Ethan Clark and Noah Clark had already started kindergarten, but since it was the summer vacation, they only attended the Court Music Academy and Dance Association intermittently, spent some time practicing writing and arithmetic, and had nothing much else to do, living quite leisurely.
The next day, after Kevin Clark finished his early morning meeting and arranged everything, he went home to pick up these two children.
By the time he got home, someone had already packed their suitcases.
Christopher Clark helped them pack.
He was free at home today, so he conveniently packed their suitcases.
Christopher Clark had skipped a grade in junior high and was now a high school senior, essentially a young adult.
Except for the time when he was seven or eight years old and didnât grow much, he shot up afterward, and now heâs almost six feet tall.
According to James Collins, itâs because Charlotte Lane stopped avoiding him, his mood improved, resulting in better nutrient absorption, hence his rapid growth.
His shoulder-length curly hair was no longer there, he had short hair since junior high, and as he grew older, the curls in his hair gradually straightened out.
Except for waking up in the morning with some curls, on usual days, after grooming, one could hardly see the curliness of his hair.
However, itâs still a little bit on the yellow side.
But because his skin is fair, he is particularly attractive.
His appearance is mostly similar to Kevin Clark and Edward North, and he looks even more like Kevin Clark.
But now that heâs grown up, some traces of Edward Kirsten could be seen in his brows and eyes.
This made Edward North very frustrated.
His son didnât take after his wife at all, but inherited some aspects of Edward Kirstenâs appearance.
As soon as Kevin Clark walked into the front hall and saw him, he asked, âWhen did you come back?â
He had sent him to M Continent with James Collins to see Alozon Kirsten a few days ago.
Even though he was already in senior year and seemed like an adult, he was still underage and needed someone to accompany him whenever he traveled.
âDad,â Christopher Clark greeted first after rising from the sofa, then answered his question, âI just got home an hour ago.â
Kevin Clark nodded, looked at Ethan Clark with a gloomy face and the very happy Noah Clark with their small suitcases, and then asked Christopher Clark, âHow are they?â
By âtheyâ, he naturally meant Alozon Kirsten and Robert Kirsten.
âTheyâre doing well.â Christopher Clark didnât elaborate.
Kevin Clark nodded, not asking any further questions, âDid you pack their luggage?â
Christopher Clark nodded in agreement.
Ethan Clark glanced at Kevin Clark and muttered quietly, âBig brother is the best.â
The implication was that daddy was not as good as big brother.
Christopher Clark just smiled.
Kevin Clark ignored him and said to Christopher Clark, âWeâre going to the drama crew, do you want to come?â
Christopher Clark looked at him and hesitated before saying, âDad, after all these years, why are you becoming⦠moreâ¦â he didnât finish his sentence, although Kevin Clark knew what he wanted to say, âWhat? You have any complaints?â
âI wouldnât dare.â Christopher Clark said with a smile, âNot for now. I havenât seen grandfather and grandmother since I got back, Iâll go see them first before I come over.â
Elina Clark and Tom Wayne had gone to the Theatre Garden and would not be back until the afternoon.
âBut⦠Dad, if you want to wait for me, thatâs fine too.â Christopher Clark added.
Kevin Clark gave him a glance and replied with five words, âKeep dreaming.â
He could see his wife before lunch, why should he wait until the afternoon?
Afterward, Kevin Clark abandoned Christopher Clark and took Ethan Clark and Noah Clark to the drama crew.
Before leaving, he also went to the study room to get a box full of writing exercises and small quizzes.
Ethan Clark and Noah Clark felt as if their temples were twitching.
It was clear that Ethan Clarkâs âstepfatherâ remark from yesterday had hit a nerve, and this was his retaliatory move.
Ethan Clark also felt he had gone too far yesterday, so he didnât dare say a word now.
When the three of them arrived at the drama crew, Charlotte Lane was sitting in a chair waiting for her scene.
Her black hair was tied up at the back, with a parting in the front falling lazily at her chin, accentuating her languid and cool demeanor.
She was dressed in a green cheongsam, perfectly outlining her figure with impeccable proportions, and no flaws could be found.
Spectacular, sexy, and due to her makeup, appearance, and temperament, she exuded a cool aura.
Everything about her was extremely beautiful.
Several years have passed, and she has become even more beautiful.
Upon seeing her, Kevin Clark was momentarily stunned.
Followed by a slight warmth in his eyes.
Before he realized it, a boy and a girl broke free from his grip and charged straight for Charlotte Lane.
âMother.â
Both children called out and then flung themselves into Charlotte Laneâs arms.
The chair Charlotte Lane was sitting on rocked slightly.
She raised an eyebrow at the two tiny figures clinging to her and then caressed their little heads, turning her gaze to the side.
When Kevin Clark saw her looking up, his eyelashes flickered, and then he smiled and walked over to her.
There were many people on the set, some busy working, others taking a break.
The two children raised their voices, drawing quite a few pairs of eyes.
The two of them had never been seen by the public, so their sudden appearance naturally led to speculation.
âMother, you look so beautiful,â Noah Clark took her hand, his big, bright eyes locked on her.
Charlotte Lane rarely wore makeup at home, but on set, it was a must.
Noah Clark thought it looked good, so he kept staring at her.
Ethan Clark also looked at her, and then said, âDad is going to feel threatened again.â
Kevin Clark heard this comment, and smacked Ethan Clarkâs little butt, then bent over and confidently planted a kiss on Charlotte Laneâs forehead.
This interaction was normal for Noah and Ethan Clark, so they did not react at all.
In fact, Ethan Clark puckered his lips, wanting to kiss her as well, but Kevin Clark blocked him with his hand.
His peck landed firmly on Kevin Clarkâs hand instead.
>This made him so mad that he kept wiping his mouth with a napkin.
Onlookers did not dare to get too close, but they watched from a distance and soon started to discuss in hushed voices.
âThird Master is still so handsome.â
âSuch a loving coupleâtheyâve been together for so many years and they still look so much in love. Thatâs the kind of love I covet.â
âAhh! They must kiss a lot in their daily life, it looks so natural. I donât mind this kind of dog-food (public display of affection, PDFA) at all!â
âThe sight of them standing together is too pleasing to the eye.â
âTheir little prince and princess are so good-looking too.â
âThis is my first time seeing the real Third Master, heâs even more suave and handsome than in pictures!â
â¦
Seeing their genuine surprise, Charlotte Laneâs eyes crinkled with laughter. âWhat brings you here so suddenly? Have you finished up at Ryan Eastonâs place?â
âThere are a few things left to be handled remotely.â Kevin Clark arranged for the children to stand properly, âEthan missed you and kept insisting on coming over, so here we are.â
Ethan Clarkâs mouth twitched at the side. He felt like he was being used as an excuse.
Charlotte Lane looked at him, knowing in her heart that he had probably done something again and was being punished. She decided to play along and tease him.
Ethan Clark immediately flashed a smile and nodded earnestly, âYes, I missed you so much, Mother. I didnât even sleep well last night.â
Although Ethan Clark always longed for freedom from Charlotte Laneâs exacting standards, as soon as he broke free, he would start to miss her.
Children always miss their mother.
Once, when he was having a great time at Allonzo Hobsonâs place, he insisted that he wouldnât go home.
Charlotte Lane decided to let him stay over.
Yet, the next morning Allonzo Hobson and Robinson Scott brought him back saying he had started looking for his mother early in the morning and had refused to eat anything.
In fact, Ethan had started missing her the night before but felt it was too late to kick up a fuss.
That day when he got back, he clung to Charlotte Lane all day, and then pondered over leaving after spending half the day with her.
All children are like that.
Charlotte Lane went along with his sentiment and looked at Kevin Clark, âSo, only he missed me?â
Kevin Clark chuckled, âI missed you too, Madam.â
Ethan Clark shook his head and tried to send Charlotte Lane a warning look, only to have Kevin Clark hold down his head.
âSister missed you too,â Ethan Clark, with his head still restrained, spoke up.
Noah Clark nodded and tried to get Charlotte Lane to pick her up, âMother, carry.â
âIn a little bit,â Charlotte Lane brushed her little face, âMy clothes will get wrinkled. I will hold you after we finish shooting.â
Noah Clark obediently nodded and then touched Charlotte Laneâs clothes, âI like this. Can I keep it for when I grow up?â
âThe clothes arenât ours, but we can ask later,â Charlotte Laneâs voice was as cold as always, but contained a hint of warmth.
âAlright,â Noah Clark agreed happily.
But later on, though the wardrobe master did give Noah Clark the dress, it didnât stay for longâ¦