“I’m giving you two options. If you choose to go home with me, I will raise you well and bear the cost of your education fee. In return, you will need to attend classes together with my daughter and stay by her side all the time, putting her safety as the top priority. If you choose to continue staying here, Featherstone Corporation will provide you financial aid, but you will be on your own. Think about it and make your choice. The final decision lies in your own hands.”
Anthony remained indifferent as usual and did not soften at all although he was facing a child.
Within seconds, the boy made his choice and replied firmly, “I choose to go back with you.”
Before Anthony gave his instruction, the boy had approached Audrey. Imitating Joseph, he lowered his head and bent his body as he stretched out his hand to lead the way. “Miss, please walk in the front.”
In a blink of an eye, Audrey’s face brightened up as she trotted out to catch up with Gregory.
Meanwhile, the boy was fully aware of his status and trailed behind them obediently.
Tucking both of his hands in the pocket, John pondered as he gazed at the boy’s figure. So they just let the boy follow them home without a second thought? They are willing to take the risk and raise him even if they don’t have any clue about his background?
“Audrey likes him, so what can I do?” asked Emma. “You’re just a pot calling the kettle black. Based on how you spoil children, if it were you, wouldn’t the result be just the same?”
John did not get the response that he was hoping for. He pursed his lips and helplessly said, “We were talking about the children. Why did you start criticizing me instead? Oh, woe is me…”
Emma glared at him with narrowed eyes and didn’t bother to respond to him.
These two were destined to be a bickering couple.
Drew went along with Gregory. Of course, Emma and John followed closely behind.
Anthony and I trailed behind some distance away from the rest of them.
Side by side, we walked through the corridor together. It was a rare moment for the two of us. Looking at the lanky young boy shuffling along at the back, I felt a flurry of mixed emotions in my heart.
I was not against Anthony doing charity, but how he did it did not sit well with me. Even though he did so out of consideration for Audrey, we couldn’t foresee what would happen in the future. Maybe one day, the boy would grow up and think that he was humiliated and started to harbor evil thoughts.
“Besides,” I paused before continuing in a serious tone, “I don’t like the look in this boy’s eyes. He may look young, but he doesn’t have the youthful exuberance of a young lad. His eyes are like a pool of dead water…”
Just like that person.
I was lost in my own thoughts when I felt a familiar warmth on my shoulder. I turned my head. Anthony had slid his arm around me and enveloped me in a comforting side hug.
“Audrey is pure-hearted by nature. We must handle the situation carefully to keep it that way,” replied Anthony. Each step he took was calm and steady. The way he spoke, as if he had it all under control, somehow managed to put me at ease. “My daughter will grow up safely and peacefully. No one can disrupt that. A few days later, I will look for a chance to send the boy away. By that time, I’ll need you, my dear wife, to help cover me.”
He was two steps ahead of me the whole time. My worry was all for nothing.
I smiled and agreed to his plan. “If necessary, I can be the bad guy. Audrey is already not that close with you. I do not want anything else to drive a wedge between your relationship with her.”
In order to maintain a happy family life, husband and wife need to work together as a team.
Anthony lightly squeezed my upper arm and smiled to himself. I wasn’t sure if he took what I said to heart.
It soon became apparent that our concern was not unfounded. Audrey was very fascinated with this boy who followed us back from the orphanage. She even paid more attention to him than to Gregory!
The moment we stepped into our home, Anthony ordered our maid to see to the boy’s cleaning up. Every few minutes, Audrey would approach them and secretly stare from the side.
This made me rather uneasy.
Excessive fascination is often the start of sinking into a bottomless pit. Even with familiar people, we could never know what covert schemes were simmering in their hearts. Not to mention this time around, we have an orphan with unknown origins.
After some careful contemplation, I called over Gregory to have a little chat.
“Greg,” I said with a smile while tenderly stroking his wet hair that was sticking to his head after a wash, “can you do Mommy a favor?”
Gregory, being the good-natured boy that he was, nodded and agreed at the drop of a hat. “Sure, Mommy. What do you need me to do?”
I thought for a while. Then, I moved to his side and whispered into his ear. “Audrey spent too much time playing today. Can you think of a way to get her to go back to her room and sleep?”
“Sure,” answered Gregory. With that, he went over to Audrey, who was pretending to play with some toys by the pillar. She was actually peeking at the boy the whole time.
Soon, the siblings were engaged in a discussion.
I looked from afar, feeling satisfied and confident. I guess having more children around really did have its perks!
In Audrey’s eyes, Gregory was far more appealing than Anthony and me. Asking him to persuade her was more effective.
I had full confidence that Gregory would succeed, but I didn’t expect it to be that quick.
In less than a minute, Audrey threw her Barbie doll to one side and happily scampered upstairs.
Feeling surprised, I hurriedly stopped Gregory and asked him what he had done. “Greg, what did you say to your sister? Why did she agree to go sleep so quickly?”
“Nothing much,” replied Gregory calmly. “I only told her that if she goes to bed now, I will play with her tomorrow right after I come home from school.”
“That’s all?” To say that I was dumbfounded would be an understatement. Thanks to John, Audrey was so cheeky that even Anthony could not handle her. Yet, Gregory managed to convince her so easily?
“That’s all,” confirmed Gregory. Without any change in his expression and tone, he continued, “So Mommy, if I can make Audrey sleep early again tomorrow, can I play on the laptop for half an hour more?”
“Okay…” I was still reeling in disbelief that Gregory persuaded his sister with just a simple offer. I gave my consent unknowingly.
“Thank you, Mommy!” Gregory grinned triumphantly. “Good night, Mommy!”
He turned to walk upstairs without a backward glance right after saying that.
His indomitable aura and unfazed manner reminded me once again that everyone would have their own Achilles’ heel.
Thinking of how Audrey had Anthony and John wrapped around her finger as well, I laughed helplessly.
I looked to the side and saw Anthony walk over. He had come in from the balcony when I was unaware. He eyed me with amusement and asked, “What are you thinking of that made you so happy?”
“Nothing much,” I replied. I couldn’t let him know that he was inferior compared to his son in the eyes of his daughter. Therefore, I swiftly changed the topic. I looked at his phone and asked, “You’re done with work?”
“With Joseph around, there’s nothing much for me to worry about.” Anthony proceeded to sit down on the sofa next to me and placed his phone on the coffee table. “I have found a well-to-do family. The husband and wife are both infertile. They would be happy to adopt a son.”
He had been on the phone the moment we reached home. I see, so he had been busy making arrangements as to that boy.
The Featherstone and Stanhope families were wealthy; thus, the money needed for bringing up a child was not a big problem. Out of goodwill, we were more than willing to take up this responsibility.
The only problem was that we could not obtain any information about this child. Hence, his past was a mystery. My women’s intuition kept alarming me that this could mean he potentially posed an unimaginable threat to my children.
When it came to our own children, all mothers would inevitably be selfish.
Perhaps it was out of guilt, I couldn’t help but comment on what Anthony told me. “Material wealth is a secondary factor. The most important thing is that they are of good character. Good family education and environment are crucial for a child to grow healthily.”
Anthony was about to respond when I glanced at him from the side and noticed a silhouette quietly standing by the door. I was caught by surprise. Upon seeing my reaction, Anthony put a pause to whatever he was about to say as well.
The boy had just bathed and changed into pajamas. His hair was still quite wet, and his fragile body was next to the door frame. When our eyes met, I could see a brief flicker in his eyes.
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.
Leave a Reply