Chapter 258 After School
Haley expressed her gratitude genuinely. "Mr. Garrett, thank you..."
"Don't thank me. You should be thanking Ivan. Without him reaching out to me, I’d never have taken this case." Garrett glanced at his watch. "I have to head off, Ms. Haley. Let's keep in touch."
Walking over to Ivan, he clapped him on the shoulder and quipped, "I'll be taking your car first. Treasure this opportunity."
Before Ivan could respond, Garrett had the keys and was driving away.
In the late afternoon, the deep autumn sky was tinged with shades of orange and gold, casting a lustrous glow on the outer tiles of the preschool wall.
Standing at the entrance, Haley softly said, "Mr. Ivan, thank you."
Ivan tilted his head slightly, his dark eyes landing softly on her.
Bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, she looked like a vision wrapped in golden light. A pair of pearl earrings gave her profile a gentle glow, enhancing her tender charm.
Ivan pursed his lips and asked, "Has life been tough for you all these years?"
Haley paused for a moment.
Previously, in Garrett's office, she had laid bare her troubled past without sparing any details, even in front of this man. She thought he would act as if he had heard nothing.
Unexpectedly, he brought it up.
Her gaze swept toward the preschool and she began to speak slowly, "Struggles were but a tiny fraction of these past years. The joy and happiness far outweigh them. Todd and Angela are the greatest blessings I've received."
A flicker of tenderness that even Ivan himself didn't notice passed through his eyes.
Ring, ring, ring—
The school bell chimed, signaling the end of the day at the preschool.
What was once a quiet campus erupted into cheerful bustle, filled with the delighted laughter of children.
"Mr. Ivan, you wait here for a moment; I'll get the kids," she offered.
Haley had just stepped forward when she heard the tapping of dress shoes behind her. She turned to see Ivan following.
A faint smile played on his lips. "I'll walk with you."
Haley didn't refuse.
Side by side, they walked to the entrance of the preschool.
Heidi, leading a group of children into the hall, immediately spotted the two adults amidst the crowd. To her, this handsome gentleman seemed to fit the part of Todd and Angela's father more so than Jeremy.
"Todd, Angela, your mom's here! Time to head home," she called out.
Heidi led the children to the doorway.
Sincerely, Haley said, "Ms. Heidi, thank you for making sure strangers don't take them away."
Heidi smiled awkwardly. "It's my job, Ms. Haley You don't need to thank me."
After a few more words with Heidi, Haley took the kids and ushered them into the car, with Ivan naturally taking the passenger seat beside her.
As Haley fastened her seatbelt, a question struck her suddenly.
'When Garrett had left earlier, why hadn't Ivan followed? What is his purpose in staying? Is it just to accompany me to pick up the kids?'
Glancing at Angela's upturned lips, Haley felt that perhaps it wasn't so bad having this man stay after all.
Haley pulled up to the Winston residence, a sprawling villa surrounded by manicured gardens.
Earlier that day, Ivan introduced her to Garrett, and she promised to come over and cook dinner for Owen.
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