A Wedding Night Gone Terribly Wrong novel Chapter 358

By the time Winifred arrived home, the entire household came running to greet her.

"Mommy, did you have to work late again?" Annie asked, her sweet voice ringing out.

Seth didn't say a word, just jogged over to her side.

Celeste bustled over, wiping her hands on her apron. "Winifred, go wash your hands quickly. We have dinner all ready for you."

"Let me take those, they look heavy," Fletcher offered, swiftly taking the cluster of shopping bags from her hands.

Annie wrapped her arms tightly around Winifred's leg, rubbing her little cheek affectionately against her knee. "I'll sit with Mommy while she eats," she declared, taking Winifred's hand.

They had missed her after not seeing her all day, but the little girl was careful not to be a nuisance.

Seth walked faithfully by her side, chatting as they headed inside. "Dad said High Ridge Pharma has already started production. The exclusive formula you developed will be on the market soon."

"Yes, it will." Winifred smiled, warmly ruffling his hair.

"Since you got back so late, were you at the lab tweaking the new formula?"

"No, Mom stopped by the mall to pick up some gifts for your aunt and the others."

Leland stepped out from around the corner.

Winifred's eyes met his. He paused, his gaze locking onto hers with an intense, unreadable depth.

Winifred smiled playfully. "I've been very good. I remembered Mr. Lockwood's strict orders and officially clocked out at six."

Leland lifted his chin slightly, an amused glint in his eye. "Good? Were you, really?"

She walked right up to him. "Yes. I went shopping. Fabiola called me today to say she's hosting a family get-together tomorrow morning, and she asked me to bring the kids over early so they could play with their cousins."

Leland reached out and lightly flicked her forehead. "Carrying all those bags around, exhausting yourself. Don't you know better?"

"I'm not tired. I picked up a jewelry set for Fabiola, a little gold bracelet for her son, a nice razor for Wyatt... It was just small things, nothing heavy."

Leland glanced toward the stairs. "You have an entire closet full of jewelry. All the pieces my grandmother and the others gave you are just sitting there gathering dust. You could have just grabbed a set for Fabiola. There was no need to run around out in the cold tiring yourself out."

"I can't just give away the gifts your grandmother and mother gave me."

However, his expression shifted slightly. "I have to head out to the Tricity District tomorrow. I won't be back until the evening."

He wouldn't be able to go with them to the main estate.

"Later tonight, I'm going to go through your closet and pick out a stunning set for you. I want you to wear it tomorrow and send me a picture. This hopeless romantic requires his wife's constant attention."

Winifred swatted his shoulder playfully. "Stop it."

Leland leaned in closer. "I'm serious. I need to speed things up so we can be officially engaged by the end of the year. Once the holidays pass and the weather warms up, we'll pick the perfect season for you to wear a wedding dress. That way, I won't have to keep calling you Mrs. Lockwood without the legal paperwork to back it up."

He grinned, looking incredibly pleased with himself.

Annie tipped her head back and patted his leg. "Daddy~"

He looked down, his wide smile softening into absolute adoration. "What is it, sweetheart?"

"Can you pick out a set for me, too?" Annie asked, touching her collarbone. "I want to look pretty too."

"Hahaha..." Leland laughed, gently pinching her cheek. "Of course I can, Princess."