He walked quickly through the snow, and when Willie saw his uncle coming, thinking Alex had heard his words about wanting to take over, he immediately stood at attention, tense.
“Uncle.”
Alex coldly went “Hmm,” then looked at Jacob.
“You are?”
“Hello, sir, I’m Jacob.”
Jacob looked obedient and well–behaved.
In his pupils was reflected Alex’s devilishly handsome face, without a ripple of emotion.
Even though Alex was imitating Geoffrey’s way of doing things, with just one look, he could tell that the person before him was definitely not Geoffrey.
Jacob…
The surname Xia!
Alex’s pupils contracted slightly.
Before he could press further, Jacob looked at him innocently: “Sir, haven’t we met before?”
Alex didn’t refute it: “I forgot.”
“Sir, your memory is really bad. You mustn’t let others find out.”
Jacob’s words carried a hidden meaning.
A flash of surprise crossed Alex’s eyes, then quickly vanished.
After all, he was just a kid–what schemes could he possibly have? Alex didn’t overthink it.
“Uncle, don’t be mad. I was just joking earlier.”
Seeing Alex ignore him, Willie cautiously explained from the side.
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Alex had no clue why the sudden apology came. “Alright, take your friend to play.”
“Okay.”
Willie quickly grabbed Jacob’s hand to leave.
Before walking away, Jacob glanced back at Alex, determined to uncover who this man was and what he wanted.
That fleeting turn of the head–Alex caught the shadow of a woman in the boy’s profile.
His chest tightened sharply. Memories flooded back: Maureen turning to call him in their youth.
“Brother Geoff.”
Alex’s lips pressed into a thin line. Only after the two children vanished from sight did he walk away.
Jacob wasn’t ready to let this go. They’d merely crossed paths, and the day was still young.
“Willie, didn’t you say you’d be Sutton Group’s CEO someday?
Why are you so scared of your uncle?”
Willie’s face flushed crimson. “Nonsense! I’m not scared of him at all. Mom says he’s incapable–he’ll need me to take care of him when he’s old!”
“Then dare you take me to his place?”
Willie quickly responded: “What’s there to be afraid of?”
No sooner had Willie said it than he regretted it, but having boasted, he couldn’t back down
now.
So Willie secretly led Jacob through a secluded path to the side entrance of Geoffrey’s residence.
Arriving there, Willie’s heart pounded though he wore a smug expression.
“See?
This is my uncle’s place.”
Jacob glanced over, noticing the east wing was luxuriously decorated with pillars made of
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Rare Hardwood.
Suddenly clutching his stomach, he groaned: “Oh dear, my stomach hurts! I need to go!”
Without waiting for Willie’s response, he dashed toward the cast wing.
Willie panicked: “Not there! That’s where Uncle Geoffrey lives!”
His shout drew out a maid.
Recognizing Willie, she reproached: “Young master, you shouldn’t be here. Mr. Sutton dislikes children. Leave now, or I’ll call him.”
Willie couldn’t see Jacob anymore. Fearing she’d summon Geoffrey, he scrambled away.
While fleeing, he stuck out his tongue at her.
“Just wait! Dare scold this young master? When I grow up, I’ll fire you!”
The maid snorted contemptuously.
The little one was only four or five years old. By the time he grew up, she would have long resigned.
She returned to her room to continue cleaning, unaware that another child had already sneaked into Geoffrey’s bedroom.
Geoffrey’s living space was uniformly cool–toned, just like the man himself–meticulous and precise.
Jacob entered and began rummaging around, hoping to find evidence against his scumbag dad or the imposter.
But he found nothing. Just as he was about to leave, footsteps echoed from downstairs.
Jacob hurriedly hid behind a cabinet.
The footsteps drew closer. Through the gap, he saw a man in slippers approaching the doorway.
He covered his mouth.
Alex glanced into the room upon returning. Noticing the slightly shifted position of books on the desk, he seemed to understand.
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His gaze swept toward the cabinet, catching a small hand pecking out.
Alex deliberately stepped back without entering. He closed the bedroom door and told the maid, “I’ll be out for half an hour.”
“Yes, sir.”
As the footsteps faded, Jacob sighed in relief.
While emerging from behind the cabinet, his small hand accidentally brushed against a book. It tumbled down, revealing a photograph tucked inside–to his surprise.
Picked it up and looked: seemed like a picture of Mom and that deadbeat dad from their youth.
Jacob immediately pulled out his smartwatch, snapped a photo and put it back. Before leaving, he secretly planted a micro camera in the balcony flower vase, then slipped out.
After leaving Geoffrey’s place, Jacob finally contacted Willie, brushing him off casually.
Neither kid noticed the quiet car where Alex sat watching their retreating figures.
Alex picked up his phone and dialed: “Tail one kid for me.”
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