Chapter 444 A Photo with Evidence
Clifford held Niamh's hand as they walked into the Hayes Mansion, but Niamh quickly pulled away.
"Mom!" Niamh shouted, "Help me, Mom!"
Anais walked out slowly, barely glancing at her. "Fighting with your uncle again?"
"No," Niamh clung to Anais's leg, "Uncle's gone crazy."
Anais looked up, surprised by Clifford's dark expression. It was rare to see him so upset and irritated.
Anais whispered, "What's wrong, Clifford? What happened?"
Clifford pressed his lips together, not saying a word.
Just then, a woman came running out, "Clifford!"
When she saw Clifford, Ingrid's face lit up with a pleased and fawning smile. She approached him, trying to be cute and concerned. "Clifford, you're back! What's wrong? Bad day?"
Already irritated, Clifford's mood worsened at the sight of Ingrid.
He ignored her and walked straight to the living room.
Ingrid, sensing Clifford's coldness and disdain, didn't show it. She followed him closely, not missing a step.
"Clifford, why are you so late today? Busy at work, so you're in a bad mood?"
Clifford shot Anais a warning look.
Though Anais was his older sister and often bullied Clifford, she got a bit nervous seeing him genuinely upset. She quickly leaned in to explain, "Clifford, don't be mad at me. She's here on behalf of the Valdemar Family. Her parents are upstairs talking business with Dad. I couldn't just kick her out, right?"
Clifford snorted but didn't glare at her anymore.
Niamh, having just received some snacks from Ingrid, quickly offered up some information. "Ingrid, my uncle was late today because he had to pick me up."
"Well, Niamh is so pretty and sweet. I'd want to pick you up too!" Ingrid said with a smile. "If I become part of the Hayes family, I'll bring you treats every day."
"Really?" Niamh asked excitedly, "When will that happen?"
Ingrid pretended to be shy, "You'd have to ask your uncle."
Clifford couldn't take it anymore. "Don't talk about such nonsense with a child."
"Oh, I was just joking!" Ingrid's eyes darted around. "Clifford, do you like kids? Is that why you often pick up Niamh?"
Her gaze fell on Niamh's backpack, "I like kids too. I have a cousin's kids who might be in the same preschool as Niamh! If you like kids, I could arrange for my cousin's twins to hang out with Niamh."
Clifford wasn't really listening to her. He was about to head upstairs when Niamh suddenly spoke up.
Niamh, munching on her snack, asked indistinctly, "Ingrid, twins? Are you talking about BoBo and CiCi? They're my good friends!"
Clifford paused on the stairs. "You mean, you're close with their family and can arrange playdates?"
"Of course!" Ingrid's eyes sparkled with excitement as Clifford finally spoke to her. "Albert and I are very close. We grew up together, and he's always been good to me!"
Clifford walked up to Ingrid, "How's their family doing?"
Yvette sat in a quiet room, lost in her book.
Sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting a serene glow on her desk. Yvette's long hair gently draped over her shoulders, giving her an elegant and graceful appearance.
Her eyes were focused and serious, immersed in the world of medical literature.
It was as if she had returned to the deep, steady state she was in when holding a scalpel.
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from downstairs. Yvette looked up to see Albert coming in with BoBo and CiCi.
Albert held the children's hands as they carried their backpacks, all smiles.
The sight of the man and children in the sunlight added a vibrant touch to the otherwise calm scene.
They walked step by step towards the house, their steps light and strong, as if each one resonated in Yvette's heart.
Yvette took a deep breath, pulling herself out of her book.
Her children were home; she needed to greet them.
Seeing Yvette come downstairs, BoBo and CiCi's eyes lit up. They let go of Albert's hands, "Mommy, Mommy!"
"You're back, my darlings!"
Albert smiled, "Yes, we're home."
Yvette felt something was off, but with the kids rushing to her, she didn't have time to think. She hugged them both. "Did you miss Mommy?"
The two kids answered in unison, "Of course!"
"You don't mind that Mommy didn't pick you up, right?"
"No way! Daddy said you were studying!" CiCi said with a big smile. "So we bought you a little cake to reward you for studying hard!"
"Wow, really?" Yvette pretended to be surprised, "Mommy is so happy! Thank you, my loves!"
CiCi took the cake from Albert and handed it to Yvette, "Here, Mommy, it's for you! But can you share it with me, BoBo, and Daddy?"
Yvette held back a laugh and nodded, "Of course!"
"Yay!" CiCi was thrilled, holding Yvette's hand and leading her to Albert. "Mommy, after Daddy bought the cake, he also got us toys and a new dress. It's a princess dress, an Elsa dress!"
BoBo, who had been quiet, nodded, "CiCi got an Elsa dress with shoes and a crown. It's beautiful."
"And BoBo got a car and airplane model!"
The two kids chattered excitedly about the things Albert had bought them, sharing their joy with her.
Kids are simple like that; they like whoever treats them well.
"Alright, don't bother Mommy while she's studying." Albert set down the toys, his expression calm but with a hint of a smile in his eyes. "Who wants to go to the yard to build the car model?"
"Me, me, me!" BoBo and CiCi immediately forgot about Yvette and followed Albert.
Yvette watched their backs, feeling her heart fill with something indescribable.
She returned to her room and pulled out a photo from the deepest part of her closet.
A few days ago, Sylvia had helped send back some albums from Eldoria. Yvette hadn't expected much, but as she looked through the photos, she found a surprise.
Years ago, her intuition had led her to place a photo of her newborn child with a Christmas decoration on the back of another photo.
This photo, with its evidence, had luckily survived.
Yvette looked up, through the large window, at the three most important people in her life, bathed in the sunset.
She tightened her grip on the photo.
Would Albert believe this evidence?
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