When getting off the car and going home, Dylan couldn't help but hold George's hand, causing the warm temperature of his chubby little hand to seep into George's heart.
Upon witnessing this scene, Belly Wescott felt a mix of unexplainable emotions.
She didn't know whether she should be happy or worried, for the child was not hers, but he was indeed George's true offspring.
But what if, one day, the child's real mother comes back? Then, what would she be considered!
"What are you daydreaming about? Take Dylan upstairs for homework, and you'll both eat at home by yourselves later. I have some things to do and will go out."
Seeing Belly Wescott standing at the door, lost in thought while looking at them, George couldn't help but furrow his brows.
"It's... it's nothing."
Belly Wescott saw that George was not in a good mood, so she quickly led Dylan upstairs to the study, telling him to focus on his homework. By the time she came downstairs, George had already left.
"He left again..."
"Madam, Mister barely spends the night here. You should be used to it after all these years."
"Yeah, I should be used to it. He's blaming me, still holding a grudge about that night."
Nanny Lee glanced at Belly Wescott as if she understood, but not quite. She was hired by George five years ago to look after Belly and her child.
At the time, she found it odd that Mister never stayed at this place. Yet she dared not ask and could only comfort Belly when the night was silent.
"It's fine, Nanny Lee. Please make some dishes Dylan likes tonight. After you finish cooking, come to the study and let me know. I'll be there teaching Dylan his homework."
Although the master of this house was quite peculiar in many ways, the salary was very real. Additionally, Belly and Dylan were not hard to get along with, and Nanny Lee never asked about their relationship. So, they had been living peacefully for the past few years.
Upon leaving Hillside Town, George asked his assistant to go home first and then instructed his driver to take him to another residence. He had always been like this for the past few years, rarely staying at Hillside Town with them.
Initially, he had a reckless one-night stand with Belly Wescott, and then Dylan came along. He was a well-behaved child who never caused any trouble. Although George had no particular feelings for Belly, he did not want to harm an innocent child.
So, he made three rules with Belly. He would stay with her for a few days every month but sleep in separate beds. She was not allowed to use his name to do anything nor tell Dylan anything he shouldn't know.
This turned her from a noble lady into a hidden mistress, yet Belly still accepted it willingly. Sometimes, George couldn't comprehend this woman. Despite treating her like this, she was still complaisant.
Even the reason why Dylan's name was chosen, she had never questioned much. At times, George felt that Dylan did not resemble his child; however, she treated him with the utmost affection, leaving him unable to decipher this woman.
While George was lost in thought, Aria Grant's house was in the middle of a quarrel, or rather, a one-sided oppression.
"Aria, why didn't you consult me before going to the company for registration? You want to enter the entertainment industry as a third-rate celebrity."
Dean Taylor was furious. Had it not been for David Thompson reminding him, he might still be in the dark. If she were truly to enter the entertainment world with this identity, he might end up skinned alive.
"Do I need to consult you? I have things I need to do. I'm not a three-year-old who has to report every single thing I do. This matter has been decided, and there's no room for discussion."
Aria didn't like the idea of having to report everything; she was not a child. She had her thoughts and didn't need someone to tell her what to do.
"Mr. Dean, I think you should stop this meaningless negotiation. You can't control my mother. Why not save your energy and protect her instead?"
Ivy Grant was somewhat helpless as she watched the two quarreling in front of her. She didn't really want to interfere, but their argument was so loud that it had started affecting her homework.
"I..."
Upon thinking about it, what Little Ivy said wasn't baseless. However, Dean couldn't swallow his pride nor really do anything to Aria. In the end, he could only return to his room in frustration, cursing Aria while munching on the snacks he had stolen from Little Ivy.
By the time Ivy discovered this, Dean had already finished all the snacks by himself.
-
In George's study.
The man with a scarred face reappeared in George's study. He was George's trusted underling, specialized in digging up secrets and handling matters that should not exist.
"Boss, we haven't found Sam Flack yet, but we did find some clues. It's said that soon after arriving at Fenton State, Sam offended a local chieftain. His disappearance might be related to this chieftain."
Hearing Johnson Flack's report, George's brow furrowed involuntarily, and his slender eyes filled with coldness and anger.
"Find out why he was captured then eliminate these scum."
With an unchanged expression, Johnson Flack replied, "Yes, sir." This wasn't the first time he had done something like this; he had become used to such tasks. However, today, George's demeanor seemed a bit off.
"Boss, I have new information about the woman you asked me to investigate last time."
Upon hearing news about Aria Grant, George's captivating eyes reddened with excitement.
"Speak."
"She has become a signed artist at a company called Butterfly Entertainment. She just signed with them recently."
Upon learning that Aria entered the entertainment industry, George's mood instantly went sour. The entertainment circle was quite a tainted place; to stand out, one had to either have a strong background or sell oneself for fame.
However, it was impossible for Aria, as a newcomer, to have any such background. Back then, after the downfall of the Sawyer Clan, it was Kelly who had struggled for a long time in the entertainment circle. Supported by their family and the Mamet family, Kelly managed to stay safely in the industry.
But Aria didn't have Kelly's perseverance. Besides, George believed that Aria's mind must have gone haywire, otherwise, she wouldn't be doing such thoughtless things. And that man at the party the other day, was he the backer she found?
Bruce Flack's fury grew as he thought about it, his rationality gradually waning.
"Help me wipe her out and force her to quit the entertainment industry."
"Yes, sir."
Since she had found someone to rely on, he wanted to see how long that pretty boy could protect her.
The next morning, Aria had barely gotten out of bed when she received a call from David, saying that she had been wiped out overnight.
"What? I was wiped out overnight?"
"Yes, but it's not a problem. I suppressed it. However, Boss, the other party is not to be underestimated. Please be careful."
As soon as Aria heard that the opposing party had significant backing, she instantly had her theory. If she guessed correctly, the person responsible for wiping her out this time was likely the same as the one who harmed her sister before.