Chapter 292 Sweet Distractions

Chapter 292 Sweet Distractions
Scarlett's POV

The ballroom buzzed with lingering excitement from the evening's dramatic revelations, but I could feel Dad's disapproving gaze burning into Gabriel and me like a laser. His mask couldn't hide the tension radiating from his every move as he watched Gabriel's tender gestures toward me.

Before the awkwardness could escalate further, two small figures burst between us like tiny whirlwinds.

"Grandpa!" Liam and Luna chorused simultaneously, their arms wrapping around Dad's legs with the kind of pure affection that could melt even the coldest heart.

The transformation was instantaneous. Dad's rigid posture softened as he looked down at his grandchildren, his earlier irritation evaporating like morning mist. The dangerous glint in his eyes was replaced by something infinitely warmer.

"Well hello there, my little treasures," Dad said, his voice losing its edge entirely. He bent down to their level, the intimidating Paul Morgan replaced by a doting grandfather.

Luna bounced on her toes, producing a perfectly wrapped chocolate from her small purse. "Grandpa, try this chocolate! It's super sweet and smells amazing, and it can make the sweetness go all the way to your heart!"

She pressed the candy into Dad's palm with such earnest enthusiasm that several nearby guests actually smiled at the scene. Dad examined the chocolate as if it were the most precious gift in the world.

"Very sweet," he murmured after taking a bite, his eyes growing suspiciously bright. "Very fragrant, very... happy."

The word 'happy' came out with such genuine emotion that my chest tightened. When was the last time Dad had experienced simple family joy like this?

"Grandpa," Luna continued, tugging on his jacket sleeve with determination, "this is my first time at Grandpa's house! Could you maybe take us around to see everything? I want to see where Mommy grew up!"

Dad hesitated for a moment, clearly torn between his duties as host and his desire to spend time with his newfound grandchildren. But when Liam joined in with his own pleading expression, Dad's resolve crumbled completely.

"I suppose I can't refuse such a heartfelt request from my grandchildren," Dad announced to the assembled guests, his voice carrying a note of apologetic amusement. "Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you'll excuse me for prioritizing family time."

The guests murmured understanding responses, many of them clearly charmed by the family dynamic playing out before them. Dad straightened, offering each child a hand.

As they began to walk away, I caught Gabriel's arm and hissed under my breath, "You don't know how to avoid trouble, do you?"

Gabriel's expression was the picture of innocence. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I was simply being affectionate with my children."

Before I could object, he was already guiding me toward the French doors leading to the garden. The evening air was crisp, carrying the scent of late-blooming roses and the distant sounds of the city.

"Mr. Rothschild," I said, maintaining careful distance between us, "we're divorced. Please mind your behavior."

Gabriel turned to face me fully, his gray eyes intense in the moonlight. "In my heart, you'll always be my wife. I only agreed to the divorce because I wanted to respect your wishes."

I turned my face away, my voice coming out more complicated than I intended. "I'm already promised to Everett Carter."

Gabriel stepped closer, his hand reaching out to gently grasp mine. "Do you really love him? The way you loved me?"

I tried to pull my hand back, but I didn't put any real force behind it. "What we had is over."

"Your eyes tell me you still love me," Gabriel said, moving another step closer.

For a moment, something soft flickered in my expression before I quickly suppressed it. "Gabriel, don't make this difficult for me."

He released my hand but didn't step back. "I'll wait for you, no matter how long it takes. You know what we have doesn't just end because of paperwork."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions. "I should go back. People can't see us alone together like this."

As I turned to leave, Gabriel's voice followed me, gentle but determined. "For the children's sake, for what we once meant to each other, give me one chance."

I didn't answer, but my steps definitely faltered for a moment before I continued toward the house.

Back inside, Alice was gathering her things, clearly preparing to leave. Liam and Luna immediately ran to me, their faces bright with excitement from their tour.

"Mommy, can we go home with you?" Luna asked, but before I could answer, she added, "Actually, I want to stay here with Grandpa!"

"I'm planning to stay here tonight to keep Dad company," I explained to Alice.

"Then we want to stay too!" Liam declared. "We want to be with both Mommy and Grandpa!"

Luna turned her considerable charm on Dad, who had followed them back into the room. "Grandpa, do you want me to stay and keep you company? I can tell stories, and feed you more chocolate, and I'm super cute!"

Dad's delighted laughter filled the room. "Of course you can stay, little one. Nothing would make me happier."

Gabriel approached our little group, his expression carefully controlled. "Listen to your mother, okay?" he told the children. "I'll come see you tomorrow."

Dad's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly at the implication that Gabriel would have a reason to return to the Langley estate.

After Gabriel and Alice departed with warm goodbyes, Dad and I helped the children settle into their temporary rooms. But as midnight approached, Dad's expression grew serious.

"Victoria," he said quietly, "come to my study. There's something urgent we need to discuss."

In his private study, Dad's demeanor shifted entirely. He pulled out an encrypted phone, his face grim.

"I received intelligence about an hour ago," he said without preamble. "According to the agents monitoring Aria Werner, she's been taken by Scythe's people."

I felt my blood chill. "Taken? Or did she go willingly?"

"That's what concerns me," Dad replied, his fingers drumming against his desk. "Aria's too smart to be taken against her will unless she wanted to be. Which means..."

"She's working with them," I finished. "Or at least, she's decided cooperation is her best option."

Dad's expression darkened further. "Which raises the question: how long has Scythe been watching me? How much do they know about our family, our operations, our weaknesses?"

These hints hit me like a ton of bricks. If Scythe had been monitoring Dad, they would have known that Paul was actually Benjamin with amnesia. Yet, they still let Dad develop his maritime empire under the identity of Paul. What exactly was Scythe planning?

"Whatever their plan is," I said calmly, "I will absolutely not let him hurt my family again."

The next morning brought the cheerful chaos of breakfast with two energetic children. Dad seemed determined to spoil them, ordering the kitchen staff to prepare an elaborate spread that would have fed a small army.

"Grandpa, these pancakes are amazing!" Luna declared, syrup somehow managing to find its way onto her cheek despite her careful attempts at grown-up table manners.

Liam was more focused on the bacon, constructing elaborate towers that he knocked down with his fork before rebuilding them.

We were just finishing our meal when Jenkins, the head butler, appeared in the doorway.

"Sir," he said to Dad, his voice carrying a note of curiosity, "there are two guests at the front gate. They claim to be friends of Miss Langley."

I felt my stomach drop. After yesterday's circus with the Ross family, unexpected visitors felt particularly ominous.