“Letty, I love Summer as much as you do. You’ve also seen how happy she’s become after interacting with Jared. She’s slowly getting better. As parents, we shouldn’t overprotect our children. She needs to get out there more and build her confidence to face the real world. Both of us couldn’t get Summer to open up, but Jared succeeded. It’s worth giving this a try for Summer’s sake, right?”
Before I could respond, he powered on, “I know what you’re worried about. I’ve arranged for people to watch Jared twenty-four-seven. If he so much as poses a threat to Summer’s health and safety, they’ll immediately lock him up. I promise you, he came back this time only to help Summer open up again. He doesn’t have other motives.”
I was beginning to suspect Anthony was born with some sort of supernatural power because just a few simple words from him seemed to put me under a spell, instantly quelling the boiling rage in me.
Truth be told, even if I disagreed, what could I possibly do? Faced with an opponent like Anthony, whatever tricks we used would be ineffectual against him because he had countermeasures for everything we threw his way. For example, I had no idea that he paid such a steep price to employ such adept “watchdogs” for the Crests.
“Fine. I’ll allow Jared to continue using his identity as a teacher to help Summer with her emotional struggles, but only for this. You must warn him not to expose his identity or even think about gaining custody of her. Also, I’m only giving him two years. Two years, that’s it. If Summer still hasn’t returned to normal by then, he has to leave immediately.”
“Understood. If you want to, I can get him to put it down in black and white,” Anthony suggested.
“There’s no need for that.” Although I had acquiesced, I wasn’t going to go easy on him. In a tone oozing with sarcasm, I spat, “Knowing Jared’s character, we can forget about having it in black and white. Even if he makes a blood oath, he won’t deserve my trust. You’re his guarantor, so if anything happens, I’ll hold you accountable.”
“Then, you probably won’t get the chance,” Anthony countered in a lighter tone, probably relieved that I had conceded.
“Let’s hope you’re right.” Women weren’t as forgiving as men and worry still gnawed at my chest. “I’m gonna be frank with you. I still don’t fully believe that Jared has turned over a new leaf.”
“Trust me. You won’t be disappointed.” I could hear the smile in Anthony’s voice.
“We’ll see.”
Not in the mood to joke around, I hung up the call immediately.
The moment I turned around to head back into the house, I saw John leaning against the glass door with his hands stuffed into his trouser pockets, looking me with a long face.
“Lemme guess. You heard everything.” I raised my brows.
“Yeah.” John inhaled deeply and straightened up before walking over to give me a solemn look. “Summer likes me and I like her too. You might as well transfer all rights to me and let me take her in as my own daughter.”
“Huh? What the hell are you talking about?” My eyes went wide with shock.
“Is there anything wrong with my suggestion? Look at what Anthony said about giving Jared a chance. Does someone like him even deserve a chance? Summer can’t handle anymore trauma. Let me adopt her and I’ll see who’d dare to harm a hair on her!”
It was very rare to see John disagreeing with Anthony. Seeing how dead serious he was, I couldn’t hold back my laughter. John seemed to really regard Summer as his biological daughter.
I shook my head helplessly and stepped forward to smack him on the shoulder. “When you show the same amount of concern for Kiki, then we’ll talk about handing my daughter over to you, hmm?”
Without waiting for his response, I walked past him and went upstairs.
It was approximately eight o’clock when Emery called me. Her appointment for her treatment overseas had been brought forward. We chatted for a while and she had to hang up the call to board the plane. She was an easy-going person, but I hoped that she would come back with good news this time.
The next day, John insisted on sending Summer to school with me.
I parked the car at the same spot as the previous time. Jared’s tall figure was particularly eye-catching among the group of children, but he had deliberately dressed in a simple outfit. His jaw was covered with stubble, making him look like he had aged a decade.
Having not seen him for a few days, Summer broke into a run toward him the moment she got down from the car.
Jared instinctively crouched down to hold Summer. Both of them were all smiles, garnering a lot of envious gazes. Of course, those who felt that way were merely outsiders. John, on the other hand, was dripping with jealousy.
He watched Summer and Jared laughing heartily with a murderous look on his face, looking like he was only a step away from tearing down this scene. I noticed his lips moving subtly as he mumbled something under his breath. From his expression, I could tell that it wasn’t anything sweet.
Jared nodded at us in greeting, seemingly much more courteous than the previous day.
His behavior reminded me of Anthony back then. I had seen it too many times. Thinking about the scheming mind behind the kind facade, fear gripped my heart.
Afraid that I might regret my decision, I stopped looking at him and simply said, “I’ll have to trouble you to take care of Summer in school, Mr. Cress.”
“It’s no trouble at all. It’s my job. Besides, Summer is a very good girl.” Jared stroked Summer’s head and they smiled at each other, getting along very well.
Finding this scene absolutely unbearable, John’s brows scrunched together as a grim expression took residence on his face. He and Summer were still not on talking terms because of the matter about the school transfer. Unable to let go of his inflated ego to initiate a conversation with her, he felt all the more depressed.
John’s becoming more ridiculous the older he gets. I can’t believe he’s being so serious with a child.
Pursing my lips, I discreetly signaled Summer with my eyes, to which she instantly understood. With that, she walked over to hold John’s hand and started behaving adorably. “Uncle John, will you come pick me up tonight? Can you bring me for some ice cream? You know I love eating ice cream with you the most, Uncle John!”
It was difficult for a man, no matter how old he was, to remain unmoved when a little girl said such sweet words to him, especially in such a cute voice.
True enough, the sullen look on John’s face was replaced by delight. Although he proudly raised his chin, he couldn’t conceal the smile on his lips.
He feigned indifference as he looked down at Summer, clearing his throat mechanically before saying, “It depends on your performance. If you’re a good girl, then I’ll reward you. If not, there’ll be no ice cream for you!”
“Okay!” Summer raised her chubby hand and made a salute gesture, almost losing her balance and looking absolutely adorable.
John finally caved, crouching down to take Summer’s hand as his gaze abruptly softened. “Be a good girl, mm? Listen to your teachers and have fun with your friends, okay?”
He was an imposing man who had once raised a colossal uproar, but he was like a tamed lion in front of Summer. The cautious way he treated her made others envious, thinking how nice it would be to have such a warm man as their family.
But I knew that he was actually overwhelmed with worry about Summer’s safety just like me.
Still a child, Summer didn’t understand the hidden meaning in a grown-ups’ words and took it literally. “Mm! I got it, Uncle John. I’ll make many, many new friends and work hard to become mini Superman!”
Witnessing a child’s innocence was the best way to wash away all our troubles and sorrows. Summer’s brilliant smile was immensely reassuring, and I found myself relaxing considerably. Without saying anything else, we let Jared lead her in.
This time, as I watched this so-called “Mr. Cress” walking into the building hand in hand with Summer, the weight in my heart was no less lighter than the previous time.
While I was lost in my thoughts, John suddenly leaned over and confidently announced, “Don’t worry. I’ve arranged an assistant for Jared, to make sure that he’ll never get the opportunity to be alone with Summer.”
Hearing this, I visibly slumped with relief.
…
Bryson’s court trial received quite a lot of media attention. There were reporters waiting outside the courthouse, while the courtroom was filled with people there to bear witness.
Surprise filled me when I saw Zander in the defense attorney’s seat. He had only recently passed the bar examination but was already defending a business tycoon like Thora in court. For a newly qualified lawyer, this was a form of recognition as well as an honor.
Unfortunately for him, although he tried very hard to defend his client, he failed to gain the upper hand over Brooklyn in the face was numerous valid pieces of evidence.
The first verdict stated that Ziegler Investment was required to compensate Bryson eighty percent of his investment, totaling up to a hundred and sixty million.
After emerging from the court, seeing as there was a high chance he was going to win the lawsuit, Bryson decided to bring us out to celebrate. Before we left the premises, Zander caught up to us with his assistant in tow.
“What can I do for you, Mr. Hoffman? As a lawyer, you should know that I can put in a request for you to be disqualified in court if you contact our witness in private.” Brooklyn was an eloquent speaker in court and someone you wouldn’t want to offend in private.
“Of course, I know that, but surely it’s not against the law to have a chat with Ms. Stanhope?” Zander replied calmly.
My brows furrowed in dubiety. He’s doomed to lose the lawsuit. As his opponent, what is there for us to talk about?
Despite being uncertain about what Zander was playing at, I still agreed to his invitation and went to the pantry in the courthouse alone with him.
“Go ahead and get straight to the point, Mr. Hoffman.” If he wanted me to order Brooklyn to go easy on him, then I would immediately end this discussion.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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