Chapter 128

Ethan's eyes lit up.

"Mom, does Iron Man's son also never get to see his dad?"

I ruffled his hair. "That's right, but he has his mom and sister with him."

Ethan buried his face in my arms, nuzzling against me. "Mom, I'm the happiest kid in the world!"

The words struck a chord in my heart.

Last night, Mr. Alistair had whispered the same thing in my ear.

If he truly was Adrian Roland's brother, his affection for the children made perfect sense.

When Julian Valois had impersonated him, he'd shown no interest in them. But Mr. Alistair remembered Luna's preferred milk formula brand and even prepared Ethan's pencils meticulously.

"Mom, why are you smiling?"

"Mom also thinks she's the luckiest mother in the world."

My phone buzzed abruptly—Joy Fairsprene's name flashed on the screen.

"Stella! Earth-shattering discovery!!!"

Inside the café, I stirred my coffee absentmindedly.

A figure wrapped head-to-toe like an "Arabian" suddenly slid into the seat opposite me.

"Joy?"

She yanked off the headscarf, gasping for air. "I'm boiling alive!"

I eyed her heavy disguise. "Are you being hunted?"

"Worse than hunted!" Joy tugged at her collar. "Look what Julian did!"

The sight of the love bites made my cheeks burn.

"Stella, I've sacrificed so much for you!"

I quickly pushed the iced coffee toward her. "Take your time."

Joy gulped down half the glass before exhaling loudly. "Julian's a complete control freak! He even monitors my water temperature!"

"He cares about you."

"Pfft!" She rolled her eyes. "Enough about that. Julian let slip that Mr. Alistair has liked you for ages, but there's a thorny issue to resolve first."

My pulse quickened. "The car accident?"

"Exactly!" Joy lowered her voice. "If he really is Adrian's brother, then the accident involved his biological parents..."

My phone vibrated again.

A message from Mr. Alistair: 【Did I hurt you last night?】

My lips curved involuntarily: 【Much gentler than Julian.】

【Missing me?】

【No.】

【Liar. Your heartbeat just sped up, and your fingers are trembling.】

The man's perceptiveness never failed to unnerve me.

Joy smirked. "Oho, having a lively chat, are we?"

I swiftly changed the subject. "About Oliver's adoption paperwork..."

Joy sighed. "Still need marriage certification. Julian's willing, but..."

The landline rang before she could finish.

"Hello?"

"Little Star, it's Edward Roland. Could we meet?"

The aged voice on the other end froze me in place.