CHAPTER 22: CHAPTER 22: WHEN A CHILD IS UNRULY, THE FATHER IS TO BLAME

Since the pregnancy, Serena Sinclair had gained weight, and even post-pregnancy, her figure never returned to its former slender state.

To the point that at this moment, Chloe Lynch seemed as if she was wearing adult clothes she had snuck into, looking empty and loose.

However, it also had a unique charm of its own.

Thinking of little Miles Lockwood downstairs, suffering from a fever.

While Adrian Lockwood was upstairs, indulging with Chloe Lynch.

Serena Sinclair couldn’t help but feel nauseous, "Adrian Lockwood, you are truly shameless!"

"Who’s the shameless one?"

Adrian Lockwood grabbed Serena Sinclair, the words "wild man" almost slipping from his lips, and he turned to Chloe Lynch, "Go back!"

The purpose had been achieved.

Chloe Lynch nodded and obediently turned around to go upstairs.

Adrian Lockwood turned back to Serena Sinclair, like a furious lion driven to madness, "Serena Sinclair, are you that desperate? Not even having the divorce papers in hand, and you’re already in a rush to find a new lover? How is it, does he satisfy your..."

Smack!

Another merciless slap.

Adrian Lockwood’s eyes turned bloodshot, glaring at Serena Sinclair as if he wanted to devour her.

But the next moment, he couldn’t care.

Serena Sinclair kneed him, hitting hard.

Adrian Lockwood’s angry eyes were filled with disbelief.

But the intense pain struck, making his breathing come to a halt.

He couldn’t utter a sound of pain, not even the slightest.

Watching helplessly as Serena Sinclair dusted off her hands and adjusted her knee, retreating to a few meters away.

Looking at him with eyes as if seeing something filthy.

Serena’s demeanor was icy, "Adrian Lockwood, a dirty heart sees dirt everywhere. It’s an illness, get it treated early!"

He even brought Chloe Lynch home.

What face does he have to question her?

"And don’t call me again!"

"You’ve made your choice, as has Miles. I’ve sensibly made space for her, what more dissatisfaction could you have? Adrian Lockwood, even a rabbit bites when it’s cornered, if you push me, should I contact the press to reveal everything? How many stock drops can The Lockwood Group withstand?"

Ignoring Adrian Lockwood’s darkened face, Serena Sinclair turned and left.

The villa receded further behind her.

Serena Sinclair walked into the night, feeling numb inside.

On one side was the young Miles who sweetly called "mommy" when happy and cried for "mommy’s hug" when upset.

On the other was the feverish Miles from earlier, still crying out for Aunt Chloe.

Serena Sinclair didn’t know where it went wrong.

Or perhaps, what she did wrong.

Since Miles was still in her belly, she recited the Three Character Classic and told fairy tales for prenatal education.

After birth, she never stopped with all sorts of picture books and stories about famous people.

She, as a mother, set an example for him on how to be a kind, honest, gracious, and loving person.

Except for weekends and holidays when Adrian Lockwood took him to see Beatrice Sutton, where he stayed for a few days, they were almost never apart.

Yet, in just a few months, Miles was all about Chloe Lynch.

Does it hurt?

It does.

But she couldn’t change anything, nor did she want to.

The dull pain in her feet spread, and Serena Sinclair looked down to find she was still wearing the hotel’s disposable slippers.

She left in such a hurry, she even forgot to change her shoes.

Looking back, the driver hung up, started the car, and drove into the garage.

The lights in the villa gradually went out.

Under the bright streetlights, she seemed like a wandering ghost from hell.

Serena Sinclair gritted her teeth, ignored the piercing pain, and walked briskly outside.

The phone rang.

Wyatt Hawthorne’s name appeared on the screen.

Serena hesitated for a second, then hung up.

Wyatt on the other end seemed unwilling to give up and called again.

"Hello? What is it?"

Serena’s voice was icy.

Wyatt paused for a moment, then spoke again, unease mixed with hesitation, "Senior, 2S is missing!"

All the suppressed bad mood of the night ignited at this moment.

But Serena knew it wasn’t Wyatt’s fault, "Did you search? Could it have run out from the balcony?"

"Probably not, I’ve told people to close all doors and windows upstairs and downstairs."

"Under the sofa, under the bed, and behind the cabinet..."

She listed a bunch of places, all places a cat might hide.

But Serena feared most the orange cat being stuck somewhere.

After all, Wyatt’s house was too big.

"I’ll come over now, you have people look around first."

"Okay. Where are you? I’ll send the driver to pick you up, it’ll be quicker this way!"

"I’m at..."

After hesitating a few seconds, Serena mentioned the location of The Lockwood Villa district.

Wyatt responded, "Okay, wait there, the driver will be there soon!"

Hanging up, Serena Sinclair forcibly endured the piercing pain and walked briskly outside.

In the Hillcrest Villa’s living room, Wyatt Hawthorne’s gaze was deep.

After a while, he looked down at the orange cat curled up sleeping in his arms.

Wyatt picked it up by the scruff and shook it, "Time to work..."

The orange cat, sleepily confused.

But when Wyatt tossed the yarn ball in his hand upstairs, the cat instantly became alert, meowing and pouncing on it.

Serena Sinclair didn’t arrive until over ten minutes later.

Seeing Wyatt’s gaze falling on her feet, Serena looked away and surveyed the surroundings, "Did you find it?"

"No."

Wyatt shook his head.

Serena took out her cotton slippers from the shoe cabinet and put them on.

"Orange... meow..."

From under the sofa to behind the wine cabinet, Serena searched everywhere in a carpet-like manner, searching the living room.

Reaching the foot of the stairs, Serena paused and turned back to ask Wyatt, "Can I go upstairs?"

"Of course."

Wyatt nodded.

Serena resolutely went upstairs, meowing as she went to the terrace.

Wyatt slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Serena’s feet, covered in blood and worn-out hotel slippers.

The Lockwood Villa.

It was either Adrian Lockwood or little Miles.

No, it couldn’t be Adrian Lockwood.

Then it must be that little brat Miles!

Just a little kid.

But it didn’t matter.

What’s that saying?

An uneducated child is the father’s fault.

Since that’s the case, Adrian Lockwood can deal with it.

Gazing softly out the window, Wyatt clenched his teeth and turned upstairs.

Serena had already found the orange cat.

In the pitch-black home theater on the third floor, the orange cat was hugging a yarn ball, sprawled sleeping in the gap between the massage chair and the wall.

Seeing Serena, the cat’s little titanium alloy-like eyes lit up, mewling sweetly as it jumped into Serena’s arms.

Serena was taken aback.

The moment Wyatt had said 2S was missing, after a brief moment of confusion, a wave of helplessness and grievance flooded from her heart.

She felt as if the whole world had abandoned her.

Adrian Lockwood.

Miles.

Even the cat didn’t want her anymore.

Thankfully, it was still here!

Her suspended heart thumped down heavily.

Serena sat blankly on the carpet, large tears falling soundlessly.

Wyatt stood at the door, just about to step in, when he heard Serena’s suppressed sobs.

He stepped back and quietly retreated.

After a good cry, Serena felt much better.

Standing up again, she saw her disheveled self reflected in the screen.

Red eyes and nose.

Tangled hair.

At first glance, it looked as if she’d been bullied.

She didn’t know how to explain her stay to Wyatt.

Nor how to make him overlook her current disheveled state.

Serena’s mind went blank for a moment.

The sound of footsteps came from the staircase.

"Senior..."

Wyatt stepped forward, standing in the doorway but not entering, "Did I interrupt your reunion with your child?"

Serena was caught off guard, "No."

"Good."

Wyatt came in, his arms full.