Chapter 37
Chapter 37
At this moment, lan and the teacher still had some misunderstandings to clear up.
When the two of them came to pick up Yvonne earlier, lan was all smiles. He held Yvonne’s little hand and said, “Your dad’s busy, so he asked us to take you home. Come on, let’s go“
This made the teacher, who was about to leave, stop in her tracks. She quickly pulled Yvonne behind her, shielding the little
girl
Jan’s words were just too classic–straight out of a child abductor’s playbook. Naturally, it raised the teacher’s suspicions.
She guarded Wonne, eyeing lan and Victor warily. “Who are you to the child?”
lan was taken aback but then chuckled, “Uncles, obviously. Can’t you see how much she looks like me?
It was meant as a joke, but the teacher took it seriously. She glanced at Yvonne’s face, then back at fan. There was indeed a slight resemblance. Still her guard remained up.
Call her father. Otherwise I can’t let you take her.”
lan raised an eyebrow, impressed by the teacher’s diligence. He didn’t argue and instead pulled out his phone to call Kelvin. After explaining the situation, he handed the phone to the teacher so she could verify things herself.
Two minutes later, the teacher realized it was all a misunderstanding. She let go of Yvonne’s hand and apologized with an embarrassed smile. “Sorry about that. You can take her now.”
lan bent down, scooped Yvonne into his arms, and nodded at the teacher. Finally, they were able to take Yvonne home.
Yvonne rested her head on Ian’s shoulder, her curious eyes landing on Victor, who was walking behind them. In her tiny. adorable voice, she asked, “Mr. Holmes. Mr. Manson, why are you back again?”
That “again” was telling
Victor let out a laugh and ruffled her hair. “What do you mean, again? We haven’t seen you in a week! Don’t you miss us!”
He stared into her big, sparkling eyes, but Yvonne was deliberately avoiding eye contact. She didn’t want to lie, but saying the truth felt… awkward.
Victor felt a wave of disappointment wash over him.
Ian patted Yvonne’s back, his voice warm and teasing. “Well, even if you don’t miss us, we sure missed you.”
By then, they had reached the car. Ian placed Yvonne in the backseat and slid in beside her. “You drive,” he instructed Victor, who had just opened the door for them.
Victor snorted but didn’t argue. He took the keys and got behind the wheel.
During the ride, lan couldn’t stop staring at Yvonne’s chubby little cheeks. Finally, he gave in and pinched one gently.
Yvonne turned to him, confused. “Mr. Holmes, what are you doing?”
Her words were slightly muffled because of her squished cheek, making her even cuter.
“Yvonne.” Ian said, his eyes twinkling, “how about you come stay with me for a while?”
Before Yvonne could respond, Victor chimed in from the front, clearly annoyed. “Why should she go with you? Yvonne, come to my place instead. I’ve got a big house, and there’s a fun old man who’d love to play with you.”
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Chapter 37
“Tasked first!” lan shot bark
“Yeah, well, I don’t care about ‘first come, first served”
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Yvonne’s eyes widened in panic. Here we go again, she thought. She raised her voice, her tiny tone surprisingly fierce. “I have
school!
That shout stunned both men into silence. Once the car was quiet again, Yvonne’s voice softened. I’m not going anywhere. I have to go to school…
It was a bittersweet moment. Ian and Victor were used to being rejected by Yvonne, but her little outburst was something new. Ian poked her cheek again, grinning. Do it again, that was cute
Yvonne pulled out her cheeks, refusing to entertain him lan, however, found her patience endearing. Most kids would’ve thrown a hit by now, but not Yvonne.
As they pulled up to the Adler residence, Yvome tried to walk on her own, but fan insisted on carrying her inside.
When they entered, Jeremy was already home. He had planned to pick up Yvonne from school, but the driver told him lan had taken care of it. Jeremy couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed–he had missed his sister’s first day of school.
Jeremy Yvonne wriggled out of lan’s arms and ran straight to her brother.
Jeremy’s disappointment vanished instantly. Even if he hadn’t been the one to pick her up, she had run to him first. Life was good again.
Yvonne, how was your first day of school?” Jeremy asked, gently touching her kitten–shaped backpack, which held a water bottle.
“Did you give out all the flowers? How many friends did you make?”
气
Yvonne’s eyes lit up. She held up her tiny hands, fingers splayed, and excitedly explained, “So many! Lots of kids want to be my friend
Seeing her so happy made Jeremy smile too. This was what it felt like to watch his little sister grow up.
“Sounds like a great first day,” lan remarked, lounging on the couch.
Lillian peeked out from the kitchen, smiling as she listened to Yvonne recount her day.
For Yvonne, this was shaping up to be the happiest day of her life.
Ian and Victor followed Yvonne to her room to check on the flowers they had been curious about. Afterward, they stayed for dinner, compliments of Lillian’s excellent cooking.
Half an hour after they left, a servant entered the living room, where only Jeremy and Yvonne were sitting.
“Jeremy, there’s someone at the gate claiming to be the director of an orphanage. She wants to come in.”
Yvonne froze for a moment, then bolted toward the door. It was Dani–her “mom” from the orphanage! She had finally
come to visit!
Jeremy quickly followed his sister outside.
At the gate stood Dani, dressed simply, holding a bamboo basket covered with a yellow floral cloth. Inside the basket, faint whimpers of a puppy could be heard.
“Dani!” Yvonne threw herself at Dani, wrapping her arms around her legs. Tears streamed down her face as she breathed in
the familiar scent.
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Chapter 37
Dani set the basket down and gently stroked Yvonne’s hair. “Sweetheart, how have you been? Are you behaving for Mr.
Adler?”
