"Aaaah―!"


    A high-pitched shriek, nearly ultrasonic, rang out as Little Nina pointed straight at Stewart. "Stranger danger!"


    Stewart froze mid-step and looked her way. For a moment, his handsome face seemed uncertain.


    Without missing a beat, Little Nina spun around and ran straight to James, arms stretched wide. "Godfather, pick me up!"


    James grinned and scooped her up into hisp.


    Now perched on James''s knee, Little Nina sat tall, emboldened with her protector


    at her back. She scowled fiercely at Stewart. "You''re a terrible child-snatcher! How dare you sneak into someone''s house to steal a kid!"


    Stewart: "..."


    Little Nina turned to James, her voice urgent and dramatic. "Call the police, Godfather! Tell them toe arrest him right now!"


    James tried to hold back augh, shooting Stewart a triumphant look. "Don''t worry, Little Nina! With me here, nobody''s taking you anywhere."


    Stewart''s dark eyes never left Little Nina. His lips pressed into a thin line, expression unreadable. He didn''t even spare James a nce.


    Might as well be a robot, James thought, rolling his eyes in exasperation.


    Meanwhile, little Mario had been left behind, looking lost and unsure. He hesitated, then nced at Stewart, then at Little Nina, before quietly making his way to Garry.


    He reached up, asking to be held.


    Garry smiled and lifted his son, settling him on hisp.


    Mario sat silently in Garry''s arms, his big dark eyes fixed on Stewart.


    Garry ruffled Mario''s hair. "Mario, this is a friend of Dad''s. Say hello to Mr. Wentworth."


    Mario just stared at Stewart, lips pressed tight, refusing to speak.


    Garry looked at Stewart, apologetic. "Don''t mind him, Mr. Wentworth. My son''s a bit shy around strangers."


    At this, Stewart nced at Garry, then let his gaze settle briefly on Mario before looking away, indifferent.


    Garry caught the subtle reaction, his own expression shadowed.


    Stewart''s attention moved to Carney, who was sitting quietly nearby. With a faint, polite smile, he said, "Professor Winslow, thank you and Mrs. Winslow for taking care of my wife and daughter these past four years."


    The room instantly fell tense.


    Carney exchanged aplicated look with his wife. Four years ago, they''d orchestrated quite the performance with Mr. Chadwick, all for Stewart''s benefit. Now that the truth hade out, they knew Stewart wouldn''t simply let things slide. His visit today, uninvited as it was, felt less like a request and more like a warning.


    Clearly, he was here for Little Nina.


    Just then, Carl came in from outside, his arms overflowing with bags.


    He nodded at Briony. "Ms. Kensington, these are all gifts Mr. Wentworth picked


    out for the little miss-clothes, toys, and some snacks and vitamins."


    Briony didn''t even try to hide her displeasure. "Little Nina doesn''t need any of that. Take it back."


    Carl looked embarrassed, ncing helplessly at Stewart.


    Stewart''s tone was firm as he looked at Briony. "Briony, I bought these for my daughter."


    Briony frowned and stood up, clearly about to ask him to leave, when Gwendolyn White quickly grabbed her arm.


    "Bryn, it''s rare for Attorney Wentworth and Mr. Ferguson to visit Carney. The three of them will probably want to have a drink tonight, and we''re low on groceries. Would youe with me to pick up some things?"


    Without waiting for a reply, Gwendolyn whisked Briony out the door.


    Carney could only sigh quietly. It was best not to create a scene in front of the children. After all, no matter what, Stewart was Little Nina''s biological father. And since he and Briony weren''t divorced yet, there was no real reason to stop him from seeing his child.


    "Attorney Wentworth, why don''t you have a seat and some tea?" Carney offered.


    Stewart nodded coolly and sat down in an armchair. James settled with Little Nina on the sofa beside him, and Garry sat on the other side, Mario on hisp. With both men holding children, Stewart looked strangely alone.


    Carney brewed a cup of tea and, using tongs, set the cup in front of Stewart.


    Stewart tapped his fingers on the table and motioned to Carl, who quickly handed over one of the bags.


    From it, Stewart produced a limited-edition Elsa figurine.


    As soon as Elsa appeared, Little Nina''s eyes lit up.


    Stewart handed the figurine to her. "It''s for you."


    It was a clumsy attempt at affection.


    Garry frowned, rubbing Mario''s round head, and James seemed even more rxed. His Little Nina wasn''t so easily bought.


    By now, Little Nina had picked up on the adults'' reactions-this very handsome stranger wasn''t actually dangerous. Still, as far as she was concerned, "stranger" was all he was: she''d only met him twice.


    She loved the Elsa figurine, but she hadn''t forgotten her mom''s lessons.


    "Thank you, sir, but no thank you." Little Nina fixed Stewart with a serious, cherubic face. "My mom says I''m not supposed to take things from strangers."


    "I''m not a stranger." Stewart''s voice softened as he met his daughter''s eyes. "I''m your father."


    Little Nina: "??"


    James rolled his eyes. As if she needed another dad.


    "Little Nina, I''m your father," Stewart repeated, patience in his tone. "Your real dad —not a godfather, your biological father."


    James: "..." What''s that supposed to mean?


    "Huh?" Little Nina blinked, frowning in confusion. "That can''t be right. My mom said my dad died a long time ago."


    Stewart''s lips quirked, and far from angered, he exined gently, "There were misunderstandings between your mom and me. We''ve been apart for years, and I only found out about you recently."


    James couldn''t help butugh at that. "Stewart, after four years, your shamelessness really has hit new heights."


    Stewart shot him a nd look and ignored him.


    Little Nina studied Stewart, her brow furrowed, her eyes bright and curious-so much like her mother''s. She might be small, but she wasn''t stupid. She didn''t understand all the drama between the grown-ups, but she knew her mom didn''t like this "dad"—and neither did her godfather or her grandparents, for that matter.