Chapter 980 How to Thank Me?
She was both amused and exasperated as she reached out to take the drawing.
She had thought it might be a love letter, but it turned out to be a simple sketch.
Two stick figures holding hands, one with what seemed to be a veil on its head, indicating it was a girl.
The other had a bowtie drawn around its neck, representing a boy.
It looked more like...
Characters from a cartoon.
Antonio stared at it for a long time, his expression complicated. "Did that little girl tell you herself that this drawing is of you and her?"
"No!"
Ryan answered quickly and firmly, but his eyes were on Harper as he spoke.
"I have no idea who drew this. It's just some bored classmates making stuff up!"
Harper looked into his eyes for two seconds, then snorted.
She turned her head away.
Ignoring him!
Sarah found it somewhat amusing but kept a serious expression. She placed the drawing in front of Harper and patiently said, "Look, this boy doesn't even have hair. How could it be Ryan?"
Harper blinked and looked at it.
That was true.
"And Ryan has already explained to you. Why don't you believe him at all?"
"I..."
Harper lowered her head, biting her lip without saying a word.
Sarah held her hand, trying to make her voice sound gentle.
"Let me tell you, learning about someone from others is the least smart way. Sometimes... even what you see with your own eyes might not be true, let alone what others say?"
"Ryan is willing to patiently explain to you because you're his dearest sister. But if next time it's someone who doesn't want to explain, wouldn't you be wronging an innocent person?"
Harper thought about it for a while, somewhat understanding.
She looked up, pouting, "Mommy... so you're saying I misunderstood?"
"Harper, don't you think this drawing looks familiar?"
Antonio chimed in, pointing at the drawing. "Doesn't it look like a character from a cartoon you've seen?"
As he spoke, Ethan and Ryan also looked up.
"I know, I know!"
Ethan excitedly raised his hand. "Harper, you really misunderstood!"
Sarah knew Harper was sensitive, so she didn't dwell on the matter. She gave Ryan a look and then pretended to scold, "It must be because Ryan didn't explain clearly, right? That's why Harper got so mad!"
She leaned down and kissed Harper's cheek.
"Don't be mad, Harper. If Ryan really bullies you next time, I'll help you deal with him!"
Ryan understood Sarah's meaning. After she finished speaking, he quickly stepped forward to hold Harper's hand.
"Harper..."
Although she still ignored him, she didn't run away like before.
"How about we make a pinky promise? I will never let any other girl be my future bride. They can't even say it!"
Harper hesitated and looked up, "Really?"
"Really!"
Ryan extended his pinky, holding her hand tightly with the other, "Let's make a pinky promise. Only Harper can be my little bride in the future!"
Antonio and Sarah initially felt relieved, thinking the kids had learned to solve their problems.
But hearing this, they froze.
What's going on?
The two little ones continued, unaware of Antonio and Sarah's reaction.
Harper paused for a while before reluctantly extending her hand.
"Alright... but remember, when we play house, only I can be your future bride. If you change your mind, I'll never talk to you again!"
Ryan finally smiled and nodded heavily.
"As long as you're not mad at me!"
Sarah's expression was complicated. She couldn't help but nudge Antonio and whisper, "Honestly, don't you think Harper and Ryan are a bit too close?"
She hadn't noticed before, but thinking back today...
It seemed these two spent more time together than with anyone else.
Antonio also seemed thoughtful but reassured her, "Don't overthink it. They're just kids. They don't know much."
The next moment.
"Harper, come here."
Antonio's face was a bit conflicted, but he gritted his teeth and changed the subject, "Where's Brian? We have good news to share."
"What good news?"
The three kids were immediately distracted and gathered around.
Ethan said, "Brian probably went to the office."
"Then we'll tell you first."
Sarah couldn't help but glance at Harper and Ryan again, pulling Ethan into her arms. "We've found Eden. It won't be long before you can see her. This time it's for real."
The three kids were stunned, then jumped up in joy.
"Really, mom?"
Ethan was ecstatic. "Then the gift I prepared for her can finally be used!"
"I have one too!" Harper raised her hand. "I also prepared a gift for Eden!"
Ryan smiled shyly, "We all have gifts ready. I even prepared one for Harper."
Sarah felt that strange feeling again and couldn't help but ask, "Ryan, it's understandable to give a gift to Eden, who's just coming home, but why did you prepare one for Harper?"
"Because whatever Eden has, Harper should have too!"
Sarah and Antonio were speechless.
Meanwhile, Francis was unaware of Ryan's misunderstanding. He was sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window with Isabella, drinking wine. The dim lighting created a perfect atmosphere.
Isabella had drunk quite a bit, her face flushed with a dreamy pink hue.
She leaned back on her hands, looking at the night view outside, feeling happier than ever.
"You know, I don't think I've ever been this happy before."
No one had ever...
Stood up for her like he did.
Got upset hearing bad things about her and went out of their way to return the insults.
Growing up in the Harringtons Villa, she had the best of everything, but living under someone else's roof, she learned to read people's faces from a young age.
Looking back, there didn't seem to be any truly relaxed moments.
Francis turned his head, his gaze falling on her completely relaxed profile, a gentle smile on his face, wrapped in a soft glow that made her look almost unreal.
His Adam's apple moved, and he didn't blink.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because..."
Isabella started to speak but then laughed softly, hugging her legs and tapping a rhythm with her hands—
She was easing her nerves.
She couldn't possibly say it was because of him, right?
"Maybe it's because... I'm finally being myself."
Francis poured more wine into her glass, hesitating before speaking, "If you don't mind, you can talk to me about it."
Isabella glanced at him and smiled.
"Mr. Stevens is quite good at making things up, huh?"
She used to think Everett could do anything, being both gentlemanly and capable. She never expected him to lie so blatantly in front of others.
Thinking about how he had just fooled Clea and Della, her smile deepened.
"But thanks to Mr. Stevens' nonsense today, he helped me get rid of two annoying people!"
Francis watched her intently, seeing the mischievousness and playfulness in her eyes, which were completely different from her usual gentleness, almost like those of a little girl, even a bit naive.
He rubbed his fingers, wanting to ruffle her hair.
"So, how do you plan to thank me?"
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