Chapter 263

Justin's face darkened. He'd brought Shirley because he hoped to somehow navigate the situation. He'd assumed a tacit understanding, so Sam's direct question surprised him. A "yes" would be a blatant lie, and if Sam discovered the truth later, the consequences could be serious. Justin hesitated, searching for a way to evade the question.

Suddenly, Shirley stepped forward. "Mr. Xenos," she said, "I was the baby. My name is Shirley Jones. You're much younger than I imagined."

Sam looked at her, but the feeling wasn't the same as twenty years ago. Back then, seeing the swaddled infant, his heart had softened uncontrollably; he'd even cried. He knew the pendant was a family heirloom for Heather, yet he'd given it to the baby. Now, with Heather gone, he desperately hoped the baby was his own child.

But looking at this girl, with her flattering smile, he felt nothing of the sort. He didn't even like her. He understood why. The baby had been a newborn; he'd likely projected his longing onto her. Even after all these years, he still occasionally recalled the baby's swaddled smile, a beam of light—a beam that had now faded. Though disappointed, he didn't show it. It was only his imagination, after all; he couldn't expect the baby to grow up exactly as he'd envisioned. Politely, he said, "You're so sweet."

Flattered, Shirley beamed. Thinking Sam enjoyed compliments, she eagerly added, "It's our first time visiting you. What an honor!"

As soon as she finished, a hush fell. Justin's heart sank. How could she say that? he thought. It practically announced to Sam that his daughter was uneducated! We repeatedly told her to be quiet, but she ignored us.

Selena looked embarrassed, but Shirley remained oblivious, believing Sam appreciated flattery and continued talking incessantly.

Sam, initially amicable, now looked cold. Decades in business had taught him to see through people. He saw Shirley for what she was: style over substance, an uneducated sycophant, a complete airhead. He disliked her intensely.

He'd thought a lot about that baby over the years, considering asking Ruby to adopt her to ease his grief after losing his daughter. But seeing this girl, he gave up the idea. It even seemed pointless to see Ruby.

"Dinner is ready," Sam announced. "Let's go to the dining room."

Justin quickly nodded, gesturing for Sam to proceed. Sam walked ahead, then turned. "Mr. Jones knows what happened in the past," he said. "Please don't mention anything from twenty years ago in front of my wife. I don't want to upset her."

"Of course," Justin hurriedly replied.

He knew Sam was dissatisfied and disappointed. Sam's reluctance to discuss their first meeting even in front of his wife indicated that a marriage alliance with the Xenos family was impossible. He glanced at Shirley, who still smiled smugly, completely unaware of Sam's disapproval. She even approached him, repeatedly calling him "Mr. Xenos," causing him to frown.

Soon, they reached the spacious dining room. A large, round wooden table inlaid with gemstones dominated the center, a rotating lazy Susan already laden with delicious dishes.

"Wow!" Shirley exclaimed dramatically. "Mr. Xenos, what a feast!"

Ruby emerged from the kitchen. "Honey!" she called to Sam. Everyone immediately recognized her. Shirley quickly asked, "You're Mrs. Xenos? Did you make all this yourself?"

Ruby, taken aback, smiled. "I can't cook."

Sam approached Ruby. His voice was colder. "My wife's hands aren't for washing dishes and cooking."

Justin felt helpless. Would she ever shut up? he thought.

Selena quickly intervened. "Of course, Mrs. Xenos is extraordinary. She was a reporter for RNN. During the Roncrity Cliff Preschool kidnapping, she was instrumental in saving many families." She stepped closer to Ruby. "I've always wanted to thank you personally. My daughter was on that bus."

Ruby was deeply moved. She recalled the kidnapping years ago—criminals hijacking a bus of preschoolers, planting a bomb. A day-and-night standoff with the military yielded no breakthrough until Ruby's brave actions provided the crucial opening. What stood out was a little girl on the bus who, amid the crying children, remained calm and comforting, even winking at Ruby for help. There was a tacit understanding between them. Thanks to the girl, Ruby found a solution, leading to the rescue of all the hostages unharmed. As Ruby left the bus, the girl ran to her, expressing her desire to be a reporter like her. Ruby gave the girl a hairpin with a fluffy bunny, a piece she'd handcrafted while remembering her own daughter, whom she'd often dreamt of before the incident. After the rescue, however, she found peace, finally overcoming her grief—a peace she hadn't shared with Sam.

Remembering the past, Ruby looked at Selena with newfound warmth.