Chapter 550 Fatherly Love
George reached back without turning his head, pointing accurately to the side pocket of his backpack. "It's right here."
Joshua's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly as he watched through the rearview mirror, astonished. As George's most trusted assistant, he was one of the few who knew George's vision had returned. Yet, every time he saw George make such precise "guesses," he couldn't help but be amazed.
Lucas pulled a set of colored markers from the side pocket and proudly showed them to Seraphine. "See, Dad knows everything!"
Seraphine looked at George's back with admiration. "Dad is even better than Superman!"
George chuckled softly and reached back to ruffle Seraphine and Lucas's hair with unerring accuracy. "That's because I have two little radars."
The car merged onto the main road as the morning light grew brighter. Seraphine suddenly climbed to the middle seat, her small hands gripping the front seat. "Dad, are you really going to pick us up after school today?"
George turned to "look" at Seraphine, his gaze full of tenderness despite the bandages over his eyes. "Of course, I always keep my promises."
"Can we get ice cream?" Seraphine asked, her big eyes full of hope.
"Seraphine," Lucas tugged at her sleeve, "Mom said you can't have too many cold things right now."
George laughed. "Once in a while is okay, but you have to listen to Lucas. Only one small scoop."
"You're the best, Dad!" Seraphine bounced in her seat with joy, nearly hitting her head, but George quickly reached out to protect her.
The car slowly pulled up to the kindergarten entrance. Joshua was about to get out, but George stopped him. "I'll do it."
He felt his way to the car door, opening it and standing precisely at the rear door. Lucas jumped out first, then held Seraphine's hand. "Watch the steps."
As soon as Seraphine got out, she threw herself into George's arms. "Dad, I don't want to go to school. I want to play with you!"
George knelt down and gently pinched her nose. "Be good. I'll pick you up after school and take you for ice cream."
Seraphine's eyes sparkled. "Pinky promise!"
"Pinky promise." George hooked her little finger with his, then magically pulled a small pink hair clip from his pocket. "Here's a little gift from Dad. Look at it whenever you miss me."
Seraphine took the hair clip with delight. It was a delicate butterfly that sparkled in the sunlight. She immediately pinned it to her collar. "I want everyone to see it!"
Lucas pretended to be jealous. "Dad, don't I get a gift?"
George laughed and pulled a toy car from another pocket. "How could I forget my little man?"
Seraphine and Lucas cheered, each kissing George on the cheek. The scene was so heartwarming that passing parents couldn't help but smile.
"Alright, time to go in." George patted their backs. "See you after school."
"Bye, Dad!" Seraphine waved reluctantly, looking back every few steps until George was out of sight.
George stood there "watching" the kids enter the school, his gaze penetrating the bandages, imprinting Seraphine and Lucas's images in his heart. It wasn't until Joshua reminded him that he turned to get back in the car.
Just then, a black Mercedes slowly drove by. Behind the window, Michael's eyes were fixed on the scene. He squeezed his coffee cup so hard it deformed, the hot liquid spilling unnoticed.
"George," he muttered through gritted teeth, "how dare you touch my daughter?"
The assistant in the passenger seat asked cautiously, "Mr. Russell, should we stop?"
"No need." Michael released the cup, letting it fall to the floor. "To the office."
The car sped away, but Michael's gaze remained locked on the figure standing at the kindergarten entrance. He pulled out his phone and looked at the photo he received last night. In the hospital room, Seraphine was hugging George's neck, sweetly calling him "Dad."
Seraphine's innocent smile in the photo felt like a dagger stabbing into his heart.
"Three years," he murmured, his voice barely audible. "I raised her for three years, only to be betrayed like this."
The assistant glanced nervously at Michael's grim expression in the rearview mirror, his palms sweating. He had worked for Michael long enough to know how ruthless he could be behind his polished exterior.
"Mr. Russell, should we have someone keep an eye on the kindergarten?" the assistant asked tentatively.
Michael sneered. "No need. I have my own plans." He turned off his phone and leaned back in his seat. "Head straight to the lab."
The assistant's face paled. "You really want to see 'the Doctor'? That person is too dangerous."
"Dangerous?" A hint of madness flashed in Michael's eyes. "What's a little danger compared to losing everything?"
The car drove into the outskirts, stopping at an unremarkable gray building. Michael adjusted his tie, resuming his suave businessman facade, though the coldness in his eyes remained.
Meanwhile, Joshua parked the car in front of a nearby coffee shop.
"Mr. Russell, do you have time to talk?" he asked hesitantly.
George nodded. "I have something to discuss with you as well."
They chose a corner table. After the waiter brought their coffee, Joshua couldn't hold back any longer. "Mr. Russell, your eyes..."
"They're fine now," George said calmly, removing the bandages to reveal his deep, clear eyes. "But I can't make it public yet."
Joshua let out a long breath. "That's great! Now we can..."
"Joshua," George interrupted, his gaze sincere. "First, I owe you an apology. I've taken out all my anger on you, and that wasn't fair."
Joshua was stunned. It was the first time he'd seen George so candid.
"We're partners, but I've been lashing out at you because of my own pain," George said, his voice filled with regret. "I'm sorry."
Joshua's eyes reddened. "Mr. Russell, you don't have to say that. I understand how you feel."
"No, you don't need to make excuses for me." George shook his head. "I've realized a lot of things recently. The pain of losing Emma and the kids shouldn't be an excuse to hurt those around me."
He picked up his coffee cup, his gaze firm. "From today on, we'll take back what's ours. Not for revenge, but to protect the people I love."
Joshua nodded enthusiastically. "I'll always stand by you! The Russell Group was your grandfather's legacy. We can't let Michael continue his tyranny!"
In the lab, Michael was staring at a test tube filled with a strange blue liquid.
"Are you sure this dosage won't be lethal?" he asked calmly.
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