Chapter 196: Can I Call You Dad?

Chapter 196: Can I Call You Dad?

"Well, well, if it isn't Mr. Windsor! Since when do you have kids? Don't tell me they're illegitimate?"

The shrill voice came from a heavily made-up socialite in the crowd.

She clutched a Hermès bag, wore designer stilettos with signature red soles and studs, and her eyes dripped with superiority.

"Mr. Windsor suddenly showing up with two kids this age—they must be from some mistress, right?"

The surrounding parents began whispering, their gazes bouncing between Diana and Charles.

Daisy's smile froze on her face. Her small hand gripped Charles's sleeve tightly.

Jason's expression darkened instantly, those eyes—so uncannily like Charles's—flashing with cold fury.

Charles was about to speak when Diana stepped forward first.

"Illegitimate?" Diana laughed coldly, her voice cutting clearly through the crowd. "Ma'am, maybe get your facts straight before you open your mouth."

The woman was momentarily cowed by Diana's presence, instinctively taking half a step back. "I... I was just stating the obvious..."

"The obvious?" Diana walked right up to her, eyes sharp as knives. "Then let me state something obvious for you. Jason and Daisy aren't illegitimate. They're my and Charles's children."

The entire playground went silent.

Everyone froze.

Charles's head snapped up to look at Diana, shock and wild joy flashing in his eyes.

"Diana..."

Diana ignored him, keeping her gaze locked on the socialite. "Five years ago, I was pregnant with twins when I got into a car accident. Massive hemorrhage, premature delivery. Charles was off comforting another woman at the time, so he had no idea the babies survived."

Her voice was calm, but the revelation stunned everyone present.

"For the past five years, I've been raising two children alone overseas—pulling all-nighters in the lab, rushing feverish kids to the ER in the middle of the night." Diana turned to look at Charles, her eyes glistening. "So before you call them illegitimate, maybe ask yourself if you're even qualified to judge my children."

The woman's face turned beet red. Her mouth opened and closed uselessly.

The other parents exchanged uneasy glances, murmuring:

"Oh my God, so that's what happened..."

"Mr. Windsor abandoned his wife and children?"

"No, wait—didn't you hear? Dr. Johnson said Mr. Windsor didn't know the kids survived."

Charles stood rooted to the spot, looking as if he'd been struck by lightning.

He stared at Diana, his throat constricted, unable to form words.

Jason walked over to Diana's side and looked up at the socialite with a level gaze. "Ma'am, my mom is an internationally renowned cardiac surgeon. She just saved Mrs. Young's life last month. And you? Besides talking trash, what exactly do you do?"

The words, coming from a five-year-old, hit like bullets.

The woman trembled with rage and turned to leave.

"Stop." Charles's voice cut through the air, cold and menacing.

He strode up to the woman, fury barely contained in his eyes. "Every word you just said—I've committed it to memory. Tomorrow, Windsor Group's legal team will be sending you a letter."

The woman's face went white. "Mr. Windsor, I... I didn't mean—"

"Didn't mean it?" Charles gave a harsh laugh. "So you unintentionally slandered my wife and children?"

He turned to face all the parents, his voice ringing out clear and strong:

"Let me make an official announcement right here and now. Diana is my wife. Jason and Daisy are my biological children. Five years ago, because of my own stupidity, I put the three of them through hell. But from today forward, anyone who dares say one word against them is making an enemy of me."

The entire crowd fell silent.

Daisy's eyes sparkled. "He's so cool," she whispered.

Jason turned his head away, his eyes reddening.

Diana looked at Charles, a complicated mix of emotions surging through her.

This man had finally acknowledged her in public. Given her a title.

But... was that enough?

Just then, the school principal approached to smooth things over. "All right, everyone, we're here for a sports day. Let's not ruin the atmosphere for the children. The next event is the parent-child tug-of-war. Please get ready."

The crowd slowly dispersed, though murmurs continued to ripple through them.

Charles walked over to Diana, his eyes filled with guilt and gratitude.

"Diana, thank you."

Diana turned her head away. "I didn't do it for you. I did it for the kids."

"I know." Charles took a deep breath. "But either way, the fact that you were willing to publicly acknowledge them means—"

Jason suddenly spoke, cutting him off. "Did you mean what you said just now?"

Charles crouched down, meeting his eyes seriously. "Of course I meant it. Jason, you're my son. Daisy is my daughter. That's the proudest thing I'll ever be able to say."

Jason stared at him for a long moment, then said coldly, "Then don't ever make my mom cry again."

Charles nodded solemnly. "I swear."

Daisy suddenly threw herself into Charles's arms. "Can... can I call you Dad now?"

Charles's eyes instantly welled up.

He held Daisy tightly, his voice breaking. "Yes. Of course you can."

Jason stood to the side, biting his lip, saying nothing.

Diana watched the scene unfold, tears sliding silently down her cheeks.

The tug-of-war soon began.

According to the rules, each team needed two parents and one child.

Daisy tugged on Charles's hand. "Daddy, we have to win!"

Charles smiled and ruffled her hair. "Don't worry. Daddy's got this."

Jason walked over to Diana and said quietly, "Mom, are you tired? Want me to take your place?"

Diana shook her head. "I'm fine. We'll do it together."

The match started.

On the other side was a burly-looking father with his wife and son.

The man glanced at Charles and snorted. "Mr. Windsor spends all his time behind a desk. Probably doesn't have much strength, huh?"

Charles didn't respond. He just tightened his grip on the rope.

The whistle blew.

Both sides began to pull.

Charles's arms bulged with veins, sweat beading on his forehead.

Diana stood behind him, gritting her teeth as she pulled with all her might.

Jason, though small, gave it everything he had.

Daisy stood at the very back, her little face flushed red. "Go! Go! Go!"

The red ribbon tied in the middle of the rope slowly inched toward Charles's side.

The man's expression changed. He hadn't expected Charles to be this strong.

"Pull harder!" he yelled at his wife and son.

But it was too late.

With one final roar from Charles, the rope was yanked decisively across the line.

"We won!" Daisy jumped up and down in excitement.

Even Jason allowed himself a rare smile.