?Chapter 2749:


    “Grandma, tell the kitchen to make something special—lots of it!”


    “I know, I know!” N chuckled.


    “We won’t let you go hungry.” Then she turned her fond gaze to Joy.


    “And plenty for our little darling too.”


    Later, Ernest arrived—earlier than usual, knowing Eric would be there. Locke trailed behind him.


    That night’s dinner held two purposes: a warm reunion and to wash away the shadows of Eric’s recent troubles. The dining table was livelier than it had been in weeks.


    Locke and Joy sat side by side, the boy attentive as always.


    “Joy,” Locke moved her juice ss aside.


    “Don’t drink too much juice while you eat, or you won’t be able to eat anything.”


    “Oh.”


    “Try this…”


    “How lovely!” N murmured with amusement, watching the two children before ncing at her grandsons. A yful glint lit her eyes.


    “How about we arrange a little match for these two, hmm?”


    Ernest said nothing against it. But—


    “Grandma.” Eric frowned slightly.


    “Let’s not talk about that now. Joy’s still so young.”


    Ernest raised a brow.


    “What? My son isn’t good enough?”


    “That’s not it!” Eric’s eyes widened in rm.


    “Don’t misunderstand, Ernest. I just mean… this isn’t for us to decide. When Joy grows up, she should choose for herself—someone she truly likes.”


    What he didn’t say aloud was that Ernest, with only a son, could never understand a father’s heart for his daughter. To Eric, no one would ever be good enough for his Joy.


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    “Humph.” Ernest gave a quiet, knowing chuckle.


    “You two.” Nughed, smoothing things over between them.


    “I was only joking. Eric’s right—when Joy grows up, her choice will be hers alone. As long as she’s happy, that’s…”


    “…what matters.” After all, with both the Flynn and Scott families standing behind her, what did it matter what her future partner brought?


    “Joy, wipe.”


    The children, blissfully unaware of the adults’ words, kept eating.


    Locke now took a wet napkin and gently wiped Joy’s mouth.


    Eric’s brows drew together.


    Why did that boy suddenly feel so irritating?


    After dinner, Eric carried Joy as he and Hadley made their way back to the Crimson House. As soon as they arrived, Melba came forward.


    “The bathwater’s ready. Time for Joy’s bath.”


    “Alright.” Eric reluctantly handed Joy over.


    The hall quieted as the child disappeared upstairs.


    “Hadley,” Eric turned to her, finally with a chance to speak alone. And yet, with that chance before him, a strange nervousness tightened his chest.


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