Chapter 386 Coming to Terms with the Past
Moments later, the Maybach sped down the road.
Darwin and Janna sat side by side.
"Do you know why I asked you to take me?" Janna inquired; her tone carried a chill.
"There must be something you want to tell me," Darwin replied.
"I'll be gone for at most two weeks. When I come back, I don't want to find you two still living separately in this house," Janna remarked, looking at Darwin with frustration and concern. "And another thing, Charles and Chicago still don't call you 'Dad'; it's always 'him' this and 'him' that. Are you up to the task or not?"
"I'll take care of it by the time you return," Darwin promised earnestly.
Janna gave him a glance before sitting up straight. "You must get my granddaughter and those two boys on board willingly. The coercion act must stop; it only pushes your family further away!"
"Understood," Darwin nodded. Then, with heartfelt gratitude, he added, "Mrs. Rhoads, even though Fiona isn't your biological granddaughter, you treat her very well. I'm truly very thankful."
Janna paused, looking bewildered at Darwin. "Who told you that Chelsea isn't my flesh and blood?"
Darwin was taken aback.
"Her identity... Wasn't it fabricated by you to hide her and prevent me from finding her?" As Darwin spoke, he struggled to contain a mix of coldness and resentment in his expression.
"That's just one minor reason!" Janna replied haughtily. "Since we're on the subject, I might as well be clear. Chelsea is my long-lost granddaughter who's been adrift. We've done a DNA match. She means more to me than anything else."
There was a pause.
Janna then looked at Darwin and scoffed, "Darwin, did you think that after your last stunt with the Rhoads family, I did nothing out of fear?"
"Of course not..."
At that time, Darwin had already braced himself for a battle to the end with the Rhoads family.
"Hmph!" Janna snorted, "You're the father of my beloved grandsons, Chicago and Charles, and my precious granddaughter can't bring herself to cut all ties with you. So, reluctantly, they've forced my hand, and that's why I let you off the hook!"
"Yes," Darwin acknowledged, well aware of the credibility of Janna's claim. After all, Janna's reputation for being decisive and ruthless was well known.
"Don't let me hear of you mistreating her or being harsh with Charles and Chicago; otherwise..." Janna trailed off, her gaze firmly on Darwin, leaving the threat in the air.
"You have my word; I won't let that happen," Darwin assured her earnestly.
Janna had her grievances with Darwin. It was evident in her every word and look.
Despite her initial fury, seeing him endure the scolding so meekly softened her anger, dissolving it into a sigh.
Along the way, Janna and Darwin had quite a few conversations, most of which revolved around the current economic situation.
Upon reaching the airport, Janna reminded Darwin repeatedly to take good care of Fiona and the kids before she headed for the VIP lane.
Meanwhile, classes had already started in Chicago.
Fiona and Charles were there, helping her learn.
In truth, the material was elementary.
But the teacher on the screen was exceptionally attentive and patient— and Chicago looked like she was listening just as intently.
However, if you looked closer, you'd notice that the kid's big eyes lacked focus, her mind wandering far beyond the lesson.
She wasn't pondering the plump koi in the artificial lake or why they were so hefty, nor was she thinking about the gardener's words about a hidden family of rabbits if one was spotted.
She envisioned a cozy tiny burrow home to an underground rabbit family.
Lost in thought, the desire to draw took hold of her.
"Teacher," Chicago raised her hand.
The teacher, ever so gentle, replied, "Go ahead, dear."
"I—Chicago— have something to do and can't stay in class any longer. Sorry, teacher, goodbye!"
Chicago was about to bounce off her chair when Fiona held her down. "Chicago!"
"Mama, I gotta draw something, it's urgent!" Chicago pleaded, rubbing her hands anxiously, "I can only keep learning after I draw it!"
"Sweetheart..." Fiona was at her wits' end.
"Please, Mama!" Chicago pouted, on the verge of tears.
"Mama can agree, but there's a condition," Fiona said sternly. "You can consider if you want to accept Mama's terms in exchange."
"Yes!" Chicago nodded vigorously.
"You need to learn everything the teacher taught this week," Fiona spoke earnestly, "I've checked; it's not much, and with your bright mind, you wouldn't need a whole week if you focused."
Chicago felt intimidated deep down—she could recognize the letters, but stringing them together was a struggle!
Yet...
"Okay, pinky promise!" Chicago extended her delicate little hand.
Fiona laughed, intertwining pinkies, then sealed the promise with a stamp.
"Goodbye, teacher!"
After the pinky swear, Chicago bid the teacher farewell once more, and then, like a gust of wind, she dashed off to the art studio.
Fiona could only sigh.
She apologized to the teacher, paid the usual fee, and disconnected the call.
"Charles, you don't think she's going to end up illiterate, do you?" Fiona turned, half-amused, half-concerned, to see Charles's reaction.
"Being illiterate but able to paint is pretty cool," Charles exclaimed with mindless admiration for his little sister.
Fiona chuckled, then seated herself across from him. "Charles, at lunch today, were you feeling upset?"
Charles glanced at Fiona, startled. He thought he had concealed it well, but Mom had noticed it.
"Can you talk to Mommy about it?" Fiona asked gently.
Charles looked down. "I've got this serious illness. Going out could cause trouble for others if anything unexpected happens."
He paused.
"And mom and Darwin haven't gone public about having kids. It wouldn't be right for me to go to Solomon," Charles added.
Mom had been the talk of the town lately. He didn't want to cause her any negative attention.
"Silly boy," Fiona tapped his nose playfully. "All you need to worry about is whether you want to go. Dad and I will handle the rest."
"But..." Charles started.
"Do you want to go?" Fiona pressed. "You can't lie to mommy."
After contemplating for a moment, Charles nodded honestly. Why wouldn't he want to reach great heights?
"Then you'll go with Burl!" Fiona decided firmly. "When Dad gets back, I'll tell him."
Charles hesitated.
Seeing the determination in his mother's eyes, he gave a soft smile and nodded. "I'll take care of myself!"
"That's my wonderful Charles!" Fiona kissed his cheek. "Don't worry me like you did today, in the future."
No matter how gifted a child is, when their emotions and needs are acknowledged, they feel genuinely happy.
"Okay!" Charles agreed with a nod. "Mom, let's go to the studio and see what sister was in such a rush to paint."
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