Sylvia winced, and it showed in her lips. Unimpressed by Queenie’s appearance, Madam Stockton furrowed her brows and gave the former a look to wash up. Alas, Queenie’s full attention was on Isabel who was trying to run away. Unaware of the looks she was getting, Queenie picked Isabel up and pinned the girl down on the seat next to her. Isabel, held by the scuff of her neck, helplessly remarked, “Miss Lion, you can’t find a boyfriend if you’re so nasty and rough.” Queenie glared at her. “I might not get a boyfriend, but I’m still going to hold you down!” Madam Stockton averted her gaze, pretending to see nothing while extending hospitality to Odell and Sylvia. “Mr. and Mrs. Carter, don’t be a stranger. Make yourselves at home.” She was clearly trying to steer Odell and Sylvia’s attention away from Queenie’s hair. Sylvia courteously responded before placing a napkin over her lap. Apart from the occasional bickering between Queenie and Isabel, it was a pleasant lunch. At
Odell pursed his lips. The mention of Sherry drained the color off everyone else’s faces at the table. John fell silent for a while before curling his lips. “Mrs. Carter, you’ve been with her for a week. It’s okay to miss one afternoon now that Master Carter and the children are here. How about I take all of you on a stroll around Glanchester?” Sylvia frowned. The air was still in the room until a flat albeit young voice broke the silence. “Can’t we bring Aunt Sherry along?” Liam stared at John with his clear yet still eyes. Sitting beside Queenie, Isabel echoed her brother’s thoughts. “Uh-huh. Aunt Sherry should come along to make it a double date!” Silence befell the room once again. Madam Stockton pulled a long face. Queenie whispered to Isabel, “What do you know, kiddo? Don’t talk about her.” Julie’s head hung low. Sylvia and Odell looked at John. Adjusting his glasses up his nose, John replied with a smile, “Sure. Anything Liam and Isabel say. Let’s take he
The thought of Flint’s adorable little face put a smile on Madam Stockton’s face. “I’ve never seen such a sweet kid. If only John had a kid as well.” “John’s still young. He’ll have a child sooner or later.” As her eyes shifted, Julie added, “But Master Carter has three strange children. All three of them have different personalities. They might share some resemblance in appearance, but that’s how far their similarity goes.” Madam Stockton’s face fell. “The oldest is quite like Master Carter. The not very well-behaved girl probably takes after her mom. It’s too early to identify personality markers on the youngest.” Julie chimed in. “Yeah. The youngest is the cutest. I hope he stays that way. He better not be like his sister.” Madam Stockton callously remarked, “That’s right.” “I think the kiddo is adorable,” standing behind them, Queenie mumbled under her breath. Madam Stockton turned her head and looked at Queenie. Her unsightly hairdo was an eyesore. “Adorable? The naugh
Seeing that Odell got her out of a fix during lunch, Sylvia decided to cut him some slack. She put her hand on his. The man’s dark brows on fleek and deep eyes reflected his surprise. However, the curl across his lips soon followed as he held her hand. “Take your time. Watch your feet.” Turning her head away, Sylvia paid him no heed. Odell quietly curled his lips. On the other side, John approached the shuttle bus after Odell. Standing next to Sherry’s seat, John checked Sherry out from head to toe before asking with a smile, “Do you need my help to get off the bus?” As cheerfulness lifted from her face, Sherry mimicked his fake smile and replied with a question, “Are you willing to help me?” “It would depend on whether you need it.” “I need if you want to, but I don’t if you won’t.” He was not the only one who had a way with words. John never broke character with the grin. “I want if you need. I won’t if you don’t.” Sherry responded, “Ha… Why don’t you guess if I
After getting ahold of himself, John reflected tenderness and joy through his facial features. With Flint in his arms, John turned around and said to Odell and Sylvia, “Master Carter and Mrs. Carter, let’s get in the car.”It did not matter to him whether Sherry had exited the shuttle bus as John carried Flint straight into the limo. Sherry jumped off the shuttle bus. “Give me Flint!” She went after John. Since it was not the time and place to pick fights with Odell, Sylvia let him take her into the car. It was a spacious vehicle. Sylvia and Odell were sitting down when Sherry squeezed into the seat next to John to fight over the baby. “Give Flint to me now!” John was too preoccupied with holding Flint to give her the time of the day. Sherry extended her arms to steal Flint back. John finally looked at her. Behind the lens of his glasses, his gentle eyes turned cold and hostile. Pale in the face, Sherry withdrew her arms, but nothing could stop her from mumbling he
Odell glanced at Flint in John’s arms. The little guy was tugging and pulling on John’s collar, the same kind of stuff Flint would do when he was bored. There was no hint of the separation anxiety suggested by John. Odell pursed his lips. “Sure.” It was still a good idea for John to hold Flint so that the baby did not come in between him and Sylvia. The estate was huge. They got out of the car, only for the resort host to pick them up on a shuttle bus. While on their way in, the host went on and on about the place. As John stated, the place boasted fantastic views and first-class recreational facilities. There was a massive playground just for the kids. The spa, sauna, steam baths, and so on were catered to the adults. It was everything Sylvia could think of and more. The shuttle bus first arrived at the children’s zone. Sylvia’s eyes lit up at architecture that could only exist in fairytales. Isabel jumped off the shuttle bus but not without calling Liam to come
There were not a lot of tourists at the estate, but that did not mean there were none. A few nearby people looked over as Sylvia was lifted off the vehicle. Sylvia covered her face. “Odell, what the hell are you doing? Put me down!” “Tell me where you want to go.” Lowering his head, he brushed his thin lips against her ear and murmured gruffly, “I’ll carry you there.” Sylvia, “…” She felt a creeping rush under her skin while rosiness flushed her cheeks. Sylvia shot him an angry look. “Put me down now!” Curling his lips, Odell put forth his charms. “You can start by telling me where you want to go.” Sylvia shoved her fury back down her throat. “I’m not going to go off on my own. I’m coming with you.” No sooner had Sylvia said it than she was put back down on her feet. Without a chance to step away from Odell, Sylvia was seized by the hand. “Come on. Let’s go over there.” Holding her hand, he led her to the pine tree forest. The pine tree lined up in neat rows w
The nerve of that prick. As if sweet nothings could make Sylvia get over all the hurt Odell had caused! Sylvia picked up the speed in her feet. All she could hear were the wind and the crushing of pinecones under her feet. The man, accustomed to power and prestige, was likely offended and would not come after her. Letting out a deep breath, she slowed down the pace. Just then, a flurry of footsteps drew close from behind. An arm slipped around her waist before she knew what was going on. Thud. She crashed onto a firm chest. With one hand apprehending her, the man used the other arm to drape the jacket over her shoulders. Looking up, Sylvia appeared in a daze. Was he not angry? Why did he come after her? Odell put his arms around her over the jacket. Sensing her gaze, he lowered his head and looked into her eyes with a scowl. “You have to wear it regardless.” His voice was raspy but reflected dominance. Sylvia pursed her lips. “What if I refuse?” He curled