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.

Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

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.

Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

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.

curiosity was evident in his gentle

means it's a vibrant place, filled with people, cars, and towering buildings,”

snow

Julie nor Matthew wished to leave Duefron solidified

days, seemed to have moved on,

Julie's name and instead used

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

woman Like you deserves nothing Less.” Celebrating the new purchase, Melissa treated them to

in the company for my hard work. This could mean a salary hike, and possibly, a

Julie. “Working on a Saturday? Plus, Matthew and I seldom dine in places this grand. What if

And I taught Matthew some table manners required last night.” Matthew, puffing up with pride, assured, “Yes! Don't worry,

With a reluctant shake of

they found themselves amidst a crowd, including Alexis and

struggling to accommodate their super VIP gift card during such a busy

reservations today.” After a moment of hesitation, Alexis’ gaze fell on a little boy with big, watery eyes that sparkled with

Daily Updated Join &

of her own younger son, bearing a resemblance so strong they could be mistaken for

Alexis momentarily speechless, her attention shifting to Julie, who was visibly

the Fowler family, of all people, had Julie in a state

nervously avoiding Alexis’ steady gaze, her

of the Fowler lineage. She crouched to Matthew's

what's your name, little one?” “I'm Matthew Brown,” he replied with the politeness of a

Alexis’ suspicion that Matthew had ties to

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

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

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

with little choice, Julie agreed to share the

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 a flurry

left a sarcastic comment under

Fowler offspring now! Marcus Fowler, really showing your stripes, aren't you?” Leonel jumped in with his own speculation. “Is this little guy going to be

things up.” Edwin couldn't resist chiming in, “The plot thickens. Who's been playing fast and loose, I wonder?” Marcus was

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

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

rationalized that establishing ties with the Fowlers might ultimately benefit Melissa

Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for

ensured Matthew was well taken care of, ordering a child-friendly

his smile, and mused about

own resolve, taking comfort in the thought that if the Fowler family embraced Matthew with open arms, she could find peace in

is already aware of Matthew. He's

all you've done for Melissa and Matthew.” Julie, touched yet saddened by the acknowledgment, downplayed her role. “It's nothing. These past years have been

thrust into motherhood, a role that demanded she rise to the occasion. Supporting herself and her

messages from Marcus, inquiring

is on his way to join us for lunch.” Julie, coming from a modest background, felt her nerves

entrance shortly after, his appearance impeccable in a white shirt paired with

Julie moved to stand, Alexis signaled for her to remain

Matthew, visibly

he handsome?” Matthew, too young to grasp the

friends share. You can consider

silent, recalling Julie's caution about strangers, no matter

and gentle, touched Matthew's head, offering a simple “Good boy!" This interaction caught Alexis’ attention, a quiet observer of

Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books

looking up at him,

had observed Edwin and

understood the instinctual nature of their actions, experiencing firsthand the

was so absorbed in his thoughts that when Matthew's soft voice broke through, it almost

not,” Marcus replied, his voice rougher

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

an urge to

revealed two small teeth in

you hold me?" Matthew reached out, his

and showered him with affectionate

were drawn

two desserts, one for Evelyn and

“I love this. It's been ages since I had one.”

to Julie, “He's not shy at all. Adorable,

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

began to feed Matthew, who

I feed him?"

“I can eat by myself.”

expression, Marcus saw

his fingers gently tracing Matthew's face as if

turmoil without

a hushed tone, she shared, “He's

shines through.” Marcus simply

his seat, Marcus observed him tackle his

to warm up to others quickly.” Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for

“You're quite the

He looked so adorable.

boy. Alexis couldn't help but remark, “He takes after his mother.”

at Marcus and Alexis

calm. “Julie, work wraps up in two hours. Could you take Matthew to the mall after your meal? He's outgrown his clothes again. Pick

voice softened as she added, “And get something for yourself, too. I'l meet you once I'm done.” Julie readily

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

stuff despite the cost, evident in her willingness to invest in his

their

saw Matthew's father during all their visits, sparking curiosity and speculation among them.

could he not have a father? How do you think he came into this

in his arms,

who's this gentleman?” one of the assistants inquired,

a lowered, yet proud tone, Julie introduced Marcus, “This 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

pair of limited edition shoes

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255