bChapter /b292

    Antonio apanied Laura to a private hospital.

    After an exhaustive check–up, both she and Xander were found to be problem–free. They hadn’t suffered any trauma from the kidnapping ordeal.

    She was healthy. Her fever had subsided, and she was on the mend, all that was needed was some good rest. Only then did Antonio breathe a sigh of relief.

    Favian suggested, “Even though the doctor said everything’s fine, kids can suddenly haveplications. How about I take care of her?”

    Laura looked towards Antonio. But Antonio’s face was stern, his voice firm. “No, I’ll take care of her.”

    He nced at Laura. “I’ll handle everything regarding her for now.”

    She was resisting him more and more each day, and if things kept going this way, it was like not having her around at all. Antonio took a deep breath, determination shing in his eyes.

    Laura had a disdainful look on her face. Living with Antonio felt even worse than living with Favian, she thought.

    Favian worried, “You barely managed your son when he was her age. Are you sure you can handle this?”

    Antonio was firm in his resolve. “Yeah.”

    Biting her lip nervously, Laura fiddled with her hands and said, “But Uncle, I’m going to have summer break soon, and there’s a school festival before the break. After it ends, I’ll be moving up to the first grade. The festival is important, parents are supposed to attend, but I guess you can’t, right?”

    Mommy Winnie was away on a business trip.

    Antonio frowned.

    Understanding his concern, Laura said, “I know everyone was scared when I was kidnapped this time, but trust me, I won’t tell Mommy Winnie about it, so there’s no need to worry about getting into trouble.”

    Antonio was perplexed. “Do you think I’m worried about you because of Winnie?”

    Laura fell silent. But wasn’t that the reason?

    Antonio caught the gist of her thoughts, and his expression darkened further.

    As Laura sensed his growing anger, she attempted another suggestion, “Anyway, Zayn’s dad will probably go. Maybe I can ask Zayn’s dad-”

    “No.” Antonio intercepted with a piercing look. “I will be there on time and you can’t ask him. Do you hear

    me?b” /b

    9:52 Mon, Sep 15

    Laura nodded quickly, “I got it.”

    12:55 vouchers

    Jasper and Everett exchanged looks filled with unspoken thoughts, murmuring under their breath, “When we moved up from kindergarten to first grade, Dad never showed.”

    “Exactly.”

    “I think Dad can’t make it.”

    Xander frowned, “You guys think a bunch of boys can be treated the same way?”

    Their father had always led a life of luxury and never really involved himself in raising the kids. In truth, as they grew up, they had mostly had to do a lot by themselves.

    After all, both Antonio and Winnie were swamped with work. There was a long period when Favian had to recover after having a kidney, during which they somewhat enjoyed the feeling of their mother being around.

    But Antonio was insanely busy, and the time he spent with them was scarce. Everything else was taken care of by the nannies.

    Xander furrowed his brows. Such a father, tasked with looking after a 4–year–old child shouldn’t be any problems, right?

    He turned his eyes to Antonio. Antonio sat on the sofa with his legs crossed. He was confident that he could be a father who wouldn’t be rejected. Absolutely.

    Out of the blue, Xander shivered and shot Laura a sympathetic nce.

    The next morning, Laura was woken by Antonio’s voice, “Time to get up for breakfast.” Her eyes were bleary with sleep as she brushed her teeth and washed her face. After tidying up her hair a bit, she padded downstairs in her little dinosaur slippers.

    A burnt stench assaulted her nostrils, instantly making her more alert. She opened her eyes wider to seek out

    the source.

    The long table was deserted. Only a red–faced chef stood by the side. Xander and the others were all gone.

    Confused, Laura rushed down to the kitchen only to find Antonio frantically trying to arrange the tes. He was dressed in a white shirt, his ilegs /iitoo /ilong and attention–grabbing. However, his hands were clumsily fumbling about.

    She frowned, “Where are my brothers?”

    Without turning around, Antonio’s voice hurried, “It was their duty day, and left.”

    That was odd. Usually, at most two kids had duty day, but today, when he said he was going to cook, all three sons had duty day.

    He turned around with a somewhat charred fried egg on a te, looking awkward as he offered, “I… made breakfast myself today. You might want to give it a try.”

    b9:52 /bMonb, /bSep 15

    Laura blinked. Made by himself? By Dad?

    55 vouchers

    A flicker of hope sparked in her heart, quickly shaken awayi. /iNo expectations! She’s not close to her dad!

    Muttering to herself, Laura sat down properly at the dining table. Suddenly, a chaotic breakfast disy

    confronted her.

    Laura’s mouth twitched, “Uncle? This fried egg…”

    Why did it look so ckened and exceptionally battered?

    Her eyes sought out Antonio. Antonio sat beside her, his brows holding a hint of anticipation, “Fried eggs are a dish I’m quite confident about.”

    “That’s it? Confident?‘ she wondered.

    Laura bit her lower lip, hesitated for a moment, then pierced a fried egg with her fork and took a bite. Somehow the salt hadn’t mixed well with the egg, it was like chewing sand!

    Her face grew paler the more she ate, she looked over at Antonio. “Uncle, aren’t you going ito /ieat?”

    Antonio was watching her intently, feigning indifference. “I’ll stick to my coffee. If you like it, I can make it for you again tomorrow.”

    Laura was bbergasted. “Tomorrow?!”

    She had looked at the chef in astonishment. The chef, utterly helpless, had shaken his head and lowered it as far as he could. Don’t say it, Girl. I spent an hour and still couldn’t teach him!

    Laura was speechless, only to eat her bacon.

    Out of his eyes, Antonio watched as the young girl frowned and quietly ate. He couldn’t exin why, but a sense of unspoken pride began to stir within him.

    Pretending to be casual, he asked, “So, how’s the dish? Describe it for me.”

    Laura was speechless. Is he serious?

    Laura bit her lower lip again, “Well, the salt and egg seem to have gone through a clever division ofbor. They’re taking separate paths, doing their own things. When you eat it, it feels like they’re stubbornly refusing to cooperate, causing a kind of separation that’s, quite distinctive.”

    Antonio’s nce suddenly turned icy. “You’re saying it’s bad, right?”

    She covered her mouth, “Am I even allowed to admit that?”

    Antonio was baffled. A vein throbbed in his forehead as he put down his ck coffee. “Chef, go make thedy

    some breakfast!”

    The chef, looking immensely relieved, “No problem at all, Mr. Smith!”

    b9:52 /bbMon/b, Sep 15

    Antonio wondered why the man seemed so thrilled:

    Then, looking back at Laura, who was visibly trying to contain her frustration, he felt a twinge of guilt. “If byour /bdon’t want to eat it, that’s okay. I’llb your hair in.”

    The servant’s eyes widened in astonishment.

    Laura shook her head frantically, “No, no, no, Mr. Smith”

    But Antonio didn’t listen. He stood up, gave the servant a look, and she handed him theb.

    He didn’t know how, so he watched videos, trying to copy the techniques with a certain ir. But her hair was so silky and thick, he simply couldn’t get a good grip on it. So, he just clenched his hands tighter

    Laura suddenly felt a strange force pulling at her scalp. It felt as though her temples were being lifted off!

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