After seeing Emmeline off, Benjamin went to the swimming pool on the rooftop.
Janie was still scrubbing away.
Her snow-white face was covered in sweat.
With Benjamin approaching, Janie exclaimed in pleasant surprise, âAm I relieved of my duty, Mr.
Benjamin?â
âWe need to set ground rules. You will be free from your task if you can stick to the rules.â
Benjamin got down and looked at Janie in the pool from above.
âWhat are the rules?â
Feeling restless, Janie looked up at the man on top of the pool.
âNumber one, you arenât allowed to call me except for work-related matters.â
Janje pursed her lips without saying a word.
âNumber two, you canât deliver any more food to me. The last thing I want to hear is gossip.â
Janie pressed her lips together, but the hurt was shown in her eyes.
âNumber three, donât give me flowers. Donât you find it embarrassing for me as a man to receive flowers every day?â
âMr. Benjamin, I can accept the rules apart from the first two,â
Raising her hand, Janie answered.
Benjamin was taken aback. So she was only agreeing to the last rule?
âThat wonât do.â Benjamin denied her request for leniency.
âBut I canât do the first two.â
Janie teared up in grievance.
Was she wrong to love him?
âYou can carry on with cleaning the swimming pool.â Benjamin got up to leave.
âMr. Benjamin, doesnât what Emma says count too?â Janie cried.
âI have canceled your toilet eleaning duty. Isnât that enough?â Benjamin turned around and said.
Janie fell silent, She watched as Benjaminâs callouâs back disappeared out of her sight.
It seemed Emmeline did not have a say in the game of love either.
It was Saturday, so the kids had no school in the afternoon.
Julianna made a sudden trip to the café.
Armed with shopping bags, Julianne came bearing childrenâs food and toys.
Emmeline put her guard following her presence.
âEmma, itâs the weekend. I came to see the kids. Where are Sun, Moon, and Star?â Julianna put the things on the table and smiled brightly.
âThey are upstairs. They have homework even in kindergarten, Emmeline courteously answered.
âI bought the kids some snacks and toys. I want to see if they will like them.â
âIâll take the things up to them. later. Thank you, Julianna.â
âDonât be a stranger. Weâre a family.â Julianna grinned from ear to ear.
Emmeline scowled without a word.
Sam poured a cup of hot coffee and added milk before serving Julianna âEmma, I wanted to say sorry on behalf of Adrien. He didnât think he would run into the ladies from the Imperial Palace the other night,â Julianna said.
âThat has nothing to do with me, but it has probably left a bad impression on the kids. Adrien isâ¦â
Emmeline faintly replied.
âAdrien and I think the same. What would the kids think of him?â
Furrowing her brows, Julianna voiced her concern.
âItâs better if he has less contact with the kids. I worry about other potential issues,â Emmeline uttered.
Julianna was quick to jump into Adrienâs defense, âNo, no, that wonât happen. Those women are in his past. Adrien doesnât keep in touch with them anymore. Donât you know that Adrien⦠still couldnât perform despite being on medication for a while now.â
Emmeline scoffed. âWhat if he becomes able? Wouldnât he go back to his old ways?â
âUmâ¦â
Julianna dared not make promises in her sonâs stead.
Her son was used to the life of a playboy.
âEmma, why donât you bring the kids down, so I can spend some time with them?â Julianna changed the topic.
She was not wrong to suggest that Emmeline went quiet for a while before turning to Sam. âTell the Sun, Moon, and Star to come down.â
âAlright, Ms. Louise.â Sam waddled up the stairs.
It did not take long before the three children went downstairs together.
However, they had grim looks on their faces.
It was apparent that they did not welcome Julianna.
Juliannaâs expression lit up at the presence of the kids. She got up and said, âOh, my. I finally see my precious grandchildren. I miss you so much!â
Not giving Julianna any attention, the three kids pulled a sour face.