Renewal Of Love

Chapter 272 The Apple of Everyone's Eyes

In the Luo Family's mansion.

A soft carpet the color of sky blue was spread around the living room, lending a warm, summery feeling

to the space.

Eddy's eyes was immediately beguiled by the color and toddled toward it, a big smile on his face as he

stepped on the carpet.

It was his first time at the Luo Family's house. Despite his new surroundings, he was completely at

ease.

Already, he was the spitting image of his father. Anyone would be able to see that he was Kevin's son.

"Is this our little Edward?" Liam asked.

He beamed at the sight of his grandson. Perhaps it was because he was his grandfather, but he

thought he had never seen a child more lovely.

The boy's presence was a blessing. With him here, Anne and Liam felt the stiffness between them

dissipate, if only for a little. Anne nodded at the old man's question and said, "We all call him Eddy."

"Okay," Liam smiled at her, then walked towards his grandson and hung a golden locket around his

neck.

"This is a gift. I want him to have his own keepsake from me. Just think of it as humoring an old man's

selfishness," he explained, his words laid out cautiously. He and Anne had only begun to mend their

bond. Liam did not want to offend her, especially since she had taken it upon herself to take the boy to

see him.

Once again, Eddy bridged the gap of their estrangement.

"Okay. Thank you," Anne answered. She could not find it in herself to refuse. She could see how the

old man's eyes lit up when he looked at Eddy.

Eddy grabbed the locket with his little hand and looked at it with wide, curious eyes. The next moment,

he opened his mouth and put it in his mouth.

At this, Liam became a bit anxious. He had given Eddy the golden locket as a good luck charm for a

long and healthy life, but seeing how the child was nibbling at it, he began to doubt the wisdom of his

choice.

He crouched down and reached out to take the locket, but Eddy only gripped it tighter, unwilling to let

go. There was a flash of possession in his eyes, as if he was arguing that it was his and no one could

take it away.

Liam wanted to chuckle at his stubbornness, but he had to take the locket from the child.

Using just enough strength, he pried it off his hands and away from his neck. Liam watched Eddy's

expression carefully, anticipating his crying. To his surprise, the boy just stared at him, albeit with

displeasure, but remained silent.

Rose smiled at her father's evident surprise. Her nephew really was something special.

Liam sat down on the sofa and said to Eddy, "Be good. I will give it to you when you won't be biting it

anymore."

Eddy looked at Liam from the floor. His eyes went next to the sofa. The next moment, his small hands

gripped at the cushions and he decided to climb up. However, the sofa was a little higher than his

waist, so he fell back down before he was able to raise himself up.

Once again, he stood up, this time stepping on Liam's foot and using it like a stepladder. He was able

to climb smoothly, then reached out for the golden locket in his grandfather's hand.

Liam watched the boy's whole struggle with awe and unbridled amusement. His grandson was

definitely as stubborn as he was smart.

He was filled with enthusiasm for Eddy's growth.

The laughter that rang out from the living room reached Valentina's ears. She hovered over the door for

a moment, listening, until she finally went in.

She was greeted with the view of a lovely little baby sitting side by side with Liam. The boy was holding

a golden lock in his hand and was grinning like a winner.

Her chest swelled with fondness. The boy's smile was bright and his eyes were full of life. She felt an

urge to go over to him grow in her.

Liking children came much easier for people their age. Perhaps because she was older, she was

charmed by Eddy's innocence. However, her eyes fell next on Anne, and she decided against coming

over to hold him.

If she was too eager, she would surely be rejected, so it was better to watch over from a safe distance.

Valentina shifted her attention to Rose and wondered when her daughter would have her own child.

There was a time when Rose had been irrational, going as far as to pretend to be pregnant to tie Kevin

down. Valentina was supportive in her daughter trying to get what she wanted, but seeing how things

had panned out now, she was glad that Rose failed. She would have suffered so much if she insisted

on her absurd plans. She wouldn't have been able to smile like she did now.

Eddy came to them all like a wonderful gift from the heavens.

After a while, Eddy had grown much more comfortable with Liam. When Liam raised his eyes and saw

Valentina, he said to Eddy, "This is your Grandma. Come and call her."

Anne's expression changed, but she had kept silent. Eddy looked at Valentina and said in a sweet

voice, "Grandma."

His voice ranged pure and clear in her ears. Valentina could no longer resist after hearing him call her

grandma. Her face broke into a smile and she walked over to Eddy, scooping him up in her arms.

"My grandson is so cute." Eddy felt comfortable in her arms and lay his head on her shoulder.

Valentina's smile grew bigger. She had almost swooned at her grandchild's charming action.

Anne's face eased into a small smile as he watched Valentina cradle her son as if he was the most

precious thing on Earth. Rose, too, was filled with happiness at the exchange. It was as if hope had

finally revealed itself, and their family could start again. She looked at Anne and winked, and the two

sisters exchanged warm, genuine smiles.

"Rose, have you and Mark talked things over?" Valentina asked, to Rose's surprise. It was as if Eddy

had softened her, and now she was accepting Rose and Mark's relationship as well.

"Oh, that. I went to see Mark last night, but he was in the middle of an important meeting, so we moved

our talk for another time. I'll come by again right away," After this, Rose went out of the house to meet

Mark.

"What's with her? I was just asking," Valentina said. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

She had asked with genuine concern. Since her last talk with Liam, she had seen reason and

understood that Rose's life was up to her to decide. If she was happy, then that was the most important

thing.

Eddy started wriggling in Valentina's arms and she was pulled back from her thoughts. Her eyes fell on

Anne and she grew uneasy, but Anne only turned her face away without any trace of animosity. At this,

Valentina breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that Anne did not particularly hold a grudge toward her.

As she recalled the things of the past, Valentina was seized with guilt, but she had resolved not to let

what happened before come in between them now. If only for the sake of the child, she was willing to

bury the hatchet for good.

Perhaps they could slowly learn how to be around each other without erupting into a fight.

In Riverside Hotel.

The mellow scent of red wine filled the air in the presidential suite.

Ryan leaned back against the sofa and raked his eyes through the document handed over by Nicholas.

After thoroughly reading its contents, Ryan immediately understood just how much of a capable man

Nicholas was. He would indeed be useful.

After all, fair or foul, all means were measured according to the end results. In business, those who

were able to stand in the highest positions were only one of two: men with outstanding ability or men

who were brilliant in their tactics.

It was evident that Nicholas was the latter.

"Do you find it satisfactory to your standards?" Nicholas asked as he took a sip of wine.

Ryan's expression changed at his question. He had to change his opinion about the man in front of

him. He smiled and said in leisurely, "Sure enough, CY Group's people are something else."

Ryan was acknowledging his merit. But at the same time, he had made up his mind. Once this deal

was done, he would never involve himself with Nicholas. He was too dangerous, and his loyalty was

only to himself.

Nicholas just smiled. He had been in the business world for many years now, and he had seen all there

was to see when it came to the players of the field. Ryan started as a serious businessman, and

Nicholas' appearance changed this midway. Ryan was good, but he didn't have Nicholas' knack for

judging the people he dealt with.

There were many reasons why Nicholas cooperated with Ryan, but the most crucial among these was

that he was confident in Ryan's weakness. It was only a matter of time before the tables would flip to

his own favor.

"I'm flattered," Nicholas said, the deceptively calm smile never leaving his face.

Two glasses clinked and the wine shook with slight tremors. The men drank, their smiles not betraying

their own plans for the other's downfall. Slow music flowed through the room, covering up the ominous

sound of betrayal.

In the East Mountain Villa.

Since Anne had brought Eddy to the Luo Family's house, Liam had taken it upon himself to visit Eddy

in the villa.

He was not an unwelcome guest, but Anne could not help but be a little concerned at his zealousness.

He was so diligent that he came almost every day.

With his every visit, the spacious living had a little less space. It was starting to be filled with all the

things Liam brought with him. Eddy was showered in so much love and attention, and it seemed that

his grandfather's liking to him was not one-sided. The boy had grown so familiar with Liam that he

would follow the older man around, all the while calling him Grandpa to Liam's delight. Sometimes,

Eddy wouldn't even respond to Anne if Liam was there.

Anne could do nothing but watch as the grandfather and grandson had the time of their lives as they

played with the remote control train.

She had always seen Liam as a well-mannered man. She could almost not believe that it was the same

man lying down on the carpet imitating train sounds.

"Father, it’s time for dinner," Anne said formally.

It wasn't that she was deliberately putting distance between them, but Anne didn't know any other way

to speak to him. She couldn't be casual, like she was with Rose.

"Okay, let's play again later," As Liam was looking away to answer, the train went off the track and hit

the carpet.

Eddy still wanted to play and shouted, "Grandpa, come on."

However, Liam only reached out and picked Eddy up. "Eddy, let's go to eat first. No playing if you don't

eat," he said with a tone of finality.

Eddy pouted but nodded reluctantly.

The dinner table was covered with delicious dishes. On one side, there was a vacuum cup with Eddy's

porridge.

By this time, Eddy could already eat simple cooked food. Now he was obediently standing in the baby

chair and looking around with his big eyes. His big eyes watched Liam with interest as he ate. Eddy

opened his mouth whenever Liam did, mimicking his movements.

"Eat." Eddy stretched out his finger and pointed at Liam, drooling.

"You are still too young to eat that, so you have to eat your own food first and grow up fast," Anne said.

Eddy could understand what Anne meant. He obediently opened his mouth and ate what Anne gave

him, although his brows remained furrowed, evidently disappointed.

Seeing the look on Eddy's face, Liam felt sorry for him. It was no easy task being a grandfather. He had

to hold back even when all he wanted to do was spoil his grandson.

He dipped some sauce on the plate with chopsticks and put it beside Eddy's mouth. Eddy opened his

mouth and sucked the juice in. His small mouth moved as if he was savoring it and made delighted

sounds.

"Anne, you are still inexperienced. Eddy can't eat some things yet, but you can let him have a taste,"

Liam said with a smile.

Anne was filled with curiosity at his unexpected knowledge. How did Liam know so much?

Seeing the question on Anne's face, Liam smiled again and said, "Taking care of a child is the

responsibility of both parents, not just the mother's. I took care of Rose with her Mom back then."

"I see," Anne said, not knowing what else to say.