Chapter 53 Father and Son Contest

Just as Austin was about to look in the direction of the sound, Ariel suddenly hugged him and burst into tears.

"There's a big black cat! Dad, I'm scared," she said, covering Austin's eyes.

Roy sighed in relief and gave a thumbs-up to Ariel.

After staying with Roy and Queenie for a few days, Ariel had changed a lot.

Austin's attention turned back to Ariel, and his voice became gentle. "Don't be afraid, I'll take you home."

It was already too late, and children shouldn't be staying outside at that time.

"Goodbye, Roy!" Ariel waved to Roy, who had his hands in his pockets.

Austin was still worried about Roy. "Kid, I'll send someone to take you home. It's too late, you might have trouble by yourself."

Austin had never been so kind before. Although Roy seemed aloof, Austin felt pity for him. He thought that maybe becoming a father had made him more compassionate.

Roy turned away, impatiently saying, "You're so annoying. I've already said no need."

Austin didn't say anything else. He felt that Roy didn't know how to appreciate things.

Ariel, afraid that Wendy wouldn't be able to hold on for long, said to Austin, "Dad, let's go home quickly. Roy didn't come specifically to see me; he still has to go to other children's houses."

Upon hearing Ariel's words, Austin frowned. He thought, 'Why does he have to go to other children's houses? How many girlfriends has this boy had? Is he going to other people's houses this late?'

Austin carried Ariel into the car and didn't pay any more attention to the little boy. The Maybach drove into the private parking lot.

Upon arrival in the garage, Austin looked at Ariel in his arms and became serious. Ariel didn't dare to meet Austin's eyes. His gaze was too penetrating, as if he could see through her. Ariel and Austin didn't get along well regularly, and they were both distant.

"Ariel, where did your clothes come from?"

Ariel didn't say anything. She didn't know how to explain.

Because of Ariel's health issues, many of her food and clothes were personally chosen by Austin. Ariel's clothes were not bought by him. The Lewis family knew about Ariel's health issues, and no one would buy her clothes or food randomly.

"I'm talking to you," Austin noticed something even more strange. "Why did you suddenly become so thin?"

Ariel's palms were sweaty with nerves.

Austin felt that something was wrong.

"Ariel, are you hiding something from me?"

Austin frowned, suddenly thinking of something. "Why did you bring a bag with you? Ariel, do you want to leave home again?" Austin would not let such a thing happen.

Austin had already picked up the black bag, but he was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a cat, so he put the bag back on the ground. "What's in the bag?" Austin asked seriously.

Ariel turned her head away and didn't speak to Austin.

Austin felt a headache and touched his forehead, saying, "I will take you upstairs first. Then I will go find that bag."

"It's food," Ariel pouted. She refused to say anything more.

Austin felt annoyed. Ariel had become that cold little girl again, unwilling to be close to him. He didn't know where things had gone wrong.

For Roy and Wendy's sake, Ariel said, "The food is for Roy. He doesn't have a dad, and I think he's very pitiful."

Austin didn't say anything. It was good that Ariel had sympathy, but that boy...

Austin didn't want his beloved daughter to be coveted by others. He thought it necessary to find out who that boy was.

…

After Austin left with Ariel, Roy hurried toward Wendy.

"Wendy!"

Wendy's head hit the tree trunk and formed a big bump. She felt unlucky.

"Are you okay, Wendy? Does it hurt? Let me take a look."

Wendy cried but didn't dare to cry loudly, fearing that Austin would find them. She was still concerned about the food in the bag and cried, "Roy, where's my bag? It's filled with food. I worked so hard to bring it out. Roy, please help me find that bag."

Roy didn't say anything. He loved Wendy very much and immediately went to look for the bag.

The bag was left by Austin on the roadside, and Roy struggled to bring it back for Wendy. "I found it. Hurry, let's leave through the back door."

…

By the time Roy and Wendy returned home, it was already dawn. Roy checked the bump on Wendy's head as soon as possible. The lump was as big as his fist. He felt sorry for Wendy and gently applied ointment for her. He thought, 'Austin, we will definitely seek revenge on you. If it weren't for Austin's sudden appearance, Wendy wouldn’t have gotten injured!'

But Wendy was happy. "I'm home, and I have a lot of snacks."

Roy was speechless. In the world of foodies, there is always only food.

After a night of adventure, Wendy was exhausted. Roy helped her apply medicine. She turned over in bed and quickly fell asleep.

At the same time, Roy received an email in his mailbox from Austin.

Austin!

Roy couldn't wait to open the email. It contained only one sentence. [Send me your account number.]

Roy was furious. He thought, 'Austin! How could he agree so quickly to a million-dollar investigation?' Roy was annoyed and felt that he should ask Austin for more money. Roy angrily replied to Austin's email.

[$1.4 million. Otherwise, I won't help you.]

After demanding Austin to pay %1 million, it took a long time for Austin to reply. Roy knew Austin was smart and deliberately delaying.

…

After soothing Ariel, Austin criticized the maid. Then, he started to deal with business matters. However, he did not expect the other party to ask for more money. He thought, $1.4 million. How is that possible? My company also has detectives, but they are all useless.'

Austin blocked Roy's account. Then, he angrily called Sam.

"The company has hired too many useless people lately. Starting tomorrow, all departments must submit work reports. Fire those who are not qualified.

"Also, have the company's detectives investigate Slendery's researchers. If they can't find out, ask them to leave the company."

Sam was shocked. He had been sleeping, and this notification was bad news. He didn't know what happened to Austin.

After hanging up the phone, Austin heard crying coming from Ariel's room. Austin didn't even have time to put on his coat and ran barefoot to Ariel's room, holding the trembling Ariel in his arms.

Ariel's face was full of tears. She had a terrible dream. She dreamt that Queenie didn't like her and abandoned her because she couldn't say things that would make Queenie happy or be cute. Ariel couldn't open her eyes no matter what. She just cried, tears streaming down her face. Austin felt sorry for her.

Austin patiently comforted Ariel.

Suddenly, Queenie called.

Chloe still hadn't come back from her overtime. Queenie had a nightmare, dreaming that Chloe had been kidnapped. Queenie was sure that Austin had kidnapped Chloe.

Austin glanced at his phone, intending to reject the call. But Ariel accidentally touched the answer button in his arms.

Then, Queenie heard Ariel crying.