?Chapter 1232:


    Truthfully, Freya had never dreamed of piling on so many after-school sses. With thebined backing of the Briggs Group, Anita International, and the Lambert Group, the twins were set for life whether they excelled or not. But after hearing their ssmates list off ser, robotics, and ballet, Jesse and Nina came home determined to do it all—and promptly signed up for half the offerings themselves. That was how the oversized schedule hadnded in n’s hands—at the kids’ own insistence.


    Fortunately, a handful of sses only met once a week, so there was still space for games andzy afternoons.


    n’s gaze drifted to the two pint-sized children, their heads barely reaching his thighs. For a moment, he simply gaped,pletely thrown. Since when did kids turn into tiny overachievers?<fn4181> Latest content published on fin?novel</fn4181>


    Freya tried to keep her voice gentle as she assured n, “If things ever get out of hand, just call my dad or Ellis’s parents. She would be happy to take them too.”


    “Got it,” n gave a casual nod, already knowing he would never let them out of his sight. For him, these two kids were pure sunshine, and nothing would convince him to send them away.


    Nina edged closer, clutching the hem of Freya’s shirt, her round eyes brimming with unshed tears. “Mommy, can’t Ie with you?” she whimpered, her voice trembling with hope.


    Ellis watched the scene unfold in silence, his expression unreadable as he nced from Nina to Freya. For a moment, Freya hesitated, searching for the right words while Nina’s small hands clung desperately to her.


    n, watching Nina’s tears spill over, felt a pang of helplessness. “Hey, sweetheart, don’t cry,” he soothed, gently dabbing at her cheeks with a tissue. “Uncle n’s right here. We’re going to have an amazing time together, I promise.”


    Just then, Jesse called out, his quiet voice breaking the heavy silence, “Uncle n.”


    n knelt beside the twins, forcing a bright smile. “What is it, Jesse? Do you miss Mommy and Daddy too?” he asked softly, still cradling Nina close as he tried to lift the mood.


    Jesse’s calm little face didn’t so much as flicker. “Nina practiced her crying for ages,” he announced, his voice steady and unnaturally mature for his age. “You wiped her tears away too soon, so now she can’t keep up the act.”


    Nina, still blinking, let her watery eyes go wide with innocent sincerity. “That’s right!” she chirped, nodding eagerly.


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    n stared, stunned. Had he just heard that right? Was Jesse calling Nina’s tears fake? He stood there, at a total loss—what kind of children were these?


    Ellis cleared his throat, sweeping the twins with a sharp, warning look. “You two had better behave for me,” he said, his tone brooking no argument. “Understand?”


    Nina bobbed her head, her lips curving into a brilliant crescent-eyed smile. “Okay!” she promised, her mischief barely concealed.


    Turning to Jesse, Ellis’s gaze sharpened, silent and stern.


    Jesse lifted his chin, locking eyes with Ellis—small, stubborn, and absolutely unyielding.


    They didn’t speak, but the tension between them crackled in the air. n could feel it, prickling at the back of his neck. What on earth was going on here? Freya’s voice broke in, soft and coaxing. “Jesse?” she called, her tone gentle as she tried to bridge the quiet standoff.


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