Ann Vaughn shrugged helplessly, left her room after getting ready, only to find that Kenny, who usually would be up by now, was nowhere in the living room or the kitchen.
When she reached the door of the child’s room, she noticed a note posted on it, with words faintly laced with anger.
[Mommy, I’ve been kidnapped by The Archfiend!]
Ann Vaughn: ???
Half an hour later.
No. 8 at The Imperial Villas, a pri lakeside location in the city center.
When Ann Vaughn rushed to No. 8, she found the pair, an adult and a child, sitting in the garden having breakfast.
Little Dumpling was nibbling on his bread, accidentally getting chocolate frosting onto his cheek.
The man next to him casually wiped his cheek with a handkerchief, then took the bread from his hand, sliced it up with a dining knife, and handed it back to him.
The entire process was so natural and routine, as if it had been done millions of tis, without any sense of unfamiliarity.
"Thank you." Kenny’s soft little face looked sowhat shy, yet he obediently thanked him and continued eating.
The man gently rubbed his little head and then lowered his voice, saying calmly, "When your mommy arrives, you know what to do, right?"
Kenny pursed his lips, wanting to say sothing, but had to yield under The Archfiend’s oppressive power, reluctantly agreeing, "Got it..."
Standing aside, Uncle Dexter watched the warm interaction between father and son, his old eyes getting misty, almost unable to control his emotions.
This is the direct descendant of the Hawthorne Family!
He had served three generations of the Hawthorne Family’s direct heirs. Unexpectedly, he got to see the fourth generation’s little heir in his lifeti, lucky enough to take care of him.
If the late master had any spirit in heaven, he would certainly feel comforted by this.
"Kenny!" Just then, Ann Vaughn jogged into the garden, instantly seeing her own Little Dumpling sitting obediently on the chair, drinking milk with a milk mustache, making her feel a bit amused.
Uncle Dexter greeted her warmly, "Good morning, Miss Vaughn, have you had breakfast?"
"Good morning, Uncle Dexter, I’ve had mine." Ann Vaughn replied with a gentle smile.
"Mommy!" Seeing his mommy, Kenny’s big eyes lit up, leapt from his chair, and ran over, wrapping his arms around her leg with a smack, "Kenny’s finally seen you!"
Little Dumpling’s charm worked from age eight to eighty, almost nobody could resist his adorable deanor.
Not to ntion Ann Vaughn, whose heart almost lted, couldn’t help but gently rub her cheek against his.
Seeing this, Cyrus Hawthorne narrowed his eyes dangerously, put down his coffee cup, and softly cleared his throat.
Imrsed in the warm embrace of his mommy, Kenny’s little body stiffened, then sowhat reluctantly released Ann Vaughn and said in a milky voice, "Mommy, can I ask you for sothing?"
"What is it?"
"Kenny really likes this place and wants to live here with Mommy forever, plus it’s really close to the clinic and the school, very convenient, right?"
Pouting as he finished speaking, Little Dumpling felt the unfriendliness of this world.
He’s not compromising; this is called a strategic retreat!
Ann Vaughn, upon hearing these words, had entirely different feelings.
Little Dumpling had always been exceptionally well-behaved from his childhood onwards, rarely asking her for anything or expressing what he wanted.
Most of the ti, just giving him a storybook, he could sit there quietly, not causing any trouble, peacefully staying still for the whole day.
Maybe it was due to his poor health, or perhaps he was afraid of making her worry.
If possible, Ann Vaughn wished he would ask for more, just a little more.
When Cyrus Hawthorne casually raised his gaze, he saw Ann Vaughn bending down to plant a kiss on Kenny’s little cheek, her delicate profile brimming with a touching, gentle smile.
He furrowed his brows and said in a serious tone, "You should go to kindergarten now."
"It’s almost ti, young master. I’ll take you to school." Uncle Dexter glanced at the clock, picked up Kenny’s little backpack from the chair, and said tenderly.
"Thank you." Kenny returned a big smile and then turned to Ann Vaughn saying, "Mommy, be careful of those who seem harmless but are actually very sly big bad guys!"
After saying that, Kenny followed Uncle Dexter out of the garden.
Ann Vaughn, finding the comnt sowhat amusing, turned her head to look at Cyrus Hawthorne, who sat languidly, and snapped, "You lured Kenny here, coaxing him to say those words to , what are you up to?"
"Mrs. Hawthorne, we’ve been separated long enough. Are you sure you want to continue this way?" Cyrus Hawthorne squinted slightly, seemingly smiling yet firm, not accepting refusal.
Every ti Ann Vaughn heard the words "Mrs. Hawthorne" from his mouth, she felt her face burn.
"Even if that’s the case, you could have discussed it with ..."
"I recall discussing it just last night, and that certain person promised and said, okay."
"..."
Did that really happen?
Ann Vaughn was stunned for a mont, her mind flashing to a scene from last night at The Water Terrace, but due to being too tired at the ti, a large part of her mory was blurry.
Perhaps he really had discussed it with her, and she, eager for sleep, agreed perfunctorily?
For a mont, Ann Vaughn fell into self-doubt.
So much so that she did not notice the aningful, faint smile hidden behind Cyrus Hawthorne’s coffee cup.
"I’ll take you to tour inside. If there are any places you’re dissatisfied with, we can make improvents."
"Oh." Ann Vaughn replied absently, still sowhat bewildered, her thin brows furrowed in confusion.
But the bewildernt quickly transford into amazent as she saw the full view of the villa’s master bedroom and child’s room.
The master bedroom’s floor was covered with a thick layer of snow-white cashre carpet, harmonizing with the snowflake relief on the ceiling and the ice crystal bead curtain in front of the large bed.
It made one feel as though they were in a snowy field, a visual contrast that was stunning.
Especially by the floor-to-ceiling window, the light blue hammock struck a chord with Ann Vaughn, filling her with delight.
Then there’s the bathroom, designed with slip-resistant flooring, dual ventilation windows to ensure steam is promptly expelled, preventing the stifling air from causing faintness.
Even the carpet on the floor was because she often forgot to wear shoes and habitually went around barefoot.
It was as though everything was tailor-made for Ann Vaughn, and every small detail made her heart flutter.
Not to ntion the adjacent child’s room, its main the was trendy and avant-garde, with sleek lines and a light-blue overall color that gave a neat feel.
The desk had a built-in design, on top stood a computer of the sa color sche, along with so intriguing yet complex storybooks neatly arranged on the shelf above.
Ann Vaughn’s gaze was quickly drawn to the two White Jade Linked Rings on the table, suddenly realizing sothing, nearly bursting with laughter.
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