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Chapter 9 Who is the Father of the Child?

  • At half past four o'clock in the afternoon, Anastasia left work early. Today, she planned to introduce her son to her father at the Tillman Residence.
  • Francis had also returned early from work. He stood eagerly by the door, awaiting the return of his daughter who had been missing for five long years. Finally, a taxi pulled up, and Anastasia emerged, accompanied by a slender figure.
  • But to Francis' surprise, right behind her emerged another little boy. How could his daughter have a four or five-year-old child with her? Francis was completely taken aback.
  • Anastasia looked at her father, noticing how much older he had become in these five years. Seeing him softened her heart towards the past misunderstandings, and she felt remorseful for not contacting him all these years.
  • "Dad, I'm back," Anastasia said, approaching him with her son. She turned to the boy and said, "Jared, say hello to Grandpa."
  • "Grandpa!" Jared raised his head and sweetly greeted Francis.
  • "Grandpa?" Francis was astonished. "Is this... my grandson? You have a child?"
  • "Yes, Dad. His name is Jared, my son. He's three and a half years old," Anastasia quickly adjusted her son's age, wary of any calculations Erica might make about his true birth date.
  • "He's grown so much for three and a half," Francis exclaimed, finding it hard to believe. He now had such a handsome grandson.
  • "Yes!" Anastasia smiled warmly.
  • "Where is the child's father?" Francis asked, eager to understand.
  • "I've raised Jared alone. His father and I don't live together," Anastasia explained simply.
  • "Grandpa, I only live with mommy," Jared chimed in.
  • Francis' eyes reddened. His daughter had been raising a child alone abroad for all these years, and he, as her father, couldn't help. Five years ago, he had even driven her away from home.
  • "It's my fault, Anastasia. Please forgive me. I'll make it up to you," Francis pleaded, overwhelmed with guilt.
  • "No need, Dad. Jared and I are doing fine," Anastasia assured him, not wanting her father to blame himself.
  • "Come inside, Jared. Let Grandpa hold you," Francis invited, bending down to cradle his grandson. He marveled at the boy's handsome features and strong demeanor. He was the most beautiful child he had ever seen.
  • Anastasia followed her father into the villa's hall. Unexpectedly, Naomi saw her husband holding a little boy and hurriedly asked in surprise, "Honey, whose child is this?"
  • "Naomi, this is Anastasia's son. She gave birth to a grandson abroad and brought him back," Francis explained enthusiastically.
  • "What?" Naomi was stunned. This little boy was Anastasia's child born outside.
  • "Hi, Naomi," Anastasia greeted casually.
  • Naomi feigned enthusiasm and continued, "Whose child's father is it? Why isn't he back here?"
  • "Naomi, Anastasia has been raising Jared alone," Francis intervened, subtly warning her not to pry.
  • Naomi instantly grasped the situation. Anastasia had returned, possibly to secure a claim on the family's assets by bringing back a grandson, much to her husband's delight.
  • "Oh! I see. Being a single mother is tough." Naomi's tone held a hint of mocking laughter.
  • "Mom, whose child is this?" Erica suddenly appeared on the stairs. Seeing her father holding a child, she couldn't contain her curiosity.
  • "Whose? This is your Erica's child born abroad," Naomi replied with a strange tone.
  • Erica widened her eyes. "What?" She descended the stairs and stared at Anastasia. "You had a child and didn't even notify anyone? How disgraceful."
  • "Erica, mind your words. Jared is part of our family. You're not allowed to say such things," Francis admonished her sternly.
  • Seeing this, Naomi grew resentful towards Anastasia. Bringing back a grandson had immediately won her husband's favor, and even his attitude towards her had changed.
  • "Dad, I... I was just worried about her!" Erica argued defensively.
  • "Come, Grandpa will take you for a walk in the garden," Francis ignored her protests and carried Jared to the backyard.
  • Once Francis had left, Erica approached with a sneer. "Are you a mistress? Is this child illegitimate, then?"
  • Anastasia's gaze hardened with resentment. She would never forget or forgive what she and Hayley had done to her years ago.
  • "That is none of your concern," Anastasia replied icily.
  • After five years apart, Erica couldn't help but notice how stunning Anastasia had become. Throughout childhood and into adulthood, Anastasia had always overshadowed her. Erica had expected her to be down and out after being driven away. Yet, when they reunited, Anastasia emanated an air of transcendent elegance—serene, fair-skinned like snow, with flawless proportions.
  • "Anastasia, I don't care what you're up to by returning to the family, but mark my words: don't have ulterior motives. Your presence in this family means nothing," Naomi seized the opportunity to threaten her.
  • "I only care about my father in this family. The rest is none of your business. What happens to my father's company in the future is his concern. Why are you meddling?" Anastasia retorted coldly, finding their suspicion absurd.
  • Anastasia took out her phone and sat on the sofa, swiping through it, disregarding the mother and daughter's presence.
  • Lunch was served, and Francis instructed the maid to prepare two non-spicy dishes for his grandson.
  • Observing this, Naomi and Erica sensed something amiss. It appeared that Anastasia, through her son, had regained Francis' favor.
  • After lunch, Anastasia took her father's car and headed straight to a nearby mall. Francis generously purchased gifts for his grandson, spending thousands on robots and Lego sets without hesitation then returned with them to the apartment.
  • Once her father had departed, Anastasia embraced her son and said, "Jared, Grandpa likes you."
  • "I like Grandpa too!" Jared replied happily, then puffed out his cheeks and asked, "Mommy, can you tell me where my daddy is?"
  • Anastasia was taken aback, studying her son intently. "Jared, I don't know where he is. Perhaps he'll never appear in our lives. But Mommy will always be here with you and love you."
  • The little boy nodded thoughtfully, picked up his Lego, and declared, "Then I'll go play."
  • "Alright." Anastasia nodded, watching her son unpack the toys on the sofa, a hint of contemplation crossing her mind.
  • Finding the father of her child wouldn't be difficult. She could start by asking Erica and Hayley. After all, they had arranged the man that night.