Chapter 224

Dominick’s face crumpled when he saw Serena’s reaction to his gift. He rarely interacted with little girls, only knowing Stella, Grayson’s cautious playmate, from afar. He had no clue what they liked. Paisley had never seen him so flustered; this was the man meticulously groomed as Paul’s heir, a man of unwavering confidence.

“Don’t you like it?” he stammered, his ears burning.

Serena pursed her lips. She didn't, but rejecting his effort felt wrong. "Thank you, Sir," she mumbled, then turning to Paisley, "Mom, can you put it away? I'll play with it later."

Paisley hefted the enormous LEGO box – almost as tall as Serena. Dominick's regret was palpable. "Tell me what you want, and I'll buy it! Anything!" His forced smile only seemed to frighten Serena more.

"Whatever I want. Mom will buy it for me," Serena said, clutching Paisley's hand. "Mom, the scary man is acting weird." She whispered, remembering a ghost story, "Mom, do you think he's possessed?"

Dominick was speechless. Paisley chuckled, exasperated. "Rena, please don't call him 'scary man'," Dominick said, his voice tight. He regretted this disastrous encounter, remembering their past clashes, especially the incident at the club. His gaze dropped. "I'm sorry, Rena. I was wrong. I apologize. Give me a chance?"

Paisley saw his vulnerability – his shattered aura, a unique trait that once drew her in.

Chapter 291

A few years ago, she might have softened. His brokenness had once captivated her. But time had hardened her.

"How dare you stop me? I want to see my granddaughter!" Lauren's sharp voice shattered the fragile calm.

"Ah, Mom!" Serena cried, clinging to Paisley. "It's the scary woman from yesterday!"

Paisley’s cold gaze met Dominick’s. He quickly explained, "I didn't tell her." Paisley trusted him; the Vanderbilts would already suspect. Confirmation was easy in a hospital.

Lauren’s voice boomed from outside, "Move aside!" but Maria stood firm.

Serena tugged at Paisley. "That scary woman called me a bastard. What's a bastard? Am I bad?"

Paisley's heart clenched. "Dominick, get your mother out of here! Tell her to stay away from Rena, or I can't guarantee what I'll do."

Outside, Lauren raged, Reginald and three attendants trailing with gifts. "I'm this child's grandmother!"

Maria sneered. "I've never seen a grandmother call her granddaughter a bastard." She lowered her voice, fearing Serena would hear.

Lauren was speechless, regretting her outburst. Reginald intervened, "Let us apologize. We've realized our mistake."

Maria dismissed him. "Go to hell, you're fake! None of you are good!"

Reginald, the powerful chairman, endured the public scolding, bound by Paul’s order to seek forgiveness.

Lauren ordered her attendants to move Maria, but the door swung open. Lauren's forced smile vanished at the sight of Dominick's cold, unwelcoming face. "Dominick..."