Just then, Natalie walked over, holding Connor’s hand in hers.
Natalie nodded at Shane before turning to Jacqueline and greeted her, “Ms. Graham, welcome.”
Seeing how Natalie displayed the lady-of-the-house comportment, Jacqueline lowered her gaze to conceal the jealousy in her eyes and returned with a smile, “Thank you. I thought Ms. Smith will not be pleased to see me here.”
“Not at all.” Natalie shot a gaze at Shane and added, “Shane treats you like his own sister. So as his wife, how can I not welcome you home?”
“Y-You’re right.” Her smile was getting stiffer, and within her heart, it was all gloomy.
Like his own sister?
Who wants to be only a sister?
“Alright, Shane, put Sharon down.” Natalie shifted her attention from Jacqueline altogether and turned to Shane.
As soon as Sharon heard her mommy’s words, her eyes rolled in mischief, and she hugged Shane’s neck even more tightly. “No, I don’t want to come down. I want Daddy to carry me.”
If I come down now, Daddy will hold Ms. Graham’s arms again.
No way.
The sweet scent from Sharon wafted into Shane’s nostrils, making him thaw again. Patting Sharon lightly on her back, he returned, “It’s okay; I’ll carry her.”
“Daddy’s the best.” Sharon pecked softly on Shane’s face in joy.
Seeing as such, Natalie poked lightly on her forehead as she laughed. “You little girl!”
Sharon giggled non-stop and at the same time, she shot another complacent gaze at Jacqueline, who almost jumped at that.
Noticing the fleeting pucker appearing across Jacqueline’s face, Connor gave his sister a thumbs up in secret.
“Alright, let’s not stand outside here. Let’s go in,” Shane suggested.
As he carried Sharon with one hand, he was ready to reach out his other hand to help Jacqueline into the villa.
Seeing his daddy’s slight motion, a brilliant glint glowed in Connor’s eyes, and he reached out swiftly to grab Shane’s hand which was about to hold Jacqueline’s arm.
“Let’s go in, Daddy. I have something to show you.”
With that, Connor yanked Shane into the villa.
Soon, the trio disappeared from the sight of the remaining two women who were still standing on the spot.
Jacqueline didn’t prepare to feign politeness in front of Natalie. Her face darkened in a flash. “Ms. Smith, your children are unbelievably scheming at such a young age. They were deliberately keeping Shane away from me.”
Unquestionably, Natalie could sense the exceedingly sarcastic tone in her remarks. As a result, her face turned sullen as well, and she replied placidly, “Are they? I don’t think they’re scheming, and I don’t see any problem with their behavior. They were only trying to protect their mother’s rights and not letting their mother’s husband come into close contact with another woman. Is there anything wrong with that?”
As soon as she finished her words, Natalie smiled at Jacqueline and entered the villa.
Watching her back as she left, Jacqueline couldn’t help but stomp in rage.
Then, the autumn wind gusted through, sending goosebumps all over Jacqueline. She rubbed her arms together and was afraid to stay alone outside for too long, so she entered the villa as well.
Just as she stepped in, she saw Shane holding a trophy in his hand with a proud expression on his face as he said, “Not bad. Keep up the good work!”
“I will, Daddy.” Connor nodded firmly as he received compliments from his father.
Natalie held his face and rubbed his cheeks as she started, “Great, Connor, when did you even participate in the Mathematical Olympiad? And you were trying to hide that from me?”
Connor’s mouth was pouting involuntarily under Natalie’s pressure on his cheeks, and he could only mumble, “I’m trying to give you and Daddy a surprise.”
“I’m truly surprised, pleasantly.” Shane raised the trophy with a chuckle.
In fact, he was genuinely proud when the little boy took out his trophy.
Natalie relinquished Connor’s face at last. “You’re tightlipped.”
Connor giggled in response.
Seeing Natalie laugh, Sharon also chuckled like a silly little girl.
Witnessing the joyful moment shared among the family of four, Jacqueline was incensed to the bone.
