Daphne was stunned. "What actions?"
Zoe gestured with her eyes. "The thing we talked about last time—you know, during President Pearson's birthday."
Daphne was speechless as she recalled everything.
Wasn't that just a joke? Why is she taking it seriously? Louis is six years younger than me. How dare I even consider it?
Before Zoe could ask more questions, Leanna and Louis came out of the kitchen.
The meal was quite pleasant.
Zoe asked Daphne, "I watched your last movie, and your acting is amazing. What genre is your next movie?"
Daphne replied, "It's about a sports competition, but I won't start shooting until the second half of the year. I have other jobs to do in between."
"What kind of jobs? You seem very busy this year."
She twitched her mouth and replied, "It's about the evil capital... capitalism. This is life. I have to shoot two commercials next as well as two variety shows—one about flying, and one as a regular cast member."
"Ah, I want to visit a filming location to see what it's like. Unfortunately, I don't think I have the chance anymore."
"You can come to the studio when I film the variety show. It's about a real-life escape room, which will be thrilling and exciting," answered Daphne.
Leanna choked on her food and couldn't help coughing. She was dumbfounded.
Daphne handed her a glass of water. "What's up?"
She waved her hand. "When are you recording that variety show?"
"In two months during the summer. I heard the quizzes are insane this time, and it's only a matter of time before they bring out advanced mathematics questions. I've already planned to just sleep in there. Whoever wants to solve the problems can go ahead since I don't have that kind of intelligence."
Leanna raised her eyebrows and looked at Louis. He avoided her gaze by picking up his glass to take a sip.
Zoe asked again, "Sounds interesting. Who is invited to the show?"
Daphne shook her head. "I don't know yet. I heard the list hasn't been finalized yet. I'll get the full list before we start recording."
"Then, I'll come to visit you on set. Perhaps I'll even meet some handsome guys and ask for their autographs."
Daniel spoke slowly. "By then, your belly should be quite big. They might even give you a seat, let alone autographs."
Zoe was speechless. How can he say something like that? she thought.
Daphne was stunned. "What actions?"
Zoe gestured with her eyes. "The thing we talked about last time—you know, during President Pearson's birthday."
Meanwhile, Leanna hadn't thought too much about Louis' participation in the show and never considered that aspect at all. She couldn't tell that he was that crafty.
Meanwhile, Leanna hadn't thought too much about Louis' participation in the show and never considered that aspect at all. She couldn't tell that he was that crafty.
At this moment, she suddenly felt something soft on her leg.
She lowered her head and saw that the little guy had crawled over at some point, holding onto her leg. His eyes were curved as he revealed two small milk teeth. He was making a muffled sound. "Ma. Ma."
She was stunned for a moment. Then, she heard the little guy continue, "Pa. Pa."
Leanna smiled gently and carried him up.
Zoe and Daphne's hearts were completely melted by this scene. Daphne couldn't help but whisper, "Are you sure this is President Pearson's son? How could he have such a cute baby?"
Zoe whispered in response, "In theory, he provided the sperm, so he is the biological father."
Louis and Daniel didn't know what to say.
The little guy seemed to be interested and kept calling out 'Mama' and 'Papa' all night, his eyes gleaming with happiness.
When everyone left after dinner, Leanna took the little one to the bathroom and bathed him. She then put him to bed before coming out of the room.
In the living room, Louis had already washed the dishes and was disinfecting the toys on the carpet.
"Let me do it. Why don't you rest?"
He replied, "I'll finish in a moment."
She then asked, "Why didn't you send Daphne off?"
"Her driver is downstairs."
Leanna's lips curled up. "Okay. You should go rest."
Louis put down what he was holding and said, "I've decided to take half a month off."
She was puzzled. "Why?"
"I'll watch the child. You can do your things."
These past few days, Louis had not left the little guy's side for even a moment. He had not even gone to the studio and Crossley Group.
He knew that she was too afraid to leave the child alone. She never dared to let her guard down or hire a nanny to take care of the child, never allowing the kid out of her sight.
She remained silent for a few seconds before saying, "I will think of another way. You have to study."
"What other ways can you think of?"
Zoe was pregnant and couldn't even take care of herself, plus Daniel had never taken care of a child. She couldn't find anyone whom she could trust right now.
Leanna then said, "There's always a solution. Let's go to sleep and talk about it tomorrow."
Back in her room, she lay on the bed looking at the little guy next to her and gently touched his nose. She pictured him hugging her leg and calling her 'Mama'. It would melt one's heart.
Back in her room, she lay on the bed looking at the little guy next to her and gently touched his nose. She pictured him hugging her leg and calling her 'Mama'. It would melt one's heart.
After a while, she turned on her phone and sent a message to Maya, asking her to meet up tomorrow afternoon.
When Maya received her message, she trembled in fear. She looked at her husband and said, "I knew it! She's coming to get even with me!"
Ever since Maya saw the news about Raymond being arrested for homicide, she had been haunted by guilt for introducing him to Leanna. On one hand, she regretted it deeply, and on the other hand, she was afraid that Leanna would seek revenge.
Richard comforted her, "I don't think Mrs. Pearson is that kind of person. You don't have to worry. There must be some other reason."
"What other reason? I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it. Should we flee overnight?"
"If she wanted to hold you accountable for what you did before, she would have done it already. You don't need to worry now."
Although he had a point, Maya still muttered under her breath, "I'll see what she wants tomorrow. If it's no good, we'll run away."
When Maya arrived at the coffee shop the next afternoon, Leanna was already there waiting for her.
Maya took off her sunglasses, cleared her throat, and sat across from Leanna. "What do you want from me?"
Leanna sipped her coffee and queried, "Don't you think you owe me an explanation?"
Maya instantly felt like she was facing a great enemy. "You can't blame it on me! I didn't know he was that terrible back then. And I did it alone, so don't drag my husband into this!"
Leanna smiled. "You two have a great relationship. Although Richard is always busy, he still treats you well."
"Well, of course. He is my husband."
Leanna continued, "Last time, you mentioned that you were looking for a job, right?"
Maya immediately sat up straight with elegance. "Don't you already have enough people in your studio? Are you planning to open a new branch and hire me as a manager?"
"Help me take care of my child. You can come over in the morning before I leave and get off work when I come back in the evening," Leanna replied.
Maya's face turned pale in an instant. "Who do you think I am, a nanny? How dare you look down on me like that?!"
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Love’s Change of Heart