?Chapter 643:


    Out of options, he left Jayceon a message to pick up his kid.


    Upon arrival, Ethan saw Brenna and Patrick already at a table. They’d picked a seafood grill and stew joint.


    Fresh off a whirlwind business trip abroad, Ethan had onlye back a couple of days ago. He had been scouring the city for the perfect spot to wine and dine Brenna recently. But now, with Patrick being the third wheel, he felt displeased.


    Still, there was no word from Jayceon. Ethan, equal parts ticked off and defeated, slid into the seat across from Brenna and Patrick, his expression somber.


    Seeing Patrick so close to Brenna, practically glued to her side, sent a jab of irritation through Ethan.


    Patrick, sharp as a tack despite his age, leaned in and whispered to Brenna, “He’s not a fan of me. Look at his grumpy face.”


    Brenna stifled augh. “He doesn’t dislike you. He must have just had a bad time. Why not ask him yourself?”


    Patrick swiveled to Ethan. “Is that true?”


    Ethan let out a heavy sigh, feeling cornered. “Yeah, I tried ringing your dad toe pick you up, but he’s not answering my calls.”


    Patrick turned to Brenna with a displeased expression. “See? He thinks I’m a third wheel, just like Mom and Dad. Whenever Dad shows up, he shoves some cash at me, tells me to buy snacks or toys, and then banishes me to my room.”


    Brenna burst outughing. This kid didn’t miss a thing.


    She ruffled his hair affectionately. “You are adorable.”


    Patrick ced his Rubik’s Cube on the table. “Is the food here any good?”


    Ethan’s eyesnded on the cube—a beastly 6×6, perfectly solved. His eyebrows shot up, impressed.


    “You cracked this yourself?” Ethan asked, half-doubting. This kind of brainpower was on par with his own as a kid. Suddenly, Patrick wasn’t just some tagalong; he was starting to like him.


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    “Yup,” Patrick said, like it was no big deal. “It’s boring to y with this. The custom model cars Brenna got me are way more fun.”


    Right then, a waitress swung by with a steaming pot of seafood stew. She nestled it into the table’s built-in burner, flicked on the me, and said, “Dig in! Toppings and sauces are at the self-serve bar.”


    Patrick’s eyes sparkled at the simmering pot. He tugged Brenna’s sleeve. “Brenna, let’s go and check out the bar.” Brenna and Ethan headed there with Patrick.


    Ethan muttered to Brenna, “Kid’s got some serious smarts. No wonder he wasn’t keen on living with his grandparents.”


    Brenna’sugh was soft, her eyes warm with fondness. “He’s sharp as a whip and way more mature than most kids his age. You shouldn’t treat him like a little kid. Just treat him like an adult.”


    Ethan wasn’t totally sold. “Mature or not, he’s still a kid.”


    Patrick wedged himself between them, stretching on his tiptoes to scope out the counter. “Brenna, I want shrimp! Oh, and bacon strips! And those meatballs!”


    Brenna shot him a gentle nudge. “You gotta eat some vegetables, too.”


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