Stanley asked Wendy if Be was the daughter she had with Samuel.


    Wendy flinched, as though the words had physically struck her. She wanted to speak, but before she could, Samuel appeared in the doorway.


    "Hey."


    Stanley turned and saw Samuel standing there.


    Ra


    Be, with a sweet smile, called out, "Daddy Sam!"


    She called Samuel "Daddy".


    Stanley''s heart sank. He couldn''t help but feel a sting of self-mockery. He had no idea why he had asked that question in the first ce,


    He knew, of course, that three years ago, Wendy had been pregnant with


    Samuel''s child. Be was undoubtedly their daughter, yet he had still asked, as if hoping for a different answer.


    What was he expecting?


    Samuel stepped forward, extending his arms. "Come here. Let me hold you so your mommy can rest."


    "Okay."


    Be eagerly went to Samuel, who lifted her in his arms and turned his attention to Stanley. "Mr. Hawk, it''s been a long time."


    Stanley managed a tight smile. "A long time, indeed."


    "What a small world," Samuel continued, ncing at Wendy and Be. "First Wendy, now Be-both of them ran into you."


    Stanley''s eyes burned with an unexpected pain as he watched the scene unfold- the picture-perfect family. His hands, which hung at his sides, clenched into fists.


    "Since we ran into each other, how about joining us for dinner tonight?" Samuel invited warmly.


    Stanley shook his head. "No, I have things to handle at thepany. I''ll be leaving."


    "Next time, then. Be, say goodbye to Mr. Handsome."


    Be waved her small hand. "Bye, Mr. Handsome."


    Stanley turned and walked away.


    Once Stanley left, Wendy spoke up. "Let''s go inside."


    Wendy, Samuel, and Be went into the room, and Samuel gently set Be down.


    Wendy looked at Samuel, a quiet question in her eyes. "Did you do that on purpose?"


    Samuel smiled. "Do what on purpose?"


    Wendy raised an eyebrow. "You were intentionally teasing Stanley earlier, weren''t you?"


    Samuel didn''t answer immediately. Instead, he asked, "Are you upset?"


    Wendy shook her head. "No."


    "I was trying to get under Stanley''s skin," Samuel admitted with a chuckle. "After all, he didn''t cherish you or Be three years ago, and now he''s still tangled up with Jessica. It''s a fitting punishment for him."


    Wendy smiled slightly, thinking back to Stanley''s self-deprecating and mncholic expression earlier. He deserved to be taught a lesson.


    At that moment, Be ran up to Wendy. "Mommy, what do you think of Mr. Handsome? I want him to be your husband..."


    Be was set on making Stanley her daddy.


    Wendy smiled gently. The world of adults was so much moreplicated, and children could never truly understand. So, she decided to change the topic.


    "Are you hungry? I had people make your favorite dishes. Let''s have dinner."


    Be''s attention immediately shifted. She nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, I''m hungry!"


    Stanley returned to the Hawk family''s estate. As soon as he entered the living room, he spotted Ang, who had been waiting for him in her wheelchair.


    "What happened at the Zenith G today? Jessica called me earlier toin. She said Wendy showed up there, too. She said you werepletely taken with Wendy and left her all alone."


    The news about Wendy had already reached Ang''s ears. She still remembered Wendy clearly.


    Stanley wasn''t surprised. He knew Jessica would be quick to report back. It was something she had done obsessively over the past three years.


    "Yes, I ran into Wendy at the Zenith G today," he said.


    "Why would shee to the Capital? She must havee for you. You can''t keep getting tangled up with her," Ang said sharply.