Escorting Emma to the door, Officer Ethan stood upright at the entrance of the living room, feeling that intervening in this matter was worthwhile when he saw the mother and son embracing. However, when he recognized the man descending from the upstairs, his mouth dropped open in surprise.
"Alexander Hunt! Youre the boys father?"
"Indeed, its you. Only you would dare to mind such trivial matters," Alexander Hunt responded with an emotionless expression, acknowledging his childhood friend. He had long suspected that the person who dared to come to his home would be his old pal.
"When did you have such a grown son? Why wasnt I informed!" Ethans face lit up with curiosity.
Alexander didnt respond, merely casting a glance at Ethan that made him recoil slightly and take an involuntary step back. Ethan was well aware of his friends temperament and what he was like when provoked, so he quickly said,
"Ive brought her as you requested, and youve seen the child. The rest is up to you to resolve."
Then, turning to Alexander, he added, "You owe me a meal, and dont even think about weaseling out of it." With that, he made a swift exit.
Seeing that Lucas was unharmed, Emma prepared to leave with her son in her arms. However, Alexander, who had anticipated this, signaled with a glance, and a group of bodyguards encircled the entrance, blocking their path.
"Leave if you wish, but the child must stay," Alexanders deep voice echoed behind Emma.
Furious, Emma turned her head and declared, "He is my child!"
A face identical to Lucass appeared before her, with dark eyes as deep as the ocean, as bright as stars, and as sharp as arrows, as if they could suck one in like a black hole.
In the six years since she had last seen him, not a trace of time had marked his face. Instead, he had matured and become even more charming than the popular idols of the day.
He was truly handsome!
But the owner of this handsome face spoke in a way that was infuriating: "He is my child, and this is my domain."
The implication was clear: on my turf, my rules apply.
Emma glanced around the vast villa, its luxury causing her to marvel.
Goodness, how many wealthy women must he have entertained to afford such a grand place? She wondered if his kidneys could withstand it.
At this thought, Emma couldnt help but let out a disdainful snort.
"No matter what, Im taking Lucas with me," she asserted, straightening her shoulders and allowing a look of disdain to cross her face.
Alexander, not wanting to engage in a prolonged dispute, gave a signal to the butler and turned to leave.
Frustrated, Emma attempted to leave with her child, but a group of well-trained bodyguards blocked the door tight.
Not to mention her leaving with her child, even she alone couldnt get out.
The butler approached with a warm smile, "Ms. Watson, the young master must not leave here, as per Mr. Hunts orders."
"But Mr. Hunt did not say that you must leave. Why dont you stay and accompany the young master?"
"I!"
Lucas, who had been silent on Emmas lap, suddenly spoke up in a hushed voice, "Mom, dont fight a losing battle!"
After glancing at Lucas and weighing the pros and cons in her mind, Emma agreed to stay in the villa, albeit insincerely.
The butler led the two around the villa, familiarizing them with everything. As Emma observed, she couldnt help but click her tongue in amazement. My goodness, how many wealthy patrons must have contributed to this luxurious mansion?
The villas exterior was European in style, and the interior was decorated in the same manner. The paintings on the walls and the ornaments on the floor were all treasures, including some antiques that were hundreds of years old. Listening to the butlers introduction, Emma was left speechless, feeling like a country bumpkin visiting the city for the first time.
This mansion was valuable from the outside, even more so from the inside, and upon closer inspection, it was incredibly valuable. This was Emmas current thought.
They say the world has become a place where the poor are mocked rather than the promiscuous. Seeing this luxurious villa, Emma had to agree.
If one could earn a villa like this, she thought, anyone would be tempted, regardless of their profession.
The butler opened the door to a room on the third floor, and Lucas ran in with a cheer, but Emma was too stunned to react for a while.
A whole wall was transformed into a large floor-to-ceiling window, with sunlight streaming in through the curtains, bright yet not dazzling.
The floor was filled with a variety of toys for little boys; this place was like a fairy-tale kingdom. The walls around were painted with patterns that would appeal to a boy of five or six years old.
Covering her mouth with her hand, Emma looked at all this in disbelief, then at the butler.
The butler smiled and said, "This is the toy room specially arranged by Mr. Hunt for the young master. If theres anything unsatisfactory or if theres anything else the young master needs, we can change it immediately."
Before Emma could respond, Lucas pulled her into the room, and the butler tactfully closed the door from outside.
"Look, Emma, this is the computer I wanted! With it, my gaming speed will greatly improve. This is fantastic," Lucass eyes sparkled as he looked at the computer.
Although Emma didnt understand computers, she had seen this one before. Lucas had once shown her its introduction, talking about how it was designed by a famous designer with the worlds top configurations, worth a fortune.
After playing in the room all day, Lucas was taken away by the servants after dinner.
Emma was about to follow when the butler stopped her: "Ms. Watson, the young master is resting, and its time for you to rest as well. Your room is this way, please."
Emma looked at Lucas being carried away and glared at the butler resentfully but obediently returned to her room.
Lying on the wide, soft bed, Emma couldnt sleep. Logically, she should be exhausted after worrying about Lucas all night and playing with him all day, but she felt as if something was missing, leaving her heart empty.
Unable to sleep, Emma decided to look for Lucas, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.
So, she put on her coat and went out.
The moonlight outside was beautiful, but all the room doors on the second floor looked the same, and she couldnt tell which was which, so she had to feel her way into each one.
When she slipped into the third room, she heard the sound of water from inside.
She could vaguely see a man taking a shower, and Emma knew she had entered the wrong room and was about to slip away when the water stopped, and a figure emerged from within.
"Back then, you were quite the schemer, seducing me and then disappearing without a trace, leaving me with an illegitimate child. Now youre trying the same trick again?"