Chapter 426 The Woman Forced into the Car Dominantly Making Love
Seraphina's laughter was light and joyful. Even though it was late at night, she was as energetic as ever, not at all lagging behind the young folks. She hugged Danielle, explaining what "great-grandmother" meant, and then led her to sit on a bench in the main hall. "Great-grandma doesn't usually have kids around, so I didn't stock up on candy, but I do have some fruit. Do you like bananas? I can peel one for you."
Jessica stayed quiet, watching how happy Seraphina was while entertaining Danielle. Right now, Seraphina's eyes were only on Danielle, and she couldn't stop smiling.
Danielle politely said, "Thank you, great-grandmother. I really want to eat it, but Mommy said I shouldn't eat too much at night. Can I save it for tomorrow morning?"
"Oh dear, look at me, I was so happy I forgot the time. You're right, eating this late can upset your stomach. I'll peel one for you tomorrow morning," Seraphina said with a smile, sitting on the bench and holding Danielle on her lap. She lovingly touched Danielle's little face, her eyes filled with both joy and tears. "Such a good child. How could Michael bear not to bring you back to the Harriman family for so many years? What a foolish old man!"
After hearing this, Jessica felt her already uneasy emotions nearing a breaking point.
What exactly had Gabriel told Seraphina? Why did Seraphina seem to know everything? From the first moment she saw Danielle, she didn't seem surprised at all.
Gabriel was standing beside her, and Jessica moved closer to him, whispering behind his broad shoulders, "How did you convince Grandma? Even if you really plan to adopt Danielle as your daughter, it shouldn't be like this."
What if Seraphina found out that Danielle wasn't his biological daughter? How heartbroken would she be?
Gabriel, who was never confused, suddenly seemed so muddled. Seraphina clearly thought Danielle was his biological daughter!
Gabriel's lips curved slightly as he tightened his grip on her hand, which was already in his palm. He looked down at her anxious and conflicted expression and said in a low, meaningful voice, "How did you manage to make me always think you were so smart?"
Jessica was speechless.
Was Gabriel openly mocking her?
"Danielle, are you sleepy? Do you want me to put you to bed?" Seraphina asked Danielle with a smile. "I wonder if you're used to sleeping in a new place. Will you be scared when you wake up at night?"
Danielle shook her little head. "I'm not sleepy."
Then she blinked and said, "Great-grandmother, is Danielle too chubby? Mommy says I'm a little chubby. Will I hurt your legs?"
"Not at all! You're just perfect. Your mommy is teasing you!" Seraphina laughed and looked at Jessica. "If Danielle won't cry for scare when she wakes up, let her stay with me tonight. You and Gabriel can rest early and leave the child to me."
Jessica quickly said, "Danielle isn't afraid of new places, but she gets up at night to use the bathroom. She might disturb you and affect your rest."
"Oh, she's already six years old, she'll call me to turn on the light. She won't cry like a baby. Besides, even if she were a crying baby, as her great-grandmother, shouldn't I help take care of her? You've been raising her alone for so many years; you deserve some free time."
Seraphina called a servant to lead them to the prepared guest rooms to rest early.
Seeing that Danielle wide awake and Seraphina was full of energy, Jessica wanted to tell Danielle to behave, but Gabriel gently led her upstairs.
Seraphina seemed to live alone in this elegant and quiet manor, which wasn't very large. There was only this small white building, with a few master and guest bedrooms upstairs. It seemed like a newly acquired residence, with many rooms left empty, leaving it unclear whether it was for a long-term stay or a temporary one.
After entering the bedroom, Jessica quickly averted her gaze from Gabriel's jawline and glanced around the room. Anyway, it had a bathroom and a bed, which was enough.
But there was only one bed in the bedroom. Seraphina wouldn't have prepared two rooms for them, especially since she clearly thought Jessica and Gabriel were a long-married couple.
The servant closed the door from the outside and Jessica quickly walked to the window and opened it. The cold wind outside helped calm her chaotic emotions, but only a little.
In front of Seraphina, Jessica had been tense and unable to think clearly. Now, as she tried to calm down, she found herself even more confused.
Especially when she heard Gabriel taking off his coat, she remembered the cufflinks on his trench coat, her heart grew even warmer.
Was Gabriel a man she thought she knew well but didn't fully understand?
And the idea that Danielle resembled him kept replaying in her mind, bringing back memories of that night seven years ago, which she had tried to forget. That night was her darkest nightmare, one she wished she could selectively forget, never wanting to recall any details.
But now, she couldn't help but remember.
Her mind tangled in a mess, trying to sort out the complex threads, as if a clear thread was guiding everything.
The wind from outside was especially chilly this late at night. Jessica stood by the window, her attention elsewhere, until she felt warmth behind her. She turned to see Gabriel's arm closing the window halfway. Her eyes shifted and the other half of the window was also closed. Gabriel's arm rested casually on the windowsill in front of her, trapping her between his body and the windowsill.
The contrast between the cold wind and the warmth behind her was impossible to ignore. Gabriel's presence was always strong; he couldn't be ignored when he was close.
Gabriel touched her hand on the windowsill, which was cold from the near-freezing wind outside.
He held her hand, warming it.
Jessica, trapped in his embrace, finally voiced her confusion, "Why did Grandma say Danielle looks like you?"
Gabriel let out a laugh, pressing her against the window, his eyes filled with deep meaning. "She does look like me."
Jessica was almost overwhelmed by the incredible and unthinkable emotions in her heart. "How? Why? How is it possible?"
Gabriel held her in his arms, finally stopping his teasing. In a gentle voice, he said, "Yes, how is it possible? Maybe it was because seven years ago, I had a stomach inflammation from working overtime and drinking too much during an urgent business meeting. The driver stopped at several pharmacies but couldn't find the right medicine, and then a panicked woman got into the car and insisted on having sex."
Jessica was shocked, turning around in his arms with astonishment.
Gabriel's voice lowered, "Seven years ago, May 11th, Maple Avenue, black Bentley."
