Keaton and Yanni left with Ella, but Denise chased after them. As dusk fell, the fading light concealed her exhaustion, but it could not hide her guilt. Denise's voice trembled slightly as she cried out, “I am her mother, Keaton!”Keaton’s body stiffened for a moment. After a brief pause, he opened the backseat door and turned to Yanni. He spoke softly, “Take Ella into the car first.”Yanni understood that Keaton intended to confront Denise personally. She didn’t spare Denise another glance, Instead, she simply held Ella as she got into the car. She locked eyes with Keaton through the glass for about ten seconds before he turned away.Keaton looked at Denise through the night. His gaze was heavy. “Mother? Do you even deserve to be called one?”Denise realized the gravity of her situation. After today, it would be nearly impossible to get close to Ella. She suspected Keaton would take Ella abroad. So, she softened her tone. “I am still Callan’s wife, Keaton. Ella is the product
Gustavo and Susan were well-educated individuals. Although Ella had been frightened, they didn’t want to add to the child's burdens. Once Ella returned home, they hugged her gently, ensuring she felt safe and loved. Susan took the little girl to the bathroom and meticulously washed her small hands with a fragrant soap that was shaped like a yellow duck. Ella smelled delightful afterward.Ella was naturally cheerful and quick to forget grievances. Soom, she was cheered up under Susan's care. When they emerged from the bathroom, the latter carried the former to the dining table, only to notice that Keaton was missing.Yanni served Ella a small bowl of warm French oxtail soup. It was perfect for the latter. She turned to Susan and said, “Keaton mentioned he was going to the study to handle some matters.” Susan knew her son well. She sensed there was more to the situation but decided to keep her thoughts to herself. Instead, she let out a soft sigh. “Let’s eat first, then,” Susan r
Yanni was momentarily stunned. Keaton gave her a gentle tug, and she fell right into his arms. The window in the study was open, and the temperature wasn’t high. So, Keaton’s body wasn’t particularly warm, but the places where he embraced Yanni quickly became warm. Keaton didn’t do anything else. He merely buried his face in the back of Yanni’s neck, holding her close for a long, long time. After a while, Keaton's voice came out hoarse. "Yanni. I honestly don’t know what would have happened if it weren’t for you today. Maybe Denise would have taken Ella away directly." Yanni sensed a rare vulnerability in him. She understood that a man like Keaton rarely revealed such emotions. Ella had become irreplaceable in his life, but she didn’t feel jealous. Yanni understood this kind of bond where people rely on each other. Noah had once shared such a connection with Holly, and she had experienced it with Gwynn too.Yanni slowly held Keaton’s head, gently stroking his black hair.
The car door opened, and Lorian stepped forward to welcome the guests on behalf of Noah. It was the first formal meeting between him and Keaton. Both of them were seasoned professionals in the business world. So, their small talk flowed effortlessly. After a brief exchange, Keaton picked up the gifts while Lorian scooped up Ella in his arms and headed toward the house. He was exceptionally handsome. Meanwhile, Ella had her arms around his neck and stared at him intently.Then, Ella said sweetly, "Uncle Lorian is as handsome as Daddy." Just then, Tegan came over carrying Lola. Lorian smiled at Tegan and said, "Did you hear that just now? She said I’m just as handsome as Keaton."With that, Lorian passed Ella to her and let her take a look at eight-month-old Lola.Lola was adorably cute. Ella stared at the baby intently, clearly captivated and unable to look away. Tegan was fond of Ella. She patted the little girl’s head and teasingly said to Lorian, “What’s the point of look
Jamie pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth, feeling a sense of determination. It was good timing. He had something he wanted to ask Paityn, and not addressing it directly would keep him restless at night. Paityn had come over to drop off some things for Tegan, specifically gifts for the little one, Lola. As she opened the car door and stepped out, her eyes immediately fell on Jamie. Jamie stood in the courtyard in his black hunting outfit, blending seamlessly with the twilight around him. Paityn had to tilt her head back to see him clearly. All she could make out were the sharp contours of his features, radiating an air of distance. That was right. Jamie exuded an air of distance. They hadn’t parted on good terms. For a long time, they had avoided even the smallest greeting whenever they crossed paths in the business world. Jamie was no longer the type to press Paityn about why they couldn’t be together, as he had done in the past. Everything was her choice, and
Denise didn’t want to return to the hotel. She drove to a bar. She wanted to get drunk so she could temporarily forget Keaton. She didn’t want to think about that heartless man, at least for tonight. He had been too cruel to her. That was right. Keaton was too heartless.Denise ordered the strongest drink. After just one sip, she already felt tipsy. Her body was numbed, but her heart was even more bitter. In her blurred vision, she seemed to see Keaton. However, the man didn’t quite seem like him.It was a very handsome man, even younger than Keaton. He wore a white shirt and thin gold-rimmed glasses, looking quite refined.Denise stared blankly as the man sat down. She couldn’t tear her eyes away. She couldn’t believe that there could be someone in this world who looked so similar, even down to the same aura. A wild thought surged within her.Craig was a business elite, and he naturally carried a certain poise when frequenting bars and clubs. He held a glass of whiskey as he sa
Keaton was on the other end of the phone.As night fell, a luxury black sports car parked in the hotel parking lot. Keaton was sitting inside it, gripping his phone as he stared in the direction of the hotel room. A fierce look was hidden in his dark eyes. Denise had taken the bait. All Craig needed to do now was keep appearing, leaving the bait out. He was confident that she would fall for it. Keaton didn’t want Denise’s mere possessions. Instead, he wanted her life in order to comfort the spirit of his deceased brother—Callan.As Craig passed by the car, he spotted Keaton, who was the financial backer. However, he didn’t get in. He simply nodded slightly. Their eyes met, and they shared an unspoken understanding.After Craig left, Keaton sat in the car and smoked a cigarette. The light smoke was carried away by the cold wind, and Keaton's handsome face gradually came into focus. With that said, the malice in his eyes only deepened and refused to dissipate. At that moment,
Craig looked at Denise, his brow slightly furrowed. "Have we met before, miss?" Denise felt a bit annoyed but suppressed it. "We met at the bar a few days ago." "Oh, I remember now." Craig took a glass of champagne from a server, and a hint of interest appeared in his gaze. "I recall that we indeed met a few nights ago and had a very pleasant time." Craig chuckled lightly. "Your acting skills are quite impressive." This was a jab at her televised performance mourning her deceased husband. Denise caught the sarcasm but didn't mind. She was currently only interested in Craig's investment methods. Denise had some funds available, and if Craig really had the ability, he could serve as a valuable resource. She made a gesture. "Can we talk privately?" Craig readily agreed. So, the two of them left the venue early and went to a café downstairs for a detailed discussion. Craig displayed quite a bit of charm as he took the initiative to order coffee. During their conversatio