Chapter 70: Just Call Me Grandpa
In that instant, countless possibilities flashed through Gavin Grant’s mind.
Just like Jonathan Grant and Grace Lawson, they all inevitably settled on one single possibility—
His grandson, Adrian Grant, had a secret child out of wedlock.
But experience counted for a lot. He wouldn’t make a scene over something that wasn’t confirmed.
The shock in Gavin Grant’s eyes lasted only a moment before his expression quickly returned to normal.
"Well now, and whose little one are you?"
Gavin Grant reached out and held the little boy. Though he didn’t show his surprise, his delight was overflowing.
He found the child inexplicably endearing.
"I belong to Mommy and Daddy’s house."
"Heh, what a clever little one," Gavin Grant said, patting his cheek. "And who are your mommy and daddy?"
"It’s no use asking. The kid’s parents don’t want outsiders to know. If his godfather wasn’t your grandson, Adrian Grant, I wouldn’t have dared bring him out in public."
"What? You’re saying his godfather is Adrian Grant?" Gavin Grant was shocked.
’Could that boy be using this as a smokescreen to cover his tracks?’
"Alright, it seems none of you knew. When the time comes, don’t you dare say I was the one who brought the boy to see you."
Franklin Whitman belatedly realized he had stirred up a hornet’s nest.
’They probably all saw this child and misunderstood, thinking he was Adrian Grant’s secret son.’
Franklin Whitman started to feel a little guilty.
He changed the subject. "Alright, alright, didn’t we say we were going to play chess? We’ve been planning this for ages. Let’s start a game."
Franklin Whitman walked to the side, took out the pieces from the chess box, and set up the board.
Gavin Grant, still engrossed in playing with the child, saw Franklin Whitman hurrying him and placed the boy on the opposite side of the chessboard.
"I’m not playing with you. I’m going to play with my great-grandson here."
Franklin Whitman retorted, "...’Great-grandson,’ my foot. Anyone who didn’t know better would really think this was your grandson’s child."
Gavin Grant ignored him. Putting on a high-pitched voice, he chuckled at the child, "Sweetie, what’s your name? How old are you?"
"My name is Ryan. I’m three and a half, almost four."
"Oh, Ryan, little Ryan, do you know how to play chess?"
"Yes, my grandpa taught me."
"Good, good. Then you can play a round with Great-Grandpa."
Franklin Whitman, who had been pushed to the side: "..."
’Hey, I’ve just become a bystander.’
After a pause, Gavin Grant suddenly added, "How about we don’t play? I’ll take you to buy toys, buy presents. What do you want, little guy?"
Ryan Grant shook his head. "I don’t want anything. Mommy and Daddy always take me to buy yummy food and fun things. I just want Great-Grandpa and Grandpa to be healthy."
Hearing this, Gavin Grant’s heart melted. He couldn’t put the little one down. "Heh, you little rascal, you’re quite the sweet-talker."
Franklin Whitman also chuckled. "Heh heh, isn’t he just."
Once a game of chess had started, Franklin Whitman stood beside Ryan Grant, having transformed into a backseat general. "Tiny, play here. Take his cannon first."
「4:00 PM」
Ryan Grant played at the villa for the entire afternoon.
Seeing it was time to take the child home, Franklin Whitman stood up and said his goodbyes to Gavin Grant.
Gavin Grant put down his teacup. "Oh my, it’s already four o’clock."
"Where does the boy live? I’ll go with you."
"Golden Crest Manor."
And so, the two old men and the little boy returned to Golden Crest Manor together.
「5:30 PM」
"So this is where you live, sweetie." Gavin Grant leaned on his cane and peeked inside the doorway.
"Great-Grandpa, Grandpa, come on in!"
Ryan Grant entered the foyer, opened the shoe cabinet, and obediently changed his shoes. Then he looked up at the two adults still standing outside, tilting his little head and blinking as he invited them in.
"We can’t possibly go in before your parents get back," Gavin Grant said faintly.
Meanwhile, Franklin Whitman was on the phone with Caroline Whitman. "Hello, Caroline? I’ve already brought the child home."
Caroline Whitman had just driven into the residential complex. "Okay, as long as he’s home."
But Franklin Whitman sounded worried. "But there’s no one home. That nanny, Miss King, isn’t here either."
"She probably went out to buy groceries. If you’re really worried, I happen to be passing by Golden Crest Manor anyway. I’ll head over and check on him now."
Caroline Whitman twisted her words, finding the perfect excuse.
Franklin Whitman: "Oh."
After he hung up, he turned to find that old rascal Gavin Grant had already put one foot inside.
"His parents aren’t even off work yet. My daughter said she’s coming over to check on the boy in a bit. Let’s go."
"Where is she now?"
"Probably on her way."
"Then let’s just wait for her to arrive before we leave. It won’t take long. If something happens to Ryan while he’s home alone, who would be to blame?"
Franklin Whitman heard this and thought it made sense. After all, he was the one who had taken the child out for the day.
"Alright, then."
"Grandpa, come on in! I’ll show you all my fun toys."
The little guy ran into the playroom and brought out all sorts of toys to show them one by one.
Seeing this, Franklin Whitman didn’t stand on ceremony and entered the living room, sitting on the sofa with Gavin Grant.
Though they were seated, their dark, shifty eyes couldn’t stop darting around the room.
On the large white walls and on the cabinets, there wasn’t a single wedding photo of the parents.
When Miss King came up with the groceries, she was surprised to find the door ajar.
Puzzled, she cautiously approached. With her hand on the doorknob, she first peeked her head inside and saw the child sitting on the floor in front of the sofa, playing with his toys.
"Young Master, you’re back." Miss King came all the way in and closed the door. While changing her shoes, she asked curiously, "Why wasn’t the door properly closed?"
When she walked out of the foyer, she saw two men sitting on the sofa and froze for a second.
"Master, Mr. Whitman, you’re both here." She put on an appropriate smile.
Gavin Grant was also surprised for a moment. "King?"
"Weren’t you working at Jonathan’s place? What are you doing here?"
Miss King’s heart began to race. "The Young Master asked me to come over and help out here for a while a few days ago..."
"Oh..." Gavin Grant said thoughtfully. "How long have you been here?"
Just as Miss King was about to speak,
the sound of the front door opening came from the entryway.
The three adults and one child all turned their heads to look at the same time.
It was Caroline Whitman.
Ryan Grant’s eyes lit up. He immediately dropped his toys and ran over.
"Mom—Godmom—"
"Did Grandpa go home?"
Caroline Whitman, who had just processed the word "Godmom," had barely crossed the foyer when Franklin Whitman’s reply reached her ears:
"He’s still here."
Caroline Whitman turned her head to look at the two mountains sitting on the sofa and froze.
Forget freezing for a second—she was now frozen and utterly shocked!
’Holy cow!’
’What day is it today?’
’Am I dreaming?’
’Dad, where on earth did you invite this living Buddha from?!!!’
"Hi, Caroline," Gavin Grant greeted her with a wide smile.
"Hello, President Grant. Why are you here with my dad...?" Caroline Whitman managed a weak laugh.
"None of that ’President Grant’ business, that’s too formal, child. Ryan already calls me Great-Grandpa, so you should just call me Grandpa."
"...Haha, Mr. Grant, you must be joking."