Chapter 41
Sally saw that Howard looked upset and didn’t dare drag things out any longer.
She grabbed the phone, found Jaxon’s number, called him, and handed the phone back to Howard.
“Grandpa, you called me?” Not long after, Jaxon’s deep, magnetic voice came through the phone, right in Sally’s ear.
Howard said sternly, “Come home right now. I have something important to ask you.”
“I’ve got a meeting tonight. If it’s important, just say it over the phone,” said Jaxon.
“No, you have to come back…” Howard broke off, coughing hard.
Howard was clearly angry, coughing nonstop as he spoke.
Sally worried this might set back Howard’s recovery. She absolutely couldn’t let him get worked up right now.
She gave Jaxon a heads–up, her tone calm, “Mr. Zale, Howard knows about Lillian.”
As soon as she said that, Jaxon on the other end went silent for a moment.
After a pause, Jaxon’s low voice finally came through. “Alright, I’ll be right there.”
Hearing this, Brad, who was standing by the door, looked at Sally in disbelief.
Whenever Howard asked Jaxon to come home, it always took a long while to get him to agree.
But Sally just said one sentence, and Jaxon agreed to come back.
After hanging up, Sally quietly went back to packing up the medical kit without saying a word.
Howard said, “Brad, help me downstairs. I’m going to wait for him in the living room. No one’s leaving tonight. Everyone’s staying for dinner.”
Sally’s hand, holding the medical tools, paused for a second.
Obviously, that line was probably meant for her.
But Sally figured Jaxon must have already come up with a plan. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have agreed so quickly to admit Lillian was his daughter.
After they got to the living room, Sally stayed with Howard, waiting for Jaxon to come home.
About half an hour later, the familiar sound of an engine came from outside.
As the sound of leather shoes echoed closer, Sally slowly looked up and met his mesmerizing eyes.
They only locked eyes for a second before Jaxon quickly looked away, fixing his gaze on Howard. “Who told you about this?”
Brad, who was sitting next to Howard, instinctively looked up.
Jaxon felt Brad’s intense stare, and his eyes suddenly darkened. “Was it you?”
He walked over to the sofa and sat down next to Sally.
Seeing the two of them sitting together, Brad couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
Once Jaxon sat down, he narrowed his eyes slightly as he stared straight at Brad.
It was obvious that he was waiting for an explanation.
“It was me,” Brad said seriously. “I heard your daughter was staying at Windmere Estates, but that’s Sally’s place. Everyone knows she’s always bringing the kid in and out, and honestly, it doesn’t look good. That’s why I told Grandpa.”
When Jaxon didn’t say anything, Brad went on, “Would you rather Grandpa hear gossip from outsiders or from us? What do you think, Uncle Jaxon?”
Sally shifted her gaze from Brad to Jaxon.
In the warm light, the sharp lines of Jaxon’s face seemed a little softer.
His lips twitched into a faint, charming smile. “Is a goddaughter worth all this trouble, Grandpa?”
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11:54 AM
Chapter 41
Brad stared in disbelief. “Goddaughter?”
As soon as Jaxon said that, Sally finally felt the weight lift from her chest.
It looked like he really did have a plan.
He claimed that Lillian was his goddaughter. That really was the best way out of this mess.
Jaxon let out a cool, fleeting smile, “What else could it be? You don’t actually think she’s my real daughter, do you? I’m not even married and don’t have a girlfriend. How can I have a daughter?”
“But I definitely heard her call you dad… ” said Jaxon.
Jaxon’s eyes turned icy. “So being her godfather doesn’t count? Brad, you’re really pushing it. This attitude of yours is honestly a bit much.”
“That’s enough.” Brad was about to say more, but Howard, who’d been silent until now, cut him off.
Howard looked across the table at Jaxon. “When did you decide to take in a goddaughter? Even if she’s not your own, this is still a big deal. You should’ve told me.”
Jaxon sounded completely indifferent. “What’s there to say? If you want to meet her, I’ll bring her here another time.”
He leaned back in his chair, his voice low and detached.
Howard cleared his throat. “If she’s your goddaughter, she should have parents. Why has Sally been the one looking after her all this time?”
Sally was about to speak, but the man beside her beat her to it. “She doesn’t have parents anymore.”
Sally froze for a second, surprised Jaxon would put it that way.
But on second thought, he wasn’t wrong.
Lillian’s dad had already abandoned her, and her mom would be sentenced soon after.
Honestly, it was no different from being an orphan.
Seeing Howard still silent, Sally added, “I knew her mom. We got along pretty well. That’s why I’ve been looking after her. You could say I’m helping
Mr. Zale take care of her…”
Howard nodded thoughtfully. “So that’s how it is.”
“Yes.” Sally gave a small nod, noticing Jaxon seemed to be watching her. But with Brad sitting right across from them, she didn’t dare meet his eyes.
Across the table, Brad’s face was dark with anger.
The tension in the room just kept getting heavier.
“Now that the misunderstanding’s been cleared up, there’s no need to keep pushing it. It’s just a kid. There’s no reason to make a big deal out of it.”
As Howard said this, he tilted his head slightly toward Brad.
Everyone knew those words were meant for Brad.
Brad didn’t say a word, but when he looked at Sally, his eyes were burning with anger and resentment.
“It’s getting late. I really do have an important meeting tonight, so I’ll head out now.” Jaxon quickly stood up from the sofa, his voice low and a little rough.
“Why not stay for dinner? You’re already back.” Howard’s face showed his displeasure as he glanced over.
Sally stood up too. “I actually have something to do tonight as well, so I won’t stay for dinner. Mr. Zale, would you mind giving me a ride?”
Jaxon shot Sally a sidelong look, a hint of a smile on his lips. “Of course.”
Brad jumped up. “You’re coming with me!”
He strode over, grabbed Sally’s arm, and marched toward the door.
When they got to the door, Sally pulled her arm free. “We’re not even going the same way…
Brad’s brows drew together. “You’re not going the same way as Uncle Jaxon either! So why are you riding with him?”
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