The moment Yardley stepped into the estate with the baby, a crowd gathered.
Having been tipped off by the staff, Eleanor, Franklin, and several maids were already waiting in the grand foyer.
Eleanor immediately reached out, carefully taking Dawn into her arms. She stared at the infant in absolute awe. "Oh, she's beautiful. Absolutely stunning... you can tell she's going to be gorgeous when she grows up. Yardley, this little girl is a blessing. She'll marry into a wonderful family someday!"
Franklin stood beside his mother, peering down at the baby. His usually stern, unyielding expression softened slightly. He glanced up at Yardley. "How are things between you two? That woman actually let you bring the child home?"
Yardley gave a vague, noncommittal hum. "Yeah."
Perhaps overwhelmed by the crowd of strangers and the unfamiliar environment, Dawn's lower lip quivered. Suddenly, she let out a piercing wail.
Yardley's experience with infants was limited to the brief time he'd helped Sylvia with Caleb during her postpartum recovery, and even then, there was always a maternity nurse on standby.
Now, faced with his wailing daughter, he panicked. He took her back, pacing the floor, bouncing her gently, but nothing worked. He was breaking a sweat, and Dawn's cries only grew louder. Even the experienced maids tried stepping in, but the baby was inconsolable.
Just as Yardley was at his wit's end, footsteps echoed from the grand staircase.
Corinne Quinn descended, her brow furrowed in deep irritation. Despite her visible annoyance, she walked straight over and took the baby from Yardley's arms.

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