Chapter 764 - 752: I Want You to Marry Me (39)

Chapter 764: Chapter 752: I Want You to Marry Me (39)

"Uncle? You should be calling me Grandpa..." Harold Bishop corrected her, clearly displeased.

At his words, Shirley Lockwood’s expression soured. She furrowed her delicate brow in confusion. "Grandpa...?"

"That’s right, good girl. Call me Grandpa, and Grandpa will give you a red envelope!" Harold Bishop said, patting Shirley Lockwood’s little head with a delighted smile.

’Huh?’ Shirley Lockwood’s world was about to come crashing down... ’What’s all this about calling him Grandpa for a red envelope?’

’I don’t even have a mom, and now suddenly I have a grandpa? Isn’t he just trying to take advantage of me?’

Seeing Shirley Lockwood’s reluctant expression, Archie Lockwood quickly cleared his throat. "Ahem, Rory," he explained in a low voice, "go ahead and call him Grandpa. From now on, Eleanor will be your mother. Mayor Bishop is Eleanor’s father, so naturally, he’ll be your grandpa, too."

"Alright, then. Rory greets you, Grandpa." Hearing her dad, Shirley Lockwood, though a thousand times unwilling, had to force a sweet smile and say the words.

"Good girl. Grandpa will give you a big red envelope later..."

"Thank you, Grandpa."

Harold Bishop simply smiled fondly and said no more.

When his gaze fell on Archie Lockwood, a shadow of disappointment flickered in his eyes.

A child might not understand the implication in Archie Lockwood’s words, but he understood it perfectly.

’This Archie Lockwood... he clearly hasn’t told Rory the truth.’

’He’s using his words to mislead her into thinking Eleanor is just going to be her stepmother...’

Eleanor Bishop was stunned by Archie Lockwood’s words. She turned to look at him, unable to process what she’d heard for a long moment.

’Archie actually told Rory that I’m going to be her mother?’

For her, this was the most wonderful surprise imaginable.

Archie Lockwood sensed Eleanor Bishop’s emotional shift. He tightened his arm around her waist, giving her a fond smile before lifting his gaze to Harold Bishop. "Mayor Bishop, please have a seat."p>

"Hmph." Harold Bishop didn’t refuse, merely nodding as he sat down on the sofa.

"Someone, bring tea for Mayor Bishop!"

"Yes, sir."

Once the servant had poured the tea, Archie Lockwood arched an eyebrow. "Mayor Bishop, please, have some tea."

Harold Bishop’s lips curved into a sarcastic smile. He picked up his cup, took a delicate sip, and then slowly set it back down on the table.

Eleanor Bishop glanced from her father to Archie Lockwood, her heart pounding with anxiety. She wondered if she should say something to ease the tense atmosphere.

After a moment of hesitation, Eleanor stole an uneasy glance at Harold Bishop. "Dad, I think... I want to stay here."

"Is that your wish, or his?" Harold Bishop asked, his gaze darkening.

Archie Lockwood glanced at Eleanor Bishop’s anxious expression, then gave a self-deprecating smile. "It’s my wish," he said in a low voice. "I’m the one who wants Eleanor to stay. Mayor Bishop, you of all people should know it’s better for her to be here with me."

Harold Bishop leaned back against the sofa, his eyes cold. "That may be so," he said coolly, "but Mr. Lockwood, you and Eleanor have no official relationship right now. For her to just live in your house like this... I’m afraid that’s not appropriate, is it?" ’He’s even hiding the truth from Rory. How can I possibly entrust my own daughter to a man like that?’

’Even if I leave her in Archie Lockwood’s care for now, there’s no guarantee he won’t just kick Eleanor out again one day when he’s in a bad mood.’

’In the past, I couldn’t interfere in her affairs with Archie Lockwood, but now that I’m here, I won’t allow my daughter to live in his house without any official standing.’

"Mayor Bishop, my relationship with Eleanor isn’t something that disappears just because you say it doesn’t..." ’I am Rory’s father, and Eleanor is her biological mother. The bond between us can never be broken!’