Chapter 40 The Contract
With that, Elodie's phone rang. It was Ava from Skyline Entertainment, calling to arrange a meeting about the contract.
Elodie glanced at the three children and laughed helplessly. "Speak of the devil—they're calling to discuss the contract right now."
Ethan and Emma jumped up excitedly, while even Jasper cracked a small smile.
Elodie brought Ethan and Emma to the designated café, where Ava was already waiting. When she spotted the children behind Elodie, her eyes lit up—they were even more stunning than their photos!
When she saw Ethan's face, so strikingly similar to Charles's, she couldn't help but gasp, though she quickly composed herself. Her mind raced, 'This child looks way too much like Mr. Windsor. Could there really be some connection?'
"Ms. Garcia, here's our contract for your review." Ava slid the document across the table, her gaze lingering on Ethan's face for several seconds.
Elodie smiled as she accepted the contract. "Thanks, Ava."
Just then, the café door swung open, and Wesley walked in wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses. He headed straight for their table, removed his sunglasses, and fixed his gaze precisely on Ethan's face. His expression was complex—those features, that way of pursing his lips, it was like seeing Charles as a child all over again.
Sensing the overly direct stare, Ethan's small brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He shifted closer to Elodie, quietly gripping the hem of her jacket like a wary little animal.
Elodie hadn't expected Wesley to show up in person. She nearly dropped the contract, forcing a laugh. "Wesley, what brings you here?"
Wesley didn't answer immediately. His gaze swept over Emma before returning to Ethan, his tone carrying an edge of scrutiny. "Elodie, when exactly did you have two such adorable children? Don't you think that needs some explanation?"
Elodie's heart sank as she realized she'd forgotten about the "mother" status listed in the paperwork!
She cleared her throat awkwardly, pulling Emma into her arms while avoiding Wesley's gaze. "They're not mine! They're a friend's children—I'm just helping to look after them."
Wesley raised an eyebrow. "A friend? Your social circle isn't that big. Which friend could have children this distinctive?"
He glanced meaningfully at Ethan.
"I remember you're closest with Emily. Don't tell me these are..."
Elodie quickly cut him off. "Wesley, don't start making wild assumptions! They're just a regular friend's kids!"
Emma blinked her big eyes, looking between Wesley and Elodie before saying in her sweet voice, "Wesley, I've seen you on TV! You're a big star!"
Wesley was charmed by her calling him a "big star," his tone softening slightly. "What's your name?"
"I'm Emma! This is my brother Ethan!"
Ethan simply nodded, speaking with the composure of a little adult. "Hello, Wesley."
The resemblance to Charles as a child was uncanny.
Wesley's expression darkened as his suspicions grew stronger.
He turned to Elodie, his tone brooking no argument. "Elodie, whose children are they really?"
Elodie was practically sweating with anxiety. She tugged on Wesley's sleeve, her voice turning soft and pleading. "Wesley, please don't ask! Their mother has it hard enough and doesn't want to be bothered! Just consider it a favor to me—take good care of these two kids, okay?"
She pouted and batted her eyelashes, pulling out all her charm offensive tactics.
Wesley was always a sucker for this approach. He sighed helplessly but didn't relent, instead turning to ask Ethan directly. "Where's your father?"
"Mom says our dad isn't around anymore."
Ethan pressed his lips together, looking reluctant to discuss it further.
Emma also hung her head sadly, gripping Ethan's jacket tightly, her small face full of sorrow.
Ava sat nearby, not daring to breathe too loudly.
Wesley suspected the children were Emily's, and this child looked like Charles. Could it be? But Ethan said his father wasn't around anymore.
He thought, 'Damn, this is getting complicated.'
Elodie had to admire the children's acting skills. Following Ethan's lead, she steeled herself to continue the fabrication. "Their father... passed away from illness last year. Their mother is a colleague from the hospital. It's tough raising kids alone, so the children wanted to help support the family. I thought they were so mature that I agreed to help."
The story was full of holes—how could Wesley possibly believe it?
Children from ordinary families attending Joyful Jamboree? Using hair ties that cost hundreds of dollars each?
But seeing Elodie on the verge of tears and the children's guarded expressions, he ultimately chose not to press further. He simply ruffled Elodie's hair. "Fine, I won't ask anymore. I'll take good care of these two children."
Elodie exhaled in relief, her back soaked with cold sweat. Trying to maintain such an elaborate lie was exhausting.
Ethan and Emma exchanged a quick glance, mentally giving Elodie a thumbs up.
Wesley took one final look at Ethan, as if trying to see right through him.
He stood up and said to Ava, "Draw up the contract with premium terms, and prioritize resources for these two children going forward."
With that, he put his sunglasses back on and left the café.
The moment the door closed, Elodie slumped in her chair, breathing a long sigh of relief.
Emma leaned over, using her small hand to wipe Elodie's sweat. "Elodie, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine," Elodie said, pinching her cheek while thinking, 'Wesley definitely didn't buy it. This is going to cause problems down the road.'
Ava quickly gathered up the signed contracts, realizing from this interaction that these children had anything but simple backgrounds. Playing it safe and treating them well was clearly the right move.
She smiled. "Ms. Garcia, we'll be in touch about next steps. I'll head back to arrange the training schedule."
Elodie nodded, taking Ethan and Emma's hands. "Let's go home too. Don't keep your mom waiting."
Ethan looked up at her, saying quietly, "Elodie, thank you."
Elodie's heart warmed as she ruffled his hair. "Silly boy, no need to be formal with me."
---
When Sunday morning sunlight filtered across the dining table, Emily finally came downstairs, yawning. Only Jasper sat in the dining room, with half a glass of milk before him, reading the financial section of the newspaper.
"Where are Emma and Ethan?" she asked, pulling out a chair. A servant immediately brought her warm oatmeal.
Jasper looked up, his eyes glinting mischievously behind his glasses. "They went to secure some powerful backing."
"Hmm?" Emily's spoon froze halfway to her mouth.
"Elodie took them yesterday to sign with Skyline Entertainment."
Emily nearly dropped her toast.
She stared at Jasper. "Something this major, and you didn't discuss it with me?"
Jasper calmly took a sip of milk. "Because we've already solved what you were worried about. Wesley promised Elodie he'd look after them, which means no one at Skyline Entertainment would dare mistreat them."