Chapter 294: The Gifts Brought Back

Grace had completely forgotten about the earlier conversation and was now passionately discussing painting techniques with the others.

She was so engrossed in the conversation that she didn't notice Milo's intense gaze fixed on her.

Grace chatted for a long time, completely unaware that it was already lunchtime. It was Asher who reminded them to go eat, seeing that they had lost track of time.

Milo remained seated, not going to lunch even when it was time. Grace and the other teachers headed to the cafeteria, and Milo followed her, not speaking or causing any disturbance. He sat quietly beside her in the cafeteria, not even glancing at Grace.

His demeanor was just as cold and distant as usual. Although Grace was talking with the other teachers, her attention was on Milo. Seeing no unusual behavior from him, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking she must have misheard earlier.

Lunch ended quickly, and Grace returned to the event venue with the other female teachers. The afternoon session of the exchange meeting began, and time flew by. Around four o'clock, Asher announced the end of the meeting.

As the dean of the art academy, Asher had booked a nearby restaurant and invited the teachers to dinner. Grace checked the time, unsure if her two kids were home yet. She approached Asher, "Dean, I won't be joining for dinner. My kids are waiting for me at home."

Asher, knowing she had children, didn't insist. "Alright, take care on your way home."

As they walked out of the venue, the ground, trees, and car tops were covered in a thick layer of snow. Asher's reminder was well-intentioned.

Grace nodded, "Got it."

She was about to head to the parking lot when she remembered something and turned to Milo, who was walking behind her. "Milo, I have to leave now. I won't be joining for dinner."

Milo finally looked at her, his gaze and voice still cold. "Understood. Drive safely."

Feeling his concern, Grace nodded quickly and, like an older sister, reminded him, "You be careful too. The roads are slippery in the snow."

"Okay," Milo replied softly.

Grace turned and walked towards the parking lot, her figure soon obscured by the falling snow. Milo stood with his hands in his pockets, still in place.

A few female teachers, noticing his actions, asked, "Mr. Montague, aren't you coming? The car is about to leave."

Others chimed in as well. Only when Grace's figure was completely out of sight did Milo withdraw his gaze. "I won't be joining for dinner. Something came up," he said, turning to leave amidst their surprised looks.

The snowy roads were slippery, but fortunately, it wasn't rush hour. What would normally be a ten-minute drive took Grace twenty minutes to ensure safety. When she entered the living room, she found her two kids already home, playing in the living room.

Hearing the door, both kids turned their heads. Seeing Grace, their eyes lit up. "Mom!"

Bianca, with agile steps, jumped off the couch and ran towards her with open arms. Jasper also stood up and ran over.

Having not seen them all day, Grace missed them a bit. "You came back early? Why so early today?"

Before she could finish, Bianca, the little chatterbox, eagerly explained, "It was snowing today, and the bad guy was worried it wouldn't be safe to come back late, so he brought us home early."

Grace nodded in understanding. "Got it."

She took off her coat, sat on the couch, and hugged the two kids, kissing their little faces. "Where did you go today? Did you have fun?"

Bianca nodded vigorously, her big eyes narrowing into a line with her smile. "Yes! He took us to eat delicious food, play claw machines, and he bought us lots of goodies and gifts!"

She ran off excitedly. Grace watched her with a curious look. Soon, Bianca returned, struggling to carry a delicate box.

She placed the box in front of Grace, panting. Grace looked at the box curiously. "What's this?"

Bianca, with a mysterious smile, winked at her. "It's no fun if I tell you. Open it yourself, Mom."

Grace smiled, placing the box on the coffee table and leaning forward to open it. Inside was a large snow globe, with snow falling inside, creating a dreamy scene.

She squinted and saw two cartoon figures of children inside, looking adorable. Jasper, as usual, looked cool with his hands in his pockets, while Bianca had a bright, happy smile.

Grace shook the snow globe, making the snowflakes fly. She turned on the switch, and the globe lit up, with the snowflakes dancing and a melodious tune playing. It was beautiful and heartwarming.

She looked up to see the two kids standing in front of her, smiling. She pinched their cheeks, genuinely saying, "This gift is beautiful. I love it."

Bianca hugged her neck, smiling happily. "Mom, I thought the globe was pretty, but it was the bad guy's idea to put me and Jasper inside."

Grace was taken aback, but before she could react, Bianca continued, "He bought lots of gifts."

Before Grace could ask, Bianca showed her wrists, adorned with star-shaped diamond bracelets. The diamonds sparkled under the light, clearly expensive.

Grace was surprised, but before she could speak, Bianca lifted her neck to reveal a flower-shaped diamond necklace, matching the bracelet, likely worth a fortune.

Bianca, full of joy, asked, "Mom, is it nice?"

She raised her hand, letting the bracelet catch the light. "Mom, isn't my bracelet shiny like stars?"

Grace sighed, realizing Bianca just liked the sparkly stars and flowers, unaware of their cost. Charles really spoiled her, buying such expensive items without a second thought.

Grace took a deep breath and turned to Jasper. "Jasper, what did you get?"

Jasper raised his right hand, showing an electronic gadget that could transform into different shapes.

Bianca, seeing Grace hadn't answered her, pouted and asked, "Mom, you haven't said if my gifts are nice or not"

Grace held her hand, smiling. "It's beautiful, very shiny. Did you ask for these, or did Dad take you to buy them?"

Bianca played with her bracelet, answering, "He asked what we wanted as gifts. We didn't know, so he took us to buy these."

Grace smiled, pinching Bianca's cheek. He was wealthy and generous. Anyway, Jasper and Bianca were his children, so it was normal for a father to buy things for his own children.

Bianca didn't leave, instead looking at her with big eyes. Grace, puzzled, asked softly, "Bianca, is there something else?"

Bianca smiled, "Mom, Jasper and I picked a gift for you too."