Chapter 168 Saving the Handsome Uncle!
But before she could speak out, Darwin inquired, "Shouldn't you ask your parents first?"
Wendy's expression shifted.
The young miss didn't have a father, so the topic of 'Dad' was never brought up around her.
"My mommy is really nice, she won't mind at all!" Chicago proclaimed proudly, lifting her little head high.
However, upon hearing the news from Chicago, Fiona immediately and decisively rejected Chicago's request after hearing it, "No."
Chicago's eyes widened in surprise.
"Why... why not?" she asked, confused. "Uncle bought my painting, which can help a lot of people, and Uncle is a good person, I just wanted to invite him for dinner..."
Ashton stood to the side, somewhat torn.
Should she tell Fiona the truth?
"Uncle is currently on a date with someone he likes. Inviting him to dinner now would mean interrupting their date, wouldn't it?" Fiona crouched down in front of Chicago, struggling to suppress her own anxiety while gently persuading her.
Chicago had seen a few romantic movies and knew that dating was something lovers did.
The thought of that annoying aunty made Chicago's mood even worse. Uncle liked the annoying aunty.
What was once a beautiful day, became gloomy upon learning this fact. It was as though a shadow had unintentionally shrouded Chicago.
"I... I understand..." Chicago nodded, her spirits low.
"Wendy, go and tell him we decline." Fiona instructed, looking at Wendy.
"No!" Chicago suddenly stood up, surprisingly firm in her resolve, "I want to talk to Uncle myself!"
She hesitated momentarily.
This situation was rather embarrassing, she had been so confident just moments ago!
Fiona watched Chicago.
The standoff between mother and daughter lasted for a moment before Fiona relented.
"Fine, you go." she conceded, then turned to Wendy, "Decline the dinner with that gentleman, and take Miss Chicago directly to the garage."
Chicago's head drooped again she did not take Wendy's hand, dragging her heavy steps and clutching a heavier heart, slowly making her way to Darwin.
Fiona watched, a complex emotion stirring within her.
She hadn't anticipated Chicago would take such a liking to Darwin upon meeting him, was this the fabled attraction of bloodlines?
But, what was there to be attracted to? That was the man who almost killed her.
With this thought, Fiona's heart hardened immediately.
"Charles, let's go, time to head home." Fiona said as she turned towards Charles, putting away his gaming device.
"Mummy, that's not very nice." Charles said calmly, just as Fiona reached to take his hand.
Fiona looked at him, startled.
"Chicago is upset." Charles said indifferently, his eyes detached, but his words carried a hint of reprimand.
Fiona crouched down in front of Charles.
She spoke earnestly, "In this world, not everything can be decided based on whether Chicago is happy or not."
Charles and Fiona locked eyes for a moment.
Then he looked away, ending the conversation.
Fiona felt somewhat helpless.
To avoid the possibility of encountering Darwin, she quickly took Charles to the garage.
After boarding the nanny car, they waited for Chicago to return.
But they waited to no avail, Chicago never came back.
Little did they know, that at that very moment, Chicago had already gotten into Darwin's car, taking a panicked Wendy and fleeing!
Leading up to that moment, Chicago, with her heavy steps, was on her way to where Darwin was.
When she was almost there, she heard the voice of the annoying aunt.
Chicago knew eavesdropping was especially wrong, but instinctively, she grabbed Wendy and stood against the wall at the corner.
Wendy was quite puzzled.
It was just a corner, there was no need to press against the wall, no one could see them from the other side. The young lady must be watching too many spy shows lately.
"There's been a complication on my end." Aunty Annoyance whispered, sounding quite displeased, "Ran into a bratty kid who's latched onto Darwin."
A bratty kid?
Chicago's little nose wrinkled. Could she be talking about her?
"Now she's clinging to Darwin, insisting on having dinner with him!" Aunty Annoyance continued, "In a moment, I'll pretend to feel unwell, so he'll take me away. No matter what, he must come home with me today!"
Chicago was shocked.
So was Wendy.
They exchanged glances, one adult, one child.
"If he's become so fond of children, once this plan succeeds, I can use a child to tie him down." Aunty Annoyance's voice trailed off into the distance.
Chicago's little heart hammered fiercely.
"Is she planning to do something bad to the gentleman who wants to buy the painting?" Wendy asked Chicago.
Chicago nodded solemnly, "She really is a nasty Aunty Annoyance!"
"Miss, what should we do now? Should we tell that gentleman what we've heard?" Wendy thought to herself that she definitely needed to pray earnestly to God when she got back. Why had she been running into such strange incidents lately!
"She's someone Uncle likes, and adults always trust the people they care about more than strangers." Chicago said seriously.
That made sense, Wendy marveled at the insight that she hadn't considered.
"So, what should we do?" Wendy asked.
Looking at her, Chicago said, "Wendy, I'm sorry. I love you, I don't want to hurt you, but the situation is urgent!" Chicago said.
Wendy's hairs stood on end. Uh oh, it felt like something terrible was about to happen!
"Remember when you fell and pushed me into the pool?" Chicago continued, "I almost drowned..."
That was no near drowning, Wendy had quickly jumped into the pool and pulled Chicago out.
She didn't even have a moment to react!
"What do you think God would say if He knew about this!"
Wendy couldn't even imagine where her thoughts were leading, "Miss, what exactly are you planning to do?" she asked tearfully.
Determination filled Chicago's beautiful eyes, "Uncle is a good man, helping children to build schools, I can't let him be trapped by a bad Aunty! Chicago must take Uncle away!"
Chicago strode out.
Wendy, as if she had lost her soul, followed her, barely breathing.
"Uncle!"
When they saw Darwin, a strange man was talking with him, trying to stuff a business card into Darwin's hand.
Aunty Annoyance hadn't returned yet! Chicago thought, now is the moment to take Uncle and run!
"Isn't this the little artist!" exclaimed the unfamiliar uncle with a beaming smile, "Ah, so you're a child from Mr. Solomon's household! No wonder you're so smart!"
He had misheard the name Chicago had called Darwin, thinking that they were related instead.
"Hello, thank you for the compliment, goodbye, my uncle and I are off to have dinner!"
Before the stranger could respond, Chicago grabbed Darwin's hand and hurriedly pulled him towards the exit.