Andrew went downstairs to open the door, and there stood a delivery person with a beautifully crafted cake box in hand. “Sir, the cake you ordered, please sign for it.”
Of course, Andrew hadn’t ordered a cake. He turned to look at Isabella. She tightly pursed her red lips, displaying a hint of awkwardness.
As Andrew signed the receipt, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
Just as the cake was placed on the table, Amelia returned with Asher.
The baby, seeing the cake on the table, took short steps, stepped on a chair, and climbed directly onto the table. His chubby little hands smacked onto the cake.
The cake was pressed into a different shape, and the baby’s hands were covered in cream.
“Oh, Asher.” Amelia hurriedly picked up the baby from the table.
“Cake, want it!” The baby stared at the cake greedily, flapping his hands and feet in Amelia’s arms. She almost couldn’t hold him.
Andrew stood by, extending his hand to take the child.
Even in his father’s arms, the baby wasn’t well-behaved. His creamy hands messed up Andrew’s entire body, even his face.
It was a rare sight for Isabella to see him in such a disheveled state, and she couldn’t help but laugh.
After that, the atmosphere improved quite a bit.
Besides, with Asher around, Isabella couldn’t stay angry with Andrew even if she wanted to.
The baby, from somewhere, had learned a new game recently-playing “kissy-kissy.” One arm around Mom, one arm around Dad, kissing Mom, then Dad, and finally, tightening his arms, insisting that Dad and Mom kiss him too before he would relent.
Andrew’s slightly moist, warm lips kissed the corner of Isabella’s mouth, making Asher giggle incessantly.
Amelia, seeing this, was also delighted and deliberately cooked a few more dishes. After setting the table, she very tactfully retreated into the room, leaving the space for the family of three.
Although the meal had just been served, the cake was already cut into pieces. Asher’s belly was already bulging.
However, as a big man, Andrew didn’t need candles and a birthday song. Having a cake was just for appearance.
He was gracefully eating with chopsticks when Isabella, holding the child, sat opposite him. There seemed to be no generation gap between the two, and they enjoyed playful interactions. Occasionally, Andrew glanced up at them, his demeanor softened.
Suddenly, the phone on the table vibrated. Andrew checked the incoming call display; it was Ryan. He picked up the phone and walked out of the dining room to answer the call.
On the other end, it was noisy, and Ryan’s loud voice was mixed in the chaos.
“Bro, we’re all waiting for you at the Velvet Rose Club to celebrate your birthday. Parker specially got a few newly signed fresh models from the film and television company. They all look pretty clean, definitely your type.”
The Velvet Rose Club was the town’s most luxurious entertainment venue, a members-only club that only served the rich and powerful. It was also one of the industries under the Turner family consortium and where Ryan and the others often gathered.
In recent years, the media industry had become increasingly popular, and the Turner family consortium invested in several film and television media companies. Parker and others, who liked to have fun, often extended their hands into the film and television companies, adopting stars and female models.
Although Andrew didn’t like this, he was generally tolerant of those under him. As long as they didn’t go too far, he usually turned a blind eye and wouldn’t interfere.
“You guys go ahead; I’ll settle the bill.” Andrew said.
Ryan on the other end of the phone was visibly stunned. He probably hadn’t expected Andrew to decline. Except for the years he spent in the military, he had spent every birthday with Ryan and the others.
“Are you really not coming?” Ryan asked again.
“Not going.” Andrew replied low and indifferent.
He was about to hang up when his thigh was suddenly grabbed by someone.
“Daddy, hug.” The baby lay on his back, his voice sweet and milky.
Andrew bent down to pick up the child from the floor, and Isabella walked over. “Asher wants to go to the amusement park, do you want to join us?”
“Are you free?” Andrew asked.
Isabella wasn’t a household name now, but she had some fame. If the two of them went out holding the child like this and were photographed, revealing the scandal of their secret child, it would likely end her acting career.
“There’s nothing inconvenient. You really think highly of me. I’m not an A-list star; there aren’t that many paparazzi following me.” She said carelessly.
Although she said so, when they went out, she had a hat, sunglasses, and a mask, fully armed.
Meanwhile, in the private room of Jingang Tianlai, Ryan was holding a phone, looking stunned.
The private room was particularly lively, with flowers, balloons, champagne, fine wines, and beautiful women aplenty.
The men at the table were surrounded by women. The sounds of clinking glasses and laughter filled the air.
There were all kinds of beautiful women in the room. Parker, who was the most daring among them, took a pure-looking student into a private room without closing the door, and occasional sounds could be heard from inside.
When Parker came out of the private room, his clothes were still a bit disheveled. Seeing that Ryan was still holding the phone, he asked, “Boss hasn’t arrived yet? I specially saved some beauties for him.”
Ryan casually threw the phone on the marble tabletop in front of him, crossed his legs, and smoked. “Save them for yourself; our boss is at home taking care of his kid.”
“Really or fake?” The group of guys had a bewildered expression. Among them, these people were influential figures in the Ithaca town’s business world. Their boss was actually at home with his child, and saying it out loud would be a complete disgrace.
“Our boss is currently having quality family time. You guys have fun on your own.” Ryan flicked the ash from his fingertips, stood up, and intended to leave.
“Boring, let’s disband.” Parker casually tore down the annoying balloons in front of him. If the birthday boy hadn’t shown up, what was the point of having a birthday party?
Men and women walked out of the private room in groups of three to five, and there was a lingering look of dissatisfaction on their faces. Especially those female stars and models, everyone knew that in Ithaca town, as long as you could get close to Andrew, you could rise to the top. Missing this opportunity would inevitably lead to regret.
Ryan and Parker walked out of the private room last, chatting as they walked.
The two of them were Andrew’s right-hand men; Ryan was Andrew’s beta and also the vice president of the Turner family consortium. Parker was Andrew’s schoolmat, currently managing the fund company and media company. Of course, only Ryan of the group was a werewolf, and the secret was kept for over 20 years.
Just as the two walked out of the nightclub’s main entrance, a red Maserati stopped in front of them.
Ryan recognized the car and smirked playfully.
“Hey, isn’t this Zoe Green, the lawyer? What wind blew you here.”
Zoe opened the door and got out of the car, coming directly to Ryan. Her makeup was very delicate, but she looked a bit sullen. “Where is he?”
“He? Who?” Ryan pretended to be dumb.
Zoe became more annoyed, coldly saying, “Ryan, you don’t need to play dumb. You know I’m talking about Andrew. Where is he?”
“How would I know where he is? He stood us up today.” Ryan smoked, casually replying.
Beside him, Parker had one hand in his pocket, and the other held a cigarette. It was the first time he had seen Zoe, the rumored future daughter-in-law of the Turner family.
His gaze boldly swept over Zoe. She was wearing an elegant long dress, graceful in figure, a symbol of beauty, just a bit cold. Cold beauties weren’t popular right now, especially with a strong man like Andrew who definitely wouldn’t be interested in her. Who was she putting on a show for?
Zoe was not pleased with Parker’s impudent gaze and gave him a fierce glare.