Chapter 2991 Marcus met her gaze silently, leaving a tense moment hanging between them.

Julie was on the verge of delivering more harsh warnings when Marcus opened his car trunk to reveal a large box filled with the kind of mech toys any boy would adore.

He also handed Julie a kraft paper bag, which, to her astonishment, contained half a million dollars in cash.

Julie's eyes widened as she sifted through the bills, but then she fixed Marcus with a defiant look. “This money won't sway me,” she declared.

Marcus simply suggested, “Use it to buy Matthew something he likes,” his smile unfaltering.

Julie, ever pragmatic, understood Marcus’ gesture as a sign he wanted them to keep caring for Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Matthew for now. “It's indeed your duty to support your son,” she countered, her tone firm yet concerned for Melissa's welfare.

With the unexpected windfall, Julie's thoughts turned to buying Melissa a car, having previously eyed a nice BMW that she believed would suit Melissa.

After all, Melissa had given Marcus a son. A car seemed a small recompense.

As Marcus prepared to leave, content that Julie had accepted his offer, she tapped on his car window, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “Melissa doesn't know about this, does she?” His faint smile offered her a measure of reassurance, though her feelings remained mixed.

Once Marcus had departed, Julie, armed with the toy and the cash, swung by the nearby grocery store and bought a five-pound fresh mutton, She then set about stewing it, filling the house with its inviting aroma.

Matthew was thrilled with his new toy, his delight evident as he played.

(Eagles) Mech toys were a hit with boys, after all.

Melissa returned home around eight to the welcoming scent of mutton stew.

“Did you make mutton stew today?” she inquired, swapping her shoes for house slippers.

Adorned in her apron and wielding a ladle, Julie beamed.

“I'had a bit of luck with the lottery today. With the snow and the chill, I thought some mutton stew would be perfect. I've even added carrots for extra flavor. Make sure to have a little extra.” Carrots.

Melissa's heart sank. She wasn't fond of them. Yet Julie, caught up in her excitement, seemed oblivious to this preference, eagerly serving a plate to Melissa.

“Give it a try," Julie urged, hopeful.

Facing the carrots in her plate, Melissa couldn't shake thoughts of Marcus, reflecting on their conversation earlier that day, hoping he would finally leave her in peace.

Melissa paused, her thoughts interrupted by Matthew's joyous consumption of his small bowl of mutton stew.

She nearly spoke up but decided against it at the last moment.

Julie offered a comforting smile. “Enjoy your dinner first. We can talk later.”

Chapter 2992 She then whispered to Melissa, cautioning her not to let Matthew overhear, praising the boy's keen intelligence.

Melissa's smile, in response, sparked a suspicion in Julie.

She speculated that Melissa must have encountered Marcus several times already upon her return to Duefron, given her distracted demeanor.

After the meal, Matthew retreated to his room, engrossed in his new toy, while Julie cleaned up the table.

Later, she brought a paper bag filled with cash to Melissa's room, finding her fresh from a shower and drying her hair.

The bag contained a significant sum, easily totaling four or five hundred thousand dollars.

“Julie, how did you come by such an amount?” Melissa inquired, puzzled.

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Julie glanced at a medical record on the dressing table before answering nonchalantly. “Told you I got lucky and won a small Lottery prize! You know, if you had a car, you might not have caught that cold— And now that you're working for someone as important as Mr. Waston, it seems odd to take public transportation every day. I thought you might use this money to buy a car.” Melissa set the towel aside, considering the money.

With her own savings, the combined sum was indeed enough for a nice car. However, she decided it was time to share her real thoughts with Julie.

Looking up, Melissa spoke softly. “Julie, I'm thinking of returning to Heron, where our headquarters is." Julie, taken aback, sought clarity.

“Why the sudden move? You've just bought this nice apartment, and Matthew is about to start kindergarten. Is this about Mr. Fowler?” Eagles.

She hoped Marcus hadn't revived old troubles, given his outward decency.

Melissa found herself too mortified to discuss Marcus’ actions, while Julie maintained an air of obliviousness, feigning ignorance to the undercurrents of Melissa's dilemma.

Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, Julie continued, “You're just starting to establish your career here. Moving back to Heron means starting anew. Without Mr. Waston's support, it's unlikely the work environment there will match what you have in Duefron. I think you need to give it some serious thought.” Melissa presumed Julie had just grown comfortable with life in Duefron and was resistant to change environment.

She nodded in understanding. “I'l reconsider it, I promise!” She tried to give the money back to Julie, but Julie insisted, “Please, hold onto it for me. My day-to-day expenses are minimal, mostly just groceries. And well- If he discovers I have this money, it'll all be wasted.” Julie was referring to her son, Shawn Wilson, who, much like his father, had fallen prey to gambling.

Julie's husband had squandered their finances on gambling, and her son had followed in his footsteps. Despite his faults, he had always treated Melissa and Matthew kindly though. Julie's concern was evident as she worried about her son discovering the money.

Melissa pondered before responding, “I'l keep the money safe for you.

Perhaps, if your son overcomes his gambling habit, this could be his chance to start a small business.” Julie's greatest worry was indeed her son.

Chapter 2993 Yet, she couldn't take Marcus’ money to help her own son, and sadly she couldn't reveal that part to Melissa.

Claiming fatigue, Julie excused herself to sleep, leaving Melissa to secure the money and drop the subject.

As Melissa prepared for bed, Matthew, her little boy, approached with a pillow in hand.

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Despite being almost three, he was smaller than other children his age. He snuggled into Melissa's embrace, his presence a reminder of her hesitation to risk exposing him to her cold.

She considered moving him to Julie's room, but his pleading eyes melted her resolve.

“Matthew wants to stay with Mommy tonight,” the boy pleaded.

Overwhelmed by tenderness, Melissa relented, and as they lay in the darkened room, she felt an enveloping warmth. She introduced the topic of Heron to Matthew, describing it as a bustling city, wondering if he'd be open to relocating.

Eagles.

‘bustling’ mean?” Matthew's curiosity was

vibrant place, filled with people, cars, and towering buildings,” Melissa explained, painting

here. Plus, we get snow in the winter and there's my new toy! Mommy, have you

neither Julie nor Matthew wished to leave Duefron solidified her

shown up for the next few days, seemed to have moved on, providing Melissa

deposited the half million into a bank account in Julie's name and instead used her own

to collect it, Matthew's excitement was palpable, his joy bouncing around the car's back seat. Julie, equally impressed, couldn't

the new purchase, Melissa

hard work. This could mean a salary hike, and possibly, a move to a larger house with enough room for each of us.” Julie's

from Julie. “Working on a Saturday? Plus, Matthew and I seldom dine in places this grand. What if we make a fool of ourselves?” Melissa reassured them

some table manners required last night.” Matthew, puffing up with

big help.” With a reluctant shake of

rush, where they found themselves

manager, struggling to accommodate their super VIP gift card during

said, “We're kind of overwhelmed with reservations today.” After a moment of hesitation, Alexis’ gaze fell on a little boy with big, watery eyes that sparkled with an innocent

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reminded her strikingly of her own younger son, bearing a resemblance so

momentarily speechless, her attention shifting to Julie,

with a member of the Fowler family, of all

found herself nervously avoiding Alexis’ steady gaze, her hands fidgeting.

though taken aback, maintained her composure, a trait of the Fowler lineage. She crouched to

Brown,” he

confirmed Alexis’ suspicion that Matthew had ties to her

a large table, room enough for all of us. My daughter is here too; the children might enjoy each other's

does bear a striking resemblance to him." She proceeded to show Julie photos of Daniel on her phone, suggesting, “Look at them. Wouldn't you agree they could pass as brothers?” The conversation overwhelmed Julie,

manager about the room's temperature, to which he responded apologetically, explaining the automated temperature

agreed to share

Matthew and Evelyn were seated together, Alexis captured a photo of the pair and shared it on her social media, captioned, “Encountered a little boy who could almost be Daniel's twin!" The post sent shockwaves through the Fowler family, sparking

agitated, left a sarcastic comment

Leonel jumped in with

Edwin couldn't resist chiming in, “The plot thickens. Who's been playing fast and loose, I

the other hand, seemed pleased with the stir her post had caused,

their meal, conspicuously avoiding any mention of Melissa. This approach allowed Julie to relax

She rationalized that establishing ties with the

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care of, ordering a child-friendly meal that Evelyn used to

especially his smile, and mused about Marcus’ Likely fondness for the boy once he

resolve, taking comfort in the thought that if the Fowler family embraced Matthew with open

Julie candidly shared, “Mr. Fowler is already aware of Matthew. He's

Matthew.” Julie, touched yet saddened by the acknowledgment, downplayed her role. “It's nothing. These past years have been tough on Melissa.” Alexis was no stranger to the challenges of single parenthood and had heard

demanded she rise to the occasion. Supporting herself and her son was no small feat, yet she managed it with grace, proving herself

from Marcus, inquiring if she was still

his way to join us for lunch.”

his entrance shortly after, his appearance impeccable in a white shirt paired with dark brown trousers and

Alexis signaled for

visibly restraining himself from overly engaging with the boy despite the pull

him to Matthew with a hint of pride. “This is my uncle! Isn't he handsome?” Matthew, too young to grasp the compliment fully,

and friends share. You can consider him your

Julie's caution about strangers, no matter

simple “Good boy!" This interaction caught Alexis’ attention, a quiet observer of the unfolding

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at him, their eyes meeting in a moment filled with

was uncharted territory. He had observed Edwin and Leonel with their

his own flesh and blood, he understood the instinctual nature of their actions, experiencing firsthand the profound connection between a parent and

so absorbed in his thoughts that when Matthew's soft voice broke through, it almost caught him off guard. “Sir, why do you look

not,” Marcus replied, his voice

was so close to Matthew, he could catch the scent of milk that seemed to cling to the two-year-old. There

He felt an urge to

quick to smile, revealed two small teeth in

me?" Matthew reached out, his voice

settling him on his lap, and showered him with affectionate

were drawn to

to treat the kids, Marcus ordered two desserts, one for Evelyn and

barely containing her excitement, said, “I love this. It's been ages since I had one.” Matthew's laughter, showcasing his baby teeth,

to Julie, “He's not shy

to resist Matthew's charm, and snapped a few more pictures to send to

Matthew, who glanced shyly towards Julie, cheeks

feed him?"

can eat by myself.” while sneaking a worried look at

Marcus saw a glimpse of

momentarily stunned, his fingers gently tracing Matthew's face as if searching for a hidden message. He

turmoil without

she shared, “He's

Marcus simply nodded

to his seat, Marcus observed him

usually keeps to himself. He's not one to warm up to others quickly.” Books Chapters Are

Evelyn quipped, “You're quite the lucky one.” Matthew's laughter, filled with innocence and a hint

He looked so adorable.

from the boy. Alexis couldn't help but remark, “He takes after his mother.” At that moment,

Marcus and

Could you take Matthew to the mall after your

something for yourself,

checked his watch, and declared, “I've got some time now.” Thus, they left the French restaurant, Marcus holding

Matthew's stuff despite the cost, evident in her willingness to invest in

familiar with their frequent

never saw Matthew's father during all their visits, sparking curiosity and speculation among them. Julie, upon catching

she challenged their assumptions. “How could he not have a father? How do you think he came

2998 This time, with Marcus cradling Matthew in his arms, Julie's presence commanded attention,

the assistants

is my son-in-law, Matthew's father.” The assistant paused, visibly impressed. “He looks quite distinguished. Seems familiar, too.” Julie managed a courteous yet insincere smile. “He's recently returned from abroad. Life's been modest for him in Duefron.” This seemed to reassure the assistant, who perhaps felt that if Marcus was truly remarkable,

including a pair of limited edition shoes retailing for over four hundred

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