It was still early to go off work, but Michelle would never question her boss. She quickly notified the driver and kept up with the CEO as he went down the basement parking.
She sat shotgun inside the silver Porsche Panamera while the driver opened the door for the CEO. She swiftly set the navigation to the location of the preschool.
The guard at the preschool was taken aback by the luxurious car. He has seen luxury cars since a lot of pupils would have well-off parents but he has never before a parent having this car.
The driver opened the passenger door and a tall man in a black business suit elegantly stepped out. His eyes seemed to scan the area.
Suddenly, a little voice rang, "Uncle Dan!"
The guard was familiar with this Little Master. He is the heir to one of the largest international financial group. Before he could even do anything, the little guy happily dashed towards the tall man.
Dan held Manta up in his arms. "Did you miss me?" he asked.
If people would see their gestures, they would think they are father and son.
Dan gently laid the little guy in the passenger seat and he sat beside him.
Just as he was to shut his door, the guard went up to the car.
"Excuse me, Sir. It's just protocol. I need to get your name since you are not in our list of guardians.
The guard felt that this man is either rich or powerful, or he can be both, so he dared not offend him. However, he might get fired for allowing a pupil to go with a stranger, even if the kid seemed to be familiar with him.
Before Dan could say anything, Michelle was already next to the guard.
"Sir, please don't bother the CEO of ZFC."
The guard's eyes widened in shock. He stepped away from the car. He stared until it sped away.
A few minutes later, Manta Xiu's nanny came in the familiar white Lexus LX 450D.
Hearing that the Little Master was taken away, the nanny quickly called Midori.
_____________
Dan took Manta to eat at the rooftop of one of their famous restaurants.
Being a little boy, Manta was only requesting for ice cream. However, Dan coaxed him to eat, promising to serve a delicious ice cream for dessert if he finished his meal. This did the trick as the boy happily chowed down the food on his plate.
Dan was staring at his chubby cheeks and little hands all the while. Despite his age, Manta did not create a mess as he eats, smiling back at the man across from him from time to time.
Dan was lost in his thoughts. How much did he miss? Will Midori continue to conceal Manta from him if he did not meet him that day? How did this little boy lived without his father?
Manta's little voice took him back to reality. "Uncle Dan, why aren't you eating?"
Dan gave him the sweet smile he used to flash at Midori. "I'm already full. Don't mind me. Finish your meal so we can ask them to bring your ice cream over."
Manta was happily finishing his parfait when Midori's scream was heard.
"Manta!" Before she could reach them, she was stopped by two bodyguards.
"Mommy!" He waved at Midori with a happy expression. Seeing Midori was stopped by the guards, he turned towards Dan. "Uncle Dan, what's going on?"
Midori's face was full of hatred. "Verdan Zhou! I will sue you for kidnapping! How dare you take Manta away as you please?!"
Dan bent down next to the little boy. "Manta, I'm your daddy." His face showed sadness, at the same time, his actions felt like he was begging the boy to believe him.
To his surprise, Manta's expression suddenly turned grave. The little boy started crying.
"No! You're not my daddy! Tousan is not you! I want tousan! Waaah!"
Midori used all her strength to free herself when she saw Manta crying. She bolted towards the crying boy and swooped him up in her arms.
"Shhh...Honey, don't cry anymore. We'll go see otousan, okay?" She gently rubbed his back.
Manta replied in between sobs. "Really, mommy? We...we will...go...see tousan?"
"Hai, hai!" Midori glared at Dan before walking away with Manta in her arms.
Dan was dumbfounded. It took him some time to realize that Manta and Midori had left. As he came to his senses, he suddenly ran downstairs to chase after them.
Midori had just carefully secured Manta in the car seat when Dan approached them. She swiftly closed the car door and briskly walked towards him.
Dan's strides ceased as he saw Midori walk towards him. He was about to say something but it was interrupted by a sudden hard slap to his cheek.
"Stay away from us!" Midori spat through gritted teeth, then she went back into the car.
Dan stood frozen in his spot as he stared at the car speeding away.