Chapter 778 Johnny, Do You Regret It?
For a while, Natalie didn't see Grant.
But when she visited The Hawkins Mansion, she overheard Lola mention him. She was taken aback—Johnny was going to work with Grant?
Would that mean she'd have to see Grant at many events?
Natalie didn't want that at all.
The feud between their families meant she and Grant could never be together. She left no room for reconciliation when she broke up with him years ago. The hurtful words she said had even stunned her.
Years had passed, and she had never wavered. She never imagined reuniting with him, but fate had a way of bringing them back together.
Natalie thought,' Maybe she should go back to Copenhagen.'
Lola could read her thoughts instantly. After sipping half a cup of coffee, she smiled, "You're not gonna run back to Copenhagen because of this, are you? That's not like you. But then again, it is... You did go abroad back then, didn't you?"
Natalie pouted and playfully told Lola not to tease her.
Lola thought for a moment and then said seriously, "Going home might be a good idea."
She reached out to stroke Natalie's hair and thought,' Given the Devereux family's status, Natalie would be much happier marrying anyone other than Grant.'
Natalie leaned against Lola's arm and felt a bit reluctant to leave.
As dinner time approached, Johnny arrived, bringing Austin and Angelina back with him.
As soon as they entered, Stella, who was walking around the sofa, ran over.
She opened her arms, wanting Johnny to pick her up.
Johnny bent down to lift her. His leg had improved a lot, and he stood firmly after a small step back. He kissed Stella and straightened her pretty little dress.
Stella hugged Johnny's neck and kissed him.
It was a milky, slobbery kiss.
Johnny didn't mind. He hugged her and kissed her again, then looked at Natalie and said, "Natalie, you're here. We're having your favorite lemongrass grilled fish tonight."
Natalie, still holding onto Lola's arm, gently said, "Thanks, Johnny."
Johnny replied, "Don't thank me yet! I need to discuss something with Lola."
Johnny sat on the sofa opposite, holding Stella. Natalie, being very perceptive, knew something good was coming. She picked Stella up and said, "Let's go to the kitchen and find some treats."
Stella wanted to keep playing with Johnny.
She pouted in protest.
Natalie gave her a big kiss. "You're too cute."
In no time, she whisked Stella away. Within two hours, Johnny had transferred $200,000 into her account as pocket money, so she loved both Stella and Johnny.
When the hall was empty, Lola quietly asked, "It's not the weekend. Why did you pick up Austin and Angelina?"
Johnny silently watched her.
Though it was winter, the temperature inside the mansion was like spring. Lola wore a silk blouse and black pants. Her long black hair was recently curled, making her look stunning.
After a while, his voice was slightly hoarse, "Austin's class has an event that requires parents to participate. He asked me, and I signed the permission slip. Lola, see if you're available this Saturday."
Lola looked at him.
After a moment, she picked up her cup, drank the remaining coffee, and put it down. "You've already decided, so why ask me?"
Johnny picked up the cup and gently played with it.
He said, "I just don't want to disappoint Austin."
Lola smiled faintly and agreed. There was a bit of ambiguity between them, and the servants setting the table in the dining room were all smiling discreetly.
Johnny cleared his throat and asked Lola, "How's it going with that young man?"
Lola didn't answer directly.
She neither confirmed nor denied it, casually flipping through a magazine. "Same as always."
Johnny fell silent.
He didn't dare ask further, as it would seem too deliberate.
At that moment, Austin stood on the stairs, his usually indifferent face slightly flushed, clearly having overheard his parents' conversation and feeling secretly happy.
Lola looked up and saw him. She gently said, "Go call Angelina down for dinner."
Austin nodded and turned to call Angelina. He was so happy that he ate a lot at dinner and even fed Stella.
Natalie watched in amazement.
She thought, thank goodness Gavin didn't have this habit of feeding his sister when he was happy, or she would have been very chubby as a child.
After dinner, Johnny didn't stay overnight at The Hawkins Mansion. As he was about to leave, Lola called him over, "Can you give Natalie a ride home? She's been feeling down lately, and I don't want her driving so late."
Johnny was about to light a cigarette but put it away when he heard this.
He agreed, "Sure, I'll take her home."
As he was about to leave, Lola softly added, "Tell Jared to drive slowly. It's a bit foggy tonight. And you should get some rest and remember to soak your feet."
Johnny's gaze deepened as he looked at Lola. She was stunning under the crystal chandelier in the foyer.
At that moment, she was so gentle.
No man would want to leave.
But he hadn't forgotten they were separated and it wasn't appropriate to be alone together. So, he took one last deep look at her and turned to leave.
Lola quietly watched his back.
She slowly leaned against the wall in the foyer and smiled.
*
On Saturday morning, Lola received a package from Felicity.
It was a white T-shirt with "Austin Wins" written on it.
Felicity's note read, 'Mr. Flores has one too, as per Austin's request.'
Lola leaned back in her leather chair, holding the card and smiling.
At 3 PM, she put on the white T-shirt under her coat and drove to Austin's school. The event was held in the indoor gym, so parents wearing T-shirts wouldn't be cold.
Johnny was already there.
He was also wearing the "Austin Wins" white T-shirt. He was naturally handsome, but years in business had given him a sharp, unapproachable aura. Wearing this T-shirt made him look much younger like he was in his thirties.
He sat on the grass, looking at Lola, with a hint of a hidden spark in his eyes.
Lola walked over and sat beside him.
"Looking good."
"You too."
They spoke almost simultaneously and then couldn't help but laugh together. Johnny's tone carried a hint of nostalgia, "Remember when we were in school? In the blink of an eye, our kids are this big."
Lola looked at him, "You still look great! Quite a few moms are eyeing you."
Johnny quickly replied, "I don't want them looking."
He only wanted one person to look at him, and that was enough.
Lola didn't respond immediately. After a long pause, she spoke in a low voice, "Johnny, weren't you the one who said it was over? Are you regretting it now?"
He didn't answer, his gaze deep.
Just as the atmosphere between them grew more intimate, Austin ran over and sat between them. "The competition is about to start."
He was still worried about Johnny's leg, afraid he'd get tired or hurt.
Johnny patted his head, "This amount of exercise is nothing. Your mom and I will definitely win first place for you."
He was confident because he and Lola had grown up together and had played this three-legged race countless times. They had perfect coordination.
Austin nodded, still quite concerned, because his classmates often pointed out that his parents were divorced and that he and Angelina didn't have a dad. Once, Angelina was even brought to tears but didn't dare tell Lola.
So this time, with both his parents here, he was very happy.
As expected, the race was a breeze for Lola and Johnny. Even with his leg not fully healed, they easily took first place.
When it was time to receive the trophy, Austin went on stage, his face slightly red.
He rarely felt this happy.
Just as the trophy was about to be handed over, a kid shouted, "They must have cheated! Austin's dad is a cripple. How could they win first place?"
"Cripple, they definitely cheated."
The kid's parent was too scared to speak, quickly covering his son's mouth. But all the parents present heard it, and no one dared to speak up.
Someone had the nerve to call Johnny, a billionaire, a cripple.
Before anyone could react, Austin charged forward and kicked the kid hard in the ribs. Tears in his eyes, he shouted, "Say that again, and I'll make you a cripple too!"
The scene was chaotic. The parent didn't dare retaliate, just moved his son away. Austin was about to go after him again when Johnny stepped in, holding Austin back.
He held Austin tightly against him.
Austin cried in his arms, his sobs muffled and heartbroken. He kept apologizing to Johnny because he knew how proud Johnny was and how he couldn't stand being called a cripple.
Johnny held him tightly. When Austin calmed down a bit, he kissed the top of his head and softly said, "Daddy doesn't care! Austin, please stop crying."
Austin continued to cry, "They bully Angelina too. They make fun of her. Once, she even cried."
Johnny's body tensed.
Lola, gently patting Austin, also felt her fingers tremble slightly.
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