Chapter 450

Caden smoothly explained, “They had a rough night. Feeling a bit shy today.” Ciara waved off his explanation, too delighted to care. Gently lifting the cloth, her face lit up. “I missed you so much in just one night.” But as she saw what was inside, her smile froze. Her eyes widened in shock.

Caden, unfazed, flashed a charming smile. “Those eyes of yours—they make you look thirty again.”

Ciara huffed, clearly unamused. She pointed angrily at the birdcage. “Enough with the flattery! And what is that?”

Caden glanced at the cage. Inside, the bird stood beside a small sculpture of another bird. Keeping a straight face, he replied smoothly, “Isn’t that your precious bird? When did it become a ‘thing’?”

Ciara’s eyes narrowed, her finger jabbing toward the sculpture. “I’m asking about that! What is that?”

“A bird,” Caden replied, without missing a beat.

Ciara’s face reddened with exasperation. “A bird? That’s supposed to be a bird?”

Caden shrugged. “Sure, it might not move, but technically, it’s still a bird.”

Rendered speechless, Ciara clutched her chest, almost wanting to call for Jasmine and her oxygen tank. Caden quickly helped her into a chair. “At your age, you really shouldn’t get so worked up. Look on the bright side—while it might not be as lively as the original, it’s sure to last longer. Take good care of it, and it might stick around for a hundred years.”

Ciara shot him an icy glare. “Then why don’t you get me a tortoise instead?”

Caden nodded, unfazed. “If that’s what you’d prefer, I can have a few sent over.”

Ciara’s mouth fell open in disbelief. She snatched up her cane and gave him a swift swat.

“Ow!” Caden yelped, wincing.

Ciara paused, momentarily surprised. “I didn’t hit you that hard… did it really hurt?”

Caden replied with a smirk, “I was faking it.”

Ciara was left speechless, her frustration mounting as Caden left Joy Mansion and climbed into his car. Alicia, who had been waiting, immediately leaned forward, brimming with curiosity. “So, did Ciara get mad?”

Caden smoothed a wrinkle on his shirt. “Oh, she was thrilled. Stood right up to praise me.” He paused, recalling the painful “praise” he’d received.

Alicia raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. “No way. Are you telling me Ciara didn’t hit you?”

Caden grinned. “How could she bring herself to hit such a good grandson?”

With that, he started the engine and drove Alicia to the gallery. When they arrived, he remained in the car as she unbuckled her seatbelt. Just as she was about to step out, he called, “Come home early tonight. I just learned to make a dessert. I’ll make it for you.”