Kate and Amber had known each other since they were studying abroad. Their friendship was genuine, and they never quarreled before. However, since a storm was brewing now, they did not mince their words.
“Are you blaming me?” Kate got so angry that she started to laugh.
“I’m not.” Amber pressed her lips together, her voice cold.
The battle lines were drawn, and they were dead set against each other. Seeing that the situation could get out of control, none of the maids dared to go near them.
Leonardo had made Kate’s hackles rise. It did not help that now she thought Amber was showing her attitude.
She stared darkly at Amber. “I have created tons of opportunities for you for the past three years and even lied to him for you. Blame yourself for your failure! Look at how quickly Summer captivated him after they got married. It took you three years, and you still failed to impress him. Take my advice, don’t embarrass yourself by giving up now!”
Amber had done everything well from the time she was a little girl. Yet, she met her biggest humiliation when it came to dealing with Leonardo. What made matters worse was that Kate was comparing her with a missing dead person whose body had probably sunk to the bottom of the sea. There was no way she could stomach the humiliation.
“Kate, I guess you must have been keeping these words in your heart for some time, haven’t you?” Amber sneered. “But aren’t you afraid that I might tell Leonardo about his past?”
Kate’s heart skipped a beat, but then she scoffed. “You won’t. Don’t forget that you’ve also been lying to him. No matter what, I’m still his sister. If he recalls the past, who do you think he will come for first, you or me?”
“You…”
“Be steady and don’t get so worked up yet. We’ve been friends for so long, and we know each other so well. We’re on the same boat now, so we shouldn’t fight each other, don’t you think so?”
After a long while, Amber said, “True.”
…
Leonardo had brought Rosie to the Golden Cauldron.
Kate had barred him from seeing Carl for the past three years and naturally did not allow him to frequent the Golden Cauldron, which Carl operated. It was not that Leonardo listened to Kate. It just felt too troublesome to him. But now, he found Kate increasingly irritating and did not feel like staying with the Emerson family. So, he needed to find a place to stay for the night.
The moment he stepped into the Golden Cauldron, the first impression he got was that its interior design was meticulous. Leonardo checked into a suite, and after he left their belongings there, he brought Rosie to the restaurant.
By the time they had their dinner, it was already some time past eight. He was starving now, let alone Rosie, who was just a child. The moment food was served, Rosie could not wait any longer. She stood up on her chair as she was eager to fill her face.
“Sit down,” Leonardo chided softly.
Rosie had no choice but to sit down sulkily. “I’m hungry…”
Leonardo said nothing as he filled her bowl with rice and other dishes, then mixed them together. After he laid out a napkin for her, he brought the bowl up to her. He did it deftly as if he had done it for the hundredth time.
Meanwhile, a few women at the next table started to discuss Leonardo quietly. Leonardo had appeared on the news frequently for the past few years, so he was quickly recognized, but no one dared to talk to him.
When Rosie was only a few months old, she had displayed an extraordinary appetite for food. She would grab anything edible and stuff it into her mouth. Leonardo did not have to worry about her when it came to eating. He saw how hungry Rosie was and frowned.
“Eat slowly,” he exhorted.
Rosie could not have cared less. She grabbed the chopsticks and pigged out. The soup had not been served yet, so Leonardo held a glass of water in front of her so she could sip on it.
Jessica noticed them when she entered the restaurant with her production team. A tall man was sitting at the table, holding a glass of water in one hand and a paper napkin in the other. His face was expressionless as he stared at a little girl, who was having her dinner.
Even the people around Jessica had noticed Leonardo’s presence.
“Isn’t that Emerson Corporation’s president?”
“What a surprise to see him here. Who’s that little girl? His out-of-wedlock daughter?”
“It’s possible. She looks so…”
“Talk about the Emersons’ genes. Leonardo is handsome, and his daughter is equally adorable…”
Their conversation started to drift, and seeing that Jessica was still standing there, they nudged her. “Jessica, stop staring. Let’s move.”
Jessica snapped out of her daze and said, “You guys go ahead. I’ll join you later.”
“Okay, then. Don’t let us wait too long.”
After they left, Jessica scanned her surroundings before she walked toward Leonardo.
Carl had been running the Golden Cauldron and Tip Top for the past few years. It was probably because of that she did not have to worry about bumping into paparazzi. Even if there were any, she knew Carl would be on it, so she went up to Leonardo to speak to him.
“Eat slowly. No one’s going to take it from you,” Leonardo said quietly to Rosie.
Jessica hemmed to clear her throat, then loudly said, “Big Boss!” She could not help but glance at Rosie. Was she Summer and Leonardo’s daughter, Rosie? She was adorable. Her nose, eyes, and even the way she ate were super cute.
Leonardo turned his head and looked at Jessica, whom he found familiar, but he could not recall her name. After all, too many women had tried to approach him. Nevertheless, he found that this woman was unlike the others; she was staring at Rosie.
He put down the glass in his hand and asked indifferently, “You’re looking for me?”
Jessica reluctantly moved her eyes away from Rosie. She had not talked to Leonardo for three years, but he still commanded a sense of respect from her. Jessica involuntarily stood with her back straight as if she was a primary student and greeted him again, “Big Boss!”
Leonardo quickly rummaged through his memories and asked, “You’re an artist from Tip Top Entertainment?”
“That’s right.” Jessica could not help but shift her gaze to Rosie again. “Your daughter is so adorable!”
“I’ve never publicly announced that I have a daughter, and you don’t even look surprised one bit.” He was willing to talk to Jessica; perhaps he did not find her as disgusting as other women.
Jessica was startled, but when she thought of Summer, she sighed. “Because we know each other.”
Leonardo suddenly looked at her with his penetrating eyes.
“It’s true.” Jessica swallowed hard. Even though three years had passed, the eyes of this Big Boss of hers still looked as scary as before.
“Daddy, I want more!”
Rosie’s voice broke through the uneasy atmosphere. Leonardo turned to look at Rosie and refilled her bowl. As he did so, Rosie looked at Jessica and tilted her head to the side.
“Pretty lady,” Rosie suddenly called out.
Jessica was flattered.