Chapter 445: Chapter 445: Daddy, I’m Only Six Years Old
"If it doesn’t work out, then forget it," Leon Keane said on the phone. "Ivana is my wife and the mother of our two kids. If she doesn’t go, I don’t think the kids would want to go either."
Leon’s mother felt angry upon hearing this. She felt raising this son was in vain because everything he thought about was Ivana.
"Fine! Fine! Make sure she prepares a gift, and it has to be an expensive one. Don’t embarrass me at your grandpa’s birthday party tomorrow."
Although Leon’s mother was reluctant, she did not dwell too much on this matter.
Because... Old Man Pierce had specifically requested Leon Keane’s presence, no matter what important matters Leon had, he had to cancel them to celebrate his birthday.
If Leon didn’t go tomorrow, Old Man Pierce would be furious with Leon’s mother.
Backing down was the only option for Leon’s mother.
She hung up the phone.
Leon returned to his place, and Ivana Monroe and the two kids were already full and had put down their chopsticks.
Ivana looked at Leon. Earlier when he was on the phone, she heard him mention her and Timmy—was it about going or not going? What was it all about?
Ivana had guessed that the phone call was from Leon’s mother. Could it be that Leon’s mother was asking Leon to take Ian back?
So, Leon was unwilling, insisting on taking her and Timmy with him?
Thinking of this, Ivana frowned. To be honest, she didn’t want to go to Leon’s mother’s place.
"Tomorrow is Old Man Pierce’s birthday... My mother wants us all to go," Leon explained simply and directly. He looked at Ivana’s expression; she seemed a bit unwilling, not unlike himself.
Old Man Pierce?
Ivana suddenly remembered that this Old Man Pierce was the elderly man who barged into her hospital room last time, who also happened to be Leon’s grandfather.
Leon had told her that he didn’t have a good relationship with Old Man Pierce, enough to where he’d rather not have any contact if possible.
But that was only Leon’s thought.
Old Man Pierce was Leon’s mother’s father; the blood relation was something that could never be severed.
"Okay."
Ian Keane suddenly "snorted" and spat out the word "greedy."
Ivana was stunned, then her face lit up with a smile. Old Man Pierce was indeed greedy. She vividly remembered his demeanor when he barged into her hospital room, but Timmy was smart and managed to get a huge red envelope.
It seemed Old Man Pierce wanted to use the birthday banquet as an opportunity to make Leon cough up the money he gave to Timmy, with interest!
The principal and interest seemed too little; it appeared Old Man Pierce wanted to extort Leon heavily instead.
"What kind of gifts does Old Man Pierce like? I’ll prepare something," said Ivana, knowing full well they couldn’t refuse even if they didn’t want to.
"You don’t need to prepare anything. Just grab something at random to take with us."
So casually?
"Isn’t that inappropriate?"
"What’s wrong with that? Every year at Ian’s birthday, he doesn’t give a dime. What right does he have to accept anything from us?" Leon dismissed his mother’s words as if they were irrelevant.
His mother may have spoiled the Price family, but he certainly would not.
"Huh?"
Ivana was shocked. Old Man Pierce was that stingy? No wonder both Ian and Leon disliked him.
"Alright!"
Ivana also began to dislike Old Man Pierce. Looking at Ian’s cold little face, she softly said, "Ian, we’re not interested in his gifts. Mommy will buy you a gift every year instead."
Ian was touched and took the opportunity to leap into Ivana’s arms, "Mm, Mommy is the best."
Ivana laughed, hugging Ian and holding the little boy on her lap.
Ian wrapped his arms around Ivana’s waist, resting his small face against her, full of satisfaction.
Ivana glanced at Timmy, slightly worried that Timmy might be jealous.
But it turned out she overthought it.
Timmy showed no sign of jealousy, his eyebrows arched and a smile lighting up his face, looking quite happy.
However, Leon...
"Being such a big boy, still clinging to your mommy, what’s with that? Come down," Leon was the one feeling jealous instead.
"Daddy, I’m only six," Ian pouted.
"Six is not young! Look at Timmy, does he cling to Mommy like you do? You should learn from Timmy." Had it not been for the fear of being blamed by Ivana, Leon would have personally pulled Ian out of Ivana’s arms.
Ivana shot Leon a reproachful glance, while Leon only seemed more annoyed. Even Ian wasn’t jealous, so why was their father?
This was truly exasperating.
"Daddy, hug me,"
Timmy pulled out a chair, ran to Leon’s side, and reached out for a hug.
Leon: "..."
Just after praising the child, he started acting up.
Leon had nothing to say. He felt it was a struggle in this family as Ivana sided with Ian and Timmy did too.
He was fighting alone!
Leon silently picked up Timmy.
"Daddy, you are the best,"
Timmy beamed, hugging Leon in the same position as his brother, while his small face nestled against Leon’s broad, sturdy chest.
"Daddy, your chest is firm, just like a big tree at home, providing shelter for Mommy, my brother, and me from the wind and rain," said Timmy sweetly.
His words praised Leon greatly, stirring a strong sense of parental pride, and satisfied his inner desire immensely.
No more jealousy!
Leon’s lips slightly curved up, "Timmy is right, Daddy will protect each and every one of you."
Ivana was speechless. Leon, appearing as a father, still shamelessly wanting praise from the kids, showed no fatherly dignity.
She couldn’t be bothered to reveal the truth.
Looking at the father and sons, one willing to coax, the other willing to be coaxed, they seemed quite content.
~
The Sovereign Hotel.
Old Man Pierce’s birthday banquet comprised of ten tables settled at the center of the lobby on the first floor.
The entire lobby could accommodate up to fifty tables. Typically, guests with reservations of ten tables would have them placed at the periphery, as other tables are reserved for other guests.
But Old Man Pierce wouldn’t allow this. Even with only ten tables, they had to be placed at the center, and the first floor couldn’t entertain other guests.
The Sovereign is the finest star-rated hotel in Ravenswood and also part of Leon Keane’s enterprise.
Old Man Pierce wouldn’t approach Leon directly to make such a request; instead, he asked Leon’s mother—in any case, she was paying for the party, and it must be grand and magnificent.
"Pierce, you’re really something. This is the most luxurious hotel in Ravenswood. Not just anyone can reserve it. Even wealthy folks here have to line up to spend, yet you secured ten tables, occupying the prime spot. It’s impressive."
"Isn’t it? Us old friends are only here because of you to enjoy a feast at The Sovereign."
"You raised a wonderful daughter, rich and filial. We can’t help but envy you. Why can’t we have daughters as remarkable?"
"Yes, indeed, Pierce..."
Surrounded by a group of old friends licking his boots, Old Man Pierce grinned ear to ear, his face filled with pride and self-satisfaction.