Chapter 440 Dad is Here
Watching Yvette's slender figure from behind, Clifford felt a tightness in his chest.
They said she came from a humble background and dressed poorly, but for a man in love, none of that mattered.
But those two kids weren't Albert's.
As a man, he knew no man would willingly raise another man's children.
If that was the case, Yvette must have had a tough time in the Valdemar family.
Marrying into such a prestigious family, if her husband didn't support her, it wasn't just the Valdemar family who would bully her. Even outsiders would gossip behind her back.
Clifford clenched his fists and strode over to Yvette.
Yvette was standing in line when a man suddenly appeared beside her. She thought he was another parent in a hurry to pick up their child, so she moved aside a bit.
"Are you here to pick up your kids?" Clifford asked suddenly.
Yvette looked up, realizing Clifford was talking to her.
It seemed odd to her. Standing in line at a preschool, what else would she be doing if not picking up her kids?
Out of politeness, Yvette nodded. "Yeah."
As she spoke, she recognized Clifford as the man who had bought his daughter a toy car as a gift last time.
Yvette relaxed a bit and smiled slightly. "Are you here to pick up your daughter, too? Which class is she in?"
Clifford pressed his lips together and looked at Yvette seriously. "Niamh isn't my daughter. She's my niece."
He paused and emphasized, "I'm her uncle."
Yvette gave an awkward smile, realizing he was sensitive about being mistaken for the child's father.
She quickly apologized, "Sorry, my mistake."
Just then, BoBo and CiCi were dismissed from school. Yvette didn't say more to Clifford and led her two kids aside, taking out some cookies from her bag.
"Here's a little treat from Mommy. Do you like it?"
BoBo and CiCi's eyes lit up. "We love it!"
Clifford watched this warm scene, feeling a bit moved.
He had thought her husband would treat her well, making her bloom like a delicate flower.
"Uncle!"
A child's voice, filled with discontent, called out to Clifford.
He turned to see Niamh coming out of school.
He squatted down and took Niamh's hand. "School's out?"
"Why are you picking me up again? Where are Mom and Dad?" Niamh pouted.
Clifford's gaze remained on Yvette as he replied casually, "Your teacher wanted to talk to a parent, and they were too scared to come, so they sent me."
"Well, when are you going in? The teacher said she'd talk to you after the other kids leave."
Niamh followed Clifford's gaze and saw Yvette and her kids.
Excited, Niamh pulled Clifford towards them. "BoBo, CiCi!"
Clifford raised an eyebrow, surprised. "You know them?"
"We're best friends in preschool!"
"Hey, Niamh!" BoBo and CiCi said in unison. "Want a cookie?"
Niamh smiled sweetly, took a cookie, and glanced at Clifford. "Uncle, look at their mom. She brings gifts and snacks."
Clifford sighed and patted Niamh's head. "I'm here to get scolded. Be glad I didn't forget you, let alone bring snacks."
Clifford looked up, catching a glimpse of Yvette's delicate face, pleasantly surprised by the close interaction.
Yvette kept her head down, her gaze gentle as she watched the three kids chat and eat snacks together.
Suddenly, a sense of pressure made Yvette look up, seeing Albert getting out of his car.
His eyes locked onto her, making Yvette instinctively nervous.
She composed herself and told the kids, "Say goodbye to Niamh. We'll eat more at home."
CiCi followed Yvette's gaze and pointed towards Albert. "Daddy's here."
Clifford realized Yvette's sudden anxiety was because her husband had arrived.
Albert walked over with a commanding presence, making Clifford frown at his overbearing aura.
It seemed Yvette lived cautiously, always watching Albert's mood.
The three kids quickly said their goodbyes, and Yvette led her children towards Albert.
Clifford watched them leave, his expression dark, until Niamh tugged at his sleeve. "Uncle, are you still going in to get scolded?"
Yvette held her kids' hands as they approached Albert.
Seeing Albert's gaze on Clifford, she felt a bit tense.
Even though she and Clifford had stood far apart, with Albert's current level of surveillance, Yvette couldn't help but worry.
CiCi looked up and called out, "Daddy, why are you picking us up today?"
CiCi's sweet, innocent voice instantly softened Albert's stern demeanor.
Albert said, "I was late."
CiCi proudly showed her cookies. "It's okay. Mommy brought us cookies!"
Albert asked softly, "Ready to go home?"
"Yes!" CiCi nodded, climbing into the car and reaching for her backpack, but then pouted. "Oh no! BoBo, I forgot my water bottle!"
BoBo frowned. "I gave it to you after school."
"But I took another sip and left it on the table."
Seeing CiCi's face scrunch up, about to cry, Yvette quickly reassured her. "It's okay, CiCi. Mommy will get it for you."
Before Yvette could get out, Albert said, "I'll go."
He closed the car door and headed towards the preschool.
Albert found CiCi's water bottle in the classroom and was about to leave when a voice called out.
"Mr. Valdemar."
Albert paused and turned to see a man approaching.
The man walked up to Albert, both of them standing eye to eye.
Albert instantly recognized him as the man who had been talking to Yvette at the preschool gate.
Sensing the hostility in the man's eyes, Albert frowned. "What do you want?"
Clifford's expression was serious, his tone filled with restrained anger. "Mr. Valdemar, do you know how many people were gossiping about your wife at the school gate just now?"
Albert's eyes narrowed. "And why should that concern you?"
Clifford took a step closer, his voice low but firm. "Because it's your job to protect her. She shouldn't have to deal with that kind of talk."
Albert's jaw tightened. "You don't know anything about our situation."
Clifford's eyes flashed with determination. "Maybe not, but I know she deserves better than this."
Albert's gaze hardened. "Stay out of our business."
Clifford didn't back down. "Someone needs to stand up for her if you won't."
Albert's fists clenched, but he kept his voice steady. "This is your last warning. Stay away from my family."
Clifford watched as Albert turned and walked away, his mind racing with thoughts of Yvette and the life she was enduring.
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