Chapter 81 You Deserve It
Emma and Ethan were curled up on the cream leather sofa, sharing a croissant, chocolate sauce still smeared at the corners of their mouths, when they looked up at the sound of his voice.
Emma fluttered over like a little bird, her small hands clutching at the hem of William's silk robe. "William, the bread smells so good! You should have some, too!"
William bent down and opened his mouth, accepting the piece of bread Emma offered him. With trembling hands, he wiped the crumbs from the child's mouth, gave Emma's cheek an affectionate pinch, then whipped around to glare at Charles, who was leaning casually against the fireplace. "What the hell happened last night?"
Charles didn't dare hide anything and told him everything from start to finish.
William's face flushed red with anger. "You bastard! The children were kidnapped right under your nose? What are you, brain-dead? Get to the study right now and think about what you've done! Don't you dare come out!"
Ethan suddenly slid down from the sofa and threw his arms around William's legs, acting coy. "It's not Charles's fault. The bad guys were too sneaky, and Charles is the one who rescued us."
"Don't be angry, William. Your blood pressure is high, and the doctor said you can't get worked up."
Looking down at the two children's concerned little faces, William's fury evaporated instantly. He waved at Charles. "Fine, fine. Just be more careful next time."
Then he turned to Emma. "What would you like to eat, sweetheart? I'll have the chef make it."
Emma immediately piped up, "Macarons! Pink ones!"
"Of course, we'll make you whatever you want." William beamed like a blooming flower, completely forgetting about punishing Charles.
The butler stood nearby in silence, thinking to himself, 'The same William who'd been ruthless in business thirty years ago would now gladly serve as these two children's devoted servant.'
Charles watched this scene with mixed emotions.
He walked over and said quietly, "Grandfather, I swear I'll never let them get hurt again."
William settled onto the sofa with Ethan on one side and Emma on the other, looking seriously at Charles. "Remember what you just said. If anyone dares to touch these children, they're making an enemy of the Windsor family!"
His tone softened. "But why has your attitude toward the children changed so dramatically?"
Charles's expression darkened. "They really are my children."
William smiled smugly. "I told you so! I said they had to be your biological children, but you wouldn't believe me. When are you planning to bring all three of them back into the Windsor family?"
"That depends on their mother's decision." Charles shook his head helplessly. That stubborn woman, Emily, was still playing hard to get.
Was bearing his children really so embarrassing to her?
Charles and William's conversation didn't exclude the two children. Ethan looked everywhere except at Charles, while Emma focused intently on gnawing her croissant.
Without Emily's say-so, they absolutely wouldn't betray her!
William, wise with age, naturally picked up on everyone's thoughts and chuckled. "She went through pregnancy and childbirth alone, raised the kids by herself while you contributed nothing, and then you went around with other women. You got two wonderful children for free. If I were her, I'd be furious, too! You deserve to be single!"
At that moment, a discreet black Bentley glided silently to a stop outside the wrought-iron gates.
The car door opened, and Emily stepped out.
She'd been awake all night, with faint dark circles under her eyes and skin that appeared even paler in the morning light.
She wore an off-white trench coat buttoned up meticulously, her hair pulled back in a neat chignon that exposed her slender, fragile neck, which she held perfectly straight.
Only her tightly pressed lips betrayed a hint of the exhaustion and lingering fear beneath her forced composure.
Taking a deep breath, she rang the doorbell.
The butler answered, nodding respectfully. "Ms. Johnson, you've arrived. They're all in the living room."
He stepped aside to let her pass, his expression knowing.
The living room was filled with the sweet aroma of bread and cream.
William sat on the sofa flanked by the two children, holding a small silver fork as he carefully cut a waffle drizzled with pink strawberry sauce into tiny pieces.
Emma had her mouth open like a little bird waiting to be fed.
Ethan sat more properly, taking small bites of his chocolate-filled croissant.
Charles stood nearby, tall and commanding like a guardian, his gaze soft as it rested on the children.
This heartwarming scene, perfect as a painting, met Emily's eyes, and her anxious heart finally settled.
"Emily!" Emma, sharp-eyed as always, spotted her first and immediately cheered, sliding down from the sofa like a pink cannonball to rush over and throw her arms around Emily's legs.
William looked up, his keen gaze sweeping over Emily's face, taking in the exhaustion in her eyes and her forced composure. He sighed quietly to himself.
But his face broke into the most benevolent smile. "You must be Emily. I heard you're Ethan and Emma's godmother. Come in, come in! Look at these two—they're eating so well!"
Emily bent down to scoop Emma into her arms. Emma snuggled against her neck, nuzzling her cheek affectionately.
Ethan also stood up and walked to her side, his small hand quietly grasping the hem of her trench coat.
Holding Emma, her voice still carrying a barely detectable hoarseness, Emily inclined her head slightly to William. "Mr. Windsor, I'm sorry the children have been such trouble for you. About last night, I truly appreciate what Charles did, and thank you for taking them in."
"No trouble at all—this is their home!" William gestured grandly, speaking with deliberate heartiness, though his eyes held that knowing, mischievous glint. "Charles did very well last night, just arrived a bit late and worried you sick. Oh, I haven't taken my talking birds out for their exercise today. I should go check on them!"
With that, he slowly stood up with his walking stick and gave the butler a meaningful look. "Come along, help me to the garden."
The butler understood immediately and stepped forward to assist.
Suddenly, only Charles, Emily, and the two children remained in the living room.
The warm, cozy atmosphere quietly dissipated.
Charles walked toward her step by step, his intense gaze locked on her. His imposing figure carried an undeniable pressure, casting a shallow shadow over Emily.
Emily, holding Emma, instinctively took half a step back.
"Last night, you had quite a long chat with Nathan?"
Emily was caught off guard, not expecting him to ask about this. "Nathan gave me a very detailed account of the children's situation. And I'm truly grateful that you rescued them."
She lowered her lashes, avoiding his direct stare.
Charles suddenly reached out his hand.