Chapter 607: Epilogue (34)

Leon Lynch and Holly Wood stood by like spectators, coldly watching the spectacular farce unfold.

Once they had fought to exhaustion, the two of them stood panting and staring at each other.

Mrs. Lynch’s hair was a rat’s nest, and Mr. Lynch was no better off, his face marred by her scratches.

They both gradually calmed down. Mrs. Lynch, however, felt aggrieved and sat there, breaking into sobs.

Mr. Lynch sat beside her and snorted. “Oh, so you know how to cry. Let me tell you, if you pull another stunt like this, I’m divorcing you on the spot.”

Mrs. Lynch tilted her face up, makeup streaked, and wailed, “Who’s afraid of you? Go on, divorce me! I’ll get half of the family assets. What, you want to run off with that little vixen, Maeve Sutton? That bitch better stay out of my sight, or I swear I’ll kill her.”

Mr. Lynch couldn’t be bothered to engage with her. He got up and headed for his bedroom, leaving Mrs. Lynch to cover her face and sob uncontrollably, as if she were the one who had been terribly wronged.

Leon Lynch took Holly’s hand and led her upstairs.

Despite it being the New Year, he began house-hunting. The real estate sales offices had staff working through the holiday. On the afternoon of the second day of the Lunar New Year, after visiting Holly’s family, he and Holly went to view a property in an upscale residential community.

He figured that since they knew a lot of people there, and Nora lived in the community as well, Holly would have someone to talk to.

It wasn’t a detached villa, but a three-bedroom apartment. The price was still steep, but because it was a model home, it was already fully renovated. All they needed to do was bring in furniture to move in.

Leon bought the apartment that very day. He didn’t plan on moving in immediately, deciding to wait until Holly gave birth. He didn’t expect his own mother to help care for Holly; the purchase was simply to make it more convenient for his mother-in-law to visit.

On the second day of the New Year, the heavy snow finally stopped. Back home, Mr. and Mrs. Lynch stayed in all day without going out. Leon felt it was best not to interfere in the matter, figuring that letting them keep an eye on each other was the ideal solution. And so, the day passed.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, a story broke in the news.

William Chapman had broken Maeve Sutton’s legs.

The internet immediately erupted with discussion. Netizens dug up the fact that Maeve had once been Nora Ainsworth’s best friend, and a wave of sighs swept across the web.

People clicked their tongues in judgment. Both were best friends, yet look at Nora Ainsworth, and then look at Maeve. The contrast was just too glaring.

Regardless, it was undeniable that Maeve Sutton could no longer have any contact with Mr. Lynch. It also meant Mr. Lynch was unlikely to divorce his wife. At his age, a man in his fifties, even a shameless one, still cared about his reputation.

It seemed as though the dust was finally starting to settle.

A month later, Holly gave birth to a daughter weighing eight pounds and six ounces.

Leon furnished the apartment in the upscale community and had Holly and their daughter settle in there. Mrs. Wood came over every day to help her daughter through the postpartum confinement period.

Mrs. Lynch wasn’t allowed to take over any of the duties. While she claimed it was a relief, she felt exceptionally uncomfortable inside. Her son’s way of handling things made her more than a little anxious.

Thus, Mrs. Lynch and Mr. Lynch went to the upscale community together to visit Holly and their daughter.

Uncharacteristically, Mrs. Lynch even gave her granddaughter a red envelope containing one hundred thousand yuan as a meeting gift.

The family wasn’t exactly harmonious, but given Leon’s unyielding stance, Mrs. Lynch didn’t dare to bully Holly.

When it came to life, things rarely went perfectly smoothly. It was all a matter of mutual compromise and tolerance.

「Kindergarten was back in session.」

Early one morning, as the children were all heading to school, Elmer Grant cheerfully slapped Fatty on the back.

“Fatty, you look so happy! Did your parents stop fighting?”

Fatty beamed. “Elmer, to be honest, I have you all to thank. I don’t know if they’ll start fighting again later, but ever since that night I went to your house and they couldn’t find me, they haven’t fought at all.”

“Grown-ups are so annoying. They’re always fighting and arguing and talking about divorce. Thankfully, my daddy and mommy never argue or fight.”

Fatty said in agreement, “That’s why, Elmer, I’m so envious of you and Dylan. Your parents gave you such a peaceful home. But I’m going to try my best to talk to my parents and get them to learn from yours.”

Elmer hopped and skipped toward the classroom. “Let’s go, class is starting!” he sang, launching into a popular children’s song about school. “The sun is bright up in the sky, the flowers smile at me, the little bird says, ‘early, early, early,’ why do you carry your little bookbag? I’m going to school, I’m never, ever late, and when I grow up I’ll do great things for everyone…”

“Hey, wait for me!” Watching him effortlessly run so far ahead, Fatty chased after him, panting for breath.

Dylan Grant and Dorothy followed behind. They watched Elmer and Fatty dash into the classroom as the two of them continued at a leisurely pace, hand in hand.

“Dorothy, what’s your dream for when you grow up?”

Dorothy Ellsworth smiled before answering. “You guess.”

“To be a huge star like your daddy, right?”

Dorothy Ellsworth shook her head, denying it. “Nope, not that.”

“Then… a doctor?”

She shook her head again.

“A teacher?”

“Not even close.”

Dylan frowned. “Then what is it… Don’t tell me it’s a scientist?”

“I’m not that ambitious,” she said with a grin. “You’re so silly.”

Suddenly, inspiration struck Dylan, and he broke into a grin. “I’ve got it. Your dream is obviously to grow up and become my wife.”

Dorothy Ellsworth hugged his arm. “You already knew, so why’d you ask?”

Dylan’s eyes curved into a smile. The two children had no idea that their childhood romance would see them walk hand-in-hand all the way into adulthood.

*

「June.」

The weather was scorching.

Nora Ainsworth had only been back from Valeria for a few days when she was hit by waves of sharp abdominal pain.

The pain left her drenched in a cold sweat, and the spasms radiating from her abdomen compelled her to stand up and pace the room.

She wasn’t sure if these were false labor pains or if she was truly about to give birth.

After several minutes, she finally determined the contractions were coming every five minutes and hurriedly called Quentin Grant.

As soon as Quentin Grant received the call, he immediately had the Men in Black take her to the hospital, while he drove there himself.

Just as he reached the hospital entrance, their car arrived as well.

He lifted her out of the car and carried her all the way up to the third floor in one go, leaving even Quentin Grant winded.

The staff in the obstetrics department were already prepared and waiting.

Nora Ainsworth lay down on the examination bed, and her pants were promptly removed. The doctor checked her and said she was only dilated to two fingers; she would have to be at seven or eight before she could come in to deliver.

That was if she wanted a natural delivery…

A Caesarean section, of course, would be a different matter.

Nora Ainsworth insisted on a natural delivery.

Getting off the examination bed, she sucked in a sharp breath as another wave of pain hit.

When Quentin Grant saw her come out again, he asked, “Nora, you can’t deliver yet?”

“My cervix isn’t dilated enough yet. We have to wait.”

This was Quentin Grant’s first time facing such a situation. He hadn’t been present for the birth of the twins, so he had no idea what was happening.

He was caught off guard and completely at a loss.

“I’ll notify our parents.” With that, Quentin Grant first called Mr. and Mrs. Grant, then also informed Ethan Ellsworth and Chloe Marshall, and even sent word to everyone in Valeria.