Lost Me, Gained Regret (Jane and Bryant Ferguson) novel Chapter 484

As soon as I opened the door, a man I didn't recognize was standing outside. He was dressed in a finely tailored suit and vest, tall and dignified, with a dark coat casually draped over one arm. He appeared to be in his early thirties, yet there was an air of deep, inscrutable authority about him... like an elder.

I didn't recall ever meeting this man, so I was momentarily taken aback. "Hello, who are you looking for?"

"Hello." He nodded slightly, "I'm looking for Ike Taylor."

"Ike?" My brain froze for a moment, then it clicked, and I asked with a smile, "You mean Ike?"

"Yes."

"And you are...?"

"I'm his father, Herbert Taylor."

"...Alright."

His blunt manner of speaking instantly reminded me of the few times Ike had mentioned his dad—calling him an old-fashioned guy. Herbert didn't rudely peer past me into the house but maintained eye contact, "Today is the Taylor family's dinner gathering. I've come to take him back with me."

From what I knew, the Taylor family was one of the three most influential families in the area, alongside the Ford and Myers families. They were known for being both low-key and deeply connected. Yet, Herbert didn't come off as overly assertive, which I found quite likable.

I gave him a friendly smile, "Would you mind if I call Edith first, just to check in?"

"Of course." After saying this, he stepped aside towards the elevator lobby to wait, giving me space to make my call.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Edith Ford, "Edith, Ike's dad is here. He says there's a family dinner and he wants to take Ike with him, is that okay?"

Originally, the location of our little shop was quite close to SZ Technology. We were having lunch—four dishes and a soup—when Ike suddenly became overly sympathetic towards his uncle Gregory, insisting on delivering a homemade lunch. He claimed today's seaweed and soybean pork rib soup was one of Gregory's favorites. I had agreed. The soup was already packed in a thermal container.

Ike furrowed his little brows, "Ah... why not?"

"Your dad's here." I gestured towards the elevator lobby.

Ike peeked out and indeed spotted Herbert, his face lighting up with joy. He was about to dash over when he suddenly stopped, turned back to me with those big eyes of his, and said in a troubled tone, "But what about Uncle Gregory’s soup? Uncle is so pitiful, often skipping lunch. If I don’t deliver it, he’ll be so hungry."

Such a little schemer. Playing the sympathy card for Gregory.

I pinched his soft cheek, "I’ll deliver it, okay?"