Chapter 99 Mr. Smith's Precious Daughter
He lowered his head slightly and saw Emily trying hard to climb onto his leg, holding a piece of drawing paper in her hand, her tender little face covered with colorful paint.
Now Emily could climb up and sit steadily on his lap without William's help.
Emily spread her drawing flat on the desk, her little finger pointing at the two abstract adults, saying "Mommy, William," then pointing at three small figures, saying "James, Michael, Emily."
Her voice was crisp and clear, looking adorable as she waited for praise.
William's eyes flickered slightly. The abstract family portrait on the desk was the best work a child approaching two years old could produce. His handsome features relaxed after hearing the child's words.
The corners of his mouth curved upward leisurely, showing his pleasant mood.
On the other end of the video call, people in a Peace Group office stared wide-eyed at Emily.
A few who had seen her before breathed a slight sigh of relief and whispered to those nearby, "With the little princess here, we probably won't get chewed out too badly today."
Those who hadn't seen Emily before gave them a puzzled look.
The insiders immediately explained, "Mr. Smith's precious daughter, Peace Group's little princess! Last time, because she was there, our team got an extra day to rewrite the proposal."
That person's eyes suddenly brightened, "Then from now on, before big meetings, I won't pray to God anymore—I'll pray to this little princess instead!"
Others quickly chimed in, "That's a brilliant idea!"
Sunlight from the window fell on Emily's little face, making her features look even more delicate and adorable.
After waiting a long time without receiving praise, she turned her head to look at him in confusion and blinked, looking incredibly cute.
William: "That's really well done."
Emily's eyes seemed to burst with clusters of brilliant fireworks. She looked at the drawing on the desk, nodded in full agreement, and handed it to him with a beaming smile.
A uniquely gentle light flashed through William's eyes, sweeping across the depths of his gaze like a quiet night.
He slowly curved his lips, "For me?"
Emily nodded obediently, "Present."
William leaned back lazily in his chair, looking down at Emily's little pigtails bobbing up and down, and reached out to ruffle her hair. The ice wall in his heart instantly melted into a pool of warm spring water.
He glanced up at the computer, "Meeting adjourned."
The warmth in William's eyes hadn't faded yet, and though his voice was still indifferent, it seemed to carry a touch more gentleness than before, shocking everyone in the office.
William came out of the study carrying Emily and was immediately drawn to Sophia, who was sitting on the sofa, focused and absorbed.
The large glass window in the living room flooded the room with sunlight.
Her silky hair cascaded loosely behind her, shimmering with fine light in the sun.
Her crystal-clear skin, almond-shaped eyes that seemed to hold all the brilliant light in the world, and under her elegant nose, her red lips were pressed together, as if she was looking at some complicated data.
This scene reflected in his pupils was brighter and more dazzling than the sunlight outside.
Thinking of the dangers lurking in the shadows, he lowered his eyes to hide his true emotions and walked toward the living room carrying Emily.
James just happened to look up and held up his drawing with a smile, "Dad, look at my picture."
When it came to the children's interests and hobbies, William never held back his praise.
A simple "very well done" made James's mouth curve upward, and he lowered his head a bit shyly.
He thought joyfully to himself: Since Mom and Emily came back, Dad has been giving more and more praise lately! If only Dad and Mom could be together forever.
James's voice pulled Sophia's attention away from the data, and she smiled, "What did James draw? Let Mommy see."
After praising James as usual, she started looking for Emily.
Turning her head, she met William's gaze, which held an expression she couldn't understand.
Sophia's breath caught slightly, and a strange feeling rose in her heart. She felt that William was really acting odd today.
Emily smiled sweetly in his arms and reached out to her, "Mommy, hold me."
Sophia quickly got up to take the child. When her fingers touched William's arm, she stiffened slightly. William's body temperature transmitted through his clothes to her fingertips.
She pretended to be calm as she took Emily and walked over to James to watch him continue drawing.
William's expression remained unchanged as he watched her retreating figure, his fingers curling slightly. The lingering warmth from their touching fingertips climbed like a vine up his arm toward his heart.
William leaned against the white wall by the study door, his deep gaze resting on them.
Obscure and incomprehensible whirlpools flickered in his cool eyes.
As the heir of the Smith family, he had seen too many relatives who pretended to be kind but were actually ambitious, seen through the hypocrisy of friends who flattered but had no sincerity, and was even more accustomed to the lonely solitude of having no one to trust behind wealth and power.
His life had been indifferent for over twenty years, but it changed from the moment Sophia appeared.
The past was wrong, and he acknowledged it all.
But if there were other possibilities in the future, he wouldn't let go either!
After Michael woke up, James and Emily played with him using the toys they brought, and the children's laughter could be heard from time to time in the hospital room.
Night fell.
Sophia took the two children home, while William stayed at the hospital to keep Michael company.
Besides the bodyguards from the Johnson family in several cars escorting them, the people he arranged in the shadows directly cleared out all possible dangers at various intersections, absolutely not allowing any person or vehicle to get close to Sophia's car.
As soon as they left, William received a message.
Alice had escaped!
After being taken half-dead from the Smith Mansion's secret room, Tony sent her to a specially arranged house and spread the word.
Sure enough, the next day, someone came sniffing around.
That group was quite alert and cautious, going through several waves of people, all of whom were retired foreign desperados.
After rescuing Alice, they immediately left Empire City.
Leaving the country was impossible—the Smith family's people had already given notice at all checkpoints, completely blocking that route, so they could only choose to hide within the country.
And as long as they were in the country, there was nowhere the Smith family couldn't find.
"Mr. Smith, after Alice was rescued, the group that's been following us for five years has also withdrawn."
"But... the people following Mrs. Smith are still there."
After saying this, Tony clearly felt the atmosphere on the other end of the phone grow several degrees colder.
William stood by the hospital room window, his sharp and oppressive eyes scanning the streets around the hospital, then slowly looking up at the bright moon hanging overhead.
The night was as dark as the deep sea dyed William's eyes dangerously.
After a long, silent moment had passed.
His voice, cold to the bone, rang out, "My territory isn't somewhere they can leave just because they want to."
Tony's heart trembled—this net that had been laid out for years was finally being pulled in!
At an abandoned factory on the outskirts of Empire City.
A square-faced, honest-looking man had his hands tied behind his back, constantly begging for mercy.
"Mr. Smith, I really didn't rescue Alice! These past two years, I've been watching the Rivera family according to your instructions, absolutely loyal!"
In the dark corner, dim light shrouded William's chiseled face, his lion-like, sharp eyes flashing with killing intent.