Chapter 1426 The Best is Yet to Come
"You need to chill out and go home. The Presidential Palace isn't a playground," Violet said softly, but her eyes were sharp.
Michael paused for a second, then stormed off.
On the second floor, Derek came down the stairs, one hand on the railing. "Mom, see? I told you. He's a total idiot."
Violet sighed, clearly disappointed. "I don't know what happened to Michael. He was a troublemaker as a kid, but at least he had some sense."
"Ever since he got involved with Megan, he's been like this," Derek sighed. "I'll go check on Laura and see if she needs anything."
"Alright," Violet nodded sympathetically. "She's been through a lot. Try to comfort her."
Derek nodded and headed to the back courtyard.
The Presidential Palace had over a dozen buildings.
The front yard was where Carl worked, and the back yard was where the family lived.
The place was huge, with three gardens and two lakes. Laura's small building was right by the lake.
As Derek reached the door, he heard Maeve crying.
Laura was gently soothing Maeve, and next to her was the new nanny, Kennedy Hope.
"Maeve might be a bit unsettled after waking up in a new place," Laura said helplessly. "And she just met Kennedy today. She'll get used to it in a few days."
Derek looked at Maeve. He had seen her a couple of times at the Jude estate, and she had changed a lot. Now, she was even more adorable.
Of course, thinking about Maeve's parents getting divorced, he felt a pang of sympathy.
It's always the kids who suffer the most.
Michael, as a father, was too immature.
When Laura was in the early stages of pregnancy, Michael wanted her to abort the child for Megan. After Laura gave birth, Michael was still hung up on Megan.
Thinking of this, Derek reached out his hand. "Let me hold her."
"Do you know how to hold a baby?" Laura asked skeptically.
Derek chuckled. "I have a little nephew who loved me when he was young. I often held him."
Laura was reluctant to hand over the crying Maeve, but to her surprise, Maeve reached out to Derek's extended hand.
Laura felt embarrassed.
"See, Maeve wants me to hold her. Your daughter has good taste; she knows I'm handsome," Derek said proudly, holding Maeve and sitting down. He took a yo-yo from his pocket and played with it in front of Maeve. "Maeve, do you like it?"
Maeve's eyes widened, and she stopped crying, giggling instead.
Laura was dumbfounded.
Just like that? Maeve stopped crying?
At home, it took Laura a long time to soothe Maeve.
Kennedy laughed. "Mr. Jude is really good with kids. Relatives' children who come to the Presidential Palace love playing with Mr. Jude. He's very patient. I'd be scared to face so many kids."
Laura felt a mix of emotions. It was the first time she saw this side of Derek.
"You really like kids," she couldn't help but say. "You're not getting any younger. Maybe it's time to find a girlfriend and have a kid of your own."
Derek smiled. "You sound just like my mom. I'm not in a rush to get married."
Laura thought for a moment. Derek was a few months younger than her.
She had just turned 26 this year.
"You could still find a girlfriend," Laura teased. "But I've known you for almost a year and haven't seen you with anyone. Are you gay?"
Derek's mouth twitched. "Just because I don't have a girlfriend doesn't mean I'm gay. By that logic, are all single women lesbians?"
"Relax, I'm just messing with you," Laura laughed at his annoyed expression. "I think the best age is between 20 and 30. It's It's when you have the most freedom.. You should date and enjoy it while you can."
She sighed. "I've already wasted mine."
"You're still a few years away from 30," Derek said with a half-smile. "Get divorced and enjoy a new relationship."
"Women aren't the same as men," Laura shook her head, feeling pessimistic. "I've had a rough love life. I no longer believe in love."
"Don't be so down. Maybe the best is yet to come," Derek said, trying to be encouraging.
"I don't believe it," Laura said, looking defeated. "I plan to take good care of Maeve. I'm too scared to marry again."
"No need for that. You should still have fun." Derek hinted, "Your first love was when you were too young and inexperienced. How many college romances end in marriage? As for marrying Michael, you were pressured step by step. After having Maeve, you just went along for her sake. I believe your next relationship will be different."
Laura was stunned. "I haven't even divorced yet, and you're already talking about a new relationship?"
Derek smiled warmly. "A new relationship can help you move on."
Laura blinked, letting him talk. She no longer believed in men anyway.
She changed the subject. "I plan to go to the Jude estate tomorrow to discuss the divorce."
"Violet and I will go with you," Derek interrupted before she could speak. "It won't be easy to resolve without Violet."
Laura was taken aback. "Why is Violet so good to me?"
"After Violet had me, she accidentally got pregnant again. The doctor said it was a girl, and she was thrilled. But she had a miscarriage shortly after, and the doctor said it would be hard for her to get pregnant again," Derek said, looking a bit sad. "After she took you as her goddaughter, she cared a lot about you."
"Alright." Laura understood.
That night, staying at the Presidential Palace, Laura had a rare good night's sleep.
The next day, Laura, Violet, and Derek went to the Jude estate together.
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