Chapter 47
Teddy set down the fruits and supplements he hath brought, spread his arms wide, and scooped Serena into a big hug. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
He didn’t mind at all, spinning Serena around in circles as she burst into fits of giggles. Anyone who didn’t know better might have thought they were father and daughter.
Noticing Dominick’s increasingly stormy expression, Marissa smirked and asked, “That’s Serena’s dad, isn’t it? He’s surprisingly young. So that’s Ms. Sutton’s type? No wonder she was so dead set on divorcing you back then, Dom”
After spinning Serena around a few more times, Teddy finally noticed the others standing nearby. Scratching his head with an embarrassed grin, he said, “Oh, you’ve got company?”
Without sparing Dominick even a glance, Paisley casually introduced him. ‘Hm, not really–he’s my ex–husband.”
Teddy raised an eyebrow, his tone turning playful as a mocking smile appeared on his face. “Oh, so this is the infamous you guys have been talking about?”
jerk
“Jerk was Emery’s nickname for Dominick, similar in spirit to how Marissa was dubbed “Marissa the bitch. Teddy, having spent plenty of time around Emery, naturally picked up on the moniker.
This was the first time Paisley had seen someone’s anger
very moment.
manifest so vividly–it was written all over Dominick’s face at this
Dominick wondered irritably, Jerk? Is that what Paisley calls me when she’s with this pretty boy? His jaw clenched tightly, and his glare seemed ready to burn a hole through Paisley.
“Is there something you need?” Paisley asked, her voice calm and detached, making it clear he could leave if there wasn’t.
Dominick stared her down, his eyes practically drilling into her. He fumed inwardly. Two days ago, she wanted to kick me and my son out, all for this man. We haven’t even left yet, and he’s already here. Are you really that desperate, Paisley?
Marissa cradled the bouquet of pink roses and spoke softly to Doaninick. “Let’s go, Dom. Don’t waste any more of Ms. Sutton’s time.”
With his lips pressed tightly together and an air of coldness surrounding him, he turned and got into the car. “Get in the car, Grayson,” he commanded.
But Grayson just stood by the car, making no effort to get in. He looked toward Paisley, a faint hope flickering in his heart. Yet Paisley, holding Serena, looked at him with the same detacheil expression, offering nothing more.
Marissa walked over and forcibly dragged Grayson into the car, saying, “Come on, Sonny. Let’s go.”
Paisley calmly looked away, no longer paying attention to Dominick and the others. Instead, she turned to Teddy with an apologetic smile. “Sorry to trouble you, making you go out of your way to bring these over.”
“It’s no trouble. I didn’t have anything else to do anyway. Teddy helped Paisley carry the fruits and supplements upstairs before getting ready to leave.
Paisley then called out to him, “Wait. I didn’t get a chance to tell Emery earlier since she was busy. There’s a new polo club opening in Harrowfell, and the owner invited me to the launch party this weekend.
If you and Emery are free, come along–it’ll be a good way to unwind.”
1/3
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Chapter 47
Teddy smiled and nodded, “Sure, I’ll let her know”
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Over at Vanderbilt Manor, Lauren personally supervised the household staff as they prepared dinner, ensuring all the dishes. were Grayson’s favorites. “Oh, my poor grandson has been through so much these past few days. Hurry it up, everyone. And add more of that. Sonny loves it.”
Marissa trailed closely behind Lauren, helping her out, Or rather, pretending to help–neither of them had ever lifted at finger in the kitchen. At most, they barked orders. The usually het Vanderbilt Manor, somber over the past few days, had suddenly come alive again with Grayson’s return.
Meanwhile, Reginald lounged on the couch, amused as he watched his wife bustle about. When he glanced to the side, he noticed Grayson standing by the floor–to–ceiling window, staring blankly at the trees in the garden.
Curious about what Grayson was staring at, Reginald stepped closer and looked in the same direction. “What are you looking at, Sonny? Reginald asked.
Grayson pointed to a tree in the garden and said, “Look at that tree, Grandpa.”
“A tree?” Reginald glanced over and saw it was just a regular tree. The gardens of Vanderbilt Manor were always kept in perfect condition by the gardeners, so people like Reginald and his family rarely paid attention to such details.
“Yeah.” Grayson nodded, recalling what Paisley had shared with him at the park. He then continued, “That’s a Catalpa tree. It blooms between May and June and bears fruit around October and November.
“Those long, skinny pods aren’t green beans–they’re the tree’s fruit. It’s actually a medicinal herb that helps reduce water retention and swelling. The leaves can also be used as medicine to clear heat and detoxify.”
Reginald was utterly surprised–these were things even he didn’t know. He felt a surge of pride as he looked at Grayson, his eyes filled with admiration. “How do you know all this, Sonny? Who taught you?”
Grayson pressed his lips together hesitantly before softly replying. “She did.” Reginald paused for a moment and then realized that the ‘she” Grayson referred to was Paisley.
Reginald actually hadn’t expected Paisley to know such things. His impression of his son’s ex–wife was vague at best. To him. Paisley was a beautiful woman who spoke very little. Beyond that, she left no other lasting impression.
After all, Paisley was never the kind of woman Reginald had envisioned for his son. She was the one Dominick had insisted
marrying, much to his disapproval. Their disagreement had escalated into intense arguments, even physical
confrontations.
In the end, Dominick had threatened to give up his position as heir, leaving Reginald with no choice but to reluctantly compromise.
Reginald had assumed that once Paisley became Mrs. Vanderbilt, she would cling to the title for dear life. He never imagined she’d be so resolute in wanting a divorce–even leaving her son behind without a second thought.
Meanwhile, Stella, who had been waiting impatiently for Grayson to play with her, could no longer sit still. She walked over, stepped in front of him to block his view out the window, and grabbed his hand. “Sonny,” she said, her tone soft but insistent.
“Forget about those boring trees. Let’s go to your playroom and have some fun, Stella suggested with a bright smile. Without waiting for Grayson’s response, she started pulling him toward the playroom.
To her surprise, Grayson yanked his hand away and replied, “You go play by yourself. I don’t want to go.”
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Chapter 47
He used to have a portrait, the only one of him, but Stella had torn it up. He knew she meant well and had done it for his sake, but he couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable about it.
It was the first time Stella had been treated coldly by Grayson. She stood there awkwardly, her eyes welling up with tears. Just then, Marissa walked over and saw her niece crying. “Stella, What’s wrong?” Marissa asked quickly.
“Sonny won’t play with me. Stella sobbed.
Marissa’s eyes darkened, and though she forced an awkward smile at Reginald, inwardly she was furious at Stella for making
a scene.
In front of Reginald, all Marissa could do was plaster on a smile and say, “Let’s not play for now. Dinner’s ready–go eat first, and you can play afterward.”
