Lance looked at the faint smile on Deanna's face and felt a sense of relief. He could tell that Deanna had calmed down enough to speak with him peacefully. With this thought, he smiled and said, "It's what I should do."
However, the two little ones and Julia were not pleased with this scene. To them, Deanna had forgiven Lance too easily. Especially Julia, who thought Lance was too domineering and insensitive. She believed Lance and her friend would have to take a long time to be together.
"Mr. Mercer, you've seen Deanna. It's getting late, so you should go back and rest," Julia said, stepping forward to usher him out.
Lance immediately frowned. Deanna was taken aback and looked at her friend in confusion. What was wrong with her? She had seemed supportive of setting her up with Lance before, but now she appeared to be against it.
Julia noticed Lance's displeased expression and felt a bit nervous herself. But for the sake of her friend's lifelong happiness, she had to take a stand. She signaled to the two little ones beside her.
The two children understood immediately and stepped forward to help Julia.
"Godmother is right; it's getting late. Uncle Lance, you should go back and rest," one of them said.
"Mommy has had a long day, walked a lot, and got caught in the rain. She needs to rest well to have energy for tomorrow," the other added.
These words made Lance's expression turn awkward. He looked down at the two children keeping their distance from him, his eyes dark and unreadable. However, he didn't insist further and nodded. "Indeed, you should rest well. I won't disturb you any longer. Remember to take some cold medicine to prevent catching a cold," he said, clearly addressing Deanna.
Deanna nodded and watched him leave. As soon as the door closed, Julia seemed to let out a heavy sigh of relief, patting her chest in fear.
"That scared me..." she said.
Seeing her friend's actions, Deanna couldn't help but laugh. "Now you're scared? You were so bold just now."
Julia glared at her in mock annoyance. "You're laughing? I did it for you."
"Yes, yes, for my sake. Thank you," Deanna replied half-jokingly, knowing her friend was trying to stand up for her.
But then her expression turned serious. "But let's settle today's account now," she said, casting a stern look at the two children and Julia.
The two children instantly hid behind Julia in fear, not forgetting to throw her under the bus.
"We're innocent; it was all Godmother's idea," Gregory said, giving Julia a pleading look.
Julia was initially unhappy about being blamed but softened when she saw their pitiful expressions. "Yes, it was my idea," she admitted boldly.
The two children nodded in agreement as if saying that was indeed the case.
Deanna found their actions both amusing and exasperating. "Do you think I'm blind? Didn't I see what you did? Gregory Jones, Chloe Jones, didn't I tell you there wouldn't be a next time? What did you do?"
Faced with their mother's sternness, the two children walked out from behind Julia dejectedly.
"Mommy, we're sorry. It was all my idea; it has nothing to do with my sister," Gregory said, taking responsibility like a little man.
Chloe couldn't bear to let her brother take the blame alone and quickly confessed, "It wasn't just his idea; I encouraged him."
Seeing them vying to take responsibility made Deanna both angry and proud. "Alright, no need to argue. I'll punish both of you."
At this, the two children put on pitiful expressions.
Chloe looked up at her mother with pleading eyes. "Mommy, how are you going to punish us? Can you not spank us?" she asked, covering her little bottom with both hands.
Little did she know, this gesture almost made Deanna burst out laughing, thinking her daughter was too adorable, teasing her, "Of course, if you want to get spanked, Mommy grant it."
"No, I don't want to get spanked!" Chloe protested, then hid behind her brother, afraid that Mommy would spank her.
Julia watched from the side, laughing out loud at the fun scene.