His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex Wife novel Chapter 359

His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex–Wife

Chapter 359 A Sudden Shift

Beatrice muted the television, and the room plunged into an abrupt silence.

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Frederick immediately sensed the shift in atmosphere and sat up straighter in his armchair, his attention riveted on Iris.

“I found my biological father,” Iris announced softly. “It’s Cayden, the head of Aurelium Group.”

The remote control slipped from Beatrice’s grasp and clattered onto the floor. Beatrice pushed herself to her feet, her voice trembling as tears welled in her clouded eyes. “You mean… the Whitmores? The family that lost their daughter thirty years ago?”

Iris nodded.

“Thank the Lord!” Beatrice exclaimed, shuffling over with her cane. She pulled Iris into a tight embrace, weeping into her shoulder. “I always said you were no ordinary girl. To think you have Whitmore blood running through your veins!”

Frederick shot up from his seat, utterly stunned. “What did you just say? You’re… you’re actually Cayden’s daughter?”

He closed the distance between them in three long strides, the years seemingly falling away as his face split into a wide, zealous grin. “Iris, I always knew there was something special about you! The way you carry yourself, your intellect, your demeanor–you have the unmistakable air of old money.”

Iris and Julian exchanged a look, both frozen in place by the sudden pivot.

“Cayden is a titan in the pharmaceutical industry!” Frederick pulled his phone from his pocket, frantically scrolling. “I saw a profile on him in the Wall Street Journal just last month…”

Julian frowned and reached out, gripping his father’s wrist to stop him. “Dad, take it easy.”

“I am perfectly calm!” Frederick insisted, though he could barely contain his excitement as he beamed at Iris. “Iris, your father and I have crossed paths in business circles before. We’ve been competitors in the past, but certainly held a mutual respect. We simply must organize a dinner for him to come over.”

Overwhelmed by the sudden effusiveness, Iris simply nodded. “Okay.”

Once they were back in the sanctuary of their bedroom, Iris let out a long, shaky breath. She looked at Julian, hovering somewhere between laughter and tears. “What has gotten into your dad…”

“Don’t mind him,” Julian said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “That’s just how businessmen are

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Chapter 359 A Sudden Shift

-they smell an opportunity and pivot. Anyway, I’m driving you to Whitmore Manor tomorrow. We need to prepare a proper housewarming gift.”

Iris opened her mouth to speak, but a gentle knock interrupted her.

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Julian opened the door to find Frederick standing there, balancing a fruit platter in his hands, his face plastered with an eager smile. “Iris, I thought you might like some fruit. I just sliced it up myself.”

Without waiting for an invitation, he breezed into the room and set the platter on the coffee table. “These cherries are particularly sweet this season.”

Iris thanked him politely. “Thank you, Mr. Everhart.”

Frederick’s smile was warm and earnest. “If you need anything else at all, just please let me know.”

Iris and Julian exchanged a glance, seeing the same deep sense of helplessness reflected in each other’s eyes.

“Really, we’re fine,” Iris said, trying to gently decline further hovering.

Frederick gave a somewhat awkward smile, retreating toward the door. “Alright then. You two get some rest.”

After the door clicked shut, Julian walked over to Iris, pulling her gently into his arms and pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Is your stomach still bothering you?”

“The pain stopped,” Iris murmured. She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, burying her face against his solid chest. She breathed in his clean, familiar scent and slowly closed her

eyes.

Julian’s large hand stroked the back of her head as he murmured close to her ear, “Let me stay in your room tonight, alright?”

Iris hesitated. “I need to sleep with Harper.”

“A king–sized bed is plenty big enough for the three of us,” Julian said, tightening his embrace. “Harper can sleep in the middle.”

“Okay,” Iris whispered.

**

The following morning, the moment Iris descended the stairs, the rich aroma of premium coffee greeted her. Frederick was in the kitchen, clad in an apron, bustling over the stove. The dining table was laden with an array of delicate breakfast dishes.

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“Iris, you’re up!” Frederick beamed. “I brewed the coffee myself. I wasn’t sure what you preferred for breakfast, so I prepared an assortment of sandwiches and pastries.”

Iris felt at a loss for how to handle him. “Mr. Everhart, you really didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”

“It’s no trouble at all!” Frederick pulled out a chair eagerly. “Just tell me whatever you crave, and I’ll make it happen from now on!”

Julian came downstairs carrying Harper. When he saw the scene, the corner of his mouth twitched with suppressed amusement. “Dad, the last time you cooked was for my tenth birthday.”

Frederick didn’t even flinch. “That was back when I didn’t know any better. Now I know exactly how to treat my daughter–in–law.”

Harper rubbed her sleepy eyes and asked in her tiny voice, “Grandpa, why are you smiling so big?”

The innocent question drew a laugh from the adults. Frederick’s face flushed a shade of crimson, but he couldn’t help hovering next to Iris. “Iris, what kind of coffee does your father usually prefer? I’ve got some exceptional coffee beans saved up in my collection…”

Julian buried his face in his palm, completely speechless.

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