Chapter 6 Is That Daddy?
Jasper looked up, his small face showing no trace of panic. "Mom, don't worry. Elodie came and took Ethan with her."
Emily's tense nerves relaxed slightly, though she felt puzzled. "Elodie came? Why didn't she wait for us to leave together? And why did she take Ethan alone?"
Elodie Garcia was the godmother to all three children, and they all adored her.
After Emily left Emerald City years ago, she had gone to Eldoria with her best friend Elodie's help. Later, when she discovered she was pregnant, she knew without a doubt that the father was that man.
At the time, Elodie had urged her to terminate the pregnancy, arguing there was no need to sacrifice her future for some unknown man.
But when the doctor told her she was carrying triplets, Emily couldn't bear to let them go. Day by day, she began to feel their movements in her womb.
She was infinitely grateful that she had kept these three children.
"Elodie had an emergency and had to leave early. She bought lots of snacks, and Ethan couldn't resist—he insisted on going with her," Jasper explained matter-of-factly.
"I see. Did Elodie say when she'd be back?"
"Elodie told us to go home first. She'll bring Ethan back later." Jasper showed no signs of guilt as he confidently fabricated this nonexistent scenario.
He wasn't lying—he was simply withholding information for the best.
In this family, he and his brother Ethan were the pillars, responsible for eliminating all dangers and protecting Mom and Emma.
Jasper's little adult demeanor made Emily smile.
Though Jasper was only five years old, he had always been mature beyond his years, quietly shouldering the responsibilities of being the eldest brother, which gave Emily considerable peace of mind.
So when Jasper spoke, Emily always believed him.
Having been blessed with three such adorable angel babies, perhaps she should thank that man from six years ago.
But she could never let that man know about the children's existence.
No one could take these three children away from her.
Emma didn't know that Emily's thoughts had drifted far away. She looked at Jasper in surprise, about to tell the truth—Ethan had clearly run off on his own, and Elodie hadn't come at all.
The next second, a lollipop was stuffed into Emma's mouth.
Emma licked the sweet candy, and her loyalty instantly switched sides.
Well, she wouldn't expose her brothers' lie.
Emma was successfully bribed, and Jasper breathed a sigh of relief. His and Ethan's plan couldn't be ruined now.
Just moments ago, his watch had vibrated with a message from Ethan containing only a few brief words: "Suspicious person spotted. Possibly Dad."
This piqued Jasper's curiosity.
All these years, Mom had never mentioned anything about Dad, and they didn't know who their father was.
They were afraid of making Mom sad, so they didn't dare ask her. Instead, they secretly asked Elodie.
But Elodie just treated them like children and wouldn't let them pry. When they asked too many questions, she would dismissively say, "Who cares where that deadbeat is fooling around."
So the deadbeat had shown up?
He had to find out why that deadbeat had abandoned Mom.
Why had Mom left Emerald City back then? What had he done to hurt her?
The three children had sworn together that anyone who had hurt Mom would face consequences.
Emily led the two children to a nearby seating area—her rideshare was still a few minutes away.
Meanwhile, Jasper appeared to be playing games with Emma on his tablet, but his fingers were rapidly working across the screen.
On the display, Charles's profile was prominently featured—CEO of the Windsor Group, a legendary figure in the business world, decisive in action with ruthless methods.
What caught his attention even more was that the profile showed Charles as Aunt Clara's boyfriend.
Jasper's brow furrowed slightly.
Elodie had once mentioned that Emily and Clara had deep-seated animosity, so Charles, being Clara's boyfriend, probably wasn't a good person either.
Jasper had also seen Charles's photo, and that face looked remarkably similar to both him and Ethan—so similar that he couldn't help but suspect this man might be their never-before-met father.
So the reason Dad abandoned Mom was—an affair?
Jasper speculated silently.
He sent the information to Ethan, instructing him to find an opportunity to get Charles's hair for a paternity test.
At that moment, Ethan was sitting in the Windsor family car, his watch flashing with a faint red light. Ethan knew this meant Jasper had replied.
But he couldn't check it now. Charles was too sharp and perceptive—he didn't want to be sent away so quickly.
Ethan looked up at Charles, who was sitting in front reviewing documents.
Was this man his father or not? Regardless, he would find out the truth.
Meanwhile, Emily's rideshare arrived quickly.
Emily first took Jasper and Emma to Starlight Manor, the house Elodie had helped her purchase. The rooms were already prepared, and the housekeeper was someone Elodie had carefully selected.
After settling the children, Emily went to the place she had been longing for all these years.
"It's been too long, Mirage Fashion."
Emily took a deep breath and pushed open the glass door of Mirage Fashion.
Jarring electronic music immediately assaulted her ears, and tacky decorations filled her vision.
The once minimalist, elegant display cases had been replaced with gaudy neon fixtures. The exquisite haute couture gowns were gone, replaced by rather vulgar clothing.
"Miss, not just anyone can walk in here," a heavily made-up saleswoman said, eyeing Emily with disdain. "Our cheapest items cost three thousand dollars. Can you even afford them?"
Emily looked down at her T-shirt and jeans.
These salespeople couldn't even recognize international luxury brands? They clearly lacked any real expertise.
"I want to see your boss." Emily's voice was calm, but her eyes were ice-cold.
The saleswoman acted as if she'd heard the world's biggest joke. "Who do you think you are? Our boss, Ms. Johnson, is someone of status—not someone you can just demand to see!"
Other salespeople gathered around, pointing and snickering behind their hands. Emily's patience had reached its limit.
"I'll say this one more time: get your boss out here."
The saleswoman rolled her eyes. "How can you be so dense? I'm telling you, Ms. Johnson is Mr. Windsor from the Windsor Group's girlfriend. If you keep causing trouble here, I'll call security!"
Emily stepped forward, her gaze sharp as a blade. "I don't care whose girlfriend she is. Bring her out to see me. Otherwise..."
Her eyes swept over the flashy decorations and cheap merchandise, her lips curving into a dangerous smile. "I wouldn't mind giving your store a makeover."
"You wouldn't dare! This place is under Mr. Windsor's protection. Try touching anything!"
Emily said nothing more, but slowly walked toward the door where a tacky yet expensive display case stood.
"Want to guess whether I dare or not?"