The intricately designed lamps lining the silent corridor glowed, enveloping the entire floor in an almost magical light.
Nicole raised her head and observed the inconspicuous but lavish decorations along the corridor. The famed paintings hanging on the wall not only highlighted the owners’ exquisite taste, but also their exorbitant prices.
Luxuries like these caused Nicole to feel uneasy.
She only managed to move into the Hillside Villa because of Juan. Yet, she did not know how long Evan would allow her to stay here. What if she was chased out? If she had to bring the kids to the impoverished ghettos, would they be used to it?
Hence, the priority was to quickly earn money and leave this place. Then, she could raise her children in a better environment.
After Nicole was done preparing breakfast the next morning, she woke the children up.
As usual, Maya was the first one to wash up and sit at the dining table.
She was followed by Kyle, Juan and lastly Nina, who had combed her hair neatly.
Maya’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the delicious pizzas, fruit tarts, eggs and glasses of milk spread on the table. She pulled the largest pizza towards herself, before taking two eggs, three fruit tarts and two glasses of milk.
She was about to start eating when Nina coughed. “Someone said that she’s going to lose weight. Do you guys believe it?”
Maya blinked. That was what she said last night.
If she wanted to lose weight, she would need to eat lesser food. Lowering her head, she glanced at the pile of food in front of her. Should I eat lesser? But I’m reluctant to part with any of these food!
Juan’s clear eyes sparkled, understanding that Nina was talking about Maya.
A surprised expression appeared on his face.
Turning around, he noticed Maya’s conflicted expression as she gazed at the food. He chuckled and said, “Are those just empty words? You’ll need to go hungry if you want to lose weight.”
On the other hand, Kyle acted like an older brother. He encouraged Maya, “I believe that she can become thinner than you.”
“Okay, Juan. Both of us don’t believe her, while Kyle is siding with Maya. Let’s make a bet and see what’s the outcome then.”
When Maya heard that, she pushed the pizza and fruit tarts away from her angrily. She even forced herself to cut down on her favorite eggs.
Only one egg and a glass of milk remained in front of her. “Kyle, I won’t disappoint you.”
“You can do it!” A smile appeared on Kyle’s face as he encouraged Maya.
Maya drank the milk in a gulp and finished the sunny side up egg. However, she could not help but steal a couple of glimpses at the pizzas and fruits tarts. Still, she managed to restrain herself from eating them. Standing up, she ran to her bedroom to get her bag.
Juan looked at Nicole worriedly. “Mommy, do you think that she’ll be hungry?”
“Probably, but let’s see if she can endure it.”
After thinking for a while, Juan asked again, “Why don’t I bring some biscuits and chocolates for her, just in case she gets hungry?”
Immediately, Kyle opposed. “If you do that, she’ll never succeed in losing weight.”
“Yeah, Kyle’s right. We must encourage Maya more.”
“Don’t worry, Mommy. I’ll monitor Maya.”
However, Nina’s words caused Nicole to feel even more worried. “As her sister, you shouldn’t be monitoring her, but encouraging her instead. You must not be too harsh on her, okay?”
Pouting, Nina nodded.
When Nicole was about to send them to kindergarten, Evan called out to her. “Juan’s going to the same school as Kyle today.”
Juan was astonished when he heard that.
Nicole was surprised too. However, she could understand why. Since Evan knew that Juan was his son, so it was logical that he would want to provide Juan a good learning environment by sending him to an elite kindergarten.
However, Nina and Maya could not understand why.
They thought that Evan was biased and that he only liked sons but not daughters.
Maya was glaring at him in resentment.
On the other hand, Nina did not react in any extraordinary manner. After all, she had always disliked Evan.
She grabbed Maya’s hand. “Time for school!”
“I want to go to Grant Kindergarten too.”
Nicole was in a tough spot. Right now, she did not have the money to send both of them to such an elite kindergarten. She raised her head and glanced at Evan.
He found it ridiculous. Why is she looking at me? They’re not my daughters anyway. Their schools have nothing to do with me!
“Maya, we don’t need to go there. Our current kindergarten is great!” Nina consoled Maya.
Maya pouted. “B-But…”
“Maya, let’s go to our kindergarten first. When I have the money, I’ll transfer you to another school, okay?”
Nicole stroked the little girl’s head. At that moment, she could not help but realize the importance of money.
“Daddy, why don’t I switch with Maya and let her go to Grant Kindergarten? I want to attend my old kindergarten instead.”
Evan voiced his opposition immediately after Juan spoke. “No way! You can’t switch!”
Evan’s stance was firm, offering no possibilities of negotiation.
Juan stuck his tongue out, feeling stumped.
Nina scoffed haughtily. “Maya, let’s see if you’ll still call him a goodie!” With that, she grabbed her bag and strode out.
Maya walked towards Evan furiously with her hands on her hips. “Y-You’re not a goodie!”
Then, with a scornful snort, she stomped out of the living room.
A flash of surprise appeared on Evan’s cold face. She only knows how to complain about people not offering her kindness, while completely disregarding the fact that she’s been staying under my roof free of charge! How dare she says I’m not a goodie? But then again, I wouldn’t expect the children of Nicole to behave any better than their mother herself!
“Daddy, you shouldn’t treat them like that.” After speaking, Juan walked out furiously with his bag.
“Daddy, are you in dire lack of money? If not, why did he refuse to let Maya and Nina go to Grant Kindergarten?” After throwing him that question, Kyle followed Juan out of the mansion with a solemn expression.
Evan was speechless. What’s going on? How did I become everyone’s enemy? I’ve been helping them out so much, yet they’re claiming the moral high ground now. Why is it my obligation to let other children attend an elite kindergarten?
Evan found it ridiculous. Kyle must have said that because he was influenced by Nicole. Seems like I must have a proper talk with Nicole.
“Come to my study room after sending the kids.”
When Nicole heard Evan’s words, her heart skipped a beat.
Before she could respond, Evan walked up the stairs steadily.
Then, Nicole sent the children to their respective kindergarten.
Gazing at her two daughters, she felt extremely guilty.
If Evan knows that Nina and Maya are his daughters, will he treat them equally as the boys?
But if Evan knows the truth, will he keep the four children for himself and chase me away, forcing us apart?
After deliberating for quite some time, Nicole still could not reach a resolution. Hence, she decided to meet Evan and assess his attitude first. If he kept refusing, she would plead with him. She did not mind being a maid to the family if he was willing to protect the children.
When Nicole returned to Hillside Villa, she knocked on the door before walking into Evan’s study room nervously.
With a lowered head, he was reviewing the contracts seriously. The sunlight shone on his cold face, making him seem gentler than usual.
People always said that a woman looked the best when she was serious at work. However, Nicole had to admit that a serious man was equally handsome too.
Every action of his exuded an elegant and dignified aura, causing an image to surface in Nicole’s mind.
She was so engrossed in watching the man that her heart pounded rapidly as her lips curled upwards into a smile uncontrollably.
When Evan raised his head, he saw that Nicole was grinning and her smile becoming brighter as time passed.
He couldn’t help but furrow his brows in bafflement.
Her smile seemed to carry a hint of ill intention, reminding him of a Satan’s smile.
“Why are you smiling?” His icy tone snapped Nicole out of her trance.
She shook her head vigorously. As she imagined her own expression earlier, her face heated and flushed beet red right away.
How could I get so fascinated by his look? And he even caught me doing it. How embarrassing.
“What are you scheming right now?” Evan’s forehead creased as he eyed her suspiciously.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.