Chapter 406 He Found Out
"Is Jennifer running away to dodge punishment? And what about Samuel?" Michael asked after a moment of thought.
Ronnie responded quickly, "Samuel's in the burn unit. He's slathered in burn ointment and can barely move his hands and feet. Even talking is tough for him. His sister Margaret couldn't accept her disfigurement from the burns and smashed everything she could in the ward."
Michael instructed, "Alright, got it. Make sure someone keeps an eye on Pearl and Nolan, but do it discreetly. We don't want to freak them out."
"Yes, Mr. Thomas."
Michael hung up, pulled back the curtains, and headed out.
He needed to pick out clothes for Pearl quickly.
By the time Michael got back to Whispering Pines Estates, it was completely dark.
Dean had just finished dinner with Pearl and Nolan. Seeing Michael come in, he smiled and said, "Bad timing, man. We just finished eating and didn't save you any dinner."
Nolan didn't even glance at Michael. He didn't want to stay in the living room and share the same space with him. With a cold expression, he silently went upstairs.
Pearl looked at Michael and then at Nolan.
She saw the hopeful look in Michael's eyes, bit her lip, hesitated for a couple of seconds, and then followed Nolan upstairs.
In the first-floor hall, Michael watched Pearl's small figure disappear up the stairs and felt he had a long way to go to earn the kids' trust.
Especially Nolan, who, despite his young age, carried a heavy heart. Michael didn't know how to make him happy.
Dean noticed Michael's dejected expression and walked over. "Michael, your own kids treat you like this. Feeling defeated?"
Michael shook his head. "I was at fault first."
Dean was surprised. "Wow, Michael! You're actually admitting fault!"
Michael looked at him with displeasure. "Am I that unreasonable?"
Dean scoffed. "Aren't you? Why is Elizabeth abroad now, separated from the kids? Ever thought about that?"
Michael knew Elizabeth's departure to Valoria was partly his fault. If he hadn't angered her back then, she wouldn't have gone so far away.
He lowered his head and said softly, "I know. I'll go find her and bring her back myself."
Dean's eyes widened again. "Michael, I gotta hand it to you, man. You've got some real guts and humility."
Michael gave him a sidelong glance. "Save the sarcasm, Dean."
Dean chuckled. "Are you here to give Pearl a gift? Did you prepare anything for Nolan?"
Seeing Michael's troubled expression, Dean's face immediately changed. He walked over and whispered, "Michael! I'm not blaming you, but look at yourself!"
"You can't just prepare a gift for Pearl because she forgave you and ignore Nolan because he doesn't talk to you! What are you thinking? Do you want Nolan to accept you or not?"
Michael remained silent.
Dean sighed heavily. "Michael, if you want to fix this, you need my help. You've been out of their lives for so many years. Expecting them to accept you right away isn't realistic."
Michael handed over a bag. "I did prepare something for Nolan."
Dean took it and patted Michael's shoulder with a smile. "Good, you're being sensible."
Michael gave him a sideways glance.
Dean wasn't intimidated. "Don't look at me like that, as if you want to kill me with your eyes."
Upstairs, Pearl went to the room and immediately closed the door.
"Nolan, are you upset?"
"Pearl, do you like Michael now?"
Pearl lowered her head, clutching her clothes, and sneaked a glance at Nolan. "Nolan, I called him 'Dad.' Are you mad at me? Will you ignore me?"
Nolan's face grew colder. "Whether you call him 'Dad' is your choice. You don't need to worry about my feelings."
Pearl felt even more guilty. "Nolan, if you're unhappy, I won't talk to him anymore! He never took care of us before!"
Nolan looked up. "Then why did you suddenly call him 'Dad'?"
Pearl had never hidden anything from Nolan. She told him about the woman who had kidnapped her.
"Nolan, it was my fault. I shouldn't have taken his things secretly. Now, the box has been taken by the bad guys. Dad... Michael didn't blame me. He comforted me and wants to give me a Christmas gift. I think he's not that bad."
Nolan, still resentful, replied, "But he knew about us long ago and didn't treat us well. He even wanted to strangle us."
Pearl looked at Nolan's angry little face, walked over, and took his hand. "Nolan, if you're unhappy, I won't see him or forgive him."
Nolan pulled his hand away and sat at the desk. "You go ahead. He's here for you."
He gently pushed Pearl out the door. "You should sleep in your room. Don't come looking for me."
Pearl stood outside the door, pouting in frustration. "Nolan, do you really want to treat me like this?"
Dean had already come upstairs, carrying two gift bags.
"Pearl, here, Michael sent you a gift."
"Where is he? Why didn't he give it to me himself?"
"He didn't want to make you uncomfortable, so he left the gift and went back."
Pearl lowered her head, thinking that Michael must have noticed her and Nolan's awkwardness.
She hesitated for a moment but decided to take the bag. She took it and went back to her room.
Dean gently knocked on Nolan's door, and Nolan opened it, looking at him quietly.
Dean scratched his head. "Uh, Nolan, Michael sent you a Christmas gift. Open it and take a look."
Nolan had thought Michael only brought a gift for Pearl.
Did he have one too?
Dean placed the bag on Nolan's desk, left, and closed the door.
In the quiet bedroom, Nolan looked at the bag with mixed feelings. He hesitated and then opened it.
Inside the box was the latest model of a children's smartwatch. It could make calls, send messages, take photos, and had GPS and emergency SOS features.
With this watch, he could call Elizabeth and Dean whenever he went out.
Nolan opened the contacts list, and there were already three contacts: Elizabeth, Michael, and Dean.
Nolan's usually cold lips finally curled up slightly.
The watch beeped, indicating a new message.
Nolan immediately opened it. The message was from Michael, a simple word: [Sorry.]
Nolan's smile deepened. He placed the watch on the desk and went to wash up.
Dean returned to his room and started a video call with Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth, Michael just left."
"What did he come for? Did he do anything to Nolan?"
Dean scratched his head. "Elizabeth, he came to give Pearl and Nolan Christmas gifts."
"Did they accept?"
"Pearl seemed happy. I'm not sure about Nolan's reaction, but he accepted it."
Elizabeth nodded. "He didn't want the kids back then. Now, if he wants to reconnect with them, he needs to show some attitude and sincerity."
"Exactly. Getting the kids to accept him won't be easy. By the way, Elizabeth, he might know about the surgeries you did for Eloise."
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