Chapter 55 Crab Feast
That afternoon, after Charles finished handling company business, he drove to the Windsor Manor. Before leaving, he had Nathan contact his private island to have a batch of fresh king crab air-shipped to the manor. William had always been fond of them.
As his car pulled through the manor's gates, he saw the butler waiting at the entrance.
"Mr. Windsor, you've arrived. The king crab Nathan arranged just got delivered."
Charles nodded and walked into the living room, where William sat on the sofa reading his newspaper.
"Grandfather."
William set down his paper and glanced at him. "What brings you here today? Not too busy?"
Charles sat beside him. "Things have been lighter lately, so I came to check on you. Just had some king crab caught fresh—had some flown in for you to try."
Just then, Nathan walked in carrying an insulated container, the king crabs inside still fresh and wriggling.
William's eyes lit up as he smiled. "You're always so thoughtful."
Charles gestured to Nathan, who understood immediately and addressed William with a smile. "Mr. William Windsor, when Ethan and Emma visited the manor last time, I noticed Emma seemed to enjoy the king crab. Since these are fresh, should we invite them over to try some?"
William perked up immediately. "Yes! Those children love it. Call them over, call them over."
He turned to the butler. "Quick, send someone to pick up those children."
"Grandfather, I'll go get them."
"Perfect. Hurry back."
Charles drove to Joyful Jamboree just as the dismissal bell rang.
Jasper, Ethan, and Emma emerged with their little backpacks, surprised to see Charles at the school entrance.
Jasper subtly distanced himself from Ethan and Emma, who immediately understood, quickening their pace to block Jasper from view while he melted into the crowd of students.
"Charles? What are you doing here?" Ethan asked.
Ethan still remembered their unpleasant parting last time; he was quite good at holding grudges.
Charles spoke sincerely, "I had a bad attitude last time, and I apologize. To show my sincerity, would you like to come to my house for king crab?"
"Yes!" Emma immediately cheered, her eyes sparkling.
Ethan looked conflicted, so Charles quickly crouched down to meet their eye level. "I promise what happened last time will absolutely never happen again. Besides, William wants to see you both. If I don't bring you back, William will scold me."
Anyone who knew Charles would think his brain had been swapped with someone else's.
Was this man acting coy with children really the legendarily aloof and stern Charles?
Emma reached out with her chubby little hand to pat Charles's cheek. "Don't worry! I'll protect you so William won't scold you!"
"Thank you, Emma."
Ethan softened, too, nodding as he pulled Emma toward the car.
On the way, Charles asked casually, "Ethan, Emma, does your mother's last name happen to be Johnson, too?"
Ethan and Emma exchanged glances and said in unison, "That's classified!"
Charles smiled helplessly. These two children certainly had principles.
At the Windsor Manor, William was already waiting at the entrance.
"My dear children, you're finally here."
"William!" Ethan and Emma called out sweetly.
William beamed, taking their hands and walking toward the garden. "The crab needs a bit more time to steam. Come, help me with some gardening."
The garden bloomed with various flowers. Emma's eyes lit up when she saw them. She pointed to a budding rose and said, "William, that's a Pink Fanfare rose. It needs lots of sunlight but not direct harsh light, and you can't water it too much or the roots will rot."
William looked at her in amazement. "You certainly know a lot."
Emma smiled proudly. "Mommy taught me. Mommy says every flower has its personality."
"Your mother sounds remarkable," William said admiringly, growing more curious about this woman he'd never met.
Anyone who could raise two such exceptional children must be extraordinary.
Just then, a fluffy kitten ran out from the flower beds, meowing.
"A kitty!" Emma exclaimed in delight, carefully approaching to gently stroke the cat's back.
Ethan joined her, and they both played with the kitten.
Charles stood watching, an unconscious smile tugging at his lips.
After playing for a while, Emma and Ethan had cat hair all over their clothes. When the butler moved to clean them off, Charles stepped forward instead, taking the lint roller and carefully removing the fur himself.
His movements were gentle, his focus intense, as if performing something incredibly important.
The butler nearby stared in amazement. When had Charles ever been so affectionate with children?
William watched approvingly, nodding with satisfaction.
Charles had finally dropped that perpetual stern expression.
Dinner was served.
A large platter of bright red king crab was brought out, its aroma filling the air.
Ethan picked up one crab and skillfully cracked it open, passing the meat to Emma. "Emma, here you go."
"Thank you, Ethan." Emma happily accepted it and took big bites.
After eating several pieces, Emma picked up a crab and tried to crack it herself, mimicking Ethan's technique.
Though her technique wasn't quite polished, she worked earnestly. Once finished, she stood on her tiptoes and offered it to William. "William, this is for you."
William's eyes crinkled with joy as he accepted the crab meat. "Wonderful, wonderful, Emma is such a thoughtful child."
The dinner table buzzed with warmth. Charles frequently served the children, while William kept asking about their school adventures, laughter flowing freely.
Charles seized another opportunity. "Emma, does your mother like king crab?"
"That's classified!" Emma and Ethan declared in unison again.
Charles laughed despite himself. These two kids were truly impenetrable.
Suddenly, Emma looked up at Charles and asked, "Charles, are you trying to court our mommy?"
Charles was caught off guard by her directness.
Emma continued, "We don't approve of you courting our Mommy. You have a girlfriend, and Mommy says you can't interfere with other people's relationships."
Ethan nodded emphatically. "That's right, Charles. Even though I don't like your girlfriend."
Charles said helplessly, "What are you two little minds thinking about?"
"We're thinking about not letting Mommy make mistakes," Emma said seriously.
William chuckled and patted her head. "Good, good, Emma is such a wise child."
After dinner, Ethan and Emma chatted with William a bit longer before reluctantly leaving with Charles.
Watching the car disappear into the distance, William said to the butler, "These two children are just too lovable. If only..."
He didn't finish the thought, but the hope in his eyes was obvious.
Nathan, overhearing William's words, wanted to comfort him, to tell him not to worry, to wait just a few more days.
Charles had already managed to collect strands of Ethan and Emma's hair while cleaning off the cat fur. Once the paternity test was done, they'd know for certain whether these children truly belonged to the Windsor family.