A Heaven-sent Sweet Child Falls Asking for Hugs-Chapter 8: A New Kid at Home

Hayden Kaye had waited for Vivian Quincy for six years. How could he possibly just let her go? He knew full well what kind of person Jeremy King was.

"Ninth Uncle, she’s not like other girls. I’m sure she had her reasons for leaving. She’s the only woman I’ve ever loved in my life, so please don’t talk about her like that," Hayden Kaye said, his tone resolute.

A peculiar glint entered Jasper Ford’s dazzling, obsidian-black eyes. In response to Hayden Kaye’s desperate pleas, he said in a low voice, "I’ll handle Jeremy King, but not for you. It just so happens I have a score to settle with him. As for your father, you can deal with him yourself."

"Thank you, Ninth Uncle." Hayden Kaye was overjoyed. He’d always resented his father for taking a sworn brother who was practically his own age—a fact that had bothered Hayden for years. On top of that, because of Wanda Quincy, Hayden had grown to despise Jasper Ford. And now, Jasper was actually willing to keep his secret about Vivian Quincy...

’I’m so moved!’

’From now on, Jasper Ford is my one true uncle!’

’If anyone dares to speak ill of my uncle, I’ll kill them!’

His phone rang. Jasper Ford glanced at the caller ID on the screen, then turned and walked out of the hospital room.

"Jasper, what’s going on with Hayden?" It was Hayden’s father on the line.

Jasper Ford replied, "It was just a minor scuffle. Nothing to worry about."

"That’s a relief." Hayden’s father sounded displeased. "What’s gotten into that boy lately? Why is he picking fights with Jeremy King instead of managing the company like he’s supposed to?"

Jasper Ford replied coolly with four words: "Young, reckless. Ignore him."

After hanging up, he left the hospital.

Caden Chandler was giving his usual report: "President, Jeremy King has fled Crestfall to lie low."

In the back of the Bentley, Jasper Ford, who had been flipping through a file, froze.

Caden Chandler quickly added, "Rest assured, President. He won’t dare to return anytime soon, much less sue Master Kaye."

Jasper Ford just grunted and said nothing more. Canceling the engagement party had a major impact on his company, and the media was watching his every move. Crushing Jeremy King too ruthlessly at a time like this would only arouse suspicion.

Jeremy King may have escaped, but his subordinate, Vivian Quincy, had not. Before King returned, Jasper Ford intended to "take good care" of his accomplice.

"Show some restraint over at the warehouse. Don’t play her to death," Jasper Ford said.

Caden Chandler nodded and asked Jasper Ford for their destination.

"Let’s go home," Jasper Ford replied languidly, just three words.

The car pulled slowly into Lilac Lodge. The butler, the first to spot Jasper Ford’s return, hurried upstairs. "Madam, the young master is back."

The smile vanished from the face of Madam Ford, who was playing with blocks with Beanie Quincy. Hearing Jasper Ford’s name, she turned her back to the butler and snapped, "What’s he doing back here? Tell him to get lost and not ruin my sight."

"Please don’t be angry, Madam. No matter his faults, the young master is still your son," the butler said, his voice full of sympathy.

Beanie Quincy bobbed his head in agreement. "That’s right, Grandma! Even if your son is useless, you shouldn’t be too mad. I mean, he’s a man. It’s fine if he can’t have babies."

Madam Ford looked at the little fellow’s chattering lips and rosy cheeks and was completely charmed. A smile finally broke through her gloomy expression. "Beanie is right. You stay here and play for a little while. I’ll be right back."

Madam Ford turned and went downstairs to find Jasper Ford sitting on the living room sofa, drinking coffee. She marched over to him and demanded, "You brat, you still have the nerve to show your face here? Where is my daughter-in-law? Where is my grandson? Did you not hear a word I said?"

"Mom, stop going on about a grandson all day. If you like children that much, how about I open a kindergarten for you?" Jasper Ford didn’t even look up from his file.

Seeing that Jasper Ford was paying her no mind, Madam Ford furiously snatched the file from his hands and slammed it on the table. "A kindergarten? What nonsense! Mrs. Leighton welcomed her third grandchild this year, and look at you! What’s the point of making all that money? Any truly successful man has a family to show for it!"

Jasper Ford pretended not to hear a word.

Madam Ford lectured him for a solid half-hour. Jasper Ford remained silent the entire time, even managing to finish reading a thick project proposal. Just as Madam Ford was about to launch into another tirade, a loud CRASH echoed from upstairs. She looked up anxiously and asked the butler, "What was that noise?"

"It sounded like a vase shattered. I’ll go and see," the butler said, turning to leave.

Realizing Beanie was still upstairs, Madam Ford was terrified he might be hurt. She shot up the stairs, moving even faster than the butler.

Jasper Ford watched all this with a raised eyebrow. "Did our dear cousin bring a child over?" he asked a nearby maid.

The maid replied, "No, sir. Two days ago, Madam Ford was in a small accident and a child was slightly injured. The parents happened to be away on business, so the Madam has let the child stay here for the time being."

Jasper Ford understood. ’So that’s it,’ he thought. He had been wondering why his mother was staying home so quietly. After the engagement was canceled, he’d expected her to be out for blood, ready to tear Wanda Quincy to shreds. Turns out, it was all because of this child.

’Well, that’s for the best. At least it’ll keep her occupied.’

...

After two days of working in a daze at Imperium Group, Vivian Quincy realized she’d been tricked. She was about to go find her supervisor when Wanda Quincy appeared, blocking the warehouse entrance and shutting the door behind her.

Vivian Quincy’s weary expression instantly turned guarded. "What are you doing here?"

"Shouldn’t I be the one asking that?" Wanda Quincy retorted. "Have you made up your mind about leaving Crestfall like I told you to?"

Vivian Quincy shot back, "And why should I listen to you?"

"Because your son is in my hands! You have to do as I say!" Wanda Quincy threatened.

Vivian Quincy laughed. "Beanie has already left the Quincy family. You have no leverage over me."

Wanda Quincy hadn’t expected Vivian Quincy to be so shameless. She grew angry. "Wasn’t ruining my marriage enough for you? What more could you possibly want?"

"You know perfectly well who ruined whom!" Vivian Quincy stared fearlessly at Wanda Quincy’s face, which was contorted with rage, and a smirk touched her lips. "Crestfall isn’t your personal territory. Whether I stay or go is none of your business!"

"Well, well, Vivian Quincy. You’ve really grown some wings, haven’t you? Think you can just fly away now?" Wanda Quincy was livid. "If my mother hadn’t taken you in, you would have died on the streets! And you dare to complain? Who do you think you are?"

Vivian Quincy scoffed. ’Just because they took me in, I was supposed to sacrifice my reputation and my future for this mother and daughter? Is that it?’

"I cut ties with you six years ago. I’m not bothering you, so you’d better not bother me. I haven’t forgotten that you hit Beanie. If it happens again, you won’t like the consequences!"

"Hah! So the ungrateful brat we raised has learned how to bite back," Wanda sneered. "I’d love to see how you plan to stand against me!" With that, she walked over to a shelf and picked up the data reports Vivian Quincy had spent all night organizing.

Vivian Quincy lunged forward. "Give those back!"

"You want them?" Wanda taunted, ripping the reports to shreds right in front of her.

The air around Vivian Quincy turned ice-cold. "You’ve gone too far!"