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.

what does ‘bustling’ mean?” Matthew's curiosity was evident in his gentle

with people, cars, and towering buildings,” Melissa explained, painting a

really like it here. Plus, we get snow in the winter and there's my new toy! Mommy, have you seen it?" Melissa

neither Julie nor Matthew wished to

up for the next few days, seemed to have moved on, providing Melissa with a sense

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

joy bouncing around the car's back seat. Julie, equally impressed, couldn't resist praising,

Celebrating the new purchase, Melissa

for my 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 smile couldn't

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

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

big help.” With a reluctant shake of her

with the lunch rush, where they

VIP gift card during such a busy time,

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

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strikingly of her own younger son, bearing a resemblance

attention

Fowler family, of all people, had Julie

nervously avoiding

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

name, little one?” “I'm Matthew Brown,” he replied with the

surname confirmed Alexis’ suspicion that Matthew

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 layer of intrigue. “He looks just Like Daniel.” With a warm smile, Alexis

Matthew 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

then remarked to the manager about the room's temperature, to which he

to share the

and shared it on her social media, captioned, “Encountered a little boy who could almost be Daniel's twin!" The

left a sarcastic comment under

your stripes, aren't you?” Leonel jumped in with his own speculation. “Is this little guy going to

test might just clear things up.” Edwin couldn't resist chiming

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

This approach allowed Julie to relax incrementally, contemplating the inevitability of

with

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Alexis ensured Matthew was well taken care of, ordering a child-friendly meal that Evelyn

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

taking comfort in the thought that

aware of Matthew. He's even met him.” Alexis’ lack of surprise to this

Melissa and 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 of the

a young and naive girl, found herself thrust into motherhood, a role that demanded she rise to the occasion. Supporting herself and her son was no small feat, yet she

Marcus, inquiring if she was still at the restaurant and announcing his imminent

after messaging back, informed Julie with a smile, “Marcus is on his way to join us for lunch.” Julie, coming from a modest background, felt her nerves spike at the prospect of meeting

appearance impeccable in a white shirt paired with dark brown

moved to stand, Alexis signaled for her

taking his place beside Matthew, visibly restraining himself from overly

delighted to see her uncle, introduced him to Matthew with a hint of pride. “This is my uncle! Isn't he handsome?” Matthew, too young to grasp the compliment fully, was simply in awe of Marcus's stature, noting he was unlike anyone he'd ever

“We're now friends and friends share. You can consider him

2996 Yet, Matthew remained silent, recalling Julie's caution about strangers, no matter how friendly they

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

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him, their eyes meeting in a moment filled with

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

own flesh and blood, he understood the instinctual nature of their actions, experiencing

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

replied, his voice rougher than

to Matthew, he could catch the scent of milk that seemed to cling to the

He felt an urge to

always quick to smile, revealed two small

reached out, his

his lap, and showered

were

kids, Marcus ordered two desserts, one for

been ages since I had one.” Matthew's laughter, showcasing his baby teeth, filled

remarked to Julie, “He's not shy at all. Adorable, isn't he?” Julie, beaming with pride,

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

feed Matthew, who glanced shyly

feed him?" Julie

show independence, declared, “I can eat by myself.” while sneaking a worried look

saw

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

without him saying

shared, “He's thrived these past

through.” Marcus simply nodded in

to his seat, Marcus

keeps to himself. He's not one to warm up to others quickly.”

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

He looked so adorable.

but remark, “He takes after his mother.” At that moment,

Marcus

wraps up in two hours. Could you take Matthew to the mall after your meal? He's outgrown his clothes again. Pick out some new shoes

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

get you new shoes and trousers soon.” Marcus caught Alexis’ glance, checked his watch, and declared, “I've got

the cost, evident

staff, familiar with their

Matthew's father during all their visits, sparking curiosity and speculation among them. Julie, upon catching wind of their whispers one time,

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

with Marcus cradling Matthew in his arms, Julie's presence

of the assistants

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,

of the store's priciest items, including a pair of

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