Chapter 175 A Winner in Life
Ethan, who trained in boxing, was much stronger than Alva. He gave the bully a cold warning, his voice steady and intimidating.
"Alva, if you keep picking on your classmates, I'll have Sam tell his dad, and let me tell you, his dad is a big deal; even the principal gets nervous around him. One word to the principal from Sam's dad, and you could be kicked out of preschool."
Sam remained silent.
Emma circled around the table and pulled Josie behind her.
"From now on, Josie is my friend. You mess with my friend, and I'll turn your face into mashed potatoes," she threatened.
Josie was ecstatic as she hid behind Emma's back. Emma had agreed to be her friend!
It was fantastic; she had friends at last.
She wasn't alone anymore.
Josie felt a swell of happiness in her heart.
Alva was so scared he was about to cry. The teacher, noticing the commotion, saw Alva, Josie, and Emma and instantly felt a headache forming.
These kids together looked like they were ready for a rumble.
Cute and yet so troublesome.
The teacher stepped in, separated the kids, and after getting the story, made Alva apologize to Josie and gave him some behavioral guidance.
Alva was a repeat offender; he apologized but would likely pick on others again soon.
But today, he was slapped by the timid Josie, and he felt wronged. He decided to tell his mom about it.
After her bold move, Josie anxiously awaited her mom to pick her up; she was too afraid to bring up the incident.
Daisy was so engrossed in her chat that she didn't notice Josie was acting strange since getting into the car.
Once Emma took Josie under her wing, she devoted herself to looking out for her. If that little bully went whining to his mom, she'd round up a whole bunch of kids to testify that he started it.
Humph, Josie was hers now, and Emma was determined to protect her.
She needed a little sister anyway, even though Josie was older, Emma would still be her big sister.
Ethan was the big brother, Sam the little brother, and now Josie the little sister. Emma felt like she was on top of the world.
Hmm, it seemed she was still missing a big sister though.
...
With a godmother like that, life for Ethan and Emma was much easier.
Today, with their 'bad guy' dad out on a business trip, they could visit their great-grandmother without any worries.
They wondered how she was feeling lately.
They packed all the sweet treats their mom had made the night before to bring to their great-grandmother.
Madam Lancaster had been feeling under the weather lately and just chalked it up to poor sleep, refusing a visit from the family doctor. Gabriel was at a loss with his grandma's stubbornness, leaving Betty to keep a close watch, with instructions to take her to the hospital at any sign of trouble.
Betty was genuinely concerned about Madam Lancaster's health. With her advancing age and the series of hardships she had faced, it was a wonder she maintained any vigor.
That morning, Betty was pleasantly surprised to see Madam Lancaster bustling about with energy. It wasn't until she heard Madam Lancaster instructing the kitchen staff to prepare some delicious treats that Betty remembered Sam mentioning Ethan and Emma were coming over that day.
Just past nine, the sound of a car pulling up could be heard outside.
"Madam Lancaster, they've arrived," Betty said, notifying her.
Madam Lancaster moved to greet them, but Betty interjected, "Please, let me go. You just take it easy."
There was no need for Betty to step in, as Ethan, Emma, and their new friend Josie bounded in, darting straight to the living room to envelop Madam Lancaster in a warm embrace.
"Great-grandma, we're here to keep you company!"
"That's wonderful, my dears. Having you here makes me very happy."
"How are you feeling, great-grandma?" Emma asked tenderly, eyeing her great-grandmother with concern. She noticed her deep wrinkles, her pale complexion, and particularly, the pallor of her lips.
"With you kids around, I feel completely recovered," Madam Lancaster replied, her face breaking into a broad smile.
"Great-grandma, these are pastries Mom made just for you," Ethan presented the little treats.
Madam Lancester raised an eyebrow in pleasant surprise, "Your mommy can make pastries?"
"Yeah, she's pretty amazing. Her cooking is fantastic too!" Emma exclaimed proudly.
A wave of nostalgia washed over Madam Lancaster. Sophia used to do all of this – carefully planning each meal, preparing nourishing soups, and always sparing the sugar when she baked. Tasting a piece of the pastry, Madam Lancaster was struck by a familiar flavor... it was reminiscent of Sophia's baking.
Delighted, she praised them, "These are delicious. You have a very talented mother."
Ethan and Emma basked in the compliment and beamed with pride.
"By the way, what do your parents do for work?" Madam Lancaster inquired.
She was always curious about what sort of parents raised such adorable twins. Although any previous attempts to learn more had been skillfully deflected by Emma's playful antics, Madam Lancaster hadn’t pressed the issue. But now, even after DNA results had confirmed that Ethan and Emma were not descendants of the Lancaster family, she harbored lingering doubts.
Sam was introverted. He preferred solitude, rarely interacted with strangers, and was deeply engrossed in his own world. How, then, were Ethan and Emma able to reach him and gain his companionship so effortlessly?
And what brought them to her side, willing to spend time with an old lady they had no obvious obligation to?
The kids bore such a striking resemblance to their grandfather in his youth that she refused to believe there was no relation. So, she had someone do some digging.
But they came up empty-handed!
Mrs. Lancaster feared she might be barking up the wrong tree and hadn't dared to tell Gabriel. If Gabriel were to intervene, maybe he could unearth some clues, but she knew it would only break the children's hearts.
Ethan and Emma were always on guard for their great-grandma's questions about their parents.
Emma said, "My mommy's a designer; she makes these little trinkets and plays the violin too."
Her statement was a mix of truth and fiction. Mrs. Lancaster assumed she meant a jewelry designer, although Sophia wasn't really adept with the violin—her talent lay with the piano.
Ethan chimed in, "My daddy's a businessman; he’s always on trips. He's so busy he hardly has time for Emma and me."
Their no-good daddy was indeed a businessman, and sure enough, he was busy—too busy to care for them, mainly because he didn't even know they existed.
When the little guy talked about his dad, a hint of resentment unwittingly seeped into his gaze.
Madam Lancaster's eyebrows arched at this. The children harbored resentment towards their own father, signaling his failure to step up.
No matter how busy, a father should make time to be with his children, right?
And shouldn't their mother be guiding them as well?
Something still felt off to Madam Lancaster.
"Sweethearts, your daddy is wrong for neglecting you because of work. Next time I see him, I will give him a piece of my mind."
Ethan and Emma nodded obediently, while Sam looked on, bemused.
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