Chapter 293 Much Like Young Gabriel
Caroline held onto Danielle's tiny backpack as they left the kindergarten.
As they neared Blue Bay Apartments, Danielle, who had been chatting non-stop, suddenly let go of Caroline's hand and dashed towards a flower bed.
Caroline quickly followed. "Sir, do you need any help?"
Michael felt a small hand on his and looked down, feeling a strange sense of familiarity. He rarely left the Harriman estate, so how could he know this child?
Hearing Caroline's voice, Michael looked up. "I'm fine, just tired from walking. This little guy said the flower bed is cold, so I won't sit."
Caroline nodded and turned to Danielle. "Danielle, let's go home."
"Okay." Danielle pulled her hand back but still looked worriedly at Michael. "Grandpa, don't go out alone. There's ice on the ground, be careful!"
Michael smiled at her concern. "Such a kind-hearted girl. How old are you?"
Danielle beamed. "But I'll be five soon! Two or three more months... I'm gonna have a birthday! Hey, Grandpa, do you know what four plus one is? It's five! I'm gonna be five!"
Michael chuckled. "Oh, five! You're so smart, you can even do math?"
Danielle giggled at the praise.
"Danielle," Caroline said, "we need to go. It's too cold."
Michael nodded, still watching Danielle. "She's a sweet child. Her parents must be proud. She seems very bright."
Caroline smiled politely, ready to leave.
But Danielle, as they walked away, turned back. "My mommy is amazing! But I don't have a daddy."
"Danielle, let's go," Caroline said, squeezing her hand.
"Okay, bye-bye, Grandpa!" Danielle waved energetically as they headed back to Blue Bay Apartments.
Michael stood there, leaning on his cane, watching them leave.
'What a good kid,' he thought. 'No father? Divorced?'
Raising such a well-mannered child alone couldn't be easy.
"Sir, the wind's picking up. Let's get back to the car," Fred said, approaching.
Michael glanced at Fred, then back to where Danielle had disappeared. "I just met a very cute little girl."
Fred chuckled. "I saw, but I was too far to see clearly. I wondered why a child ran up to you."
"That kid came over to check on me, worried I'd catch a cold if I sat there," Michael said, smiling at the memory. "Kids these days are so thoughtful, really heartwarming."
"You just want a great-grandchild to keep you company," Fred teased. "You can't help but stop when you see a child."
Michael huffed, a bit annoyed. "Two grandsons, both old enough to marry, and neither has given me a great-grandchild!"
"Lots of young folks in their thirties aren't settling down or having kids yet," Fred said, trying to soothe him. "One's too busy with work, and the other's still in school. It takes time. Let's get back to the car."
Michael sighed, walking towards the car with his cane. "If I had a cute kid calling me great-grandpa every day, I'd have the strength to live another ten or twenty years!"
Fred smiled quietly, helping Michael into the car and telling the driver to go slow so Michael could enjoy the view.
In the car, Michael set his cane aside and closed his eyes to rest. But the image of that little girl kept popping into his mind—her eyes, her nose, her expression.
He suddenly opened his eyes. "Fred, that kid looked a lot like Gabriel when he was little."
Fred handed him a thermos. "You're just seeing things. All cute kids these days have fair skin and big eyes. How similar could they be?"
Michael took the cup, pondering. 'Is it really just my imagination?'
Meanwhile, Jessica had just finished a scene and was heading to her trailer when she saw Zoey giving her a look. Jessica turned towards the trailer, composing herself.
The bodyguard opened the door, revealing a woman inside, not much older than Jessica. She noticed the woman's Hermès Birkin bag, designer suit, and brand-new high heels from this year's fall-winter collection.
"Ms. Wallace?" Jessica greeted her gently as she got in.
Cherry smiled slightly from the sofa. "Hello, Jessica. I'm Cherry Wallace. You can call me Cherry."
Jessica smiled back and walked over, noticing a contract on the table. "What's this?"
"Mackenzie has resigned. I'll be your new agent," Cherry said, placing a pen on the table. "We need to re-draft your work content without violating the company's contract. Take a look, and if you agree, sign it. From today, I'll be working with you."
Jessica picked up the contract, skimmed it, then looked at Cherry calmly. "If my schedule is too full to balance filming, business deals, and appearances, I have to let the company transfer my resources and opportunities to other artists?"
