At this, Ashton paused. When he turned back to look at me, the piercing gaze had already mellowed out into a gentle smile. “But I know you wouldn’t want that, which is why I decided to bring him home. It’s less of a problem whether they actually fall in love or not. Rather, it would give us the opportunity to see whether he would grow up to become a threat to us, no?”
The need to have a perfect plan for everything had already been carved into Ashton’s bones, but I had to say, he successfully convinced me.
One could never predict how sly and cunning the enemy could be. The only way to win in a battle of wits was to be more cunning than everyone else.
There was no such thing as a completely unselfish hero. Everyone, regardless of who they were, always subconsciously looked out for themselves. It was simply human instinct to think about the ways something could benefit or harm you.
At least, from today onward, Shaun now had a home as well as proper protection. Under the Fuller family, no one would ever treat him differently from our kids again. Both Ashton and I would make sure of that.
I was still unsatisfied at being so easily convinced by Ashton. Even though I was already agreeing deep inside, I purposely started to argue, “How sure are you that you can control him?”
Human beings were ever-changing. Not even God could anticipate how something might turn out, much less us.
Ashton suddenly lay down on my lap and closed his eyes. At ease, he murmured, “Even the strongest hero falls to temptation.”
As he spoke, he even stretched out languidly like a cat basking in the sun. Even though I started trying to get him off, it was practically impossible to move him.
I couldn’t do anything. The very moment I looked up, I noticed Joseph looking at us through the rearview mirror as he studied us secretly with a devious smile on his face. My cheeks heated up and all I could do was turn away and look at the passing scenery, deciding to leave Ashton be.
–
We finally got home and met the people we had been missing for so long.
“My dear Scar! I’ve missed you!”
Someone dressed in a floral suit with gold-rimmed sunglasses strutted toward me with open arms.
I instinctively stepped back and Ashton reached out to press a hand against the other’s chest. “Excuse me, who are you calling Scar? In this house, there’s only Mrs. Fuller. If you make the same mistake next time, I’m kicking you out.”
After he spoke, he pushed lightly and the man stumbled back a few steps.
He pulled a face and took off his sunglasses as he ranted, “I’ve been wondering why you’ve become so sensitive recently. Don’t you know what manners are? I was already polite enough since she was your wife! If not for that, I’d already been hugging her!”
I finally got a proper look at him.
Holden really never changed. His actions and fashion sense were still as flamboyant as ever. As always, he was also extremely loud.
I had only heard about him from John. For example, he ganged up with the Hawen mafia to get rid of some disrespectful and huffy seniors. I also heard about how some big donations in his name had suddenly turned him into some angel of two small neighboring countries. He worked with both the dark and light sides, and he had a steady grip over his place as the head of the Taylor family.
“No, thank you,” I said with disdain as I walked past him and gently coaxed both kids to go upstairs first.
Holden looked at me with an ambiguous smile as he mocked, “The two of you must be baby-printing machines.”
His tone led me to believe that he almost definitely had misunderstood things.
He was so talented at babbling on and on that I felt like I had aged ten years by the time he finished prying. I decided to just change the subject and move into the main topic. “What brings you here, Mr. Taylor? I know you’re a busy man, so just come out with it. I would hate to waste your precious time.”
Holden chuckled evilly before following me to the living room and sitting down with one leg idly crossed over the other. “It’s been six years and yet you’re still so sharp with your words. I guess the saying of time mellowing out women really doesn’t apply to you.”
“The same goes for you, too.” I chuckled. “Your skin looks just the same as before.”
“Really?” Holden actually lifted a hand and caressed his own cheek and chin.
