Mag-log inLeonard's comment, "Elara taught me well", was like a fine needle precisely popping a balloon.Harvey's face turned ashen as he looked at the pastry Leonard had placed in front of Beau, as exquisite as a work of art, then compared it to the mess on his own table. The intense humiliation nearly suffocated him.He stared fixedly at Leonard, his chest heaving violently, yet he couldn't say a word. What could he do? Argue back? In the face of facts, any rebuttal would be feeble and meaningless.Beau looked at the beautiful pastry on the table, then looked up at his refined and distinguished great-uncle, then back at his own disheveled father. His little mouth drooped, but far from feeling grateful, he felt even more wronged and ashamed.He suddenly raised his hand and swept the pastry onto the floor!"I don't want your pastry! I only want the ones Mommy makes!" He shouted at Leonard like an untamed little lion.This sudden outburst made the surroundings instantly fall silent. Harvey
The oppressive atmosphere radiating from Harvey could nearly freeze the air around him. He stared fixedly at the dough in his hands, now mangled beyond recognition from his rough handling, as if it had become a reflection of his failed life."Daddy!" Beau was on the verge of tears, his whole little face scrunched up."Why can't you even do this simple thing right!" Beau thought back to before. In the past, Elara had helped him win first place at every school family activity.In his memory, Harvey was all-knowing and all-powerful. His father was the most capable person in the world, and he thought that having Harvey meant having everything. But his father had reduced him to such an embarrassing situation.Just then, the teacher's voice rang out. "Alright, children, everyone line up. With your parents' help, put your pastries on the baking trays."The children who had finished making their pastries lined up with their parents. They put name labels on their creations so they could id
Harvey's face instantly darkened at being scorned by his own son.He looked in the direction Beau was pointing and saw Elara leaning slightly, her fingers gently adjusting the dough in Leonard's hands. Her profile was soft, her lips still curved in a lingering smile.And Leonard, that academician who was usually so aloof he seemed otherworldly, was now docilely letting Elara "instruct" him. The scene was so glaring it ignited a fire in Harvey's chest."Making pastries is about the sentiment behind them. Appearance doesn't matter." Harvey forced out the stiff statement, trying to maintain what dignity he had left.But his hands worked the dough even more forcefully, which only made things worse as the filling spilled across the table.Beau watched his father's clumsy yet stubborn performance, then looked over at the harmonious "family of four" across the way. His little mouth drooped even more, and moisture quickly gathered in his large eyes. On the verge of tears, he looked especi
Harvey wore an impeccably tailored designer suit, his tall frame radiating a cold severity that clashed sharply with the warm, festive atmosphere filling the room.Beau wore a matching little suit, his features delicate but carrying an air of arrogance from being spoiled. As soon as he entered, his eyes, strikingly similar to Harvey's, darted around before finally settling on Elara and Xavier beside her.Beau bit his lip, his bright eyes taking on a pitiful expression."Daddy, I want to go over to Mommy." Beau's voice was full of longing."Would your mom even want you?" Harvey's voice was ice cold, completely crushing Beau's hopes.Beau had recovered well. After all, he was a growing child, and with proper nutrition, even the hair that had been shaved for stitches had grown back. Only the spot where he'd been stitched remained bald, creating a lightning bolt-shaped mark on the side of his head that actually looked rather cool.Harvey led Beau to an empty table and sat down. His g
Elara walked into the kindergarten activity room with Merida, taking in the decorations of colorful streamers and paper crafts. The sweet scent of baking filled the air. She immediately spotted Leonard standing by the window.Today, he wore a light linen shirt, his posture upright and composed, somehow separated from the noisy environment around him by an invisible barrier. Beside him, Xavier stood quietly, clutching his ever-present electronic reader, his large eyes warily observing the surroundings."Granduncle Leonard! Xavier!" Merida flew over like a happy little bird.Leonard nodded slightly, his gaze passing over Merida to land on Elara. His cool eyes softened slightly, a hint of warmth flickering through them."Elara." His voice remained steady, yet it carried more warmth than it had over the phone."Mr. Fisher, Xavier, you're here early." Elara smiled as she approached, naturally crouching down to meet Xavier at eye level."Xavier, we're making pastries together today, ok
Elara called Leonard, and a cool, low male voice came through the phone. "Elara, what's up?"He sounded like he'd been expecting her call."Mr. Fisher, do you have any free time coming up?"Elara briefly explained about the kindergarten family activity, then said, "I know your time is valuable, and this kind of event might not be on your usual schedule. But Merida and I would really love it if you and Xavier could come."The line went quiet for a few seconds. Elara instinctively held her breath, almost able to imagine Leonard frowning slightly as he reviewed his calendar.Just when she expected him to politely decline, Leonard spoke. "Alright, I'll bring Xavier."Elara felt surprised he actually agreed, yet it also made sense. To help Xavier return to a normal life, Leonard had already made quite a few compromises."That's wonderful." Joy colored her voice.Through the phone, Leonard heard Elara speaking to Merida. "Your Granduncle Leonard said yes! We'll be making pastries toge







