Chapter 439
"What are you doing?"
Alfred stared blankly at the scene in front of him. His eyes widened.
"Shh!"
Owen hurriedly pulled Alfred down, crouching in the shadow of the bushes.
"Alfred, please, please don't tell Dad, okay?"
Alfred looked at the screwdriver in Owen's hands, then glanced at the deflated tires, "Owen, do you know what you're doing?"
"Of course I do!" Owen nodded vigorously, "It's just like how you convinced my mom to drink. We have the same goal."
Alfred was speechless.
He had been so secretive. How had Owen seen through him?
"Alfred, since our goals are the same, why don’t we work together?" Owen blinked and pulled out another screwdriver from his pocket, handing it over. "Puncture Dad's tires, too, then Mom won't have a car to drive."
Alfred imagined Ivan punishing him.
He was an old man. He really couldn't afford to lose Ivan’s respect.
So, he returned the screwdriver and said, "I'll leave the car to you, Owen. I have something more important to do."
Alfred stood up and walked toward the villa. As he reached the door, he saw Ivan and Haley walking out side by side, which startled him.
"We heard you yelling earlier, Alfred. Is something wrong?" Haley asked.
"Oh, it’s nothing. I was just scared by a stray cat," Alfred touched his nose and said, "I have some things to take care of, so I'll go inside."
Alfred swiftly disappeared inside the house.
Haley frowned. "Why do I feel like Alfred is acting a bit strange?"
"He's just getting old and can't handle being scared." Ivan nodded. "Stray cats carry a lot of bacteria. I'll go see where the cat came in from."
Haley walked out with him.
Once they drove away the stray cat, she would take Todd and Angela home.
She had had some wine, and her steps were sluggish as she followed behind Ivan...
As the two of them went out, a dark figure dashed out next to the car.
Ivan thought it was the stray cat pouncing at them, so he instinctively reached back and held Haley, hiding her.
When he saw who was attacking, his face sank. "Owen, why are you hiding next to the car?"
"Nothing!" Owen hid his hands behind his back, his face pale with fear. "It's too hot inside, so I came out to get some fresh air... I'm not hot anymore, so I'll go in!"
He quickly ran back into the house.
Ivan furrowed his brows tightly, his intuition telling him that Owen was definitely up to no good.
While he was lost in thought, he felt the woman in his arms struggling.
He quickly let go of her and said in a low tone, "I'm sorry. I thought it was a stray cat."
Haley took a step back and tugged at her collar. "It's okay..."
She lowered her gaze, waiting for her emotions to calm down. She planned to go inside and call the two children out. But she suddenly froze. "My car tires..."
Ivan coldly glanced over, suddenly understanding what was going on.
Haley also understood. Who else but Owen would do such a pointless thing?
"Owen probably wanted to make you stay for the night." Ivan slowly said. "He's just a four-year-old child. He doesn't know right from wrong or the right way to do things. I apologize on his behalf."
Haley looked at him in astonishment. "I thought you would rush into the villa and scold Owen."
If Owen hadn’t accidentally done something he was very proud of, he would have made the kid stand at attention for at least two hours.
"Cough, he’s my son. How could I bear to reprimand him?" Ivan said insincerely, "I’ve been busy with work for the past four years and have neglected to discipline the two kids. If you think I’ve done something wrong, please tell me."
Haley was stunned.
This man had put himself in a humble position, leaving her at a loss for words.
He was willing to let Keith and Owen stay at her house.
He was willing to listen to her opinions on the children's education.
He had always respected her......
On the other hand, she......
She would feel jealous and worried when she saw Angela being too close to him.
When that man suggested that the children stay in the Winston family, she had immediately refused without thinking.
She had even thought about secretly taking the children out of the country one day, far away from Watertown, so that he wouldn't be able to take the children away......
She was despicable, but he was so open, giving her all the power to decide.
Haley pursed her lips. "You've done well, Keith is especially outstanding, and Owen is very cute. They’re lucky to have a father like you."
Ivan's tense heart immediately relaxed.
Many people had said that he was a good father, but only Haley's evaluation made him feel that he needed to do better.
Or rather, he could do better.
His voice was deep and steady. He said, "Compared to paternal love, young children actually need maternal love more."
"Then I'll stay here tonight," Haley suddenly said.
As soon as she finished speaking, she noticed a flicker of light in Ivan's pitch-black eyes.
Her heart tightened for a moment, then she continued, "I took the hangover medicine, but my head still feels a bit heavy. I'm afraid I won't be able to wake up tomorrow morning......"
"Go inside then."
Ivan suppressed the surprise in his eyes and pushed open the door to the villa.
Haley glanced at the empty living room and said, "Call Owen over. First, I need to talk to him."
Ivan went straight upstairs.
The three children were in Keith's room reading. Owen was hiding in the adjacent study.
Ivan immediately dragged him out.
"What are you doing, Daddy? You can’t pick on bully me; Mom’s here; Mom won't allow you to pick on me!"
Owen struggled fiercely but couldn't escape Ivan's grip. Ivan threw him in front of Haley.
"Mom!" Owen cried out, seeking refuge in Haley's embrace. "You've got to hear this—Dad's been really harsh on me! When I step out of line, he'll tie me up and give me a thrashing, and then he'll confine me in a pitch-black room for days on end, no food, nothing..."
Ivan stood there, wordless, the gravity of the accusation hanging in the air.
He was still here, but Owen was openly fabricating lies about him.
"Cough, cough, cough!" Alfred walked over and tugged on Owen's sleeve forcefully, lowering his voice. "Owen, didn't you want Mr. Ivan and Ms. Haley to be together? If you say bad things about Mr. Ivan, Ms. Haley will be scared. She won’t dare come to the Winston family in the future."
Owen instantly realized his mistake.
He quickly added, "I was just kidding, Mom! Actually, Dad is great. He’s handsome and rich, and most importantly, he loves you. Dad never cooks, but today, he cooked just for you. That shows how much Dad cares about you..."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
