Chapter 532 The Grand Finale
Three years later.
In the back garden of Serenity Grove Manor.
"Atticus, couldn't you just humor your father a little?" Victoria sighed as she tried to reason with her son.
At four years old, Atticus was quite the chatterbox and quite the handful too. He had a knack for irritating his father daily, yet was perfectly behaved around her.
That was one small comfort—at least she didn't come home to chaos.
Over these four years, both little ones had grown and changed. The Atticus before her was the spitting image of Alexander—that handsome face perfectly replicated.
They were identical in every way.
Even down to that cold, aloof expression they both wore.
Atticus let out a little huff, his voice both cool and childishly soft, "I don't want to. Dad's just stingy. I only want to please Mommy and Yasmin."
Victoria fell silent.
This competition for her affection between father and son was becoming quite the headache.
Neither would give an inch.
Atticus was half-lying against the tiger, looking completely at ease. "Besides, Dad has Yasmin to keep him company, and you have me. That's how it should be."
"Then could you try not to upset your father next time?" Victoria attempted to negotiate.
Atticus rolled his little eyes thoughtfully. "Depends on the situation."
Atticus was the only one who wasn't afraid of his father. No matter how dark Alexander's expression became, Atticus acted as if he couldn't see it, deliberately provoking Alexander further.
Gradually, Alexander had grown accustomed to his son's antics.
But still she was the one who had to smooth things over.
Even though it was Atticus who angered Alexander, it was she who paid the price when they made love.
Her back had been aching for days.
If this continued, she wouldn't be able to handle it.
So, she decided to convince Atticus to behave.
Victoria pulled Atticus into her arms and asked very seriously, "Atticus, would you like Mommy to spend more time with you?"
Atticus blinked his round eyes, his childish voice absolutely certain, "Of course."
"Then we need to stop arguing with your father and try not to upset him so much. Can we do that?"
Atticus thought carefully, furrowing his little brow. "If I do that, will you spend more time with me?"
"Yes," Victoria nodded.
Atticus pouted his lips, then patted his chest proudly. "Alright then, for Mommy's sake, I can be flexible."
"That's my good boy."
Over the next week, Alexander noticed that his typically defiant son had suddenly become well-behaved.
It was quite remarkable.
Currently playing with toys in the corner of the living room with Yasmin, Alexander called out, "Atticus, come here for a moment."
Atticus pondered for a second but obediently got up and walked over.
Before leaving, he said to the adorable Yasmin, "Wait for me, I'll be back to play with you."
Yasmin's eyes sparkled, her long curved eyelashes fluttering against her skin, looking utterly charming.
"Atticus, be nice when you talk to Daddy, okay?" Yasmin said in her sweet, soft voice.
Father and son stared at each other for several seconds.
Sawyer and Dylan watched nervously from the side, concerned for Atticus.
Atticus spoke first, "Dad, did you need something?"
Alexander didn't respond immediately, instead reaching out to feel his forehead.
He thought to himself, 'No fever.'
Atticus was internally exasperated. "Dad, my brain works just fine."
Sawyer and Dylan remained silent.
Alexander looked at the little boy before him and asked, "Have you been up to something I should know about?"
His son was good in many ways, but mischievous to a fault.
Atticus was constantly causing trouble. Despite his young age, he was already a computer whiz, frequently hacking into Alexander's computer while he worked, or infiltrating the company's system to send jokes to everyone, somehow becoming everyone's friend in the process. Sometimes he'd interrupt meetings by hijacking the projector to play children's cartoons or movies.
Alexander had no idea where Atticus had learned these skills.
He certainly hadn't arranged for anyone to teach him.
What Alexander didn't know was that Victoria had secretly taught him everything.
Victoria had initially planned to tell Alexander, but after seeing Atticus's pranks, she'd decided against it to avoid getting herself into trouble.
Alexander had subsequently banned Atticus from using electronic devices, but there were always loopholes. It was impossible to prevent completely.
"Why would you ask that, Dad?" Atticus countered.
Alexander was direct. "Because you've been acting strange lately."
"How am I acting strange?"
"You're being too well-behaved."
Atticus was speechless.
He repeated to himself silently, 'Don't get angry. I promised Mommy I'd be a good boy.'
At this point, Sawyer intervened, "Mr. Atticus Howard is simply growing up and becoming more mature. It's perfectly normal, Mr. Alexander Howard. No need to worry."
"Mr. Atticus Howard, Mr. Alexander Howard is just concerned about you, don't take it the wrong way," Sawyer added kindly, looking at Atticus.
Though only four, Atticus understood far more than most children his age. He was exceptionally bright.
Atticus lowered his head slightly and muttered, "As if I care."
"What did you say?" Alexander questioned.
"I said I care about you, Dad," Atticus quickly raised his head and replied. "Dad, don't worry, I won't make you angry anymore. And if I'm going to upset you, I'll warn you in advance so you can be prepared."
Alexander's mood had improved upon hearing the first part, but the second part immediately soured it again.
So, he was supposed to be grateful for the advance notice?
Dylan sighed deeply and remained silent.
When it came to irritating Alexander, Atticus was in a league of his own.
As expected, Atticus was once again sent to the study for a time-out.
Before going, he made sure to say goodbye to Yasmin, "Yasmin, I have to go to time-out in the study again. I'll come back to play with you later."
Yasmin wasn't surprised; this was routine by now. "Okay."
Whenever Atticus was called away by his father, he never came back to play with her right away.
That evening.
After Victoria returned home, Yasmin told her that Atticus had been put in time-out again.
After her shower, she tucked both children into bed, then returned to the bedroom where Alexander had just emerged from the bathroom. "Darling, hasn't Atticus been quite well-behaved lately? What did he do to upset you today?" she asked.
Alexander wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close, and looked down at her. "Didn't Atticus tell you?"
Victoria shook her head, her hands resting on his shoulders.
Alexander leaned down and whispered a few words in her ear.
After hearing them, she burst into laughter. "That shows he still cares about you."
Alexander chuckled softly. "Should I thank him for that?"
"It wouldn't be the worst idea."
Soon, Alexander and Victoria were lost in the throes of passion.
After a week's respite, an intense lovemaking session was about to unfold.
The next day.
At dawn.
Atticus, as was his habit, ran straight for the master bedroom as soon as he woke up.
But today he couldn't get in—Alexander had locked the door the night before.
So early in the morning, the Serenity Grove Manor echoed with the sound of banging and shouting.
Alexander and Victoria were jolted awake by the noise.
Outside the door, Atticus was banging and shouting, "I want Mommy! I want Mommy! You've had her all night, it's time to give her back to me!"
A servant was trying to reason with him, "Mr. Atticus Howard, it's only six o'clock. Mr. Alexander Howard and Mrs. Howard are still resting. Could we perhaps come back later?"
"No! I want Mommy!"
Atticus kept repeating the same phrase over and over.
Inside the room, Alexander and Victoria were used to this commotion by now.
Victoria was exhausted and soon fell back asleep.
This scene played out every day, and everyone had grown accustomed to it.
Yasmin stood nearby, clutching a toy rabbit, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she quietly watched Atticus. "Atticus, save your energy."
When Atticus ignored her advice, Yasmin sighed and turned to go back to her room to continue sleeping.
Atticus was certainly clever, but sometimes he didn't apply his intelligence in the right ways.
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