"I hope so. Where is Edward? I don't see him around." When Duke had entered the house, he could tell something was amiss. He realized now why he had that strange feeling. It was because the master of the house was nowhere to be seen.
"Oh! Is he not here? I was in the kitchen, I didn't see him just now. He is probably upstairs. You could go to the study and see if he's there." Upon hearing Duke's words, Daisy looked about, but didn't see Edward anywhere.
Duke, I'll tell you! If you ask me nicely, I can inform you of Edward's whereabouts," Rain said, crossing his legs leisurely.
"Uncle Rain, don't fool around. Daddy only said that he was going out, he didn't say where he was heading to," Justin said, engrossed in the game on his cellphone. Like most young boys, he loved to play mobile games. However, what made him stand out was that he also liked to design those games. In this regard, few of them were as talented as he was.
"Justin, don't embarrass me. Isn't it Leena you're always picking a fight with? Why is it my turn today?" Rain said, gritting his teeth. Justin had played a trick on him before and he hadn't fully recovered from it yet. It seemed like Justin didn't want to stop either. He was making trouble for him again.
"It is because Aunt Leena is not here today. If she was here, I would be exhausted only trying to deal with her. I probably wouldn't have the energy to even speak to you," Justin responded without raising his head from the game. His hand casually swiped at the cellphone screen.
Hey! Little boy, why does it sound like I am only a substitute for your amusement?" Rain asked, offended by Justin's words.
"Haha! Uncle Rain, sorry if I made you think that. But a substitute is not the worst thing to be. Don't be so pessimistic." Justin finally looked up at him after thrashing the last monster in the game. He tilted his head and flashed Rain a smug smile.
Oh, please! I'm a substitute, that's already depressing. No, that does not sound right. What am I saying? Do I really want to be a substitute for Leena and become the primary target of your tricks? You devious little boy. You're trying to set me up." Rain finally saw through Justin. He was indeed clever. Rain was fortunate to figure out Justin's trap in time and save himself from falling into it.
"Ah! It's forgivable if a person is not too intelligent. But if someone is just straight up dumb, then no medicine can cure him." Tom shook his head, poking fun at Rain. He was bored because Jonathan was not there to play chess with him. How could he not grab the opportunity to tease Rain?
"It's because you are a quack. Someone else might be able to cure him." Rain glanced at him coldly. He sluggishly leaned back in the chair with an insipid look on his face, sounding upset. Perhaps he hadn't recovered from the frustration he had felt when he heard Edward mention Annie.
"Hey Rain, what happened to you? You look like you have been ditched by some beautiful girl. Why are you so down?" Belinda smiled, sitting beside Rain. She always took pleasure in ridiculing Rain. Right now, he looked so lost that she found she had even more words to say. She was quite amused.
"Yes, I have been ditched by a beautiful lady. That lady is you, Belinda. I don't understand why you chose Duke. He is so dull," Rain still sounded dispirited. He felt better after the banter with Justin. However, as he came to himself, he felt even more lonely.
"You sissy man, do you want to die?" Duke glared at him with cold eyes. The air around Rain seemed to freeze for a moment.
"Don't be so angry. I'm just kidding. Jeez! You don't have to scare me like that. Belinda, I really marvel at your tough heart. It can withstand anything. Even someone like him!" Rain said to Belinda as he raised his eyebrows in the direction of Duke. He wondered how she could stand being with such a cold man.
"Since I don't mind talking to a flighty man like you, why should I not be able to stand him?" Belinda smiled delightfully. Even though Rain was just teasing her, she was pleased to see that Duke was angry about this.
"Haha! Uncle Rain, you've been stumped by the iron lady!" Looking at how Rain was speechless at Belinda's words, Justin couldn't help but laugh.
"Justin, don't be rude. You are talking to adults." Daisy bit her lip. Although she blamed Justin, an obvious smile spread across her face. The cheerful ambiance made her feel good to be a part of the big family. She had longed so much for this feeling in the past few years, but barely had the chance to experience it.
"Oh. I know, Mommy." Justin pouted, bowing his head in acknowledgement of his mistake. He knew Mommy was stricter than Daddy. He understood that he could be mischievous and do whatever he wanted in front of his Daddy, but that usually didn't work with Mommy.
"Daisy, it's not his fault. He's still a little boy. Don't be so harsh on him. He knows when he has made a mistake." Justin's pitiful face aroused sympathy in Belinda. She persuaded Daisy to let it go. Justin was such a considerate boy. According to Belinda, a boy as good as him couldn't be found anywhere else.
"He always needs someone to watch over him, otherwise he forgets decorum and crosses the line." It was not that Daisy truly wanted to be harsh on him, but he was just so easily excitable. If she wanted to prevent Justin from becoming a conceited man in future, she needed to teach him a lesson when it was necessary. Otherwise, he would always be ignorant of his wrong doings.
"Justin, let's go outside. Would you like to show me your garden?" Belinda might look like a strong businesswoman in appearance, but she, in fact, had a very soft heart. She couldn't bear to see Justin's pitiful look. Holding his hand, she dragged him toward the gardens. Although she had been to Edward's house many times, she never took the time to enjoy the lush gardens. She took the opportunity to console Justin and take a walk outside.
Aunt Belinda, thank you for siding with me. But I am okay. I know Mommy said that to me for my own benefit. So I don't feel bad. If I hadn't looked depressed, she would have thought that I didn't take her words seriously. I purposely pretended to be upset to assure her that I was affected by what she said." Justin held his head high, looking adorable and clever. There was no trace of the sadness that had been on his face just moments ago.
"Justin, you are such a clever boy. You can read what's on your Mommy's mind so well. But it is not easy for your Mommy to come here all the way to earn a livelihood. You cannot disappoint her. You should know that your Mommy is strict with you because she wants you to be a good man." Although Belinda felt sympathy for Justin, she also felt sympathy for Daisy. She didn't want to see her heartbroken.
"I know, Aunt Belinda. Believe me, I will always be the considerate boy my Mommy has brought me up to be." Justin grinned. In fact, he knew better than anyone else how his Mommy had struggled in the past years. How was it even possible that he'd want to make her sad?
"Okay! That's good. Aunt Belinda loves obedient boys the best." Belinda pinched his pink cheeks, wondering when she could have such an adorable boy of her own.
Where are you going?" Edward walked out of the garage after parking his car. He happened to come across Belinda and Justin who were strolling along the gardens.
"Daddy, you're back! Where have you been?" Justin had become more cheerful after coming to live with Edward. He did not sulk like before.
"I went to deal with some business. Belinda, are you trying to steal my son?" Edward teased her in a playful tone. There had been much good-natured banter between them when they first met. It was hard for Edward to imagine that Belinda would marry Duke, whose personality was completely different from hers.
Yes, I want to take him away, but only if he is willing to go with me. By the way! Are you coming back from a date with your secret lover?" Although Edward was no longer a womanizer and did not flirt around with other women, Belinda hadn't completely forgiven him for his past romantic affairs.
"Of course! Secret lover. I wonder if the CEO of YS too partakes in such hobbies. I can recommend some handsome men to you." Edward flashed her a charming smile, his bright eyes filled with mischief. He waited for Belinda's response to that.
"I'm not like you, so promiscuous and lewd." Belinda pursed her lips and raised her chin in scorn. She narrowed her eyes and looked at Edward, in a manner of a haughty princess.