Grape fearlessly interacted with the butterflies that were lured into the yard by the flowers, filled with joy.
The butterflies eventually flew away, and Grape tried to keep them from leaving. In her attempt, she stumbled into a warm, broad embrace, catching a faint scent of sandalwood.
A pair of large hands steadied her, and she looked up to see a face as expressionless as an iceberg.
With a playful smile, she reached out, hoping to coax a laugh from him.
âMister, youâre quite intimidating,â she said.
Mallory felt a chill run down her spine. âMaybe we should take her away. Leaving her here is too disruptive.â
Dexterâs gaze was heavy as he stared at the child in his arms. âA child barely over a year old canât cause much trouble.â
âWhatâs your name?â he asked, holding her hand.
âMy mommy said that my eyes resemble grapes, so she named me Grape,â she explained.
How thoughtless⦠Dexter squinted slightly. âWhereâs your mommy?â
âSheâs working.â
âDid she abandon you?â
âNot at all! My mommy said she had to earn a lot of money so she could find a daddy for me. Sheâs doing it all for me, not neglecting me,â Grape said, tilting her head.
Mallory was amused and laughed. âMost children over a year old donât speak fluently, but sheâs already very logical. Quite intelligent.â
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Dexterâs mouth, as if he was thinking of someone. âWhere is your daddy?â
âMommy said that Daddy is in Clusia, but heâs very busy. He wonât be able to come back to see me until I turn eighteen. Iâm only a year and a half old now!â Grape sighed heavily, deeply troubled. âThere are so many years to go.â
The adults had already understood the situation. It seemed that the childâs father was likely no longer around, which would explain why the childâs mother was resorting to such desperate measures.
Dexterâs voice was somewhat hoarse. He coughed once, avoiding the child.
Larry was on pins and needles. He took Helenaâs hand. âLet me accompany you to go out and look around.â
Naturally, Helena didnât want to delay things. Unable to wait for Michaelâs response, she had no choice but to go out and look for him. âAll right.â
After taking a few steps, she couldnât help but worry about the child. âGrapeâ¦â
Dexterâs eyes were calm. âGo on.â
Grape was quite bold. She sat on the manâs long legs, unable to suppress her laughter. âMister, youâre really handsome.â
The corner of Dexterâs mouth curved slightly. He had never been praised by a one-year-old child before.
âAt such a tender age, how could you possibly know what handsome is?â
âOf course, I know. My mommy is very beautiful, and youâre very handsome. All the attractive people on TV end up together. They call it a match made in heaven!â Grape, the innocent child, loudly asked, âCan you be my daddy?â
Dexter was rendered speechless.
Mallory watched Dexterâs expression, always feeling that he was about to throw the child out any second.
âIâve never even met your mommy. How could I possibly be your daddy?â Dexter was in an unusually good mood, probably because she was just too adorable.
âMy mommy is quite beautiful and very intelligent. You wonât be at a disadvantage,â Grape said, waving her little hand. âI can take you to meet her!â
As she spoke, she was about to leap, clutching onto Dexterâs fingers.
He was uninterested, restless, and with a calm demeanor, he asked, âWhat if your mommy doesnât like me?â
âThatâs impossible. My mommy likes all handsome men.â
Dexter didnât know what to say in response.
âBut you are the most attractive person Iâve ever seen, so sheâs bound to like you.â
Mallory couldnât help but smile. âThis is the first time Iâve seen someone going on a blind date on behalf of their mother. I must say, itâs truly adorable.â
Dexter absentmindedly toyed with her hair strands. The angle was somewhat tricky, giving him an illusion.
He momentarily lost focus, his lips turning downward.
Grape winced in pain, looking up. âMister, you hurt me. You owe me an apology.â
When Dexter lifted his gaze again, the look in his eyes had grown significantly colder.