Chapter 286 I Will Always Need You

"Sweetheart!" Fiona hurried forward and scooped up Chicago, showering her cheeks with kisses.

Chicago giggled with delight but stayed still in her mother's arms, not wanting to wear her out.

After smothering Chicago with kisses, Fiona turned to embrace Charles.

"Just kiss. No need to hold," Charles said, looking up at her with concern on his little serious face, which was unbearably cute.

Fiona's heart seemed to bloom instantly. She peppered Charles with even more kisses.

She knew the stress Charles had been under lately and how much worry he must have shouldered.

"Charles, have you been staying up late? Mommy thinks you look a bit pale, and your lips are colorless," Fiona said, examining him with furrowed brows.

"No," Charles shook his head, "Dinner is ready; let's eat first."

He was worried Fiona might be hungry. Charles knew what Fiona looked like when her blood sugar was low, so whenever he was with her, he paid extra attention to her meals.
He added with a touch of pride, " Chicago prepared all the food for dinner—it's truly a labor of love."

Chicago stood to the side; her cheeks flushed with a bashful crimson.

"Ah, here I have been forgotten by my own great-grandchildren, standing here for so long without a single sweet child to hug and kiss their great grandma," Janna complained half-jokingly as she got out of the car.

"You get plenty of hugs and kisses every day," replied Charles with good-natured honesty.

A burst of laughter erupted from among the crowd of bodyguards behind Janna, one of them obviously couldn't hold it in.

Janna turned around.

He immediately bowed his head, covering his mouth.

"I'll do it! I'll give the hugs and kisses!"

Just then, Ashton came running out of the house, still wearing her apron.

"Stop her! Stop her!" Janna waved at the bodyguards; her voice filled with mock exasperation.

The atmosphere was undeniably cheerful.

However...

The cheerfulness lasted only until they reached the front door.

Burl had gotten a haircut, making him look fresh and dashing.

"Mr. Walker, you're here too," said Fiona, following Burl's gaze to see Kenny emerging from the kitchen with a dish in hand.

Donning an apron, Kenny had the look of a man at home in the kitchen.

"Just call me Kenny," he said as he set down the dishes, each looking like a work of art.

This only added fuel to Burl's ire, and he turned to glare at Fiona.

Unable to hold back a laugh, Fiona approached him, "Who is this handsome guy and how did he end up in my kitchen?"

Burl’s expression was priceless.

His ego started to inflate.

"It's just a haircut, no big deal."

"Mommy!"

At that moment, Chicago ran over, taking Fiona's hand, "Mommy, Kenny is amazing! This dish, and that one, he made them all!"

Burl felt a twinge of annoyance again.

"What's so great about that? If I really put my mind to it, I could do it too."

Burl could cook, but the presentation was never up to par, especially compared to Kenny’s gourmet dishes. He hardly knew how to cook anything fancy.

"Don't bother learning!" Chicago said, taking him seriously, as she hugged his arm, "Pots and pans are expensive."

Burl felt the sting of embarrassment.

He once burned a pot while trying to cook for Chicago!

"Sweetheart," Burl said as he lifted Chicago into his arms, "Let me tell you, the pot that day was just bad quality, it wasn't because I can't cook. You got the wrong idea."

Fiona nearly doubled over with laughter.

Seeing that everyone was too busy talking and not sitting down to eat, Charles went to pull Janna to her seat and then fetched Fiona to sit down too.

Finally, dinner began smoothly.

"Aren't you guys in the middle of renovating the place on X Street? How's the progress going?" Fiona inquired casually while eating.

Kenny put down his fork.

"The major construction is pretty much done. Just need to settle on the furniture, and it'll be ready soon."

Fiona nodded her approval.
Ashton wasn't sure if it was a guilty conscience or something else nagging at her.

"I'll probably come back and stay tomorrow night," she announced somewhat cautiously.

The grown-ups all turned their gaze toward Ashton, a mix of curiosity and expectation in their eyes.

Ashton was puzzled.

"Why would you move? Couples should live together, not in separate houses in the same neighborhood. Does that make any sense?" Janna spoke up. "You're not getting any younger. While the company back home is still getting off the ground and isn't too busy, you should focus on starting a family."

Ashton nearly choked on her drink.

"Take it easy..." Kenny quickly patted her back, trying to help.

"I'm...cough cough...Janna...cough cough..." Ashton struggled to speak.

"Finish coughing, then talk," Janna said calmly while sipping her soup. She noted to herself how well Kenny cooked; the soup was perfect.

Fiona, happily enjoying the delicious meal, let out a contented sigh, relishing the unfolding drama.

Ashton finally caught her breath, her face turning a glowing shade of red - whether from embarrassment or the coughing, no one could tell.

"Grandma, Kenny's still young. We can talk about kids in a few years. Please, no rush," Ashton muttered.

Janna glanced at Kenny. "He may be young, but you? Waiting too long can be dangerous, especially with childbirth."

"Grandma, I understand. I'll plan the right time," Kenny assured her sternly, speaking up before Ashton could.

"Good," Janna nodded. "I've prepared some small gifts for your parents. Don't forget to take them when you leave later."

Ashton looked at Janna, surprised.

Janna gave her a reassuring look, as if to say, "Leave it to me."

Ashton felt warmth in her eyes.

Her grandmother was advanced in years, now bound to the hospital, unable to leave.

She lacked elder family guidance in these matters.

After dinner, Ashton found Janna, who was discussing the Rhoads family affairs with Fiona.

"Grandma, I'm heading out," Ashton said.

"Take care, and remember what we talked about," Janna replied with a nod.

Ashton paused, holding back tears. "Grandma, I've already prepared a gift for the upcoming festival."

Janna was fiddling with something in her hands, not even looking up. "The gift you're giving is from a daughter-in-law to her in-laws. What I'm giving is from an elder to Kenny’s parents. It's different."

"Grandma..." Ashton's voice cracked.

Janna finally looked up. "Don't you start crying on me."

Ashton broke into a grin. "I'm not crying!"

"You have a bright future ahead of you. Forget your past troubles; Kenny's waiting for you. Go on."

"Okay!"

Ashton wiped away her tears.

Before leaving, she turned to Fiona, who blew her a kiss.

She clung to the doorframe, planting several kisses before departing.

The door closed.

Janna pulled out a financial report. "Look at this..."

Before Janna could finish speaking, Fiona wrapped her arms around her in an embrace.

Janna froze in shock.

Then she heard Fiona softly say, "Thank you."

Janna muttered, "Just returning the favor, I guess. She's kind to you, kind to me, and even kinder to Charles and Chicago."

"I get it," Fiona replied gently.

Janna was known for her stubbornness.

While listening to Fiona's comforting, childlike words, she couldn't help but shake her head.

"I'm getting older by the day, and there will come a time when I can't protect you all anymore. Even now, you're growing up and slowly needing my protection less and less."

"That's not true."

Fiona's tone was soft.

"I'll always need you around."
The Substitute's Revenge: From Secretary to Queen
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