Chapter 172
At first, Emily playing the piano was something he could begrudgingly tolerate without making a fuss.
But then, the woman started to draw Daddy’s attention.
And Daddy was looking at her with that look!
If Daddy fell for the awful woman, she would surely be brought into the family, and then he’d have to call her ‘Mom’.
He wanted Haley to be 'Mom'!
The more he thought about it, the angrier Owen got. He yelled, “Stop playing piano to seduce my dad! I can’t stand you the most!”
Those cold words from Ivan followed, his gaze turning icy.
The word "seduce," especially coming from a four-year-old, was jarring.
He rose, his voice chilling, “Come downstairs and apologize to your mother.”
“Let it go, Ivan. Owen's just four; he doesn’t understand, he’s just been spoiled...” Emily’s voice trembled as she tried to diffuse the situation, “If he hates me this much, it must be something I’ve done wrong as a mother…”
Keith fiddled with his fingers beside them.
His mother's words seemed to defend Owen, but they were pouring fuel on the fire.
Owen had truly crossed a line, and who knows where he picked up the word 'seduce'—and to use it against his mother at that.
No wonder his father was so upset.
After a brief silence, Owen spoke up, "I didn't handle things well. Mom's piano practice at the Winston estate does interfere with my studies. How about this, from now on, Mom can practice at one of the Winston family's other properties..."
Upon hearing this, Emily's heart sank.
If she were to go to the Winston's secondary residence, seeing Ivan again would become a challenge.
She longed to show off her piano skills in front of him; there was no way she was going to leave without a fight.
Before she could voice her thoughts, an outburst from Owen upstairs cut through the air. "It sounds awful, and you keep on playing non-stop. It's embarrassing, really!"
After his remark, he spun around, returned to his room, and with a loud slam, the door shut behind him.
Ivan pinched the bridge of his nose and ordered coldly, "Alfred, Owen's grounded for three days. He's not to leave his room."
Alfred nodded silently in acknowledgment.
In truth, every attempt to confine Owen in the past had failed. The boy was too clever and cunning. Just a moment's inattention, and Owen would sneak out of the house. But this time, Alfred was determined to guard the door properly.
"You may continue to practice piano here at the Winston estate," Ivan said calmly, "two hours each day."
With that, he picked up his briefcase and exited the villa. Shortly after, the sound of an engine starting echoed in the courtyard as Ivan drove away.
Emily's unease finally began to settle. She glanced at Keith standing in the living room and said softly, "Keith, thank you for securing Master Alice as a teacher. I'm so grateful for your help; I don't know what I would've done without you..."
Owen pursed the corners of his lips.
His dad's request to have his mother play the piece again had taken him by surprise.
He knew his father enjoyed piano concerts, but he never expected his father to take an interest in his mother's playing.
Whether this was a good or bad development, he couldn't tell.
He glanced at the firmly shut door on the second floor and walked up to knock. "Owen, it's me. Open up."
"No! I won't open it! You're too much, Keith! Siding with that woman to seduce Dad! Dad can only belong to Haley! I hate you both!"
As Keith listened to Owen's raving, his thin lips pressed together even more tightly.
Haley again.
Ever since Owen had met that woman, he had been utterly bewitched.
It was one thing for him not to favor his own mother, but he was now alarmingly attached to a woman who held a grudge against her...
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