“Ms. Morin, Eloise is just your friend’s daughter and the goddaughter of Damien’s uncle. It’s not appropriate for you to pick her up every day; I even heard that you two are living together,” Lucy remarked.

“That’s our business. It’s nothing to do with you.”

“Indeed. It has nothing to do with me. But you don’t even pick up your own son, yet you’re picking up your uncle-in-law’s goddaughter and raising her? Aren’t you worried about what people will say?”

“Since you were so eager to pick up my son, I could only settle for someone else’s child,” Celeste’s tone was cold and indifferent.

Lucy’s brows furrowed, and she struggled to find the words.

“Mom! Dad and Lucy always picked me up during your three-year absence. She did many of the things you were supposed to do. You should be grateful. Why are you blaming her?” The way Lucian defended Lucy reminded Celeste of three years ago. When he testified in court on Lucy’s behalf, he looked just as aggressive and self-righteous as he did at that moment.

Celeste couldn’t believe that she carried him for ten months only for him to be an ungrateful brat.

“I’m divorcing your father. Your beloved Lucy will take my place sooner or later, so I’m just letting her get used to the experience of being a stepmom.”

Lucy was upset and wanted to argue back, but with Lucian there, she held her tongue. When Lucy went silent, Celeste turned away and immediately left with Eloise.

By nightfall, Celeste had chosen a nice restaurant and sent the location to Adrian.

Eloise asked, “Ms. Morin, is Mr. Wrenford coming soon?”

“Yes,” Celeste extended her fair hand and gently pinched Eloise’s cheek. “When Mr. Wrenford arrives, you’ll have to start calling him Daddy Adrian, alright?”

“Okay. I’ll listen to you.”

“You like Mr. Wrenford, don’t you?”

Eloise lowered her head and smiled shyly. “Mr. Wrenford is quite gentle. When he visited Mommy, he always brought me gifts.”

“Is that so?” Celeste smiled faintly. “Do you think he’ll bring you a gift tonight?”

Chapter 78.

“I bet he will!” Eloise’s face lit up with a sweet grin, and her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Five minutes later, someone knocked on the door to the private room. Celeste glanced up just as the waiter opened the door—and in stepped a tall, imposing figure behind him.

Adrian strode in wearing a well-fitted suit and clutching a giant bunny plush. When she saw this, she turned to look at Eloise. Their eyes met, and they exchanged a grin. Their unspoken understanding showed there was some sort of mother-daughter connection between them.

“Daddy Adrian.”

Although Eloise wasn’t loud, Adrian had heard her. Nevertheless, he couldn’t resist teasing her, “What did you just call me? I couldn’t hear you.”

Celeste smiled as she watched him bend over to gaze at Eloise while holding the plush toy. Eloise was autistic and disliked talking most of the time, so Celeste knew what he was trying to do.

When the young girl hesitated, Celeste softly rested a hand on her back and encouraged her, “Eloise, Mr. Wrenford has given you a gift. What should you say to him?”

“Thank you, Daddy Adrian.” This time, Eloise said it loud and clear, and a tiny grin spread across her face.

“You’re welcome.” Adrian handed her the plush, and she immediately reached out to grab it.

Toward the end of the dinner, Adrian looked up at Celeste and asked, “Ms. Morin, I’m guessing you didn’t invite me out tonight just for dinner, did you?”

Chapter 79