"Hiss—"
Michael instinctively covered his forehead.
James emerged from the stall, a flicker of mischief in his eyes.
The next moment, he looked up at Michael with a face full of regret. "I'm so sorry! I didn't know someone was outside when I opened the door!"
Michael removed his hand from his forehead and glanced down at the little boy who barely reached his knee.
Though small, the child had strikingly refined features, and there was a noticeable air of confidence about him, even at such a young age.
Normally, Michael had little patience for children. But now, looking at this boy, who seemed to be around Juliet's age, he found it hard to speak harshly.
Michael frowned slightly, his voice cool. "What are you doing here?"
"That's a strange question, Sir," James replied, pouting. "I came to the restroom... obviously to use it."
In truth, James hadn't come to use the restroom. He had intentionally waited for Michael after seeing him leave his office, just to create this "accident."
He couldn't let the man off easily after his girlfriend hurt Juliet!
Michael's frown deepened, his voice growing colder. "I meant, why are you in this building?"
"Who are your parents? Where are they?"
Michael's stern demeanor made James pout and let his tears flow freely. "My dad's dead... years ago..."
"My mom is working hard, taking care of my sister and making money. She's really struggling..."
Michael took a deep breath, raising a hand to stop James. "If your parents aren't here, why are you?"
"I came with my mom's friend," James sniffled. "She's here for business..."
Michael's tightly furrowed brow finally began to relax.
"Waahh—!"
James cried harder, casting quick glances at Michael's serious face out of the corner of his eye. "It's all my dad's fault for dying so early!"
"If he had lived a bit longer, my mom wouldn't be in this mess!"
The more he cried, the more he criticized his father, his words growing harsher.
For some reason, hearing this little boy badmouth his father made Michael feel a bit uncomfortable.
Maybe it was because reconnecting with Juliet had made him more sympathetic to children?
Michael crouched down, gently patting James on the back. "Death is irreversible. You need to move on."
James: "..."
He stifled his laughter, wiping his tears. "You're right, there's no bringing him back."
"Hopefully, in his next life, my heartless dad can be a better person!"
This kid was getting more and more outrageous...
Michael stood up. "It's best for children not to comment on adult matters."
"Okay."
James, sensing it was time to stop, quit crying.
He took a deep breath and exited the restroom.
"James!"
Outside the restroom, Olivia had been waiting anxiously. When she saw the little guy come out, she waved excitedly. "Over here!"
But as soon as she called out, she noticed the tall, imposing man following behind James.
Was that... Michael Kingsley?
Olivia froze slightly.
"She is waiting for me, so I'll be going now, Sir!" James said with a smile, waving goodbye to Michael before running over to Olivia.
"The Kingsley Group doesn't allow children to be brought to work."
Just as Olivia was about to grab James and make a quick escape, she heard Michael's cold voice behind her. "Even though you're not an employee of the Kingsley Group, please try not to bring children next time you visit."
With that, Michael turned and walked away.
"Ugh."
James discreetly rolled his eyes at Michael's back.
Olivia, shocked by his boldness, quickly pulled James closer and lowered her voice. "How did you end up coming out with him?"
"Well, we used the restroom together."
Olivia lightly tapped his head. "You know that's not what I meant."
Taking a deep breath, she ushered James into the elevator. "Let me tell you, that was Michael Kingsley just now!"
"Michael Kingsley, the richest man in Roxbury! This whole building is his!"
"He's not just wealthy, he's dangerous. If we get on his bad side, we won't be able to survive in this city!"
"So stay away from him!"
James nodded. "I understand."
Not that I planned on getting close to him anyway.
"Daddy, is Miss Larson's cooking really delicious?"
During dinner, Juliet, dressed in a pink little dress, blinked her big, watery eyes and asked softly.
"It's not bad."
Michael replied, frowning slightly as he ate. "The taste is... familiar."
It was reminiscent of the meals Mia used to cook.
Clearly, this Mira had done her homework to try and get close to him.
Michael looked up, his cold gaze sweeping over Mira, who was standing nearby, his voice indifferent. "Did anything happen today?"
"Yes."
Mira nodded and responded candidly, "This afternoon, while I was out shopping, I ran into Miss Kyle Lawrence."
"Miss Lawrence approached me and asked if I had... any improper intentions towards you, Mr. Kingsley."
She looked up, meeting his eyes. "I feel Miss Lawrence has a deep-seated prejudice against me."
"To avoid affecting your relationship with her, I suggest that I come here to take care of Miss Juliet during the day and return home at night."
She looked at Michael seriously. "Would that be acceptable?"
Not staying here would give her some spare time to look after James as well.
Mira wanted to keep an eye on James, not because he couldn't take care of himself, but because she knew his mind was too active. Without supervision, he might do something out of bounds.
"There's no need."
Michael elegantly picked up his chopsticks, speaking in a detached tone as he continued to eat. "She doesn't get to decide who stays here."
Mira smiled. "But isn't she your fiancée?"
"Mr. Kingsley, there's something I don't understand."
"I saw on the news that you've been engaged to Miss Lawrence for over five years."
"If it's been over five years, why haven't you married her, or even let her move in?"
Michael's hand paused slightly as he held his chopsticks.
He looked up, his dark eyes coldly fixed on Mira's face. "If I let her move in, wouldn't that deprive all the other women trying to get close to me of their chance?"
His words made Mira narrow her eyes slightly.
After a moment, she smiled. "I always thought your relationship with Miss Lawrence was solid, but it seems I was mistaken."
Michael's lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. "Even so, those who approach me with an ulterior motive won't get a chance."
Mira shot back, "Then Mr. Kingsley must be a truly loyal and devoted man. It seems I misunderstood you before."
Sensing the tension rising at the table, Juliet quickly extended her small hand between them. "Please, don't argue!"
"We're not arguing."
Juliet's anxious voice brought Mira back to her senses.
She quickly composed herself, giving Michael a calm smile. "Mr. Kingsley, don't misunderstand."
"I simply feel that since the future mistress of Blue Bay Villa has a hostile attitude toward me, it's not appropriate for me to stay here."
Michael's dark brows furrowed tightly. "This is my house. Whether you stay here or not is up to me."
"And you're just a servant. Don't meddle in the owner's affairs. Kyle Lawrence is not the mistress of this house."
As he spoke, he gently picked up a piece of green vegetable and placed it on Juliet's plate. "This villa already has its mistress."
Mira sneered inwardly.
The mistress of this villa he spoke of—could he possibly be referring to her?
Mira found it amusing.
When she was with Michael years ago, this man never showed her a shred of warmth. He even ultimately chose to abandon her in favor of Kyle. And now, he was putting on an act of being deeply affectionate.
Was he doing it just for Juliet's sake?
So, he was aware that his past actions were shameful after all?
Mira's lips curved into a faint smile as she thought about it. "But didn't the previous mistress of this house die?"
"She didn't die!"
Michael's expression darkened, and he slammed his chopsticks onto the table. "My wife is very much alive."
His gaze was fierce and sharp. "Watch your words, or you might lose your life!"
Mira met his eyes fearlessly. "But I saw in the news that your wife was reported dead, Mr. Kingsley."
"If she isn't dead, where is she now?"
Michael glared at her, a fire burning in his deep, unreadable eyes.
The tension between them grew colder and more suffocating with each passing moment.
"That's enough!"
Juliet's eyes were red as she put down her utensils, her voice trembling with tears. "This is our first time having dinner together. Do you really have to argue?"
With that, the little girl turned and ran upstairs.
Michael frowned, stood up, and shot Mira a cold glance before quickly following after Juliet.
Mira sat in her chair, watching as he hurried after Juliet, and silently closed her eyes.
She shouldn't have argued with Michael in front of Juliet.
But the pain and torment she had endured over the past six years were too much.
Every time she woke from a nightmare in the middle of the night, she wanted to fly back to Richmond, find Michael, and cut open his heart to see if it was as black as she thought!
"Juliet."
Upstairs, Michael pushed open the door to the children's room and carefully approached the little girl.
She had buried herself under the covers, her small, frail body lying on the bed, a tiny, pitiful lump.
Michael gently sat on the edge of her bed, his hand softly rubbing her trembling back. "Don't cry."
He wasn't sure how to comfort such a small child, so he could only stroke her back and try to keep his voice as gentle as possible.
After a long while, Juliet's shuddering finally subsided.
She poked her head out from under the covers, her eyes red as she looked at him. "Daddy, please don't blame Miss Larson."
Michael paused, surprised.
He had expected that after she stopped crying, her first instinct would be to seek comfort from him.
But instead, her first thought was to plead for Mira?
His heart softened instantly.
He lifted her up. "You like her that much?"
"Yes."
Juliet sniffed, resting her small head on his shoulder. "I like her a lot. Daddy, please don't blame her because of this."
Michael pressed his lips together. Though reluctant, he couldn't very well fire Mira after his beloved daughter had pleaded for her.
He sighed and nodded lightly.
After a moment, he gently stroked her back. "Were you crying because you miss Mommy?"
Juliet bit her lip and silently nodded.
"Do you know where your mommy is?"
He lowered his voice, trying to coax her gently. "Daddy can take you to find her."
"No."
Juliet shook her head vehemently. "Mommy said that when it's the right time, she'll meet you again."
"She told me to tell you not to look for her, just to take good care of me."
Michael looked at the little girl's face, which bore such a strong resemblance to Mia's, and tightly pressed his lips together.
"Daddy."
Juliet sniffed again, still lying in his arms. "I heard Miss Larson say earlier that you're going to marry that bad woman from yesterday..."
She looked up at him with her big, watery eyes. "Is it true?"
Michael was momentarily at a loss for words, so he frowned and replied with a simple "yes." "That's an adult matter. It has nothing to do with you."
"How can it not?"
Juliet bit her lip. "Daddy, why are you marrying someone else? Don't you like Mommy anymore?"
Didn't he like Mia anymore?
That question made Michael let out a deep sigh.
If he could stop loving Mia, he would have done so long ago.
She's been gone for six years, but his feelings for her have been etched into his very bones.
The silence from Michael made Juliet sigh heavily. "You must not like Mommy."
She pouted. "There aren't even any pictures of you and Mommy at home."
From as far back as Juliet could remember, Mia had always had her current near-perfect face.
James and Aiden had told her that Mommy's face was artificially made, that she didn't always look like this.
Juliet had wanted to know what Mommy used to look like, but after searching the house thoroughly, she couldn't find a single photo of her.
Michael sighed and made a sincere promise. "If you sleep well tonight, you'll see a photo of me and your Mommy when you wake up in the morning."
Juliet nodded. "Okay."
Early the next morning, Kyle barged in past the gate guards, and as soon as she entered, she saw a wedding photo hanging prominently in the living room.
In the photo, Mia stood on the beach in a white wedding dress, while Michael, holding a bouquet of flowers, walked toward her.
Staring at the picture, anger surged within Kyle.
She remembered that when Mia's death was announced, she had used the excuse of not wanting to upset Michael by keeping reminders around and had all of Mia's photos burned!
So how was it that after Juliet, that little brat, had only been back for two days, this photo was hanging proudly in the center of Blue Bay Villa's living room again?
Consumed by rage, Kyle stormed over and tore the photo down, throwing it onto the ground with a loud crash.
"Bitch! They're all bitches!"
Mia was a bitch, and so was her little brat!