Chapter 180 Unable to Get a Response from Cordelia, but Gained Favor from Amber
Allegra stood to the side, her heart in her throat.
Fortunately, Alaric didn't have any other suspicions.
Kids were used to calling him Papa, so not calling him "daddy" was perfectly normal - it was just a form of address.
During this time, Alaric had learned that Thomas had no intention of fighting for custody of Amber.
Not every father loved their child, so Thomas probably belonged to the category of fathers who didn't love their kids.
Seeing that Amber and Thomas weren't close, Alaric felt somewhat relieved.
"Mr. Hughes."
Amber in his arms saw the servant wheeling the cake into the living room, so she quickly slid down from Alaric's embrace.
Alaric was startled.
Suddenly, his pinky finger was grabbed by a small hand again.
"Cake."
Her hand gripped his pinky tightly, her eyes fixed on the cake cart.
Seeing this, Alaric stood up and followed.
The servant wheeled the cake in front of Cordelia.
The guests naturally gathered around Cordelia.
Amber reached Cordelia's side and let go of Alaric's hand.
Just as Alaric thought Amber would go to Cordelia for a hug, she turned around and stretched her arms out toward him.
He froze for a moment. Before his brain could react, his body had already bent down and picked Amber up on its own.
Amber seemed especially attached to him.
Dominic stood beside Cordelia. When he saw Amber in Alaric's arms, he paused, his expression somewhat subtle, and immediately reached out toward Amber.
"Amber, come to me. Don't get Mr. Hughes's clothes dirty."
Hearing that she might dirty Alaric's clothes, Amber's body leaned toward Dominic.
However, Alaric held her tight, his voice low.
"They're not dirty. It's fine."
Hearing Alaric say it was fine, Amber obediently stayed in his arms.
Seeing this, Dominic's expression was somewhat subtle, but he quickly forced a smile and said politely to Alaric.
"Then I'll have to trouble Mr. Hughes."
Alaric's eyes were cold as he responded, "No trouble."
Dominic withdrew his gaze. Just as he was about to pick up the birthday hat to put on Cordelia, Amber reached out toward him.
"Amber will put it on Mommy."
Cordelia smiled and agreed, "Okay."
Since Amber wanted to put the hat on Cordelia, Alaric naturally had to carry her over.
Cordelia wore a smile on her face, showing no sign of unhappiness at all.
Thinking of her cold demeanor when she rejected him in the backyard earlier, Alaric couldn't help but feel a pang of pain.
He stared deeply at the smile on Cordelia's face, took a quiet breath, and felt his nose start to sting.
Amber quickly put the hat on Cordelia, clapped her hands, and obediently planted a kiss on Cordelia's cheek.
"Mommy, happy birthday."
Cordelia smiled sweetly and leaned in to kiss Amber's face too.
"Thank you, Amber."
As Cordelia leaned in, the faint fragrance from her body drifted into Alaric's nose.
Watching Cordelia's beaming smile, Alaric's heart stirred. Then he leaned down and kissed Cordelia's cheek, just like Amber had - a light, fleeting kiss.
"Happy birthday."
His voice was somewhat hoarse.
The friends and family present all knew that Cordelia and Alaric had been married before.
And they also knew they had been divorced for three years.
Alaric's kiss made the previously noisy living room suddenly quiet.
Alaric was prepared for the possibility of Cordelia slapping him.
Cordelia hadn't expected Alaric to suddenly do such a thing.
His kiss was very gentlemanly, without anything that made Cordelia feel violated.
Seeing the curious looks from people around them, Cordelia's heart raced. She froze in place, staring blankly at Alaric.
"Mr. Hughes has learned international etiquette very well."
Dominic suddenly spoke, easing the awkward atmosphere.
As he spoke, he gently hugged Cordelia, then when his handsome face moved close to hers, he whispered in her ear, "Happy birthday."
His kiss didn't land, because he clearly saw the resistance in Cordelia's eyes.
Cordelia smiled and thanked him.
Evelyn watched from the side. When Dominic hugged Cordelia, she saw Alaric's eyes darken - he probably regretted his sudden kiss.
She walked over and gave Cordelia a big hug, then was the first to start singing the birthday song.
Everyone joined in singing.
Amber didn't notice the subtle atmosphere between Alaric and Cordelia.
She happily clapped her little hands, singing the birthday song off-key.
After cutting the cake, although the guests really wanted to stay and gossip about Alaric and Cordelia's story, and were curious about whose child Amber really was, they gradually left one by one.
After all, staying any longer would be impolite.
Tonight, Alaric's attitude toward Cordelia clearly showed he still had feelings.
Before this, everyone had assumed Amber's father was Alaric, but unexpectedly Amber called him Mr. Hughes.
So obviously Amber wasn't Alaric's child.
She was probably Cordelia's child with another man.
So if Alaric wanted to remarry Cordelia, he would have to accept Cordelia's child with another man.
How could a noble and proud man like Alaric become a stepfather?
But today, watching how Alaric treated Amber as if she were his own, he had probably already prepared himself to be a stepfather.
Everyone knew more or less what kind of life Cordelia had lived during those three years married to Alaric.
As the most beloved youngest daughter of the Stone family, after marrying Alaric, Cordelia was never loved, and didn't even have a proper wedding.
In earlier years, Cordelia was the girl that wealthy families in their circle most wanted to marry into their family. She wasn't as strong-willed as Evelyn, nor as delicate as girls from ordinary families.
After she married into the Hughes family, many wealthy families close to the Stone family felt it was a shame.
Most of the guests had left, and Thomas also took his leave.
As he was about to leave, he saw Amber holding Alaric's hand, looking for toys in the living room, so he walked over.
"Amber, I'm leaving."
Amber had just pulled a toy out from under the sofa and waved at Thomas casually.
"Bye."
Her voice was sweet, but she didn't look at Thomas once. Instead, she handed the toy to Alaric.
Alaric took the toy she handed him, and his previously gloomy mood improved considerably.
Even if he couldn't get a response from Cordelia, being favored by Amber seemed to satisfy him.