CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER 71: IS UNCLE HOLDEN MY DAD?

Samual Pryce came out of the study to find only Jean Ellison and Jesse left at home; the other woman had already left.

He was holding a document, feeling a bit guilty like he’d been caught doing something wrong.

"Attorney Pryce, I didn’t know you were the landlord. I’ve been in such a rush to move with my child these days that I didn’t clarify with the agent."

"I should thank you in person."

Jean smiled brightly, her tone gentle.

She didn’t have much of an impression of Samual Pryce, only knowing he was Justin Holden’s college roommate and they were very close.

When she was dating Justin Holden, he never introduced her to his friends, including Samual Pryce; they had never met formally.

He probably thought she was not presentable, too fat and ugly.

Samual Pryce gave an awkward smile, waved his hand, and said, "No need to thank me, don’t mention it."

His gaze quickly shifted to the door, hands clasped in front of him, as if anxiously waiting for someone.

Who knows what Justin Holden was thinking, having him admit to being the landlord of this house.

He could almost guess what’s going on.

Jean and Jesse rented a house and it happened to be Justin Holden’s; obviously, Justin didn’t know about this.

It seems he doesn’t plan to kick this mother and daughter out.

If they just lived here like this, what if Zoe Holden came across them one day? The Holden family would definitely be thrown into chaos.

Her expectations are high, treating this brother as a treasure, how could she let a single mother become her sister-in-law.

"By the way, I bought a lot of vegetables and fruits in the refrigerator, feel free to use them."

"I also bought some toilet paper and laundry detergent and put them in the storage room."

"And..."

"Reporter Ellison," Samual Pryce interrupted her, pulling a smile that looked more painful than crying, "I don’t live here, so I won’t be using these things."

"Huh?"

Jean was puzzled and voiced her surprise.

"The agent said it was a shared rental... If you don’t live here, who does?"

She remembered the contract clearly stated it was a shared rental, and there’s a roommate, as she couldn’t afford the whole rent; the monthly rent was more than her monthly salary.

"It’s a shared rental, that’s right."

Samual Pryce replied, looking towards the door again, a bit anxious.

If Justin Holden didn’t come soon, he was afraid he’d let something slip.

"What do you mean?"

Jean, puzzled, also looked towards the door, feeling that Samual’s words were somewhat evasive as if hiding something intentionally.

Samual Pryce’s lips moved, and after a moment he slowly uttered a few words: "Actually, the person sharing with you is..."

Before he could finish, there was a click of the door lock, and someone pushed the door open.

"It’s me."

A familiar, handsome face suddenly appeared, a tall figure stepped in, glancing at her with a cold, observing gaze.

Jean took a step back, her lower back hitting the wine cabinet, causing the glass bottles to clink with a clear sound.

Her mouth gaped open, unable to close for a while.

She stared fixedly at the man in front of her until Jesse called out, bringing her back to her senses.

"Uncle Holden!"

Jesse bounded toward Justin Holden like a lively little rabbit, reaching out for him to hold her.

Jean’s pupils dilated, she stretched out her hand to stop them, but was too late as Justin had already bent down and picked Jesse up with one hand.

He slightly pressed his thin lips together, the corner of his mouth curling into a pleasant arc, gazing intently at Jesse with unprecedented tenderness in his eyes.

"Did you miss Uncle Holden?"

"Yes."

Jesse wrapped her arms around his neck, unfazed by him at all, even completely at ease, as if she had known him for years.

Even though they had only met once before.

Jean quickly withdrew her hand, which was meant to stop them, and stepped forward to take Jesse from Justin’s arms.

"Jesse, you mustn’t do that."

"Hasn’t mom told you not to let people hug you casually?"

Jesse pouted, obediently standing by her side, lowering her head and saying nothing.

Jean affectionately patted her head, looked up at Justin Holden, her gaze sweeping past his face and finally landing on Samual Pryce.

Samual Pryce felt a bit guilty under her stare and glanced at the man beside him.

The man’s face was dark, the chill beneath the rimless glasses was intense, it was unclear what he was thinking.

Say something quickly; the atmosphere is too strange.

"The one sharing the lease with you is me, not Samual Pryce."

Justin Holden’s voice was deep, eyes fixed on Jean, forming a closed circle with their gazes.

Jean didn’t make a sound, she was waiting for Samual Pryce to speak, this was his house, and he had the authority to speak.

"Yes, that’s Lawyer Holden, he has also rented this place."

"From now on, it’s just you two, no, the three of you living here."

Samual Pryce quickly agreed, nodding repeatedly.

"Rest assured, I won’t disturb you; I don’t live here. Since the house is rented out, whatever issues arise, you two just discuss it among yourselves."

He was eager to leave, handing the place over to them.

Jean mumbled uncertainly, unsure of what to say.

"Attorney Pryce, I..."

She didn’t want to share a lease with Justin Holden; how could she live with him, giving him more opportunities to interact with Jesse.

Living under one roof for a long time, he would eventually find out she was Claire Caldwell.

He was like a time bomb, never knowing when it might explode. Jean feared that she would be unable to sleep at night, suffer insomnia, and fear that one day he’d quietly kill her and take Jesse away.

"Don’t want to live here?"

"Then move out tonight."

Justin Holden slid a hand into the pocket of his trousers, took a long stride over to the single sofa, half reclined, lounging casually.

He truly made himself at home, showing no sense of being an outsider.

Jean caught a hint of amusement in his narrow eyes; he was aware she couldn’t just leave with Jesse.

She didn’t have much money, just enough for food, certainly not enough to take a hotel.

Moreover, she had signed a lease and already paid a year’s rent.

"Who said I wouldn’t live here, it’s a privilege for me and Jesse to share a lease with Lawyer Holden."

Jean spoke through gritted teeth, the sound of her teeth grating together was quiet yet made its way to Justin’s ears.

He wasn’t angry at all, instead curling his lips in a smile full of insinuation.

"Seems like you won’t need others to tell the story of the Three Little Bears anymore."

Jesse’s eyes lit up, ready to speak, but remembering her mother was beside her, she opened her mouth, and then closed it again.

Great, now Uncle Holden would also be living here; she could see him often.

With mom and Uncle Holden there, they could tell her stories and play with her, she was extremely delighted, happier than ever before.

Samual Pryce couldn’t understand what they were talking about, "I have other tasks to attend to, I’ll leave now. These documents are urgently needed by Lawyer Warner’s team."

He quickly left, closing the door behind him.

In the large house, only three remained: a man, a woman, and a child.

"Time for the child to sleep."

Jean took Jesse’s hand, leading her towards the bedroom.

Jesse looked back at Uncle Holden three times with reluctance, pouting, and her voice was soft.

"Mom, didn’t we just wake up?"

"Be a good girl and go play in the bedroom."

"Okay."

Justin Holden sat on the sofa, leaning forward, poured himself a glass of water, and his eyes gently creased at the corners with a few fine lines.

It was the weekend; he found himself reluctant to return to the law firm.

The door to the small bedroom wasn’t closed, and the indistinct voice of a child could be heard.

"Is Uncle Holden going to live with mom and Jesse?"

"Yes."

The woman’s voice sounded perfunctory; she didn’t wish to discuss this.

"Then... can Jesse call him dad? At auntie’s house, there was also a dad."

Jean didn’t speak for a moment, remaining silent for a long time.

She didn’t know how to explain to Jesse that Ian Jennings shouldn’t be considered dad; he was supposed to be an uncle.

As for Justin Holden, he couldn’t be her dad; he was nothing at all.