Chapter 406

Ethan had a sudden idea. He grabbed Stella Valentine's hand and pulled her toward the bedroom.

"Mommy, we want to sleep with you tonight!" He deliberately raised his voice so Adrian Roland would hear.

Luna and Celeste immediately caught on, fluttering around Adrian like little butterflies.

Adrian's wheelchair remained still. His fingers tapped absently on the armrests.

Stella was swept into the bedroom by the children. As she closed the door, she couldn't help glancing back.

In the living room, Adrian's silhouette looked unbearably lonely.

"Daddy's the best!" Luna and Celeste cheered before scampering away.

Adrian forced a smile and wheeled himself out of the living room.

He didn't see Stella watching him through the crack in the door, her gaze lingering.

"Mommy, what are you looking at?" Ethan tugged at her sleeve.

Stella turned away. "Nothing."

She bent to pick up Celeste, while Luna immediately clung to her leg.

"Mommy, you're not leaving again, are you?" Ethan looked up at her.

Celeste buried her face in Stella's neck. "I don't want presents. Just you."

"I want a princess story!" Luna blinked her big eyes. "Ethan only tells monster-fighting ones. Not romantic at all."

Stella laughed, pinching her daughter's cheek. "Alright, tonight it's Sleeping Beauty."

The three children cheered like a flock of happy sparrows.

Benjamin Langley stood at the hallway corner, watching the scene with quiet satisfaction.

He turned toward the sitting room where the four candidates waited. "Thank you for your time. The decision has been made."

Emily sighed. "It was always going to be her. Mr. Roland didn't even look at her, but he was wound tighter than a bowstring."

In the study, Adrian stared blankly out the window.

"Master, it was my presumption." Benjamin entered. "Punish me if you must."

Adrian turned his wheelchair. "The candidates are gone?"

At Benjamin's nod, his entire body visibly relaxed.

"Master, you look unwell." Benjamin frowned with concern.

"It's nothing." Adrian rubbed his temples. "Tell Ms. Valentine her only duty is caring for the children. She may use any resource in the house."

Benjamin hesitated. "Master, there are things—"

"Enough." Adrian cut him off. "What happened six months ago proved everything. She chose to lie for someone else. That ended us."

Benjamin's eyes grew moist. "The late master worried most about you."

Adrian's hands clenched the wheelchair arms, knuckles whitening.

"I'll recover." His voice was rough. "The company. The children. These legs... I'll make it all right again."

Outside, dusk deepened.