Chapter 72: Indeed, Adrian’s Child
"Dad, you saw the kid too?" Jonathan Grant jolted, looking at Gavin Grant in shock.
He never imagined that word of the child would reach Gavin Grant.
Wait.
"Franklin Whitman brought the child over to play chess with you?"
Jonathan Grant had to hand it to his prospective in-law.
’How did he manage to so precisely maneuver the child in front of both Gavin Grant and himself?’
"That fellow suddenly said he had a grandson. I was wondering what kind of grandson he doted on so much, so I told him to bring the boy over for me to see. He even made me get a physical checkup last week before I could see the little one.
Hmph. So I wanted to see just what child was so important they’d dare demand a medical report from me."
Jonathan Grant: "..."
’That Franklin Whitman really has some nerve.’
Gavin Grant shot him a look. "You saw that kid, too? When?"
"Last Sunday."
"For something this important, why didn’t you tell me right away?"
"What if he just happens to look like Adrian? It would be a huge mess to claim someone else’s child as our own."
Jonathan Grant was still debating whether to tell his father about the DNA test results.
’The child was confirmed to be Adrian’s.’
’As for the mother, they weren’t sure if it was Caroline Whitman.’
’If he told his father now that Adrian had a son this old, he was worried that at Gavin Grant’s age, the shock would be too much for his health.’
’Besides, just two nights ago, Adrian had told them—the elders—not to interfere in his private romantic matters.’
’Jonathan was afraid that if his father found out, he would immediately try to arrange a marriage, which could make the whole situation worse. Then who would they blame?’
Gavin Grant: "Have you done a DNA test?"
Jonathan Grant dodged the question and asked one of his own, "Dad, do you really think he’s Adrian’s son?"
"Whether he is or not, a DNA test will tell us. All I know is, Adrian isn’t idle enough to just go and become some kid’s godfather."
"..."
"The kid won’t even say who his parents are. It’s obvious an adult is pulling the strings.
They know full well how much speculation it would cause if the child were to appear in the media. You tell me, how could he *not* be Adrian’s son?"
"Besides, I think the boy looks a bit like Caroline Whitman, too.
The child is three and a half. Five years ago, Adrian happened to come back to the country for a year as a transfer student. He was at the same university as Caroline Whitman. Don’t you think that’s when they might have... hit it off?"
Gavin Grant laid out his theory with confidence.
Before his old father, Jonathan Grant was speechless. The man had said it all.
’Still, the theory did make some sense.’
"But if Caroline Whitman were pregnant, there’s no way Franklin Whitman and his wife wouldn’t have known, right?" Jonathan Grant said, spreading his hands.
Gavin Grant: "What if she just didn’t show?"
"..."
Just then, Grace Lawson came in from outside. Overhearing their talk about the child, she realized that Gavin Grant had also met little Ryan today.
She chimed in, "Dad, that’s impossible. After his exchange program ended, Adrian flew abroad. He only comes back once a year for the New Year, and he spends those few days cooped up at home. That’s hardly the behavior of a father."
Jonathan Grant added, "That’s right, Dad. We’ve been looking into it, and we couldn’t find any information about the child from those years."
Gavin Grant insisted, "Alright, alright. Let’s stop guessing. We’ll do a DNA test first, and then we can talk."
"If the test results show he’s not Adrian’s child, at least we’ll know for sure and can avoid any misunderstandings."
’Jonathan really didn’t want to bring up the DNA test. But even if he kept quiet, his father was so well-connected, he’d find a way to get the test done himself.’
’He’d probably have the results by tomorrow morning.’
So, he could only sigh and say, "Adrian just came to the old family home two nights ago to tell us to stay out of his business with Caroline Whitman. He said he’s pursuing her right now."
Gavin Grant: "..."
"So, you’re telling me... he hasn’t even won her over yet?" Gavin Grant asked, shocked.
’What was this nonsense?’
’There’s already a child, and you’re telling me he still hasn’t won the mother over?’
"The DNA test has nothing to do with that. I just need the results," Gavin Grant said, nearly getting muddled by their digressions.
He shot them a sidelong glance. "What? Don’t tell me you already have the results?"
"We have them." Jonathan knew he couldn’t hide it from this old fox. He said grimly, "It’s definitely Adrian’s child."
"What a disgrace!" Gavin Grant said, his anger rising.
Grace Lawson: "Disgrace or not, the child is already here..."
Jonathan Grant: "Then I’ll call Adrian and have him come over. We need to get this straightened out."
Gavin Grant pictured the little one waiting at home alone for his parents. "Never mind," he said. "I’ll go find him at his office tomorrow."
Jonathan Grant was surprised. "Dad, you’re not in a hurry? I thought you’d want to know the truth right away."
’It’s so rare to see Dad being this considerate. I must be seeing things.’
Gavin Grant said, "What else can I do? I just came from seeing the boy. He’s at home by himself waiting for his parents. The poor thing. If we call Adrian back now, the child will be waiting anxiously."
"..."
’Well, then. It seems his ’consideration’ depends on who it’s for.’
* * *
When Adrian Grant got home after finishing up at the office, it was just in time for dinner.
"You’re back?"
Caroline Whitman had never waited for his return so anxiously. It was also the first time she’d ever gotten up to greet him the moment he walked in the door.
At the sound of the door opening, she hurried to the entryway, but her eyes landed first on the bouquet of roses in his hand.
’At a time like this, he’s still got flowers on his mind?’
"I’m back," Adrian replied as he came in, casually handing her the flowers.
Perhaps seeing Caroline go to greet him, Ryan scrambled down from his little chair and came pattering over, calling out in his high, childish voice, "Daddy."
"Mm."
Adrian instinctively reached out to ruffle the child’s hair, but then remembered he hadn’t washed his hands and gently patted his small back instead.
Looking up, he saw Caroline placing the flowers in a vase with a worried expression, so he said softly, "Let’s eat first."
Caroline nodded. Things being what they were, all they could do for now was eat.
「That night.」
After they ate dinner and helped their son with his developmental lessons, Adrian took the boy to the bathroom for his bath around eight o’clock.
The little guy sat in the tub, squeezing bubbles with his eyes shut and scrubbing his face and head. "Daddy," he began, "I saw Great-Grandpa today. Are you and Mommy going to be mad at me?"
Adrian was surprised that a child so young could be so considerate. "Why would we be angry?"
"You and Mommy said that Great-Grandpa and the others aren’t in good health, and that seeing me might make them get so excited they get sick. But I took the risk and went with Grandpa to see them anyway."
"Mommy and I aren’t angry that you went to see Grandpa, Grandma, and Great-Grandpa. But you can’t hide things from us just because you’re afraid we’ll get angry, okay?"
Adrian picked up the shower sprayer. "Close your eyes tight."
Hearing this, Ryan obediently squeezed his eyes shut. A stream of perfectly warm water from the sprayer rained down on his head, rinsing the bubbles from his hair.