Curtis picked up his phone and glanced at the screen, involuntarily frowning as he ignored the call. Yet, it rang again after a moment, prompting him to finally decide to answer it. Deliberately avoiding Margot, he walked to the balcony before picking up the call."What's the matter?"On the other end of the end of the line, Ashley's voice came through, asking, "Curt, it's been a while since you've been home. You're also not at the Royal Villa. Where are you?""I'm on a business trip.""How long will you be away?""Mom, just tell me what's the matter."Ashley picked up on Curtis' impatient tone and got straight to the point."Well, I've arranged for you to meet Queenie Trapp. You two should meet. Look at yourself, you're in your 30s and still single. The family is worried."Curtis remained silent, disliking the idea of another blind date arranged for him and disapproving of such interference from his elders.He turned and glanced toward the dining room where Margot and Lilac
Then, Lilac turned to Margot and asked, "Mommy, can you not go out with other men?"Margot frowned. "What? What men are you talking about?""Uncle Royce. Daddy said he doesn't like you going out with other men or he will get jealous."In truth, Lilac didn't fully grasp the concept of jealousy. She had merely seen it mentioned in short videos. So, she casually brought it up. It seemed he had forgotten the times when he got involved with other women. Besides, what concern was it of his who she associated with now? They weren't spouses or lovers. What right did he have to control her?Ignoring Curtis, Margot proceeded to give Lilac a bath after dinner. After ending the call, Curtis returned to the dining room to find Margot and Lilac heading to the bathroom, leaving him alone to eat. After finishing his meal and tidying up the kitchen, he approached the bathroom door and called out, "Do you need any help?"Margot replied coldly, "I'm giving Lilac a bath. What help could you off
As Curtis wondered why he would learn online when there were real teachers out there, Calvin glanced back at him and chuckled before he left without a word.…That night, the three of them still slept in the same bed.Lilac insisted that her parents accompany her to sleep, or she would throw a tantrum.Because of that, Margot and Curtis had no choice but to comply.Perhaps because Curtis wasn't rejected when he attempted to get close to Margot last night, he felt a bit more emboldened tonight. He reached over Lilac and wrapped his arm around Margot's waist.However, Margot grabbed his hand and gave him a cold glare, warning him to behave.Curtis immediately retracted his hand, raising his eyebrows playfully at her and blowing her a kiss."Goodnight, darlings," he said softly to Margot and Lilac. Both Lilac and Margot were his darlings.Upon hearing that, Margot rolled her eyes and turned away from him.Curtis didn't mind. He kissed their daughter on the forehead, keeping
Given that Ashley was an elder who used to treat Margot well, Matgot showed great respect to her now. It was necessary to respect Ashley. After all, she was Lilac's paternal grandmother. "Did you open this store as soon as you came back?" Ashley asked, looking at Margot, who was seated across from her. It had been four years, and Margot appeared to have grown more mature. She no longer had that girly look about her anymore. "Yes, the store opened just two days ago," Margot replied truthfully."Did you get money from Curt to open this place?"Ashley couldn't help her unfriendly attitude when talking to the woman who had put her son in danger.Margot only lowered her head in silence.The money did indeed come from the Crosby family. Martin had given her one billion. She had kept it under Natalie's name. She only withdrew it to open the pizzeria.However, she could afford to pay the sum if Natalie wanted it back.After all, her assets in Emeria had been unfrozen by the Morris
Ashley stormed off after leaving behind a check.Watching Ashley leave, Margot quickly pulled out her phone and called Curtis. As soon as he answered, she blurted out, "Curtis, you need to go to the nursery and pick Lilac up right now. Your mother is trying to take her from me!"Curtis was in the kitchen learning to cook from Calvin. Despite the urgency in Margot's voice, he calmly asked, "Did my mother visit you?""Yes! You need to hurry and check if Lilac has been taken away. Don't let your mom take her away, or she won't give Lilac back to me.""Alright, I'll go now. Don't worry, Margot. My mom is Lilac's grandmother after all. She won't hurt Lilac.""But she wants to separate me from Lilac. I'm warning you, Curtis. I will never forgive you if your family takes Lilac away from me."Still feeling uneasy, Margot hurried out of the pizzeria.Royce followed her and started the car.Curtis could hear the panic in her voice through the phone. As he untied his apron, he reassured h
Margot lacked confidence in Curtis's ability to safely retrieve Lilac. She felt compelled to go herself and bring Lilac back. If the Crosby family refused to cooperate, they would face her wrath.Observing Margot's anxiety, Royce provided reassurance as he drove toward the Crosby residence."Lilac will be fine. I'll speak with Pamela. I'm sure Martin will return you Lilac after Pamela discusses it with him."After all, Martin indulged Pamela, who in turn always fulfilled Royce's requests.Margot glanced at Royce. Considering Royce's status, she nodded in agreement."Very well. I'll rely on you if they refuse to hand over Lilac."Margot didn't want to ask for the Morris family's help now. Even though they were quite powerful, she didn't want to have anything to do with them unless absolutely necessary. She was especially grateful for Royce's help.Royce gently patted her head and continued to reassure her."Stay calm, Margot. We're almost there."…Curtis arrived at the Crosby
"I spoke with Margot. She seemed furious when I offered her money to leave you, Curtis. Despite your grandfather and my wishes for you to part ways with her, if you insist on being with her, we won't intervene any longer if she comes to collect Lilac."Moreover, another reason Grandpa consented to your reunion is to secure another child, a boy who can carry on the Crosby family lineage."Ashley had gone to see Margot earlier because she was angry at Margot for deceiving everyone and leaving back then.After all, Curtis got into trouble and almost lost his life because of Margot. Upon seeing Margot again, Ashley felt frustrated that she couldn't express her anger.That was why Ashley purposely intimidated Margot.As a mother, Ashley knew her son's personality all too well. Curtis would resent her profoundly if she became truly hostile toward Margot.Over the years, the elders had observed Curtis' attachment to Margot. They didn't want to drive Curtis into a corner. Nevertheles
Curtis reached out and took Margot's hand, motioning toward Royce. You're not needed here. Go on," he indicated."I'm here to visit my sister," replied Royce before turning to Margot. "Margot, you should talk things out with him. Give me a call when you're ready to leave. I'll be waiting over there.""Alright," Margot replied.Curtis' gaze remained cold as he watched Royce leave.Margot shook off Curtis' hand and demanded again, "Curtis, tell me what they want you to negotiate with me about."Only then did Curtis look at Margot. He spoke frankly, "Grandpa doesn't want to take Lilac away from you. However, they have a request.""What is it?""They want you to stay too and bear a son for the Crosby family." As Curtis said this, he appeared somewhat guilty, his gaze flickering for a moment. "But having a son isn't something you can decide on your own. As long as you stay, they probably won't interfere as much."Margot was surprised to hear that.They wouldn't take Lilac away. Als