Chloe and Gregory noticed the strange expressions on the two men's faces and exchanged a knowing glance.
Then they happily greeted Lance. "Uncle Lance, you're here."
Despite their words, they didn't rush over to hug Lance as they usually did.
Lance noticed this, and his already displeased expression darkened further.
Xavier watched from the side, feeling a sense of impending doom.
Deanna, however, didn't notice Lance's unusual demeanor. She toned down her smile and asked again, "Mr. Mercer, why are you here at this hour? Is something wrong?"
"Just got back from a business trip and thought I'd drop by," Lance replied indifferently.
Xavier couldn't help but think to himself how prideful Mr. Mercer was, knowing full well that Lance had come straight over after getting off the plane.
Deanna didn't know what Xavier was thinking. But hearing Lance's words, she couldn't help but wonder, "Are you feeling unwell? Let me see your hand."
She reached out to take Lance's hand, but he pulled away.
"Mr. Mercer?" Deanna looked up in confusion.
Lance looked at her and said, "I haven't eaten yet."
Hearing this, Deanna blinked in surprise. "Well... how about I make you something to eat?" she offered hesitantly.
Lance nodded.
Seeing this, Deanna turned and went to the kitchen.
Landon watched this scene unfold, raising an eyebrow and giving a playful look.
Lance didn't notice Landon's scrutiny. He kept his eyes on the direction Deanna had disappeared, still feeling a bit annoyed.
Just moments ago, Deanna had been joking around with Landon, but when she saw him, she only asked about his health.
Thinking about this, Lance frowned deeply and shot a hostile look at Landon. "Mr. Sherman, I hope you won't be so touchy-feely next time. It's inappropriate."
With that, he pushed Landon's hand away.
Landon pursed his lips and retorted, "What's inappropriate? Deanna and I have known each other for over ten years. We even bathed and slept in the same bed when we were kids."
As soon as these words fell, the temperature around them seemed to drop several degrees.
Lance's face turned dark and ugly, a surge of jealousy rising within him. He glared coldly at Landon.
Landon felt a chill down his spine but refused to back down, meeting Lance's gaze head-on.
The atmosphere between the two men grew tense and explosive.
The two children watched with a mix of fear and excitement. To them, the angrier Uncle Lance got, the more it showed how much he cared about their mommy.
Old Ashley also sensed the tension between the two men and quickly stepped in to change the subject. "Gregory, didn't you say there was a math problem you couldn't solve? Now that your Uncle Lance is here, why don't you ask him?"
"Got it," Gregory nodded and approached with his math book. "Uncle, can you help me with this problem?"
Lance frowned deeply at this. Though Gregory's words were polite, they felt distant.
He looked intently at the little boy in front of him but said nothing. Softening his expression, he took the math book. "Let me see the problem first."
After a moment, he had an idea and began explaining it to Gregory.
Landon watched them, stunned. Was this really the same Mr. Mercer from the Mercer Group known for his ruthless efficiency? Could he have been swapped out?
The more Landon watched, the more incredulous he felt. It was hard to reconcile the cold and ruthless Lance from rumors with the gentle and patient man before him.
Just as he was lost in thought, Chloe tugged on his sleeve and asked in her sweet voice, "Uncle, can you play puzzles with me?"
Landon was taken aback for a moment. Looking down at the little girl's expectant face softened his heart instantly. Without thinking, he nodded. "Of course, Chloe. What puzzle do you want to play?"
"Let's do this one," Chloe said, pulling out a castle puzzle.
Although Lance was explaining the math problem to Gregory, he couldn't help but glance over when Chloe spoke. Seeing Chloe invite Landon to play while ignoring him made him feel incredibly sour.
How ungrateful! He had been thinking about them constantly while away on business, yet after just a few days of absence, they seemed to have forgotten him?
But he couldn't bring himself to blame the two little ones. In the end, he directed all his frustration at Landon. Staring daggers at him, he said through gritted teeth, "Mr. Sherman, don't you have work to do?"