Chapter 1485 Has Maeve Become Dependent on Derek?
Violet let out a deep breath. "Look, it's exactly because Eric's your dad that I usually keep my mouth shut. But today, I'm just gonna say it. Derek helped out with this, and I think he did the right thing. If Michael gets involved, having Megan around is just gonna be a problem."
"Alright, alright, I didn't say anything," Carl said, waving his hand to change the topic. "By the way, there's a conference in Germany in a few days. Violet and I are heading out tomorrow and will be gone for about five days. We'll be meeting with some big shots from six or seven countries. You guys take care of each other while we're gone. Laura, if you need anything, just ask Derek."
Laura was taken aback for a second but quickly nodded.
After taking a bite, Laura hesitated but felt she needed to apologize. "Godfather, Godmother, I'm sorry. The whole kidnapping thing with Megan was because I acted on impulse. I caused you guys trouble."
"Laura, do you think we're idiots?" Violet put down her fork and sighed. "We might not have dug into it, but we know what kind of person you are. You wouldn't do something like kidnapping."
Laura was shocked. Even though she was relieved they believed her, she didn't want the truth to get out and suspected Bernice. "It really was me..."
Violet cut her off, "I talked to the security guard. Lucas showed up to see you that day, and then you left with him. If I'm right, you were trying to protect someone, right? The real kidnapper is probably your friend. Megan's got a shady character, and you're definitely not her only enemy."
Laura's face turned red. She glanced at Carl and Derek, who seemed calm, like they knew all along.
Derek smiled and said, "Since we eat together every day, we get your situation. The folks at the old house don't know much. We kept quiet to stop Michael from feeling guilty and getting stuck, refusing to divorce. And since you want to protect someone, we're here to help."
A warm, indescribable feeling suddenly filled Laura's heart.
Laura gripped her fork tightly, her eyes getting misty.
All this time, Laura had been in awe of the Presidential Palace. If she hadn't been scared of Michael taking Maeve away, she wouldn't have moved in.
Laura always thought Carl looked out for her because he was Michael's uncle and because of Michael and Derek.
Now, Laura realized that Carl and Violet genuinely cared about her.
"Godfather, Godmother, thank you." Laura wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "I was actually trying to protect my friend. Megan killed her whole family, but we have no proof. She wanted to take Megan down with her, so I rushed over and knocked her out to get her away. Please don't tell anyone about this, and don't investigate. I never wanted Michael to feel guilty because, compared to my friend's safety, whether he feels guilty or not doesn't matter to me."
Carl nodded, feeling a bit helpless. At the same time, the Laura sitting in front of him made him see her in a new light.
"I'm really sorry about your friend's family. This world can be pretty messed up; not all bad guys end up in jail. Some slip through the cracks because there's no evidence, and some people feel like they have to take things into their own hands. But you should tell your friend that risking her life for revenge isn't smart. It could dishonor her dead parents. It might sound harsh, but that's the truth."
Violet chimed in, "As long as you're alive, you shouldn't lose hope. Psychologists say there's a seventy percent chance that criminals will reoffend."
"But Laura, don't pull a stunt like that again. You got lucky this time because Julia stepped in at the right moment. If things had blown up, as the president, I'm under a microscope and couldn't have helped," Carl warned seriously.
Laura nodded earnestly.
After dinner, Carl called Derek to the study.
A servant wheeled Laura back to her place.
At eleven that night, after Maeve had her milk, Thea tried to put her to sleep, but Maeve started crying and wouldn't stop.
Laura, unable to move, was anxious. "What's wrong with Maeve?"
"Maeve is probably used to Mr. Jude," Thea said helplessly. "These days, Mr. Jude has been the one putting Maeve to sleep at night."
So Maeve had become dependent on Derek?
As a mom, Laura felt heartbroken.
There was a knock on the bedroom door, followed by Derek's voice. "Thea, I heard Maeve crying."
Thea looked at Laura, who nodded helplessly, and then opened the door.
Derek, dressed in pajamas, stood at the door. He skillfully took Maeve in his arms, and after a moment of his soothing, Maeve stopped crying and even smiled sweetly.
Laura seriously suspected that Maeve, like her, had no resistance to handsome guys.
Thea said, "Maeve just likes Derek."
"You don't seem to mind," Derek raised an eyebrow at her.
"Maeve doesn't need me as her mom anymore." Laura sighed dejectedly.
"You're even jealous of this." Derek laughed. "You can't hold Maeve, but if you could, she wouldn't cry."
"Give her to Thea once she stops crying. You should get some rest," Laura said.
Derek nodded, but when he turned to hand Maeve to Thea, Maeve started crying again. He had no choice but to keep holding her and soothing her.
Derek's tall figure paced back and forth in the bedroom.
Thea stood for a while, then took the baby's bottle and clothes downstairs to wash.
The room was left with just two adults and a baby.
Laura leaned lazily against the pillow, watching Derek's back. He was about the same height as Michael and had a similar build. She remembered that Michael used to do these things.
Unconsciously, it seemed like a long time had passed.
Laura was lost in thought until Derek came over with Maeve. "Is Maeve sleeping with you or Thea?"
"Maeve will sleep with me. I need to spend time with her," Laura said, "Thea will sleep in the small bed next to us."
Derek nodded and asked, "Left side or right side?"
"Left side."
Laura slept on the right side, but after she spoke, she realized there was a small bed on the left side, and Derek couldn't get through.
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