Chapter 153: Already Arranged
Evan Fairchild watched the little rascal, who was so angry he was speechless, and a smirk played on his lips.
’This is just the beginning, little rascal. We have plenty of time.’
...
The car entered Rockwellburg’s most exclusive residential complex. After driving for another half an hour inside, it finally stopped in front of a villa at the peak of a mountain.
The villa’s lights were on.
The moment they heard the car, a middle-aged woman in a suit emerged, followed by an older man and woman. They stood respectfully at the entrance to greet them.
Ian Monroe immediately recognized the older woman.
"Mommy, it’s the old lady who was our neighbor."
Melody Monroe followed Ian Monroe’s finger and saw the woman, who immediately smiled and nodded at her.
’She understood now. Evan Fairchild must have known about Ian’s existence long before this!’
"Miss Monroe, hello. My name is Claire Walsh, and I’m the housekeeper. The two behind me are Auntie Lana and Uncle Page. We’re all here to look after Master Hale."
Melody Monroe looked up at Evan Fairchild, who happened to be looking over at her. The light caught his deep-set eyes, making them glitter like a river of stars.
’Look at this mansion, and then look at her tiny rented apartment...’
’It must be incredible to be this rich!’
’She could work her entire life and still never be able to give Ian a life like this.’
"Miss Monroe, Master Hale, this way, please."
Melody Monroe held Ian’s hand and walked inside.
A magnificent crystal chandelier hung in the spacious foyer, which was decorated like a palace.
A corridor connected the front and rear gardens. She couldn’t tell how large the rear garden was, but judging by the sheer footprint of the house, it was probably big enough for Ian to play soccer in it.
"Your slippers, Miss Monroe, Master Hale."
Melody Monroe, unaccustomed to such service, quickly bent down to take them. "Thank you."
"Please, Miss Monroe, don’t stand on ceremony. Just call me Auntie Lana."
"Auntie Lana," Melody Monroe said softly. "Ian has mentioned you to me."
Auntie Lana gave a modest smile. "Mr. Fairchild was just worried about Master Hale, so he had me go over and look after him."
Melody Monroe changed into her slippers, and Ian Monroe did the same. She took his small hand as they walked further in.
The opulence of the foyer had already surpassed Melody Monroe’s wildest ideas of a mansion, but as she stepped further inside, the scene before her felt even more surreal.
’This must be a castle that only a Princess could ever own!’
The lights gave the space an unreal quality, their brilliance almost dazzling her.
The first floor was divided into three sections: a dining area, a living area, and the servants’ quarters at the back.
A wide, sweeping staircase led to the second floor, with a crystal chandelier descending from the highest ceiling, its shimmering light intoxicating. Even the air smelled of money.
"Miss Monroe, Master Hale, Auntie Lana has prepared a light meal. Please come to the dining room."
Melody Monroe glanced toward the dining room. The gilded dinnerware was clearly priceless, and a spread of both Western pastries and Chinese dishes was laid out.
Ian Monroe looked up at his mother, his small frame radiating anxiety.
"Take Ian to wash his hands," Evan Fairchild ordered bluntly.
Ian Monroe didn’t budge, clinging tightly to his mother’s hand.
"Go on, you know Auntie Lana. Don’t be scared," Melody Monroe coaxed gently.
Only then did Ian Monroe follow Auntie Lana toward the restroom. In the short walk of a few dozen feet, he looked back at his mother three times.
’He wasn’t scared, just uncomfortable.’
’He didn’t like it here at all.’
’He liked his own little bed, their small sofa, and the cramped bathroom where he and his mommy had to squeeze together just to brush their teeth.’
Melody Monroe was worried about Ian, too, and her eyes lingered on his small figure, unwilling to let him out of her sight.