Chapter 155

“The Hoggard family’s grandson?” Debra gasped, then her face brightened. She waved at Jeremy on the screen. “Hello, Jeremy! I’m Becky’s mother, Debra. Nice to meet you!”

Jeremy’s eyes widened. He scribbled his name on his tablet, showed it to Debra, then quickly erased it. He wanted to say so much, but his vocabulary failed him. His brow furrowed in frustration. Finally, he drew a series of pictures and showed the tablet to Debra again.

Debra’s eyes widened. “Wow, Jeremy, you draw beautifully! You’re amazing!”

Jeremy remained silent, but the video chat flowed effortlessly. Before they knew it, Hannah called them to dinner.

At the table, Lynn hesitated before the stool.

Hayden chuckled. “It’s just a stool, Lynn, before it transforms. Nothing special.”

“Would you believe me if I said I’m afraid it’ll shoot me?” Lynn mumbled.

Hayden sat down, grinning. “At least a hundred countries, including royal families and presidents, use these stools. Our company makes them.”

Lynn stared, then shrugged. “If they’re not worried, why should I be? Their safety standards must be top-notch.”

Lynn laughed, self-consciously. “I just felt…overwhelmed by how expensive it probably is.”

Stacey giggled. “Me too! It’s a little unnerving. Why use such advanced tech for a stool?”

Hayden smiled. “No matter how high-tech, it serves people. Its value lies in everyday use.”

“Right!” Lynn agreed.

Dinner began. Jeremy scooped a huge piece of meat and placed it on Stacey’s plate. Hayden watched, speechless. “He’s never offered me food before!” he muttered. He quickly mirrored Jeremy’s action, placing meat on Stacey’s plate. “Eat up.”

Stacey was bewildered. Jeremy, clutching his spoon, stared at his father. Daddy's trying to steal Becky! he thought, a surge of panic rising. He frantically scooped more meat onto Stacey’s plate.

Hayden cleared his throat. “Use the serving fork, Jeremy. It’s unhygienic to use your own spoon.”

Only serving forks were on the table. Jeremy fumed. Daddy’s sabotaging me!

Stacey’s plate overflowed. “Jeremy, that’s enough!,” she said, then used a fork to serve him some meat. “You need to eat, too.”

Lynn quietly ate, pretending not to notice the tension between Becky, Jeremy, and Hayden.

After dinner, it was time to go. Jeremy clung to Stacey, terrified of losing her. Stacey smiled and squeezed his cheeks. “I’ll take Jeremy to the hotel.”

“I’ll drive you,” Hayden offered.

“Thank you,” Stacey replied.

Hayden sent a driver. Paparazzi lurked outside, but it was nothing new.

At the hotel, the owner greeted them personally. Stacey was momentarily stunned, then realized it was typical for someone of Hayden’s stature. Hayden effortlessly upgraded their suite to a presidential one. The owner personally escorted them to their room. Stacey breathed a sigh of relief. Mr. Hoggard is incredibly kind, she thought. Looking at Jeremy, she understood. He’d wanted to ensure his son’s comfort. He’s a good father, she mused.

The thought sparked a wave of sadness. She pictured Lillian and Kevin, and their father. Her smile vanished. Some fathers deserve the title, others…not so much. She thought of Theodore and Jenny, their continued closeness, and his marriage proposal. Why does he cling to Jenny while asking me to remarry him? she fumed. He was becoming just like Michael.

Now, with Lillian and Kevin, she was determined to stay away from Theodore. I don’t want my children influenced by him. I don’t want Kevin to become like him twenty years from now. The thought choked her.