Chapter 10 A Freak Show
Emilia’s crying ripped Lydia’s heart apart. Her body was also shivering uncontrollably.
Leo also stood there like a chump, not daring to move his legs at all.
He could clearly feel the little girl’s convulsive sobs, which deeply touched his heart.
He took a deep breath, turned around, and picked up Emilia carefully, then assured her, “Don’t cry, Emilia. I’m not leaving.”
“I heard you guys. Mom asked you to leave.” Emilia was still crying sadly. “Bad Mom. You’re a bad mother…”
Leo and Lydia gasped as soon as they heard this accusation.
Leo hugged Emilia at once and explained hurriedly, “It’s not your mom’s fault. She isn’t a bad mother. I’m the bad guy. I’m the one who put you and your mother through a lot…”
The anger on Lydia’s face vanished instantly as well, being replaced by a mixed feeling of anxiety.
Both Leo and Lydia could not stand to see their daughter cry.
Lydia walked over immediately, coaxing Emilia in a soft voice, “I won’t drive Dad away anymore. I’m just… mad… at him for leaving without saying goodbye and leaving us behind.”
Thinking back to the painful days when she was pregnant with Emilia and the tears she shed every night, the rims of her eyes reddened again as tears rolled down her cheeks.
If people in the International Commerce Center saw her now, their jaws would drop for sure. They would be surprised by the fact that the normally strong-minded, unapproachable Lydia Henderson would get emotional and show her true feelings.
Leo remained silent for a moment and finally said, “I’m sorry.”
Other than that, he really did not know what else to say.
Lydia did not reply. She took Emilia from Leo and continued to coax her patiently.
Children shed tears easily and recovered soon as well. A moment later, Emilia fell asleep in Lydia’s arms.
Only then did Lydia carry Emilia to the bed and cover her with a blanket.
However, she did not come out of the room right away. Instead, she stared at Emilia with an unreadable expression on her face.
“Hey…” Suddenly, a faint voice came from behind.
Leo stood outside the door, looking nervous, and asked cautiously, “May I stay here?”
Only those Leo loved could make him so discreet as if he was treading on eggshells.
Lydia rose to her feet and closed the door behind. Her expression turned icy again as she said to Leo, “Fine, you can stay. I’ll even let you move into my house.”
Before Leo could rejoice, Lydia opened her mouth again, her eyes sparkling irefully, “But I still don’t believe you. You have three months’ probation. During this time, if I find out that you approached us with ulterior motives, or that you’re actually a scam artist, I’ll not only drive you off but also use all the legal methods at my disposal against you!”
Despite her harsh tone, Leo was still elated because she had agreed to let him stay by their side at the very least.
He promised, “I’ll be good to you and make amends for the past five years.”
Lydia’s face did not change. She took out a pile of contracts and handed them to Leo. “Take a look at the clauses.”
But Leo pushed them away and said, “No need.”
Lydia’s expression changed slightly and she asked, “Aren’t you afraid that there are hidden land mines? And that I’m framing you on purpose?”
“No,” Leo shook his head and said calmly, “I’ve told you, I owe you for the last five years. I’m willing to do anything for you and Emilia. If anyone tries to hurt you, they’ll have to step over my dead body first.”
“Anyone can talk a big game.” Lydia snorted but she soon turned her head away awkwardly, avoiding eye contact with Leo.
“It’s a promise, not some big talk.” Leo fixed his eyes on Lydia and continued, “You didn’t even have a decent wedding. I won’t allow it. You deserve everything that others have, only bigger and better. I’ll give you a wedding that has been five years late.”
At this point, Lydia could not maintain her usual composure anymore and looked flabbergasted.
What woman has not fantasized about a grand wedding? Every girl wants to put on a white wedding dress, hold a bridal bouquet, and marry the man she loves under the most dazzling fireworks.
Lydia looked forward to her wedding too before but unfortunately, this had become the regret of her life.
She regained her composure and said, “Don’t bother. A wedding can be very expensive. You don’t need to do that for me.”
“Don’t worry about it,” said Leo with a smile.
Lydia did not dwell on this matter and changed the topic. “Do you have a job?”
“No,” Leo answered honestly.
Lydia was not happy with this answer and said, “To be Emilia’s father, you need to get one.”
Then, she looked over all the departments and said with a frown, “My company is in the women’s cosmetics business. There’re no job vacancies in all the departments, except for the security division…”
“Security Division it is,” Leo agreed without hesitation. “But I can’t report for duty soon because I still have something to do.”
“Whatever. You’ll start at the bottom and get promoted if you have what it takes.” Then, Lydia stood up and said coldly, “I’m busy, we’ll talk more later.”
She strode out of the room in her high heels.
Leo sat alone on the sofa and made a call after thinking for a while.
“Mr. Cohen, what do you need?” Nadine’s voice came from the other end of the line.
Leo replied with a broad smile, “A wedding. Help me prepare a big wedding.”
After hanging up, Leo carefully opened the door and found that Emilia was still sleeping. Then, he closed the door and left the president’s office.
He went downstairs with a spring in his step since he had found his wife and daughter.
Several well-dressed women in professional attire walked past Leo in high spirits.
Although he did not mean to but he overheard their conversation.
“Hurry up, the bidding is about to start. It took me a lot of effort to get this ticket.”
“Gee, I don’t think you know a thing about how auctions work. You’re just here for Mr. Right, aren’t you?”
“Hee-hee, bingo. I heard that many young, rich, and handsome guys come to this kind of event.”
Leo paused, looked in the direction of the voice, and narrowed his eyes.
“An auction?” He recalled that Rebecca and Caroline came here to bid on behalf of the Ford family.Material © NôvelDrama.Org.
Leo hesitated for a while, then walked toward the venue after a gentle sigh, thinking, “Since I’m here, just give them a hand by the way.”
Surprisingly, Leo saw Caroline and Rebecca as soon as he entered the bidding venue.
They were surrounded by many people.
At the front, a man in a suit and tie was laughing unscrupulously. “Mrs. Ford, your family is as good as done. How do you still have time to bid? You’re not actually expecting to save your situation through this auction, are you?”