Keen stared at her in disbelief. "But you haven''t even asked what happened!"


    Ste replied, "Isn''t it the same with you guys? You never ask what happened either. You just assume it''s my fault, right? Besides..."


    She nced gently at Marvin. "I trust Marvin. He would never hit someone without a reason."


    Lately, she''d been looking after Marvin at home. Marvin was such a smart kid, wise beyond his years, which made her heart ache a little.


    Unlike Keen, who would rush off with just a brief farewell after dinner, Marvin always lingered-helping to clear the table and gather the dishes. During meals, he''d offer her food from the dish, alwaysplimenting her cooking, savoring every bite with a satisfied smile.


    Keen, on the other hand, was always critical.


    Ste''s thoughts were interrupted by Marvin''s voice.


    "Ste, I was wrong in this matter. No matter what Keen said, I shouldn''t have hit him... I''m willing to apologize."


    Ste looked down at Marvin. "Are you really willing to apologize to him?"


    Marvin nodded, saying, "I am."


    Her expression softened. "Alright, then go ahead and apologize."


    Marvin walked over to Keen. "Keen, I''m sorry. I shouldn''t have hit you."


    Even though Keen came from a well-disciplined family, he was still just a kid, and Marvin had been under his skin for days. He turned his face away with a huff, unwilling to forgive.


    Marvin looked a bit lost, instinctively ncing back at Ste. She waved him over with an encouraging smile. "Whether he forgives you or not is one thing. Knowing you did wrong and being willing to apologize is another. Marvin, taking responsibility is what makes a man."


    Hearing her praise, Marvin''s eyes sparkled.


    The kindergarten teachers, observing this scene, finally caught on.


    "Mrs. O''Brien, are you... Marvin''s guardian?"


    Ste nodded slightly. "Sorry, Marvin''s father is currently out of town on business and can''t be here, so I''m stepping in for him."


    Rachel gave aplicated look. "Ms. Cameron, so you''re not here for Keen, but... for this little guy?"


    Ste''s expression was cold. "That''s right."


    Haynes'' tone was icy as he spoke. "Ste, when Keen needed you, you were nowhere to be found, yet now you''re scrambling for another woman''s child. Don''t you think that''s going too far?"


    She turned her gaze to him. "I''m just the O''Brien family''s nanny. Do I have the right to intervene for him?"


    Haynes frowned. "Nanny? What are you talking about?"


    "What, you haven''t heard your son telling everyone I''m just the O''Brien family nanny?"


    "Kids say things without thinking. Why take it to heart?"


    Steughed, "I can''t argue with someone who''s dying, can''t argue with elders,


    can''t argue with your friends, and can''t argue with kids."


    "Haynes, does marrying you mean I have to always be beneath everyone, stepped on by all?"


    His expression turned grim. "Ste, are you sure you want to argue about this here and now?"


    "Now you''re concerned about causing a scene?" Ste shot back, her gaze steady. "You had no problem ying the moral arbiter when you were lecturing me moments ago."


    Rachel couldn''t resist fanning the mes. "Ms. Cameron, Keen is your own flesh and blood. Why waste your energy defending some unrted child—"


    Before she could finish, Ste cut her off sharply.


    "Shut up! Who do you think you are? Do you have a say in this?"