Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding novel Chapter 258

Completely unaware of the storm brewing with Julian, Raelynn drove Professor Finch's Mercedes smoothly back to the neighborhood.

The entire ride, Lily was buzzing with excitement, happily chatting away with Ian in the backseat about childish things.

Ian, normally a man of few words, was surprisingly patient. He listened quietly, offering gentle responses at all the right moments.

Raelynn glanced in the rearview mirror.

It was obvious Ian was trying hard to accommodate the little girl.

Catching her gaze in the mirror, Ian met her eyes.

Raelynn offered an apologetic smile. "Is she being a bit too much to handle?"

He had just endured a grueling, ten-plus-hour international flight, and now he was trapped with a chatterbox.

Ian looked at her. "Not at all."

He paused, then added, "You don't need to be so polite with me."

Raelynn agreed verbally.

But deep down, she knew better. Ian wasn't Lily's biological father, and he had zero actual obligation to take on this role. She would never take his kindness for granted.

They arrived at Professor Finch's house.

As soon as the three of them walked through the door.

Raelynn stopped in her tracks. The living room was completely overrun with beautifully wrapped gift bags and boxes.

There was barely room to step.

Celia Finch was beaming warmly. "Mr. Hudson's secretary just dropped all this off. You really shouldn't have gone to such expense."

Professor Finch had a high opinion of Ian. He appreciated the younger man's steady, composed nature. "No need to be so formal. We're practically family anyway."

Legally, Ian was Lily's father.

The protection he had offered Raelynn was immeasurable. Without his name and power shielding them, Raelynn would have had a near-impossible time keeping Lily safe from the Croix family over the years.

Ian offered a respectful nod. "Most of it is health supplements. For Mrs. Finch, I brought some new silk scarves and skincare sets. And for you, Professor Finch, some high-grade calligraphy ink. Nothing overly extravagant."

Professor Finch stroked his beard, highly pleased. "Very thoughtful of you."

Since the gifts were chosen with such care, it would be rude to refuse them.

Raelynn nearly choked on her soup, shooting the older man a warning look.

Young people these days hated being pushed into marriage.

Ian, however, didn't seem to mind. He offered a slight smile. "It's in the plans."

Professor Finch then shot a pointed look at Raelynn, who was still entirely focused on fighting with a piece of bamboo shoot. Letting out a subtle sigh of disappointment at her obliviousness, he turned back to Ian. "You're a man who plans ahead, Mr. Hudson. But when it comes to matters of the heart, simply protecting someone for a short while isn't enough. It's the absolute, uncompromising commitment that truly counts."

Ian's help to Raelynn, profound as it was, was ultimately temporary.

Given the chaotic mess of Raelynn's ties to the Croix family, if Ian actually had real intentions toward her, he needed to be prepared to go to war with Sebastian. Anything less wouldn't cut it.

Raelynn felt the conversation taking a weirdly philosophical turn and decided to rescue Ian. "Alistair, stop meddling. Mr. Hudson has his own timeline. He doesn't need your lectures."

Professor Finch was utterly speechless.

She was as dense as a brick!

The man was practically laying his cards on the table, and she thought they were just making small talk.

Ian caught the exasperated glare Professor Finch shot at Raelynn. He raised his glass again, a knowing look passing between the two men. "I understand completely."