"..." Butler Lo's mouth fell open.
Little Master Dean was her own flesh and blood! As a mother, shouldn't she be panicking?
Six years ago, she got pregnant with the young master's children, twins, no less. But Madam Gina strongly objected to her marrying into the family. After the birth, Madam finally relented and allowed her to move in under the pretense of taking care of the children, mainly because Dean looked exactly like Gilbert.
And she had been living here ever since.
Emma Miler's current status was still only that of Gilbert Watson's live-in girlfriend, at least in name. But she had always acted as if she were the mistress of the house.
What puzzled Butler Lo, though, was that Emma should be proud of Dean. After all, it was thanks to him that she had secured her place in the family, and the Watson fortune would certainly have a share reserved for him.
But over the past six years, she had always been distant toward Dean, at times even cold. Her affection, instead, was lavished on Linda.
Footsteps echoed from outside.
Soon, Gilbert Watson's tall, powerful figure entered the room.
A chilling gleam flickered in his dark eyes. His presence alone lowered the temperature in the bedroom like a sudden cold snap.
"Gilbert."
Emma's expression changed. She immediately put down her eyebrow pencil, rubbed her eyes, and threw herself into his arms like a delicate butterfly, her voice soft and sweet.
"You're finally back. Dean's gone missing."
"What exactly happened?" Gilbert pushed her away, his eyes filled with icy suspicion.
Emma looked up at him pitifully, stammering:
"Gilbert, Dean and Linda had a fight… Linda accidentally hit him, and he got angry and ran off. He's just a kid. He's probably out somewhere playing."
"You sure about that?" Gilbert's eyes grew colder, his voice laced with warning.
Emma hesitated.
The truth was, Linda had slapped Dean hardly.
"Young Master, we've already searched the entire estate," Butler Lo interjected cautiously from the side.
"Have Linda stand in the study as punishment. I'll deal with her when I return." Gilbert's tone was sharp and commanding as he turned and strode out of the room.
Emma pouted slightly but dared not defy him. Though she feared Gilbert, she personally escorted Linda to the study only, she had her sit instead of stand.
At Aude Animation City.
Adam had just arrived at the main gate, his little legs trotting along, when suddenly, a small figure bumped straight into him.
"Ouch! Who are you?" Adam rubbed his sore nose and shouted unhappily.
The other boy said nothing.
He looked up and froze.
What the heck? This kid looked exactly like him!
Was he dreaming? Had he walked into an anime world?
"Who are you?" Adam blinked wide-eyed at Dean, amazed.
Dean stared at him expressionlessly, his gaze cold and detached, saying nothing.
Yikes. This kid was icy all over. Was he even real?
Adam, wide-eyed and stunned, reached out and pinched Dean's little nose.
Whoa, It was soft, squishy, and warm. A real person!
And they looked exactly alike. How strange!
He scratched his little head.
"Who are you? Why do you look so much like me?" Dean finally spoke, his voice cool and aloof.
Uh-oh, that tone?
Adam was a bit annoyed now. The kid was the one who bumped into him, okay?
Still, clever little Adam had already figured it out.
This frosty, arrogant little guy must be his twin brother!
Hehe, and since they were brothers, he wouldn't fuss over it.
"Dean." Just then, a deep, magnetic voice called from behind.
Dean's face changed! Oh no, Dad had caught up so quickly!
He had finally managed to escape and had no intention of returning to that cold, gloomy castle.
Suddenly, he gave Adam a little push toward Gilbert's direction, then dashed into the animation center without looking back.
"Kid, who told you to run away from home? Do you know how dangerous that is?" Before Adam could make sense of what was happening, a strong hand gripped his little arm. Gilbert Watson's eyes were stern, his voice sharp and commanding.
Adam looked up and gasped.
It was him. That handsome uncle he saw at the train station yesterday. His scumbag dad!
Adam blinked his clever, round eyes.
Got it! Time to play along.
Suddenly, he collapsed into the man's arms and pretended to be asleep.
Hmph! You dared hurt my mommy, used her, then abandoned her? Trash!
Watch how I deal with you.
A plan was already forming in his little head.
Gilbert looked down to see his son curling obediently into his arms, eyes tightly shut, and if he looked closely, those long lashes were still trembling slightly. The little guy was so soft and adorable it was almost ridiculous.
Gilbert's lips lifted slightly in a rare smile.
Scared of getting punished, huh?
He didn't call him out. Just tightened his arms and carried him toward the luxury car.
Adam was lifted off the ground, his small body securely held in those strong arms that felt like towering trees. Gilbert's broad chest was surprisingly warm.
For a moment, the little boy was stunned.
It was the first time he'd ever been held by his dad.
So strong, so comforting… so safe.
It was a feeling completely different from his mommy's embrace.
So this is what having a father feels like…
The luxury car cruised toward the Watson estate.
In no time, they arrived steadily inside.
Adam quietly opened his curious little eyes, peeking out from under Gilbert's arm.
My goodness, is this a palace?
How could it be this grand… and luxurious?
His eyes widened in amazement. As the car rolled past, he felt like he was feasting on a visual banquet. Everywhere in the castle was wrapped in greenery and brilliant lights. Villas with golden walls and intricate designs intertwined like a kingdom straight out of a fairytale.
Even after the nanny bathed him and brought him out, Adam still stood there dazed, like he was in a dream.
When Gilbert came out of the shower and saw his son's stunned expression, his little figure looked especially small and lonely. His heart sank.
"Son, come here. Let's have a good talk tonight." He reached out and gently touched the boy's head, speaking softly.
Adam finally snapped back to reality and looked up at the noble man before him.
He was wearing a deep navy bathrobe, radiating an air of mystery and dominance. His tall frame under the crystal chandelier looked elegant and untouchable, like a king.
But in this moment, his eyes and expression were soft and warm, making Adam want to get closer.
Adam's heart wavered. He scratched his little head and scolded himself inwardly:
Adam, weren't you here to avenge Mommy?
Why are you suddenly feeling a bit… fond of this scumbag?
No way.
He hurt Mommy.
Mommy hates him to death.
If Mommy is mad, he has to be mad too!
"Scumbag," he blurted out suddenly.
Gilbert froze, stunned. "Dean, what did you just say?"
"N-Nothing…"
But clever little Adam quickly picked up on the chill in his dad's aura, so he gave a sly little grin and shook his head innocently.
Gilbert paused, then sighed quietly.
He had heard it clearly. His son had just called him a scumbag.
The resentment in this kid's heart was strong. Probably because of Emma Miler.
She'd been living in the Watson estate for six years now.
During those years, he never gave her an official status. The outside world had always talked about it, and gossip magazines often mocked her behind her back.
An unmarried woman, living with a man and raising his child, with no title. How much pressure must that have been?
And truth be told, that child wasn't even planned… He had been drugged that night and things happened…
That probably explained Emma's cold and distant treatment toward Dean.
Still, it wasn't what he had wanted either.
But marriage couldn't be taken lightly.
After Claire died, his impression of Emma had always been lackluster. He'd already been through one failed marriage, and he couldn't afford another mistake.
But now, for the sake of his son, he couldn't keep delaying it any longer.