Chapter 178
Ella came downstairs to find Dorian sitting alone on the couch, laptop balanced on his knees, fingers flying across the keyboard as he worked on something.
She walked over and asked, "You're really not going up to see him?"
Dorian didn't even look up, clearly couldn't care less about Joshua.
"Why would I? I can't stand him anyway. If it weren't for you and Aurora, I wouldn't have come along."
His small hands continued their rapid dance across the keyboard, seemingly processing some complex data as he spoke.
Ella settled onto the couch beside him and sighed. "Mom gets it, sweetie. I don't like him either, but Aurora does, and sometimes we can't avoid dealing with him."
"I know, that's why I came with you guys. But going upstairs to see him? Not happening."
Dorian's stance was rock-solid. When it came to Joshua, no amount of groveling would ever move him.
Ella didn't push it. She stood and closed Dorian's laptop. "In that case, we're not staying. Come on, Mom's taking you out."
Only then did Dorian look up. "What about Aurora?"
"Aurora wants to stay with him. Don't worry about it—we'll come back for her later."
Dorian nodded his approval and hopped off the couch to follow Ella out.
Mother and son hit up the mall, grabbed some fast food they didn't usually eat at the food court, downed milkshakes, and went on a minor shopping spree. No work, no school—just two people living their best carefree lives.
After they'd worn themselves out, they'd just found seats in the mall when a young guy appeared beside them, his voice carrying that practiced charm as he said to Ella, "What a coincidence!"
Ella looked up to find Chris, that college student who wasn't even done with his degree yet, the one she'd run into before.
She didn't know whether to laugh or groan. "Are you stalking me?"
Chris shook his head quickly. "No way! I just work part-time around here. Saw you and thought I'd say hi."
He noticed the impeccably dressed little boy next to her and greeted him. "Hey there, little man. Is this your son?"
Ella didn't deny it. "Yeah, this is Dorian."
Chris eagerly slid into the seat next to Dorian, offering him toys with an ingratiating smile plastered across his face.
Dorian eyed his performance with visible distaste before turning to Ella. "Who is this guy?"
Ella explained casually, "We've crossed paths twice. I don't really know him."
Dorian got the picture.
Ella was now a billionaire CEO, and some men saw her as their shortcut to easy street, so they shamelessly wormed their way into her orbit. The kind of guy who wanted to live off a woman? He couldn't stand that type.
Dorian turned his attention back to the stranger, noting that he wasn't bad-looking—clean-cut, tall and lean. He had a certain appeal, at least.
His interest piqued. "So you're into my mom, huh?"
Chris laughed, stealing a shy glance at Ella without denying it.
Dorian had all the confirmation he needed. He pulled out his phone. "Let's exchange contact info. We can chat more often."
He needed an adult's identity for some online business he was handling, but he didn't want his family knowing about it. And here was someone practically gift-wrapped for the purpose.
He'd buy this guy's information later—make it easier to handle his big online projects.
When Chris heard Dorian wanted his contact info, he figured the kid liked him and quickly pulled out his phone to add him as a friend.
Ella felt a headache coming on. "Why do you add random people the second you meet them?"
She'd just deleted Chris's number recently, and now running into him again made things awkward.
"I think he's good-looking! Don't you like good-looking people, Mom?"
Dorian tactfully scooted to the side, gesturing to Chris. "If you like my mom, sit closer to her. Put in the effort—my mom's single right now, so you've still got a shot."
Thinking about how Joshua kept popping up in front of Ella to remind her he existed, having a young guy around to annoy him seemed like a solid plan.
Too bad Zachary hadn't come back since returning to Eldoria.
Though they stayed in touch occasionally, it couldn't compare to having him nearby.
If there could be a guy around to look after Ella, it'd be one less thing for him to worry about.
Chris had no choice but to shift closer to Ella, flashing her a gentle smile. "Ms. Garcia, could you add me back?"
Ella felt reluctant, but out of politeness, couldn't refuse him to his face, so she pulled out her phone and re-added him.
Dorian piped up from the side. "Mr. Miller, are you busy right now? If not, how about being my mom's driver? Take us to pick up Aurora."
They'd been out all day—time to head home and rest.
Chris jumped at the rare opportunity and nodded eagerly. "Sure! I'm free right now. Let's go."
He diligently gathered up Ella's and the kid's shopping bags, obedient as a puppy.
Ella walked ahead holding Dorian's hand, shooting him a fierce glare and mouthing silently, "What exactly are you playing at?"
Dorian mouthed back, "Use him to annoy Joshua. You don't like him either, right? If you want to keep him from getting close, you need a man around."
Ella was increasingly convinced that Dorian was growing up way too fast.
And his scheming little mind wasn't small either.
So he wanted her to use Chris? She couldn't do something that manipulative.
When they reached the parking garage, Ella took the bags back from Chris.
"I've got it, thanks for walking us over. You don't need to drive—go do your thing."
Chris insisted, "It's no trouble at all. I'm happy to help you guys out. Just give me the car keys."
He took the keys directly from Ella's hand, opened the driver's door, and slid in like they'd been friends for years.
Ella felt uncomfortable about the whole thing. After getting in the car, Dorian kept fanning the flames beside her.
"Mom, I think Mr. Miller's pretty great. Let's make him our driver from now on—he can do school pickup and drop-off for Aurora and me. That way you won't have to run between school and the office every day."
Afraid his mom would refuse, Dorian quickly asked Chris, "Mr. Miller, would you be willing? Name your salary for being our driver—my mom's loaded."
Chris couldn't have asked for a better setup and agreed immediately. "Absolutely! Whatever Ms. Garcia thinks is fair. I really like kids,, too, so let me help with them from now on."
Ella glared at Dorian, silently telling him to stop meddling.
Dorian looked thoroughly pleased with himself, grinning slyly, completely ignoring his mother's feelings.
Ella had no idea what scheme Dorian was cooking up, but since Chris had already agreed, she couldn't really say anything else.
Truth be told, her household actually did need a driver.
Plus, with a business trip coming up in a couple days, having someone to shuttle the kids around would be helpful.
However, before hiring Chris, Ella felt it necessary to have someone run a background check on him to avoid any unnecessary complications.
When they arrived at Tranquil Villa, it was already afternoon.
Ella walked into Joshua's room to find Aurora asleep, nestled in Joshua's embrace.
Joshua held her, gazing at her with unwavering focus, like she was some precious treasure.
Ella thought that perhaps Joshua might become a responsible father someday, might even give Aurora a different kind of paternal love.
But everything they'd been through had created a rift between them that couldn't be ignored.
Now even being friends with him felt uncomfortable.
Every encounter meant forcing herself to be civil.
Ella walked over and spoke softly. "Give her to me."
Joshua looked up, reluctant to send Aurora back, and followed his impulse. "Let her stay with me. I know Dorian's with you, and he probably came along—he should be downstairs. Anyway, you know this place well. Why don't you and the kids just stay over?"
This had once been his and Ella's home.
If Ella would agree to stay here with the children, how wonderful that would be.
Ella rejected the idea without hesitation. "I'm not comfortable staying elsewhere, especially not here."
She forcibly picked up Aurora.
The movement woke her.
The moment Aurora opened her eyes and saw Ella trying to take her away, she immediately climbed down from the bed and stood to the side, clutching Joshua's arm, unwilling to leave. "Mommy, I want to stay with Daddy. Let me stay with Daddy, okay?"
If she left, there'd be no one to take care of him.
He was still injured, and he'd be all alone here—how pitiful.
Ella didn't quite understand Aurora's reasoning and said helplessly, "It's not convenient for you to stay with him. Look what time it is—let's go home for dinner."
"I don't want to go home. I just want to stay by Daddy's side." Aurora still held onto Joshua's hand, refusing to let go.
The way she saw it, Joshua was tall and handsome—just standing at the school gates, he'd be the most dazzling presence there.
Once her classmates found out she had a dad like this, they'd be green with envy.
Even now, whenever Ella picked her and Dorian up from school, classmates already envied her for having such a beautiful, wealthy mother.
She absolutely had to become the happiest kid in her classmates' eyes—one with a doting father and loving mother.
Not someone who kept getting asked, "Aurora, why is it always your mom picking you up? Where's your dad? Did your parents get divorced?"
"I heard kids from divorced families aren't psychologically healthy."
"Better not hang around with kids like that—their personalities are all extreme. They're starved for affection, after all."
Now that Joshua had finally come back, when the opportunity arose, she'd definitely bring both Mom and Dad to school activities together.
That way, classmates would stop talking about her and Dorian behind their backs.
"Then you stay here and keep him company. Dorian and I are leaving."
Ella wouldn't deprive Aurora of her choice, but she also wouldn't compromise because of it.
She turned to leave.
Joshua called out again, "Ella, is staying one night really that difficult? You used to be willing to do anything for me—"
Ella stopped in her tracks but didn't turn around, cutting off his words. "I'm very busy. I don't have time to waste on trivial matters every day."
"Since she doesn't want to leave with me, you take good care of her."
Aurora was seven now.
She had the ability to live independently and should have no problem looking after Joshua.
Ella figured Joshua wouldn't make Aurora do anything anyway. He'd probably have Brian call a housekeeper over later.
So there was nothing to worry about.
Seeing that Ella remained cold and unyielding as ever, not giving an inch, Joshua looked at Aurora beside him and tried to persuade her. "Maybe you should go back with your mom after all? Daddy doesn't have anything here—it'll be boring."
Aurora shook her head in refusal. "Mommy has Dorian, Grandpa and Grandma with her. Daddy doesn't have anyone. I want to stay with Daddy."
Aurora's words made Joshua feel both guilty and heartbroken.
He pulled Aurora into his embrace again and asked her, "Why? Daddy never spent time with you before. Why are you so good to Daddy?"
Aurora blinked her big eyes, her voice full of childish earnestness.
"Before, Daddy didn't know I was yours, so I understand why you weren't nice to Dorian and me. But after Daddy found out I was your biological daughter, you traveled so far to find me and even got hurt. I was really touched."
"Also, Dorian and I always get excluded at school. The other kids keep saying I don't have a dad, and they say they won't play with kids from divorced families like me."
"Daddy, I know you and Mommy don't get along, and I'm not asking you to get back together with Mommy just for my sake. But I just want to have a dad."
She didn't know what Dorian was thinking deep down.
But she needed both a mother and a father.
And she wanted all her classmates to know she wasn't some kid without a father.
Even if her parents were divorced, both her mom and dad still loved her very much.
Hearing his child's words, Joshua felt a sharp ache surge through his chest, his eyes reddening despite himself.
He held Aurora tighter, drowning in self-reproach.
"I'm sorry. It's Daddy's fault. Thank you for giving Daddy a chance. Daddy will work twice as hard to be good to you from now on."
For Aurora's sake, to let her live in a happy, complete family, no matter what it cost, he would win Ella back.
Remembering that his leg kept him bedridden, Joshua realized he couldn't very well have Aurora taking care of him.
He called his parents and asked them to come keep Aurora company.
Jasper and Ava had always adored children, so when they learned they'd get to spend time with Aurora, they rushed right over.
So for the entire two-day weekend, Aurora stayed at Tranquil Villa, keeping Joshua company.
Ella didn't interfere.
The child was seven years old and had the right to choose freely.
As her mother, she had no right to deprive her of enjoying her father's love.
A few days later, Ella had to go on a business trip.
She needed to inspect a project site in a remote area.
She'd heard the place had poor transportation—no airport, no high-speed rail, only accessible by car.
After settling the two children and arranging things at the company, Ella set off with Megan on the trip.
Chris was their driver.
The group spent an entire day in the car, arriving at their destination after dark.
There were no decent hotels in the mountains, only guesthouses.
The moment Ella stepped out of the car, she spotted Joshua standing in the center of the welcoming committee from the hosting party.
His leg had healed again.
In his tailored suit, standing among the crowd, he cut an impressive, eye-catching figure.
Ella couldn't understand why he'd come, but she had no choice but to steel herself and walk over.
Chris and Megan followed behind with the luggage.
The project manager saw Ella and immediately came forward to welcome her.
Bowing and scraping with extremely polite words, he then gestured to Joshua and introduced him. "Ms. Garcia, this is Mr. Thomas from the Thomas Group. The Thomas Group and the Lewis Group seem to have an ongoing partnership, so you two probably know each other, right?"
Ella didn't deny it.
Joshua was quite gracious, acknowledging with a smile, "That's right, we know each other. We're planning to collaborate on this project as well."
"I see! Well, we're truly honored. Ms. Garcia, Mr. Thomas, this way please."
The manager quickly guided the two toward the dining area.
Joshua noticed Chris, displeasure flickering across his face, though he had no right to say anything about it.
He could only resolve that over the coming days, he'd make damn sure to shine in front of Ella. He absolutely couldn't lose to some pretty boy.