Chapter 183
Daryl frowned and clenched his fists.
Has Michael lost his mind?
Insulting him over a woman?
His face darkened, and Daryl's anger grew thick, "Michael, you found yourself this woman to be a stepfather to this little bastard?"
He was about to say more when Tessa grabbed his arm, "Daryl, stop it. Can you two not fight every time you meet? Didn't you come to keep me company? Let's go, let's go."
Tessa said, trying to smooth things over.
Nora glanced at Tessa but said nothing.
Samuel spoke up quietly instead, "Mommy, this celebrity looks like Uncle Jasper."
Nora paused, taking another careful look at Tessa. If Samuel hadn't mentioned it, she wouldn't have thought of it, but Tessa did look somewhat familiar.
Her features did bear some resemblance to Jasper.
"Let's go, we're going for barbecue." Michael picked up Samuel and turned to take Joseph's hand.
He realized Joseph was gone.
After looking around, he saw Joseph had run over to Daryl and bitten down hard on the back of his hand, "Samuel is not a little bastard!"
Both Samuel and Nora were shocked. A child raised with privilege really was something else—he even dared to bite Daryl.
Daryl sucked in a sharp breath. He couldn't stoop to arguing with a child. Today was just his unlucky day.
"Michael, control your Smith family kids." Daryl said through gritted teeth.
Michael's lips curved up, "Everyone in the Smith family holds grudges. He's being nice by just biting you once, for running your mouth."
Daryl took a deep breath.
"Daryl," Tessa smiled and acted cute with him, "Don't argue with a little kid."
After Joseph ran off and Michael's group left, Daryl finally spoke with a dark expression, "I'm only doing this for you. You've liked Michael for so many years. What does our Fields family lack compared to Michael? Yet he's so picky and doesn't care about you at all."
Daryl felt it was unfair to Tessa.
She'd liked Michael for many years, but Michael wouldn't be with Tessa—that was one thing. But to casually find this kind of woman to disgust the Fields family was simply unforgivable.
"Daryl, it's okay that Michael doesn't like me," Tessa lowered her eyes and spoke again, "It must be because I'm not good enough yet. Once I'm good enough, he'll like me."
"You're wonderful, you're and beautiful. Don't talk down on yourself like that." Daryl patted Tessa's head.
"But Daryl, except for you, no one in the Fields family likes me. Mom doesn't like me. She thinks I stole the Fields family daughter's life, but I didn't do it on purpose," Tessa choked, a sob escaping her.
"Don't say such nonsense. Who says Mom doesn't like you?" Daryl quickly comforted her, "You're also a victim. The hospital mixed you up. You were just a tiny baby—what could you know?"
Tessa smiled with red-rimmed eyes.
A smile that made people feel sorry for her.
Daryl sighed, "It's been so many years without any news. Mom even developed depression because of this. If we really can't find her, then we'll stop looking. Maybe she's already gone."
Tessa's eyes brightened. Of course she hoped the real Fields family daughter would never come back.
But she still spoke with false sincerity, "Daryl, if Mom can't find the real Fields family daughter, she'll never be happy for the rest of her life. And the others—they're all still looking. They don't like me."
Daryl rubbed Tessa's head, "Don't be afraid. Whether we find her or not, you're still the Fields family's daughter. As long as I'm here, I won't let anyone hurt you. No one can replace your position."
Tessa nodded with red eyes and hugged Daryl, "You're so good to me. I love you the most."
Daryl smiled helplessly and patted Tessa, "You're all grown up and still acting cute."
"I'll always be your little sister." Tessa said happily.
"Always."
After leaving Pearl Restaurant, Nora sat in Michael's passenger seat and spoke quietly, "I'm sorry."
"Why apologize?" Michael asked.
"Because I made you and Mr. Fields..." Nora felt she was at fault. Her very existence was a mistake.
"Daryl? His whole family is crazy. Their real daughter was switched at birth, and they're all like mad dogs, biting anyone they see. Don't pay attention to him." Michael laughed.
Nora blinked, "The Fields family still hasn't found their switched daughter?"
Actually, many years ago she'd heard that the Fields family daughter had been switched, and the Fields family had been searching for many years.
With the Fields family's resources, they still hadn't found her after all these years?
"That's Daryl's bad luck." Michael was angry, very petty.
He actually bad-mouthed Nora right in front of him.
With a snort, Michael spoke again, "Don't pay attention to him."
Nora opened her mouth, wanting to ask about Michael's relationship with Tessa, but the words died on her lips.
"Tessa is the child the Fields family switched." Michael noticed Nora's hesitation and explained, "Mrs. Fields, Daryl's mom, went a bit crazy after discovering the child was switched and had no blood relation to her. The Fields family head, to avoid upsetting his wife, gave Tessa to the Fields family butler to raise. But Tessa's food, clothing, and everything else from childhood was the same as the three Fields family children. She also grew up in the Fields family—she's like an unofficial young lady of the Fields family."
Michael glanced at Nora, worried that the story of switched daughters might upset her.
Both were switched, but the Fields family and the Adams family handled their children in completely different ways.
At least the Fields family had a conscience, raising Tessa and nurturing her well.
The Adams family, after learning Nora wasn't their biological daughter, practically wanted her dead.
Nora was clearly saddened by the different life paths, lowering her head and gripping her fingers without saying a word.
Michael reached out and held Nora's hand, "You have me."
Nora had him, and that was enough.
She didn't need any young lady status, didn't need the Adams family.
Having him was enough.
He would make up for everything Nora had missed in the past, and he would treat her well, spoiling her like a princess.
That's what she deserved.
Nora's eyes burned hot as she looked at Michael.
How long could he protect her?
How long could she have him?
"Tessa likes you." Nora was smart. She could tell from Tessa's eyes that she liked Michael.
A woman's sixth sense was very accurate, and Tessa didn't hide her feelings for Michael.
"Plenty of people like me." Michael snorted.
He only had feelings for Nora.
Other women—he couldn't care less about them now.
Since meeting Nora, she brought Michael different surprises every day.
Where else could he find such a treasure?
He couldn't lose her.