There was another woman in the living room.


    It was Larissa.


    She was holding the hand of a little boy about two years old. Seeing Cecilia, she smiled and said, “Wee back.”


    As if there had never been any unpleasantness between them all these


    years.


    She could pretend.


    But Cecilia couldn’t.


    She ignored Larissa and only bent down to greet the little boy, “Hello, Yuanyuan.”


    Yuanyuan was the child of Johan and Larissa.


    After Johan had taken full control of thepany, he was nning to divorce, but for some reason he spent one night with Larissa. Larissa then disappeared and didn’t reappear until three monthster.


    Johan had a paternity test done, which confirmed that the child in Larissa’s womb was his own flesh and blood.


    So, in the end, the divorce didn’t happen.


    However, the rtionship between the two became increasingly distant.


    And Larissa seemed to havee to terms with it. She no longer clung to Johan as she had before, but instead settled into being Mrs. Johnson.


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    Yuanyuan hid behind Larissa.


    “Sorry, the child is timid.”


    Larissa exined briefly, handing Yuanyuan to the maid.


    Cecilia straightened up, finally looking Larissa in the eye. “Larissa, long time no see.”


    That simple greeting made Larissa’s expression shift several times.


    She never forgot Cecilia’s vow to take everything from her.


    Yet, she quicklyposed herself.


    “Long time no see.”


    The third madam instructed the kitchen to serve dinner.


    They had just taken their seats when Frank arrived.


    He brought many gifts, mostly for the child, but after scanning the room, his face fell upon not seeing the one he longed for.


    “Where’s An’an?”


    Cecilia pressed her lips. “An’an returns the day after tomorrow.”


    Frank’s disappointment was palpable. He’d only seen the child once at birth; afterward, Wesley wouldn’t allow it, iming it would disturb Cecilía,


    He’d endured this long enough.


    Frank could say little more. He slid a box toward Cecilia. “Regardless of whether you acknowledge me as your grandfather, your child does carry the Carlton blood. This gift is yours by right.”


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    Cecilia had no desire to ept it. After all, she’d severed all ties with the Carltons.


    Even if the child shared their bloodline–so what? That was her child


    alone.


    Madam signaled the third wife to take the box. Upon opening it, they found a ne worth millions.


    Dazzling beyond measure.


    Madam nodded. “Thank you.”


    She epted it on Cecilia’s behalf.


    Frank finally brightened up. He stayed for dinner before leaving.


    After the meal, Madam pulled Cecilia aside. “You must be wondering why I had you ept the Carlton family’s gift?”


    Cecilia lowered her gaze. She did want to ask–after all, she wished to sever all ties with the Carltons.


    “An’an will start kindergarten soon. When they have family sports days or events requiring a father, what will you do?”


    Cecilia frowned. She hadn’t considered this, believing she could raise An’an well alone.


    “Johan could go.”


    Cecilia mused.


    As An’an’s uncle, Johan was perfectly capable.


    “But when other children ask An’an about his father, how should he


    answer?”


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    Madam pressed.


    Cecilia paused.


    “I think-”


    “It’s not about what you think–it’s about what An’an feels.”


    Madam sighed. “I know you’ve cut ties with Wesley, but An’an can’t.”


    Madam needed a father. You have only two choices: either remarry to give Madam a new father, or acknowledge her rtionship with Wesley and let him be part of her life.”


    Cecilia rejected both options.


    She believed she could raise Madam alone.


    But…


    Cecilia remembered Madam had asked about her father before.


    She’d told her daughter that her father had passed away.


    This secret remained hidden from Madam.


    Seeing Cecilia’s troubled expression, Madam assumed she still felt ufortable. “You needn’t feel pressured,” she reassured. “Just maintain normal contact with Wesley.”


    “But Madam… she might long for a father.”


    To any child, both parents are irreceable presences.


    Better to acknowledge the truth openly and honestly than deprive them from the start.


    Unable to withstand Madam’s pressure, Cecilia confessed the truth.


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    “I’ve already told Madam her father died long ago.”


    “You…”


    Madam fell momentarily speechless.


    She couldn’t very well tell An’an that his father had miraculously returned from the dead.


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