Charlie and ire sat in the car, parked a bit away, making it impossible for them to hear the conversation happening outside.


    From their vantage point, it was clear that Matilda should have asked her son Paul to assist her in preparing a gift for Jacob.<fn02a2> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? Find_Novel(.</fn02a2>


    As ire watched the two exchange gifts, her mood sank even lower. “Look at Dad and Matilda! They’re acting like close friends, almost like a couple in love!”


    Charlie merely nodded in agreement.


    He had long sensed the lingering affection between the two. Notably, Matilda had even named Paul’s Chinese name after Jacob, a testament to the fact that she had never truly forgotten him.<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    As for Jacob, the years spent under ine’s thumb had only intensified his longing for Matilda. If ine hadn’t taken her bank card and essentially vanished, Jacob might have been reunited with Matilda by now.


    At this moment, ire could no longer hold back. She turned to Charlie and said, “You should honk the horn twice to get Dad’s attention; otherwise, he could chat for another half hour.”


    Charlie nodded and honked the horn. Jacob turned and recognized ire’s car. Thinking Charlie hade to pick him up, he smiled and waved before reluctantly addressing Matilda: “Oh, Matilda, my son-inw has arrived to take me back, so I’ll be heading out.”


    Matilda smiled warmly and replied, “Just let me know when you get home, so I won’t worry.”


    “Sure,” Jacob said with a satisfied grin.


    Seizing the moment while Jacob was still chatting with Matilda, ire whispered to Charlie, “Dad probably doesn’t realize I’m here. I’m going to sit in the back.”


    With that, she opened the door, slipped out, and climbed into the back seat.


    She knew her dad’s habits well; he preferred sitting in the front passenger seat. So if that spot was empty, he would definitely take it without a second thought.


    Her decision to hide in the back stemmed from her suspicion that Jacob had been drinking and wouldn’t want to face himter. As Charlie pulled up, Jacob naturally opened the passenger door and hopped in, singing, “I smile smugly, smile smugly…”


    After finishing his tune, he turned to Charlie and said, “Good son-inw, you really came to pick me up!”


    Charlie replied, “Dad, why the formality?”


    “Exactly!” Jacob eximed, giving Charlie a friendly pat on the arm. “Thanks for the skincare products you got for me today. Auntie Matilda loved them! This might just be the most valuable gift I’ve ever given her.”


    Then, Jacob sighed with a hint of regret. “I really owe Matilda so much…”


    As Jacob continued his nostalgic ramblings about Matilda, he remained blissfully unaware that ire was right behind him.


    Realizing this, Charlie quickly gestured with his eyes, trying to signal Jacob to be more discreet.


    But Jacob, feeling a bit woozy from the drinks, was oblivious to the hint. He urged Charlie to drive while happily setting the gift bag on hisp. “Look at this! Auntie Matilda secretly had Paul buy me a gift. Let’s see what it is!”


    Charlie sighed, “Alright, Dad, I’ll do my best to drive carefully, but you need to be cautious too!”


    As he spoke, Charlie continued to subtly remind Jacob to be aware of ire sitting behind him.


    Jacob, focused on the gift, replied earnestly, “This is a present from your Matilda. Of course, I’ll be careful! If I break this, I won’t be able to fix it!”