bed, touched her forehead, and whispered, "Our son is with the nurse now. You can sleep now."

As Nathan settled onto his back, Mila snuggled close and rested her head on his arm.

Nathan was pleasantly surprised by

her intimate gesture. He felt a rush of emotions. His heart raced, his breath caught, and despite his earlier fatigue, he suddenly felt energized.

"Thank you, Nate," Mila mumbled in his arms.

Her gentle words touched Nathan_ deeply and filled his heart with

warmth. Tears welled in his eyelet

he held her close, and kissed her forehead.

It had been so long since she called him "Nate". The return of this long-lost feeling made his heart flutter.

"Taking care of you and our son is something I will gladly do for the rest of my life. It's never a burden," Nathan said in a deep voice. Mila smiled warmly, closing her eyes as she peacefully drifted to sleep in his arms.

However, Nathan found himself unable to sleep. He breathed in the subtle scent of her hair, feeling as though he were floating on a cloud.

Chapter 566

Mila slept until noon. It was Phoebe's call that finally woke her up.

By then, Nathan had already left.

She grabbed her phone, held it to her ear, and said hoarsely, "Phoebe."

"Mila, there's news about Mr. Hoffis Senior."

Mila sat up abruptly. She was now fully awake. Excitement surged through as she threw off the covers and got out of bed. "Have they found my grandpa?"

"No, they haven't found him, but I discovered a lavish estate worth over 20 billion has suddenly appeared under Mr. Hoffis Senior's name. It's considered the most luxurious in Norvania," Phoebe replied.

Mila had no clue about Zach's wealth or property. "What does this have to do with finding my grandpa?"

"Quick, check the trending topics. There's news about Mr. Hoffis Senior's estate. It's left to you according to his will."

Mila quickly searched for the news updates on her phone. Three hashtags trending at the top of the list caught her eye.

#GranddaughterInherits RichestTycoonEstateInNorvania

#GrandestEstatelnNorvania

#$28BEstatePassed ToGranddaughter

Mila skimmed through the trending topics but didn't find any mention of Zach's whereabouts. Disappointment crept over her as she sighed. "Phoebe, what does any of these have to do with my grandpa?" "Isn't it odd?" Phoebe asked. "Why would the news suddenly pop up?"

Mila thought hard about the situation and found it very strange. Zach, along with her parents, had disappeared without leaving any clues.

Meanwhile, Oliver and Avery quickly claimed the Hoffises' assets, even though the government had secretly tried to stop them from doing so. Somehow, Oliver managed to gain control over everything. Mila couldn't fathom why Zach's will suddenly surface.

By revealing it to the public, weren't they signaling Avery to intervene and lay claim to his inheritance?

As long as Zach was alive, Avery could have pressured him into drafting a new will to claim the 28 billion estate.

When Mila realized what was happening, she ended her call with Phoebe. She ran her fingers through her hair, grabbed her coat, and rushed out.

She looked all over the house for Nathan but couldn't find him. Feeling anxious for answers, she asked the maid. Yet, the maid hadn't seen Nathan either.

Mila went to Nathan's study and carefully went through his files. In one of his drawers, she found a property purchase contract. She was dumbfounded as she examined the contract.

Nathan had bought a lavish estate for a staggering 28 billion dollars but it was registered under Zach's name. She was utterly stunned by what she read, her breath catching in her throat.

Was Nathan using his entire fortune as some sort of lure? After composing herself, Mila dialed Nathan's number.

After a while, Nathan's gentle voice greeted her. "Wanda."

Mila was agitated as she asked, "Where are you?"

"I'm outside taking care of some business. I'll try to get home soon," Nathan replied.

"The 28 billion estate is registered under my grandpa's name. It might end up with Oliver. Aren't you worried?"

Nathan remained silent.

Mila was angry, but beneath it, she couldn't help but be deeply moved by Nathan's actions. The 28 billion might have been Nathan's entire fortune.

Softly, Nathan apologized, "I'm sorry,

Mila, I didn't discuss this with you beforehand. I was afraid you would disagree. And I've been planning this for a long time. I don't want to give up now."

"What if Oliver claims the money, and we can't find my grandpa and parents?"

Nathan's smile was bitter. "If we lose all this money, would you still choose to be with me, a guy with nothing?"

Mila was left speechless. She snorted before muttering, "Are you saying I'm only with you for money?"

"No, you're way richer than me," Nathan blurted out. "You just want to marry a decent guy."

Mila was infuriated. "Nathan, this isn't the time for jokes."

"All right. You don't need to worry. Just trust me, okay?" Nathan's words deeply moved Mila.

After a pause, she asked, "Is there anything I can help with?"

"Just take care of yourself. That's the best help you can give me," Nathan replied.

Chapter 567

"Can you share your plan with me?" Mila asked.

"Of course, but you'll have to wait until I return home to discuss it. It's not convenient to talk about it right now," Nathan replied.

"Okay, I'll wait for you," Mila said before hanging up the phone. Her heart grew heavier.

Nathan had made a huge sacrifice to rescue Zach and Mila's parents. If he failed, he stood to lose 28 billion dollars. Even if he succeeded, that money would be in Zach's possession. Nathan wouldn't dare to pressure Zach to return it, even though it rightfully belonged to him.

With her phone in hand, Mila exited the study. When she entered the living room, Edgar appeared, announcing, "Mrs. Morrison, Ms. Lawson is here to see you."

Looking up, Mila spotted Sienna behind Edgar. Mila's eyes brimmed with tears of excitement. She hurried over. "Sienna."

Beaming, Sienna opened her arms and enveloped Mila in a warm embrace. "Wanda, it's been so long."

"What brings you here?" Mila asked. Her eyes were teary and her voice quivered slightly with joy.

Sienna gently drew back from the embrace and studied Mila with a fond gaze. "You've had a baby. Of course, I had to come and visit you."

She gestured toward the gift Edgar was holding. "I didn't have much money, so I brought some chicken, eggs, and basic supplements. I hope you don't mind."

Mila glanced at her and muttered, "What are you saying? Why would I mind? These are great gifts. You can't even buy them with money around here." Sienna laughed happily before saying, "You just had a baby, and you've already regained your figure so well. Did you go on a diet?"

"I didn't gain any extra weight during my pregnancy. I've actually been losing weight."

Taking Mila's hand, Sienna teased, "Wow, you should have a few more babies in the future."

Mila shook her head. "No, I'm done."

Holding Sienna's hand, Mila led her outside.

Sienna was surprised. She halted abruptly. "I've barely set foot inside, and I haven't even had a sip of water, and you're sending me off already?"

Mila grinned playfully and hooked her arms. "I just want to take you to Daniel's Maple Abode for a visit. You can have all the drinks you want once we're there." Sienna nervously pushed back from Mila. She managed a forced smile as she shook her head. "No, thanks. It would be awkward to see him now."

"Why?" Mila linked her arm with Sienna's as they stepped outside. "You might not have noticed, but Daniel has been asking about you a lot since you left.

"I thought about giving him your contact details, but he refused. Yet, he keeps asking about you. He used to be lively when you were around, but now he's become quiet and gloomy." "Is he having suicidal thoughts again?" Sienna nervously questioned.

"No, not exactly. He's just avoiding people, spending most of his time alone in Maple Abode and hardly ever coming out."

As they strolled along the garden path, Sienna asked with curiosity, "Didn't he apply for a guide dog?"

Mila smiled helplessly. "He never

actually applied for a guide dog. Florence took the initiative to

up for him, but he returned it after

just one day, saying he dit at it

need

it."

Sienna's mood sank, her expression clouding over as she sighed heavily.

"Sienna, how did your blind date go?" Mila asked.

At the mention of the blind date, Sienna's demeanor shifted to anger. "Mila, you have no idea what it's like to go on a blind date in a small town. Guys nowadays can be so repulsive!"

From Sienna's reaction, it was apparent that the date didn't go well. Mila couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope for Daniel. She said, "Tell me more."

When Sienna recalled the strange

encounter, she took a deep breath to compose herself before speaking, "The guy my mom introduced me fo owns a small factory. At first glance, he seemed okay. He has a car, a house, and a business. But he told me he's only interested if I'm a virgin."

Mila was taken aback. "But you've never been in a relationship, right? You should be a virgin."

"Of course, I am, but he's not! He's had many girlfriends before, and as soon as he finds out they're not virgins, he dumps them. It's his strict requirement."

"His fixation on virginity is truly

twisted." Mila patted Sienna's hand

and encouraged her, "You're

wonderful. Let's ignore weirdos like him, even if they meet our criteria. Who knows what other

psychological issues he might have."

Chapter 568

Sienna was growing increasingly frustrated as she spoke, her voice rising with each word. "The second blind date is even more absurd! Our families are alike, both struggling to make ends meet, but his mother...

"Oh, it's unbelievable! She suggested we get engaged and move in together. Then, once I become pregnant and have a son, we can have a wedding. She wants to combine the wedding with the baby's sip- and-see party.

"The point is I need to have a son. Without one, there won't be any wedding gifts!" Sienna grumbled.

She was completely unaware that they had already entered the maple forest.

Listening to Sienna's story, Mila felt sympathy and amused. Encountering such peculiarities in her life was indeed uncommon.

Sienna continued, "My mom won't let up about marriage. She set me up on blind dates every day. It's driving me up the wall!"

"But why though?"

"Why do you think? My younger brother found a girlfriend, and now they're hurrying to tie the knot."

Mila was perplexed. "But how does his marriage affect you?"

Sienna stroked Mila's hair. "I can't help but envy you. You've never had to fret over money since you were a kid.

"Everyone adores you and treats you like a princess. You've never experienced the struggles of life. You don't know how hard it is for daughters from families like ours." Mila's eyes widened in disbelief. "Is your mom actually considering marrying you off to secure wedding gifts for your brother?"

"Considering? That's exactly her plan!"

Mila was appalled. "How could a parent do something like that?"

Sienna shrugged, her expression tinged with resignation. "After my dad passed away, she received tens of thousands of dollars from others to help with the funeral costs. "She knew I owed hundreds of thousands for my dad's medical treatment, but she refused to help me repay the debt and used the money to buy my brother a car."

"Why do you still listen to her and go on these blind dates?" Mila's face grew serious. "If it were me, I'd find a way to escape from such a mother."

Sienna sighed deeply, "Even though she favors my brother, she's still my mother who raised me. She never mistreated me. She provided for my education and basic needs. Breaking away isn't as simple as you might think."

Mila took her hand and guided her along as they continued walking "So, you're thinking of finding a decent guy, getting married, and then making a break for it to another family, huh?"

"Sharp." Sienna joked, "Do you have any good candidates in mind?"

Mila pointed at the imposing house up ahead. "I do. Nathan's brother. He's Daniel Morrison, the fourth son of the Morrisons, a narcotics agent in Norvania."

Sienna's cheeks turned red with nervousness and embarrassment. She tapped Mila's arm. "Mila, could you please stop teasing me about him?"

"I'm not teasing," Mila replied,

avoiding Sienna's gaze but speaking

cheerfully. "I'm serious. I'm just

worried you might be

Әл

uncomfortable, especially since

Daniel, you know, can't see "

Before Mila could finish her sentence, Daniel opened the door and hurried out.

He was so eager that he accidentally bumped into a flowerpot by the entrance. With a loud crash, Daniel staggered back, nearly losing his balance.

Mila and Sienna sprang into action. They hurried over to support Daniel on either side.

"Daniel, watch out," Mila cautioned.

Breathing heavily, Daniel said urgently, "Wanda, I think I heard Sienna's voice."

Sienna's gaze softened as she looked at Daniel's still handsome face. She was so nervous that she was at a loss for what to do.

Strangely, a pang tugged at her heart. It had been six months since their last encounter. She couldn't help but wonder how he had been doing.

Mila remained silent. She directed her gaze toward Sienna, silently urging her to speak up.

Feeling awkward, Sienna blushed as she spoke, "Daniel, it's been a long time."

Daniel's body tensed at the sound of

Sienna's voice. Sensing her

presence on his left side, he

instinctively reached out to hold her hand with his left hand. Her touch, soft and warm, sent his heart racing.

Yet, he quickly withdrew his hand, swallowing nervously. It was the first time she had spoken to him so gently.

Perhaps, this was just her usual way of talking, like the warmth of spring sunshine comforting, cheerful, and with a subtle sweetness. Feeling nervous and tongue-tied, he stuttered, "I-It's been a long time, Sienna."

Chapter 569

Sienna felt a rush of familiarity as she stepped into Daniel's house. The living room was neat and organized, and she sat on the couch as a guest for the first time.

Daniel sat directly across from her, making her feel a bit awkward.

In the meantime, Mila headed to the kitchen to brew some coffee.

The atmosphere was quiet, with neither Sienna nor Daniel saying a word. Sienna stole a glance at Daniel, finding comfort in the sight of his robust and healthy appearance.

As Mila brought the coffee, she noticed the tension and asked, "You two haven't seen each other in a while, why aren't you talking?"

Sienna awkwardly smiled as she took the coffee from Mila. "Thank you."

Mila then handed a cup of warm coffee to Daniel. He said, "Thank you."

Sitting beside Sienna, Mila smiled and suggested, "You both seem tense. Why not talk about something cheerful?"

Sienna lowered her head slowly, taking a sip of coffee. She wondered if there was anything joyful in her life worth sharing.

However, her life seemed laden with sadness and hardship, leaving little room for anything happy to share.

Daniel took a calm sip of his coffee, maintaining his silence.

As Mila sipped her coffee, she subtly glanced at Sienna before shifting her gaze to Daniel. She wondered if the tension between them was a result of nervousness.

Mila empathized with that sentiment. During the early days of her relationship with Nathan, she frequently found herself too nervous to speak.

Intentionally, Mila suggested, "Sienna, why not share some of your interesting blind date stories with us? I'm curious to hear."

Sienna was caught off guard by the suggestion, causing her to choke on her coffee. She hurriedly covered her mouth.

Reacting swiftly, Daniel grabbed the tissue box and passed two tissues to Sienna before Mila could respond.

Sienna stared into his eyes in

ē

disbelief. His eyes, clear and beautiful, lacked focus. Though he

couldn't see anything, she couldn't shake the feeling that he had witnessed her choking.

"Thank you." Sienna accepted the tissues Daniel extended.

Mila offered a comforting pat on her back. "What's the matter? You were sharing those stories so enthusiastically earlier, weren't you?"

"It's not the right place to discuss that, Mila," Sienna mumbled awkwardly.

Mila smiled at Daniel and asked, "Daniel, would you like to hear?"

Without hesitation, Daniel replied, "Yes."

Feeling embarrassed, Sienna coughed a few more times. She didn't want to delve into her experiences with blind dates before Daniel because she wanted to leave a good impression. Yet, she couldn't shake the thought that her behavior in the past might have already cast her in a negative light. Perhaps she was rude and unreasonable to Daniel.

Sienna pondered before casually saying, "Well, I went on a few more blind dates afterward, and they weren't too bad. There was this one nice guy, but unfortunately, my mom disapproved."

Mila appeared puzzled. "Why not?"

"He was open to buying a house with our names on it, but there wouldn't be any wedding gifts," Sienna explained.

"Isn't a house a more sincere gesture than a wedding gift?" Mila questioned.

Sienna nodded with a bitter smile.

"He's a government worker with a steady income, good-looking, comes from a rich family, and his parents

are college professors. Everything seemed great. But my mom wouldn't accept it without a wedding present."

Mila sighed. "Perhaps the guy understood your mom's focus on the gift and offered you stability in another way."

Sienna agreed that the man was a good choice for marriage.

Chapter 570

While Mila and Sienna were regretful, Daniel said, "Listen to your mother."

Mila and Sienna turned to him, feeling surprised and confused.

Daniel slowly clenched his fists, his chest rising and falling with emotion, and his face growing serious. "Don't get married too early."

With an awkward smile, Sienna replied, "Daniel, I'm already 26. It's not exactly early."

"Guys are unreliable."

Taken aback, Sienna asked, "Then, who should I rely on?"

"You should rely on yourself."

Mila and Sienna both agreed with Daniel's words, believing he was being genuine. Little did they realize, he was setting the stage for what he was about to say.

Daniel cleared his throat and continued, "Sienna, return to work. I'll give you a raise."

Mila couldn't help but smile.

Sienna gaped at Daniel in disbelief. She was too stunned to respond immediately. Tens of thousands a month, just to care for an ordinary blind person? Sienna felt undeserving of such a generous salary. When Daniel didn't get a reply, he seemed a bit worried as he questioned, "How much is your mom expecting for wedding presents?"

Sienna was once more taken aback. Confused, she glanced at Mila for help. She wondered what Daniel was getting at by asking her to return to work with a higher salary and bringing up wedding gifts. Mila shrugged, showing she was clueless, too. She signaled for Sienna to ask Daniel directly.

Sienna frowned and shook her head, implying she was too afraid to do so.

With no reply for what felt like an eternity, Daniel's breathing grew heavier, and his tone turned grave. "Sienna, what's the expected price range for wedding gifts to marry you?"

Taken aback, Sienna blurted out, "At least 300 thousand. My mom said 300 thousand."

"I'll provide those wedding gifts to your mother Don't go through with the wedding. Return to work. I'll increase your monthly salary by 50 thousand. On top of that, I'll cover all your expenses." Daniel stressed each word.

Sienna stared at Daniel in silence, feeling disoriented as if she were in a surreal state. Could such an incredible job exist in this world?

If Sienna didn't know Daniel, she'd

probably assume he was a

scammer. Yet, Daniel wasn't a scammer. Why would he willingly invest such a large sum to bring her back to work?

Most other maids only made a few thousand dollars. Besides, only their basic needs like food, lodging, and insurance were covered.

So, what was Daniel's motive for wanting her to return? What was he plotting?

Mila happily patted Sienna's hand. "Sienna, you should really consider this job offer. It pays well and opportunities like this don't come often."

With a strained smile, Sienna said, "Mila, could you step outside for a moment? I need to talk to Daniel alone."

Mila quickly agreed with a nod. She got up and left, closing the door behind her. She felt a rush of excitement as she imagined becoming sisters-in-law with Sienna.

Back in the living room, silence hung heavy.

"Is there something you wanted to talk to me about privately?" Daniel asked softly.

Sienna took a deep breath to calm her nerves before asking, "Daniel, are you offering to support me financially in exchange for companionship?"

Daniel froze. His expression

remained stoic, but internally, hisz thoughts raced. He hadn't meant to suggest anything beyond providing her a well-paying job to ensure she stayed with him.

However, Sienna's question triggered an unexpected consideration.

A forbidden thought surfaced within Daniel. Did offering financial support imply something more, something intimate?

It was a notion he hadn't dared to entertain, but now, it lingered in his mind, stirring desires he hadn't acknowledged before