Chapter 43



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“How is it possible? The young master is going to marry Miss Kidman.”

“I heard that the master didn’t like Miss Kidman and didn’t agree at all with her marriage.”

“What?” A maid covered her mouth with her hand and surprise flashed across her face. She lowered her voice, “Is it true? Miss Downey suddenly appeared. And little Noah likes her very much. Does it mean…?”.

“Be smart and respect Miss Downey. Maybe someday she’ll be the mistress of this house.”

“…”.

Hayden was busy eating lunch with the two boys. Little did she know that since Noah showed her some affection and dependence, all the servants at Imperial Villa were already beginning to think of a day when she would become the mistress of this house. In her imagination, Hayden was already the one calling the shots in this house.

Today there were four conferences at the ST Group. Two in the morning and two in the afternoon. By the time the last conference was over, it was already three o’clock.

Magnus had already ordered some food which was now laid out on the tea table.

“Mr. Beckham, please eat something. I will put the conference records into your computer later.”

Joseph pinched his brow and nodded slightly. Tiredness showed in his eyes and eyebrows. He had been busy since seven in the morning, he hadn’t had time to eat until now.

After resting for a while, Joseph made a call to the Imperial Village. He put the phone on the table and turned on the speakerphone. Joseph picked up the silverware and set about eating.

Soon the phone went off the hook on the other end. Mark, the butler, asked reverently, “Young master, are you finished at the company?”

“Yes. I just finished, how is everything at home?”.

“All is well, be at ease, young master. Miss Downey is getting along very well with little Noah, as is her little daughter.”

Through the phone, Joseph heard a giggle. He could recognize it was Stella laughing.

“Brother Noah, your toy is very funny, hahahaha.”

Although Joseph didn’t hear Noah, judging by Stella’s happy giggle, he could imagine how happy Noah was at that moment. Joseph’s tense eyebrows relaxed a little.

“That’s good. Make sure they’re safe and sound.”

“Young master, is that all? Miss Downey just asked me if I would be back for dinner tonight.”

“No, I have a dinner to attend tonight.” Then Joseph said plainly, “You may go home later. If it’s too late, get a driver to take them.”

Hanging up the phone, Joseph suddenly felt a little strange. Holding his silverware, he looked at the delicate dishes in front of him and they suddenly seemed bland. For no reason, Joseph thought of the food Hayden brought to the hospital over the weekend.

Right now, he was about to prepare dinner. Although there were servants in her house, considering her personality, Joseph knew she would prepare dinner herself, he wondered what they would have for dinner.

“Mr. Beckham, the delivery man said he forgot the chicken soup and brought it just now.” Magnus knocked on the door and entered, carrying a thermal box in his hand.

Staring at the silver thermal box, Joseph put down the silverware and stood up, “Magnus, cancel dinner tonight. I’m not coming.”

“What?” Holding up the box of chicken soup, Magnus looked rather confused and immediately asked, “Why not, do you have something more important? It’s the S-Town Fair dinner.”

Joseph had already grabbed his coat and went outside, totally ignoring Magnus.

He started driving home at high speed. But as he passed a bakery halfway there, Joseph stopped and picked out two boxes of cakes. When he arrived home, it was almost dark and the sky was still glowing with glowing pink clouds.

The house was bustling with laughter and giggles coming from the playroom on the second floor.

When Joseph opened the door, Hayden was standing on the floor with both hands covered in flour. He was pointing at Stella, who was playing wildly on the trampoline.

Hayden stamped his foot. “Get off, Stella Downey, stop playing. I’m going to get dinner ready, no one is watching you and you can fall on the floor.” Then he turned and added, “And what’s your case, Noah? Your wound hasn’t healed yet and you’re still playing with it.”

With one hand holding the door, Joseph marveled at the sight before him. Noah had always been a quiet boy, but now he was rolling around with Stella on the trampoline dressed as Spiderman. He even imitated Spiderman from time to time and pretended to throw webs.

Did he look like he had suffered a fracture?

After Hayden warned them, they looked at each other and stuck their tongues out before behaving themselves and climbing down.

“Stay that way, got it? Behave yourselves and you can play when I’m done making dinner, did you hear me?”. Hayden pointed to Stella’s nose, “You should take care of Noah, don’t ask him to play crazy with you. His fracture is still not healed and his arm is still in a cast.”

Stella smiled and grumbled sheepishly, “Okay, okay. Got it, Mommy, we won’t play on the trampoline.”

Satisfied with her behavior, Hayden turned and walked away.

Because he had been keeping the children in his peripheral vision, Hayden didn’t notice anyone at the door on his way out. He then slammed into Joseph’s chest.

As Hayden recovered from the pain, he clearly saw the man in front of him. Panicked, he immediately backed away and then stopped.

“Ah!” Hayden shouted. His forehead slammed directly into Joseph’s hard chest. Hayden calmed down and saw the two white handprints on Joseph’s black shirt, from which flour was still dripping.

Joseph’s face darkened.

“I’m sorry.” Hayden rushed over to him, “Let me take that off.”

As he spoke, Hayden used his hands to remove the flour from Joseph’s shirt. The handprints were gone, but his entire chest was covered with flour, which Joseph choked on.

He covered his mouth with his hand and kept coughing. Then he shoved her away. “Hayden Downey, are you…are you trying to get back at your boss? ….”.

Hayden kept shaking his head like it was a rattle. “No, I wasn’t planning on doing that. It was a mistake and a misunderstanding. I was making dinner and kneading a moment ago. Who knew you were at the door?”

“So you’re saying it was my fault?”

“You’re the one standing in the doorway hiding and not making any noise.” Hayden muttered, feeling a little guilty.

Joseph’s eyes darkened and his tone became more serious. “Hayden Downey, have I been too nice to you lately?”

“No, not at all.” Hayden waved his hand and began to calmly state his reasons.

“You see. The reason I was kneading dough was because I wanted to make pies for your son, I soiled his shirt for the same reason. So, his son or his shirt, which is more important?”.

Joseph didn’t know what to say. He frowned, he didn’t plan to argue with her anymore. So he changed the subject. “We have servants in this house, why are you cooking? I invited you to be our guest, not to cook dinner for us. Don’t say I’m taking advantage of you again later.”

“How are the dishes made by me going to be the same as those made by the servants?” Hayden rolled his eyes and raised his fine eyebrows. “Believe it or not, if you make Noah cakes now, even if they’re not as delicious as the ones the servants make, Noah will be extremely happy.”

“Don’t bother, I’ve already bought them.” Joseph showed Hayden the two boxes of pies in his hand.

“What you buy is nothing like what you make yourself.” Something suddenly occurred to Hayden, “Are you free tonight?”

Joseph looked at her and replied tersely, “Yes.”

“Very well then. Come on, follow me to the kitchen. I’ll teach you how to make dough and bake pies. Come on.”

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