Chapter 40: Chapter 40

Like any other child, Floretta did not have a patient personality. The girl’s attention gradually drifted to the play area after she waited for the food for a short while. “Daddy, can I go over there to play?”

Seeing that the playing area was well within his line of vision, Evander felt more assured. “Go ahead.”

“Thank you, Daddy!” Excitement filled Floretta’s gaze, and she eagerly got off the chair and darted toward the ocean ball pool.

As Angeline watched the chirpy girl’s retreating figure, she could not help but lift the corners of her lips into a faint smile. “Floretta is at the age where she’s the most playful and active. You can’t always let her stay at home.”

As soon as those words fell, Evander turned grim and cast her a displeased look.

“I’m sorry. It’s just a casual remark of mine. Don’t take it to heart,” Angeline hastily explained, as she was made nervous by the man’s intense stares.

“Floretta is a special case. I hope you won’t poke your nose in our family matters, Ms. Sorelle.”

Evander shot her an icy look.

She flashed an okay sign with her fingers and kept her mouth shut.

Evander leaned back in his chair, appearing lost in his thoughts while gazing at that cheerful girl in the play area a distance away.

Angeline’s words had somehow reminded him that Floretta’s identity had always been a secret to the public. That had inadvertently limited the girl’s freedom.

It’s been a long time since I’ve last seen Floretta smiling so brightly. Besides, she’s no longer that young. I can’t possibly hide her at home forever, can I? It seems that it’s about time I should reveal her identity. But making things public means there must be a wedding ceremony first to let the world know who Mrs. Golding is.

Soon after, a waiter served their order, filling their table with an array of food. It was a delicious sight to behold.

Sliding down from the slide, Floretta followed the delicious smell of food and hurried her way through the pool of ocean balls.

She reached out to grab a meatball from the plate, only to get intercepted by Angeline. She held onto the girl’s wrist and gently reminded her, “Floretta, you need to wash your hands before you eat.”

Frustration surged within Floretta as she said grumpily, “I always have Franny to help me at home.”

“No worries,” Angeline said before requesting the waiter to bring over a bottle of hand sanitizer.

Then she carried Floretta onto her lap, squeezed a few drops of sanitizer, and rubbed it on the girl’s tiny palms. “Here, let me teach you. Rub your left hand first, then your right. Next, clasp them together and give them a good rub. That way, the germs won’t stay on your hands.”

Floretta listened to the instructions attentively, and it did not take long before she could follow the steps perfectly. Elated, the girl began dancing around.

“Angel is amazing. Daddy, look! Are my hands clean now?” asked Floretta joyfully as she swung her hands in front of Evander.

“Mm.” At the sight of Floretta sitting comfortably in Angeline’s lap, Evander decided not to stop her for once.

A portion of the Jetroinian food on the table was raw, and the meatballs were big. Noticing that Floretta was having a hard time eating, Angeline ordered a plate of pasta, cut the meatballs into smaller chunks, and mixed them with the pasta before feeding them to the girl.

The sight of Floretta swinging her legs happily while taking big mouthfuls of the food left Evander a little shocked.

Feeding Floretta had always been a tedious chore for Francesca at home daily.

Surprisingly, Angeline completed the task without much difficulty.

In no time, the plate was emptied.

“Angel, it’s yummy.” Floretta looked up and smiled at Angeline brightly.

Angeline stroked the girl’s head tenderly and was about to say something when she heard Evander’s deep voice. “Floretta, be good and sit properly. Ms. Sorelle hasn’t eaten because she’s been feeding you.”

Angeline was undoubtedly a little taken aback, as it was beyond her imagination that he would speak up for her. “No worries. I’m not hungry anyway.”

“Children cannot be spoiled.”

Angeline was at a loss for words for that split moment as awkwardness surged within her. At the same time, Floretta quickly got off her lap and sat up straight beside her.

After they finished their meal, Evander sent Angeline back to the filming site as Nancy had been waiting for her.

Unwilling to part ways with Angeline, Floretta started making a ruckus before the former got out of the car.

“Floretta, if you continue acting this way, you won’t be allowed to come out anymore,” Evander uttered strictly. It was clear the man was on the verge of losing his temper.

The mischievous Floretta stuck her tongue out and shot Evander a hopeful gaze while tugging Angeline’s sleeve. “Daddy, it’s Thanksgiving tomorrow. Can we invite Angel to our house?”

At that, Evander paused in surprise. Recalling how Floretta, who had always been a picky eater, had finished an entire plate of food when Angeline fed her, he wavered.

If it’s in a safe and protected environment, perhaps it isn’t a bad idea for Floretta to interact with Angeline.

After pondering for a short while, Evander put on a solemn look and said, “How about I send the chauffeur over to pick you up tomorrow?”

“Mr. Golding?” Angeline was so bewildered she even doubted if her ears were playing tricks on her.

“It’s mainly to discuss the ambassador contract.”

The man’s words instantly captured her attention, and not daring to refuse any further, she silently acquiesced.

“Yay, that’s great. I can see Angel again.” Delighted, Floretta held Angeline’s hand and twirled around her.

With that, the girl finally agreed to head home with Evander.

After watching the father and daughter duo leave the scene, Angeline fished out her phone and gave Nancy a call. She informed the latter to head over with the driver to pick her up.

Once Angeline got into the car, Nancy, looking particularly nosy, rested her chin on her hand and teased, “Angeline, I’ve underestimated you. You’re one efficient lady, aren’t you? You’ve already set your sights on Mr. Golding?”

“Don’t spout nonsense. I will never have the guts to seduce Mr. Golding.” Angeline smacked Nancy’s head. The mere thought of Evander’s icy gaze was enough to send chills down Angeline’s spine.

Moreover, she was all focused on seeking her revenge right now.

“But Angie, you’re now a hot topic on the internet.” Only then did Nancy regain her serious expression.

She scrolled through her phone and handed it to Angeline. “Here, these are some invitation notices from the company. There’s no conflict of interest with your ambassador contract. Plus, they’re offering high remuneration too. Go ahead and choose one.”

“So fast?” Angeline gasped in astonishment. After flipping through a few pages, she finally had her attention on a variety show named Let’s Go, My Friend. Her red lips lifted into a weak smirk as she knocked her finger on the screen twice. “This is it.”

Rumor has it that this new variety show will invite guests to participate in their games as they head to a new city every episode. It’s a popular show recently. Most importantly, the investor of this variety show is none other than Hanson.

As she thought of that, her gaze grew increasingly frosty and even had a tinge of mockery to them.

The following day, Angeline went to the office to attend a conference. As she had no schedules planned for the rest of the day after signing the contract for the variety show, she decided to head over to Black Forest Cafe.

The interior of the cafe revolved around the theme of forestry. At the intersection of the stairs, there was a streamlet. The sounds of water flowing along warmed the hearts of the visitors.

At an hour like this, there were only a handful of customers at the cafe.

Nonetheless, Angeline instinctively adjusted her mask and avoided the crowd as she swept her gaze, hidden under her sunglasses, across the venue.

Eventually, her gaze landed on the man sitting at the table next to the windows. The roughly twenty-

five-year-old man was wearing a plain white shirt and black pants and was probably the only one around who did not have his head buried in his phone screen or work.

Angeline stepped forward and headed in the man’s direction.

In truth, she could not associate the young man’s countenance with the craftiness of that person in the text message. Furrowing her brows, Angeline tightened her grip on her bag and decided to leave.