At this moment, it was almost one o’clock in the morning.
Andrew returned to the apartment, and the living room light was unexpectedly on.
In front of the huge French windows, a tall and slender silhouette of a woman was reflected. Upon hearing footsteps, she casually turned around, “Back already?”
Andrew strode into the living room, removing his tie as he walked and tossing it on the couch, “Why are you here so late?”
“Zoe ran out crying from our home, so I came to ask what happened,” Layla answered nonchalantly.
Sitting down on the large couch, Andrew casually crossed his long legs, “Why didn’t you call? Was it necessary for you to come all this way for such a trivial matter?”
“I couldn’t sleep, so I came out for some fresh air,” Layla walked over and sat across from him. “If I hadn’t come suddenly, I wouldn’t have witnessed what just happened. Andrew, don’t you have anything to say about it?”
Andrew calmly looked at Layla, his tone indifferent, emitting an aura that warned against trespassing. Perhaps, only when facing Isabella would he reveal a hint of tenderness and indulgence.
“I don’t think I need to explain anything to you.”
Layla nodded, seemingly expecting his response.
“So, how do you plan to handle the relationship with Zoe?” Layla asked again.
“I never had any relationship with Zoe,” Andrew’s blue eyes were deep and calm, showing no ripples.
Layla furrowed her brow slightly after hearing this. “Andrew, you should know what the elders of both families want. Although Zoe is an adopted daughter, she’s highly favored in the Green family. In terms of character, appearance, and knowledge, she’s quite suitable as a wife for you. Marrying her would also maintain the marriage alliance with the Green family, which would benefit you.”
For people like them, the meaning of marriage had dwindled down to marrying someone to manage household affairs and continue the lineage. What did love matter? Even if he met a woman he liked in the future, it wouldn’t be a big deal to keep her outside.
As Layla spoke, she paused for a moment. Seeing Andrew’s silence, she asked again, “Or do you have other plans?”
Layla remembered the girl Andrew had just kissed downstairs. Although it was dark, the lights near the building entrance were bright enough for her to see the girl’s face.
“Was the girl you were with just now from the Harris family?”
“Yes,” Andrew didn’t deny it.
Layla pursed her lips, unsure whether to laugh or not. “Mother seems quite interested in her too, but she’s a human. Your union with her would be difficult.”
Andrew’s eyebrows slightly furrowed, displaying a hint of displeasure. He wasn’t pleased that his woman was being eyed by others.
Layla intertwined her hands in front of her, seemingly pensive. Since Andrew retired from the Yonkers Army, she found it increasingly hard to understand him.
“Andrew, if you’re getting close to the girl from the Harris family just to bother your father, then I have nothing to say. But if you’re planning to play with her, be careful not to get burnt. Their daughters isn’t that easy to deal with.”
“I never intended to play with anyone’s feelings,” Andrew said calmly, his brows furrowing slightly.
He always took relationships seriously. He was serious about distancing himself from Zoe and serious about wanting to pursue a relationship with Isabella.
He pressed his fingers against his sore temples, then stood up from the couch, his tall and slender figure almost blocking the overhead light source.
“I’ll handle my own affairs. Don’t interfere anymore in these romantic entanglements, and I hope tonight’s incident won’t happen again.”
Layla remained tight-lipped, not saying a word. Andrew had always been authoritative and uncompromising. If she intervened further, it would truly be meddling, and she’d be irritating.
“It’s late. I’ll have the driver take you back,” Andrew concluded, essentially giving her a dismissal notice.
Layla stood up from the couch, wearing a somewhat helpless expression on her face.
Exiting the apartment, she stepped into the elevator and dialed a number on her phone. “I need to check on someone-Isabella.”
…
Isabella had a rare good night’s sleep. Opening her eyes, the room was still dim, thick curtains blocking the sunlight, leaving her completely oblivious to the time.
She remained cocooned in the covers, extending her hand to reach the phone on the bedside table. Glancing at the time, it was already noon.
She lazily got out of bed, barefoot, and walked to the window. Pulling aside the heavy curtains, the sunlight poured in, nearly hurting her eyes.
Instinctively, Isabella raised her other hand to shield her eyes, waiting until they adjusted to the glaring light before slowly opening them.
“Miss, have you woken up?” A light knock sounded on the door, and Ava entered, carrying a tray filled with a lavish breakfast.
Rubbing her eyes, Isabella stood by the window, stretching lazily toward the sun before walking over to the table.
“The fragrance is delightful. What deliciousness has Ava prepared for me this time?” Isabella reached out and lifted the lids of the dishes one by one.
“Some light dishes. You usually don’t enjoy heavy food in the morning,” Ava smiled, offering chopsticks and a soup spoon to Isabella.
“But it’s already lunchtime now,” Isabella sat down at the table.
“Yes, so I’ve added a plate of soy-glazed chicken wings for you,” Ava pushed the plate of chicken wings toward her.
Isabella used two fingers to pick up a chicken wing and took small bites, looking content, resembling a greedy little kitten.
“Ava’s cooking is still better. Amelia falls just a little short compared to you,” Isabella casually remarked.
“Amelia? The nanny who takes care of Asher?” Ava furrowed her brow.
Isabella hesitated for a moment, nearly biting her tongue. “Yeah,” she mumbled in response.
“Do you often have meals over there?” Ava continued questioning.
Licking her lips, Isabella nodded again.
Ava looked at her without saying anything, a gaze that made Isabella slightly nervous. She began feeling uneasy.
For Isabella, Ava was more than just a caretaker; she was not only a nanny. When Eleanor gave birth to Isabella, there was no breast milk, and Ava was the one who nursed Isabella. In Ava’s heart, there was no difference between her and her biological daughter.
Therefore, Isabella now felt like she’d been caught by her own mother sneaking around with a man.