Chapter 628

Chapter 628

The glass doors of the mall slid shut behind her, trapping the cool air conditioning and Helena's unsettling vibe inside.

Zoey took a deep breath of the fresh outdoor air, tightening her grip on the gift bag decorated with space-themed designs.

Sunlight filtered through the sycamore leaves, casting dappled shadows on her face. She squinted and looked towards the parking lot.

"Helena just won't leave us alone," Claire muttered, tossing the LEGO box into the trunk.

Zoey carefully placed the gift bag on the back seat, making sure the astronaut helmet model inside wouldn't get squished. She then closed the car door and buckled up. "Well, we're all in Starlight City, so it's bound to happen. But soon enough, she'll learn what happens when you mess with the Hughes and Windsor families."

The car smoothly exited the mall parking lot and headed towards Windsor Manor.

Windsor Manor was located on a private estate in the suburbs. The main house was a traditional three-courtyard structure, while the side house had been modernized into separate living quarters for Zoey, Henry, Gabriel, and Travis.

The car drove past neatly trimmed hedges and stopped in the parking area in front of the main house.

"I'll go say hi to the elders first," Claire said, unbuckling her seatbelt. "You coming with me?"

Zoey nodded, grabbing the gift bag from the back seat. "I'll drop these off at the studio first."

The two parted ways at the side house entrance. Zoey walked through the meticulously arranged garden to her studio on the second floor of the side house.

The room was spacious and bright, with one wall covered in built-in bookshelves and another displaying her fashion sketches and workbench.

Zoey carefully placed the astronaut gear into a locked cabinet, next to several beautifully wrapped gifts. Henry had prepared a programming robot and a telescope.

"In two days, my little princes are going to be over the moon," she murmured, her fingers gently brushing the gift wrapping, her eyes filled with tenderness.

In the main house, Hazel was pouring water as Claire walked in.

Seeing Claire, Hazel immediately set down the cup, her face breaking into a loving smile.

"Claire, you're here! Come over and let me take a look at you." Hazel beckoned. "You look so much better since you got married. Joseph must be taking good care of you."

Claire's cheeks flushed slightly as she obediently sat next to Hazel. "Joseph is very considerate."

"That's good." Hazel nodded in satisfaction, then suddenly changed the subject. "So, when are you planning to have kids? Joseph is thirty now, right? His parents must be anxious."

Claire's smile froze, her fingers twisting together unconsciously. "We're still young. We want to wait a couple more years."

"It's best to have kids while you're young so your body can recover quickly!" Hazel patted her hand. "I had Jagger when I was twenty, and I recovered so fast. You're twenty-one now, the perfect age."

Zoey had just entered the courtyard when she overheard the conversation. Seeing Claire's pleading look, she quickly took a step back. "Mom, I'll go put the kids' gifts away first. You two can chat."

"Zoey!" Claire called out softly, but Hazel pulled her back into a lengthy discussion about the "optimal age for childbirth."

By evening, the setting sun bathed Windsor Manor's courtyard in golden light.

Zoey was in the game room in the side house, playing with Gabriel and Travis. Gabriel and Travis had inherited their parents' good genes, with bright eyes and smooth skin. Their personalities, however, were already showing differences. 

Gabriel was quiet and focused, building neat geometric shapes with the blocks; Travis was lively and energetic, stacking the blocks into imagined spaceships.

"Mom, look! A rocket!" Travis held up his creation, his eyes sparkling.

Zoey was about to praise him when her phone buzzed.

It was a message from Claire: [Help! Hazel gave me a pregnancy diet plan! Joseph is on his way, he said he'll come straight to the side house.]

Zoey couldn't help but chuckle, replying: [Hang in there, dinner will be your escape.]

She had just put down her phone when she heard the sound of a car engine in the courtyard. Moments later, Henry and Joseph walked into the game room.

Henry was dressed in a sharp dark gray suit, his chiseled face showing signs of post-work fatigue, but it softened instantly upon seeing them.

He squatted down, arms open wide. "Daddy's home!"

"Daddy!" Gabriel and Travis simultaneously dropped their blocks and ran into Henry's arms.

Joseph stood at the door, smiling at the scene.

He was slightly shorter than Henry, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, looking every bit the gentle doctor. "Looks like I arrived just in time." He glanced at Zoey. "Is Claire being 'cared for' by Hazel again?"

Zoey nodded helplessly. "An advanced seminar on childbirth."

Joseph adjusted his glasses and smiled wryly. "I figured. My mom just sent her ten packs of herbs last week."

Dinner was served in the main house's dining room, the long table laden with dishes prepared by the Windsor family's chef.

Alfred sat at the head, exuding a mix of authority and kindness. Hazel kept piling food onto Claire's plate, urging her to "eat more and stay healthy."

Claire's bowl was already a small mountain, and she cast a desperate look at Joseph, who could only shrug helplessly.

"Henry," Alfred set down his knife and fork, "I heard you prepared special birthday gifts for Gabriel and Travis?"

Henry nodded. "Yes, Father. Besides the usual toys, we also customized some safety equipment."

"Safety equipment?" Hazel frowned in confusion. "For four-year-olds?"

Zoey and Henry exchanged a glance.

No one wanted to bring up the terrifying kidnapping incident in Marigoldia, but the shadow still lingered.

"Just precautionary measures," Zoey explained softly. "Today's technology can be both fun and safe."

After dinner, everyone gathered in the side house's living room.

Gabriel and Travis were already in their pajamas but were too excited to sleep. Henry's subordinate had just delivered the mysterious package.

Henry unwrapped it, revealing two seemingly ordinary children's smartwatches.

The watch faces were lively blue and red, each adorned with a little robot and a rocket.

Travis immediately reached for the red one. "I want the rocket!"

"Hold on," Henry gently but firmly held Travis's small hand. "Daddy needs to show you how to use it first. This isn't just any watch."

He fastened the watches onto Gabriel and Travis's slender wrists, adjusting the straps.

"Look, this shows the time, this takes pictures, and this lets you send voice messages to Mommy and Daddy." He patiently demonstrated each function, Gabriel and Travis watching with wide, attentive eyes.