Chapter 103 His Handsome Features Hidden in the Shadows, Expression Unclear
Clifford saw Alaric leaning back on the sofa, his stern face showing no change in expression, and couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.
"Mr. Hughes."
Just as he was about to say something more, Alaric had already gotten up from the sofa, his expression quite calm, as if he already knew what he wanted to say.
"There's something at the company, I'll head back."
Clifford paused at his words, not knowing what to say for a moment.
He could only watch helplessly as Alaric left The Hughes Manor.
Alaric walked into the garage, opened the car door, sat directly in the driver's seat, and drove away.
He headed straight toward the Hughes Group, but when he reached the bottom of the Hughes Group office building, he suddenly turned the car around and drove in the direction of The Stone Manor.
The Stone Manor.
Dominic was in the yard talking on the phone with his mother, Jade Gray.
Jade was trying hard to convince Dominic to give up on Cordelia over the phone.
During the three years in Astoria, Cordelia had shown no intention of being with Dominic. Now that Cordelia had returned to Shadowpine, she would definitely be spending more time with Alaric.
By then, Dominic would have even less of a chance.
No matter what, Alaric was still Amber's father.
Dominic was worried that people from the Stone family might overhear Jade's words, so he specifically went outside to the yard to take the call.
"Mom, you don't need to worry about my business."
This was his last chance.
If Cordelia ultimately chose Alaric, he would accept defeat.
But right now, nothing was decided yet.
He might not necessarily be the one who loses.
So Dominic wanted to keep trying - perhaps this was his last opportunity.
Hearing Dominic's words, Jade sighed heavily, her tone carrying some displeasure.
"You insisted on canceling the marriage arrangement I set up for you before. Now she's already married, and she just had twin daughters a while ago. At a party, her mother deliberately mocked me, and I was so angry I nearly lost my mind."
"Dominic, if you keep being so stubborn, all the good girls your age will be taken by others."
Dominic listened quietly to Jade's nagging, and when he looked up, he saw a silver sports car drive past the entrance of The Stone Manor.
Not many cars passed through this villa area where The Stone Manor was located.
He frowned slightly. The sports car's engine sound disappeared - clearly the person had stopped the car.
Dominic's first thought was to guess who the visitor might be.
He took a deep breath, and seeing Cordelia also coming out from inside the house, before Jade could finish speaking, he said gently.
"Is Amber looking for me?"
Jade was stunned when she heard Dominic's words, but didn't continue, "You take care of yourself."
She hung up right after saying that.
Dominic put away his phone and walked toward Cordelia.
Cordelia had a smile on her face and said, "Amber's already asleep."
"It's my dad looking for you."
Dominic nodded slightly at her words. Seeing that Cordelia was only wearing a thin shirt, he said softly.
"The weather hasn't been good lately, go inside quickly so you don't catch cold and pass it to Amber."
Cordelia nodded and turned to walk back inside.
Dominic followed beside Cordelia, extending his hand loosely without actually touching her waist, but from another person's angle, it looked like Dominic was holding her.
Alaric sat in the car, watching this scene in the yard, his expression very stiff.
With a dark face, he pulled out a cigarette from the pack and lit it.
Smoke filled the car, his handsome features hidden in the shadows, his expression unclear.
It wasn't until the lights inside The Stone Manor went out, leaving only a few dim lights for walking, that Alaric restarted the car and left.
In her drowsy sleep, Cordelia heard the sound of a sports car engine leaving outside. For some reason, Alaric's image was the first thing that flashed through her mind.
Thinking of Alaric, she who had been drowsy just moments ago suddenly lost all sleepiness.
She opened her eyes and quietly looked at Amber lying in the crib, her heart melting into softness.
It was good that Amber looked more like her, which allowed her to rarely think of Alaric over these years.
The next morning.
Cordelia got up, and because she hadn't slept well, she noticed some slight dark circles under her eyes when washing up.
Amber had already woken up and was lying quietly in bed playing. Seeing Cordelia sitting at the vanity doing her makeup, she walked over to fiddle with Cordelia's cosmetics.
She was very curious about cosmetics these days.
Cordelia had also bought her many children's makeup toys.
Looking at those round big eyes staring at her so adorably, Cordelia suddenly felt her mood being healed.
She reached out to hold Amber in her arms, her face full of tenderness.
"Amber, am I pretty?"
Amber nodded obediently, sitting in Cordelia's arms, reaching out to cup Cordelia's face, examining it very seriously.
Looking at those gem-like eyes, Cordelia paused.
Some of Amber's expressions and looks could still show a bit of Alaric's shadow at times.
"What's wrong?"
Cordelia asked softly.
Amber didn't answer, just nuzzled against Cordelia with her head.
"Mommy is the prettiest."
Her voice was soft and sweet, sounding like it could melt anyone's heart.
Cordelia smiled softly, holding Amber even tighter.
"My Amber is also very pretty."
Amber nodded, "Pretty like Mommy."
As she spoke, she reached out her little hand to pick up the lipstick from the table, "Put on."
Cordelia immediately understood what she meant.
She wanted to help her apply lipstick.
Cordelia indulged her.
Evelyn got up planning to go to the company, and seeing that Amber and Cordelia hadn't come out yet, she walked to Cordelia's bedroom door and knocked.
The sudden knocking sound made Amber's hand tremble, and the lipstick went on crooked.
She smiled sheepishly.
Evelyn's voice came from the door.
"Cordelia, Amber, are you up yet?"
Amber immediately got down from Cordelia's arms and walked to the door to open it.
"Aunt Evelyn."
Her voice was clear and crisp, her face sweet and adorable.
Evelyn immediately picked Amber up and nuzzled her affectionately.
"Amber smells so good and is so soft. Did you sleep well last night?"
They had just returned to Shadowpine, and Evelyn was worried that Amber hadn't adjusted to the time difference.
"Slept well."
Amber answered obediently.
Cordelia sat at the vanity and wiped off the lipstick that Amber hadn't applied well, then reapplied it before getting up.
Evelyn's gaze fell on Cordelia.
Cordelia rarely wore makeup. If she wasn't going out, she almost never put on makeup.
"What? Going out?"
Cordelia yawned and said softly, "I didn't sleep well last night, so I have some dark circles today. I'm putting on makeup to cover them up."
She looked at herself in the mirror again and smiled, "But I did do a really good job with my makeup today. It seems like a waste not to go out and show it off."