Chapter 303: Then Go to Sleep

Nathan Fawcett asked, "Do you think there’s a problem?"

"I was just thinking, since you got on his bad side, he might come after you later."

Hearing this, Nathan Fawcett said, "It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it. He can’t stir up much trouble. What about you, though? Is your injury all better?"

"It is."

The words had barely left Anne Sutton’s lips when Nathan Fawcett sat down in front of her, pushing aside her bangs to inspect her wound.

Anne Sutton said, "It’s fine. I’d almost forgotten I was injured until you brought it up. As for your second brother and his family, do you think they’ll come and bother you again?"

Thanks to that stunt Ryan Linden pulled, his family was a complete mess right now.

Never mind that Ryan Linden sold his house; he still owed the company money.

Unless he actually sells the house they’re living in now, otherwise...

There was probably no way he could repay the money he owed the company.

At this, a corner of Nathan Fawcett’s mouth lifted. "After ending up like this, he’s definitely not going to take it lying down. Who knows what little schemes he’s plotting right now."

"Aren’t you scared, then?"

Nathan Fawcett said, "What’s there to be afraid of? If I were, I wouldn’t have made a move against him in the first place."

Anne Sutton said, "Good. As long as you’re not afraid."

Nathan Fawcett sat to the side, busy with work on his laptop.

Anne Sutton was helping Ian practice his writing.

Anna Linden walked in, accompanied by Chloe Chase, and demanded of Nathan Fawcett, "Stella went home?"

Nathan Fawcett glanced at his mother’s stormy expression and nodded.

Anna Linden said, "She’s still sick, and you just sent her away? Was that really necessary?"

It was already nine-thirty.

The moment his mother returned, she started asking about Stella Shields.

Nathan Fawcett said, "She wasn’t feeling well and said she was homesick, so her brother took her home. I figured it would be easier for her to recover at home, so I didn’t insist she stay. Do you have a problem with that, Mother?"

With just a few sentences, he’d completely absolved himself of any responsibility.

Anna Linden glanced at Anne Sutton, who was sitting to one side.

’Ever since Anne Sutton arrived, she’s had Nathan completely spellbound.’

And yet...

She couldn’t say a thing about it now.

She said to Nathan Fawcett, "I’ve always treated Stella like my own daughter. No one in this family gets to bully her. Not even you."

Nathan Fawcett raised an eyebrow. ’His mother treated Stella Shields like a daughter, but what about him?’

’He was her own son, for crying out loud!’

Anne Sutton watched from the side as Anna Linden scolded Nathan Fawcett over Stella Shields going home, then stormed upstairs.

Anne Sutton glanced at Nathan Fawcett. "You okay?"

’If it were me, I’d definitely be upset after being scolded like that in my own home.’

Hearing Anne Sutton’s words, Nathan Fawcett glanced at her and said, "I’m alright."

Anne Sutton looked at the man, moved closer, and said, "Don’t be upset. Hey, since we’re not busy, why don’t we go out for a bit?"

"Now?" Nathan Fawcett glanced outside.

Anne Sutton said, "Just to wander around for a bit. We’ll be back soon."

Ian said, "I want to go too."

"Won’t you be cold?" Anne Sutton looked at the little one.

Ian shook his head. "I’m not afraid of the cold."

And just like that, the three of them headed out.

The Linden Family’s neighborhood was very quiet, so Anne Sutton had Nathan Fawcett drive them to a bustling night market. They found a parking spot. Despite the cold, the streets were teeming with people and didn’t feel like night at all.

Ian had never been to this kind of place before.

His eyes wide with wonder, he followed close behind Anne Sutton. There were ring toss games, balloon shooting stalls...

Anne Sutton picked up a rifle, loaded it, and stood before the stall.

Ian watched her from the side. "Mommy, you’re so cool!"

However, Anne Sutton’s accuracy wasn’t very good.

She’d never been very good at these kinds of games.

She looked at Nathan Fawcett and asked, "Do you want to give it a try?"

With his usual cool and aloof expression, Nathan Fawcett looked completely out of place. "I’ll pass."

Anne Sutton said, "Come on, try it. I know you’re dying to."

Nathan Fawcett denied it. "I’m not that childish."

Anne Sutton had already shoved the rifle into his hands.

Nathan Fawcett glanced at it and cleared his throat. Anne Sutton watched him from the side. ’Tsk, it’s just a toy rifle, so why does he look so damn handsome holding it?’

Nathan Fawcett stood to the side. Compared to Anne, guys always seemed to have a natural advantage at these things.

His accuracy was much better than Anne’s.

Anne Sutton complained, "Unfair!"

Nathan Fawcett said, "It’s pure skill. What’s unfair about that?"

He looked quite pleased with himself for showing off in front of her.

Anne Sutton looked at him and asked, "See? Fun, right?"

Nathan feigned a serious expression. "Is this really what you brought us out to do? Ian is so young, you’re going to be a bad influence on him."

Anne Sutton glanced at her precious son. She had picked him up a moment ago so he could get a better view of Nathan’s performance, and he was still nestled in her arms.

Anne looked down at him. "Am I a bad influence on you, Ian?"

Ian shook his head.

With her son’s support, Anne Sutton shot Nathan a triumphant look.

Nathan Fawcett watched her. The night market lights illuminated her face. People bustled all around them, yet she seemed to shine with a particular brilliance.

He tore his gaze away, collected the prize he’d won, and handed it to Anne Sutton.

Anne took it with a glance and immediately passed the small teddy bear to Ian.

Ian said, "Thank you, Daddy."

Nathan Fawcett: "..."

’He’d obviously given it to *her*!’

...

After they finished exploring the night market and saw it was getting late, they finally headed back.

Ian was so exhausted he had already fallen asleep.

Anne held the little one, her gaze soft. Nathan, driving in the front seat, felt a bit like their chauffeur.

’I’ve been sickly since I was a child, always cooped up at home and rarely getting to go out and play. Of course, with my personality, I’m not fond of such bustling places anyway. If Anne hadn’t brought me, I never would have even thought to come to a place like this. It’s noisy and chaotic... but it feels nice. I actually feel... happy!’

By the time they got home, Anne’s arms were sore from carrying Ian.

Nathan took the little one from her. "I’ll put him to bed," he said to Anne as they walked upstairs. "You go take a shower."

Anne nodded. "Alright."

She returned to their room and took a shower. Before long, Nathan returned, having put Ian to sleep.

He saw her, fresh from the shower and still wrapped in steam, and walked over to pull her into his arms.

He must have left the jacket he’d worn outside, as he was now just in a sweater.

Anne Sutton looked at the man. "What are you trying to do?"

Nathan looked at her, his intentions obvious.

He looked at Anne Sutton and voiced his desire. "I want you."

His directness made Anne blush a little. She tried to deflect, saying, "I’m tired."

Nathan gazed at her. He smiled at her excuse. "Then you should get some sleep. I’m going to take a shower."

With that, he went into the bathroom.

’Anne had expected him to press the issue a bit, but he’d simply taken her at her word and left her alone.’

...