Knowing his daughter was a social expert, he didn’t expect her to be this skilled.
“You were too forward with your words; Uncle might be upset.”
Grape thought seriously, “… Sorry, he did seem a bit unhappy, he didn’t smile at all!”
“So next time, don’t do that.”
Nick looked into the rearview mirror. “Grape, I smile a lo. Am I good-looking?”
“Of course! But not as good-looking as that other uncle!”
Children speak without filters. Callie chuckled and was genuinely curious about how handsome that man was. “Does Uncle live in that courtyard we just left?”
Grape nodded obediently, “There are many flowers, butterflies, and fish inside.”
Callie smelled a familiar scent of sandalwood on her, but couldn’t recall where she had smelled it before.
“Mama, I like that uncle from earlier. Can he be my daddy?”
Grape lay in Callie’s soft embrace, her eyes sparkling with hope as she asked.
Callie’s words got stuck in her throat. The little girl needed a father’s love more than she had imagined.
She looked up and met Nick’s worried gaze. Both fell silent.
Seeing Callie not respond, Grape’s hope slowly dimmed, and she mumbled, “Never mind, Mama, don’t be mad.”
Her heart overflowed with emotion.
Callie held her tighter, the image of that man flashing in her mind. What if he were here?
She couldn’t think about it.
In the room of the courtyard.
The book Nelson had placed on the table remained unopened.
When Anthony walked in, he saw Nelson staring at his palm, where a Grape-flavored candy lay quietly.
Anthony hesitated and spoke cautiously, “Mr. Oconnor.”
After a moment, Nelson closed his palm, half of his face shadowed in gloom. “Don’t you think that child looks a bit like me?”
Anthony was stunned; he had been too worried to take a closer look.
“Thinking about it… the eyebrows do resemble yours a bit, but it’s probably because the child is so cute that we assumed it.”
How could there be a child in this world who looked like Nelson?
Nelson pondered for a moment and then closed his eyes briefly. Yes, he had been misled by the child’s innocent words into thinking he was her father?
The idea was too bold and unrealistic.
“How is Joaquin doing?” Nelson raised his hand and casually tossed the candy onto the table.
“He has established himself in Dragon City and has gained Owen’s trust. He doesn’t know his previous employer is us and is very loyal.”
“Is his safety ensured?”
“There won’t be any mistakes.”
Nelson pressed his temples, feeling slightly relieved.
Joaquin was the only person she still cared about; no matter what, he had to be kept safe.
“Any news from Switzerland?”
“Nothing yet…” Anthony’s voice softened. “Usually, such rumors are inaccurate. I could have come alone; you didn’t need to come yourself. It’s too taxing on your health.”
Nelson did not respond.
Anthony fell silent. For the past two years, whenever there was any clue about Callie anywhere in the world, Nelson would personally go to check it out, just to… see her.
But every time ended in disappointment.
It was clear that Callie had likely changed her name and erased all traces of her past to stay hidden.
She had made up her mind to cut ties with the past completely.
Nelson’s voice carried a hint of weariness and a touch of certainty, “She will come back.”