Grace Foster was in a half-asleep state, her mind foggy and hazy, and when she heard her big brother's question, she softly muttered: "Mommy...Snowy..."
Lucas Foster listened carefully but could only make out the words "mommy" and "Snowy."
Lucas didn't have much emotional dependence on his nominal mother, Evelyn Blake. He and his siblings were used to being independent and didn't place much importance on family affection.
Moreover, before Evelyn Blake married William Foster, there was no "mother" figure in their lives.
Lucas couldn't understand why Grace would suddenly mention their mom. Was she missing her?
Just as he was about to ask again, he noticed that Grace was already asleep on his shoulder, her mouth slightly open, and her breathing gentle and even.
Lucas smiled silently, slowed down his pace, and proceeded towards the castle at a snail's pace.
Having a little sister was just the best thing ever.
Mr. Foster and Mrs. Foster were standing at the castle door, eagerly waiting.
"Why is that boy taking so long? Is he deliberately walking slowly?" Mr. Foster gripped his cane impatiently, his eyebrows furrowed with worry.
Mrs. Foster reassured him: "Be patient."
As they finally saw their grandson Lucas approaching from around the corner, Mr. Foster couldn't wait any longer and rushed to meet him, eager to see his precious granddaughter.
But when he saw Grace asleep on Lucas's shoulder, he swallowed all the words he was about to say and stood still, using only his eyes to communicate with Lucas: How long has she been asleep?
"About half an hour," Lucas whispered back. "I took her to play basketball."
Mr. Foster glared at him, concerned: "Basketball is too dangerous for her! What if she gets hurt?"
Lucas assured him: "Don't worry, Grandpa, I was with her the whole time. She had fun and didn't get injured."
It was because Lucas was with her that Mr. Foster was even more worried. That grandson of his was always reckless!
As the sky began to darken, Lucas decided not to wake Grace up but continued to walk around the castle with her on his back until it was time for dinner.
Mr. Foster watched him anxiously, fearing he might stumble and hurt his precious granddaughter.
Mrs. Foster shook her head and smiled, whispering to Mr. Foster: "His legs are much steadier than yours. Don't worry too much."
Mr. Foster was secretly unconvinced but had to admit it was true.
William Foster returned home just before sunset. As his car entered the driveway, Grace woke up from her nap, rubbing her eyes and speaking in a soft, sleepy voice: "Daddy..."
Lucas turned to her, smiling: "Your ears are so sharp! Dad's car just pulled in."
As they walked back to the castle door, William Foster parked his car and quickly came over to Grace, lifting her into his arms.
Seeing her rosy cheeks and slightly disoriented eyes, he smiled lovingly: "Did you just wake up from your nap, sweetheart?"
"Yes, I got tired from playing basketball," Grace replied, cuddling up to him.
William Foster carried her inside, carefully examining her hands to make sure she hadn't gotten hurt.
When Grace assured him she was fine, he sighed with relief and praised her: "Well done, sweetheart."
After dinner, William Foster stayed close to Grace, preparing for her upcoming enrollment in kindergarten.
He had initially planned to wait another semester but decided to act on it when Grace expressed interest in going to kindergarten.
William showed Grace the brochures of several reputable kindergartens, asking her which one she liked best.
Grace looked through the photos curiously, asking: "Daddy, is this kindergarten?"
"Yes, these are different kindergartens. Tell me which one you like the most."
While Grace was looking at the photos, Mr. Foster, Mrs. Foster, and Lucas reviewed the information on each kindergarten.
Lucas quickly scanned through the materials, noting: "They all seem pretty similar to me."
Of course, they did. These were the best kindergartens selected from over a thousand options.
Mr. Foster examined each brochure meticulously, trying to find any flaws. He was determined not to compromise on his granddaughter's education.
Mrs. Foster recognized one of the kindergartens and mentioned: "The Ti family's child attends this one, right?"
William confirmed: "Yes, that one."
Mrs. Foster thought that kindergarten seemed good, especially since Emily Stone, who got along well with Grace, also attended it.
However, she soon changed her mind and said: "Let Grace choose whichever one she likes."
No one would dare to bully her granddaughter, or they'd have to deal with her!
Lucas teased his grandmother about her lack of principles, but she defended herself: "I'm a very principled person!"
Her principle was simple: her granddaughter's happiness came first.
Grace finally made her choice, pointing to one of the kindergartens. She looked up at her father and said: "I like this one."
William agreed: "All right, that's the one we'll go with."
Mr. Foster was delighted with Grace's choice, declaring: "I like that one too!"
Lucas couldn't help but point out: "Grandpa, you haven't even looked at that kindergarten's brochure yet."
Mr. Foster picked up the file and tapped his head, "Silence!"
Why destroy his platform for no reason?
Mrs. Foster laughed so hard she bent over, "Ahho, just flap your lips, don't use your hands."
Mr. Foster obediently put down the file.
Grace Foster watched them, her round eyes curving into crescent moons.
Her little expressions were so adorable that Lucas Foster couldn't resist pinching her soft little cheeks, "Hey, you're sneaking laughs at me, and I caught you."
Grace Foster corrected in her milky voice, "Grace didn't sneak laughs, oh!"
"Okay, you laughed at me openly." Lucas Foster pinched her little cheeks again.
The soft and smooth feel of her cheeks was too addictive.
The next moment, Lucas Foster felt daggers shooting at his hand.
William Foster stared at his hand with a look that seemed to be suppressing a murderous intent.
Lucas Foster shrank back and quickly withdrew his hand.
The matter of the nursery school was temporarily settled, with William Foster privately wanting to keep his little daughter home longer, specially entrusting Andrew Hale to carefully investigate the nursery school.
Andrew Hale, who had followed him for many years, naturally understood that he was not willing to let his little daughter go to nursery school, and took the opportunity to slack off without immediately completing the task.
Late at night, William Foster took his little daughter to their room to wash up and prepare for bed, with Lucas Foster escorting them upstairs until the door closed.
Lucas Foster scratched the back of his neck, feeling like he had forgotten something.
"Never mind..."
Whatever it was, he'd face it when the time came.
**
Alexander Foster, as usual, practiced Zen meditation with Snowy every morning, hoping to cleanse its beastly nature and turn it into a truly harmless pet goose.
At around eight-thirty in the morning, the sound of a Bentley leaving could be heard outside, signaling that William Foster had gone to the group to handle affairs.
Alexander Foster ended his meditation and looked at Snowy, who was sitting on the sofa, "That's it for today."
"Ga!"
Snowy jumped off the sofa and ran away without looking back.
It loved to stay near Grace, the baby, and secondly, it loved the flower gardens filled with spiritual energy.
Alexander Foster did not stop it but had breakfast before leaving the Bay Villa.
Grace Foster woke up early that day, finishing her video call with her father before nine o'clock, and then washed and dressed herself in cute little slippers, heading downstairs.
Mr. and Mrs. Foster had started sleeping in late, so they were still in bed.
The large castle was soon left with only Grace and numerous overt and covert bodyguards.
Grace Foster walked familiarly to the dining room.
The bodyguards immediately served her breakfast, watching her eat with carefulness and smiles.
Without family to accompany her, Grace Foster ate quickly, finishing her bottle of fresh milk and then her breakfast in no time.
The portion of food was calculated precisely to leave her satisfied but not overly full.
After eating, Grace Foster licked her lips contentedly and said to the bodyguard, "Guardian uncle, Grace is full!"
"Grace Miss is great!" The guard took her out of the child seat and asked, "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"No need~" Grace Foster headed outside, her milky voice muttering, "Grace's going to play with Snowy~"
And feed Silver Bracelet!
Her silver bracelet emitted a faint light in response.
Grace Foster skipped into the garden.
The guards saw her adorable figure disappear into a special flower cluster and heard occasional goose calls from within.
In the flower cluster, Snowy sat beside Grace Foster, "Ga~ Grace baby, do you still want to know which hospital your mother is in?"
Last night, Snowy had sensed the specific location of Grace's mother, but hadn't found an opportunity to tell her.
Grace Foster nodded eagerly, her round eyes full of expectation, "Yes~"
Snowy gave the name of the hospital and added, "Ga~ it's not far from the Bay Villa, about an hour's drive."
"But Grace can't drive," Grace Foster hugged her legs and asked seriously, "Can Grace walk there?"
No, she couldn't.
The journey would take an adult over eight hours, and Grace would need at least a whole day.
Snowy faced Grace Foster's bright, hopeful eyes and tried to dissuade her, "Ga... it's not that you can't, Grace baby, but there's no need. You can just ask your family to drive you there. It'll be quick by car."
Grace Foster turned to look at the castle.
At this hour, her family members were either still asleep or already out.
She counted her little fingers and then said, "Grace walks fast!"
Snowy saw her enthusiasm and shook its head frantically, "No, no, it's not about speed, Grace baby. You're still small, and going out alone is dangerous!"
Grace Foster became quiet, her round eyes fixed on Snowy, "Snowy can dream if Grace has danger."
Snowy paused.
Yes, that was true. But it had only dreamed of being plucked of its feathers and not of Grace being in danger.
Grace Foster saw that Snowy did not object and smiled happily, "So Grace has no danger!"
"Ga..." Wait, let me think. How can I persuade the human baby not to act rashly?
Before Snowy could think of a reason, it saw Grace Foster leave the flower cluster and head for the castle.
"Ga! Grace baby, wait! Don't be impulsive!"
Grace Foster was excited but not impulsive, stopping to look back at Snowy.
Snowy hurried to catch up and advise, "Ga, Grace baby, going out is troublesome. You need to bring food and drinks, and you must inform your family. You can't just leave like this."
"Okay, Grace understands!"
Grace Foster nodded vigorously and headed back towards the castle, with Snowy following her.
She found the bodyguard who had accompanied her for breakfast, tugged at his pants, and said, "Guardian uncle, Grace needs food and drink. Bring it along!"
The guard crouched down, listened to her words carefully, and asked, "Where does Grace Miss want to go? I'll help you carry it."
Grace Foster pointed outside the castle, "Go outside."