About half an hour later, Deanna changed her clothes and, along with the two little ones and their grandmother, followed Kade to a high-end restaurant.
The atmosphere was quite pleasant during the meal.
Kade was very attentive, taking great care of the two children and Deanna's grandmother. He served food and engaged in warm conversations.
Deanna, however, felt a bit overwhelmed by his enthusiasm and couldn't help but ponder her previous thoughts. Could Kade really have feelings for her?
As she was lost in thought, a man who looked like an assistant knocked and entered the private room, carrying several gift bags.
"Mr. Burton, here are the items you requested."
The man respectfully approached Kade and handed over the gift bags.
Kade nodded and took the gifts, then gestured for the man to leave.
Deanna, puzzled, asked, "Kade, what is this?"
"Earlier, I didn't know you had two children, so I wasn't prepared. I quickly had someone bring these over."
Kade divided the gifts into two parts and called out to the children, "Gregory, Chloe, come see if you like the gifts Uncle got for you."
Gregory and Chloe didn't move but looked at Deanna, silently communicating with her. They hoped she would refuse the gifts on their behalf.
Deanna complied with their wishes. "Kade, that's very kind of you, but these are too expensive. Your thoughtfulness is enough; there's no need for gifts."
Since Lance often bought toys for the children, Deanna had become familiar with domestic toy brands. Although Kade's gifts weren't as expensive as Lance's, they were still worth thousands of dollars.
Kade disagreed and looked at Deanna. "It's nothing. You can't let me seem stingy as their elder."
Without giving Deanna a chance to refuse, he handed the toys to the children and added, "You can keep these. If you like them, I'll buy more for you next time."
Old Ashley also noticed something unusual but said nothing.
Deanna was now more convinced that her earlier thoughts might be correct. Kade might indeed have feelings for her.
Thinking about this, Deanna frowned slightly, contemplating how to dissuade Kade.
The meal ended with everyone deep in their own thoughts.
As they left the restaurant, Kade checked his watch and smiled. "It's early. How about I take you for a walk to help digest the food?"
"No need. You've done so much tonight. Besides, Gregory and Chloe haven't finished their homework, and I have some herbs to deal with. Let's call it a night," Deanna politely declined.
Kade looked disappointed but didn't insist. He smiled and nodded. "Alright then, I'll invite you out another day. Let me drive you home."
Deanna felt it would be impolite to refuse again, so she agreed.
Back home, Old Ashley urged the children to do their homework and then gestured for Deanna to sit beside her.
Deanna sat down and asked, "Grandma, is there something you want to talk about?"
Old Ashley nodded. "What do you think of Mr. Burton?"
"What do you mean?" Deanna was puzzled but quickly understood her grandmother's implication and couldn't help but laugh. "Grandma, Gregory has been influenced by Julia. Are you also getting affected?"
"Why can't I ask?"
Old Ashley pretended to be stern.
Deanna quickly replied, "Of course you can ask. But please don't join in their teasing. I only see Kade as a senior from college; I have no other thoughts."
"So, you're interested in Mr. Mercer then."
Old Ashley raised an eyebrow, giving Deanna no chance to evade.
Deanna smiled helplessly but didn't deny it.
Meanwhile, in another room, the two children were secretly making a phone call.
Soon, Lance's hoarse voice came through the phone. "Gregory, what's up?"
Gregory proudly replied, "Uncle, when you come back from your business trip, you owe me a big meal. My sister and I helped fend off Mommy's suitor today."
"We didn't fall for his sweet talk either," Chloe added.
On the other end of the line, Lance frowned upon hearing this. "What suitor?"
"It's a senior from Mommy's college who seems to like her. He invited Mommy, Great-grandma, and us out for dinner today," Chloe explained briefly.
She then reminded him, "Uncle, you need to finish your work quickly and come back; otherwise, someone else might catch Mommy's eye."