Chapter 426: I Won’t Eat It

’He never stops to think. Holding a child like that is bound to leave a scar.’

’The boy already dislikes him, and now he’s being forced into his arms. This is definitely going to traumatize him!’

Still, at least they were at the Linden estate. Ryan’s only goal right now was to get Lana Langley and his son back, so he wouldn’t dare pull any stunts.

He had recently come to a realization: no matter what, he had to coax Lana and their son home first. Everything else could be dealt with later.

That was why he was trying so hard to put on a good show for Anne.

Seeing Ryan pick up Donna and start talking to him, Anne Sutton couldn’t be bothered with them and went to cook some noodles for Ian.

Ryan quickly carried his son out into the courtyard.

The sun was bright. Ryan looked at Donna and asked, "Where’s your mom?"

"She’s at work."

"Work?" Ryan said. "More like she’s out fooling around! The state she’s in, who would hire her?"

Ryan was full of contempt. In his eyes, Lana Langley had no redeeming qualities besides being able to look after their child.

Hearing this, Donna shot him a look and said, "My mom is amazing."

Donna was naturally upset to hear his father speak about his mother that way.

Ryan said, "Right, your mom’s so amazing. Son, don’t you want to come home with Dad?"

"No."

"What did you say?" Ryan nearly exploded with anger when he heard Donna’s reply.

’To think this little brat would be so blatant about not wanting to come home!’

Donna said, "It’s fun here. And nobody hits my mom here."

’Not like his dad, anyway!’

Ryan froze for a moment when he heard that. "I won’t hit your mom anymore! Tell her to come home with me! Look at you, living in someone else’s house every day. What kind of way is that to live? People will start to find you annoying, you know?"

"They don’t!" Donna said. "I think it’s fun hanging out with Ian every day."

"Fun, my foot!" Ryan snapped. "You’re just simple-minded! Stupid, just like your mother! They’re only letting you stay here to drive a wedge between us, father and son! Just look at you now! You don’t even want to come home anymore."

They had been living at the Linden’s for months!

It was driving Ryan mad.

But with his wife and child gone, his house felt empty, so he had no choice but to come here every day.

Donna sat to the side, and as Ryan’s lecture grew harsher, he simply clammed up.

Back home, Ryan had always suppressed him. But now, at the Linden estate, he, like his mother, had found his backbone. He was no longer a boy who could be pushed around.

...

Anne Sutton finished cooking the noodles for Ian and Nathan Fawcett and brought them out. She turned to Ian and asked, "Hasn’t Donna come back yet?"

"No, he’s still outside," Ian said, pointing. Anne raised her head and glanced over at Ryan and Donna.

The father and son were sitting face-to-face, but neither was speaking. Donna just fidgeted with his fingers. The whole scene was rather comical.

’What is Ryan thinking?’ Anne wondered. ’Doesn’t he feel awkward at all?’

’His own son is sitting right in front of him, too scared to even talk to him, let alone act affectionately. It’s ridiculous!’

Anne walked outside and called, "Donna."

Donna looked over at Anne. "Auntie."

Anne asked, "Do you want some noodles? I just made a fresh batch!"

Donna was tempted. Mostly, he just didn’t want to be with his father anymore.

Ryan cut in, "Noodles? Why would you eat noodles at a time like this?"

"But I’m a little hungry."

"Then I’ll take you out for a bite!" Ryan stood up. He disliked Anne, so he certainly didn’t want his son eating anything she made.

His disdain was palpable.

Anne looked at the man, finding him utterly ridiculous.

...

But she had already extended the invitation; she couldn’t be bothered to argue.

Soon enough, Ryan took Donna out to get something to eat.

Anne returned to Nathan Fawcett’s side. "What happened?" he asked.

"I invited Donna to have some noodles, but he didn’t come. Ryan took him away."

Anne sat down. "Ryan took him out... he’s not just going to take him home, is he? The way he’s been showing up here every day, I can tell he’s up to no good."

Nathan said, "It doesn’t matter. It’s his own son. If he wants to take him, let him."

He added, "Before, all he could think about was gambling; he never cared about his son at all. Maybe he’s finally changed. He’s been putting all his effort into the boy lately."

"Aren’t you worried he’ll just secretly take the boy home for good?"

"I can’t raise his son for him forever," Nathan said. "Sooner or later, they have to go back."

Anne looked at Nathan. "I guess... you’re right."

Nathan had already gone above and beyond by letting Lana Langley and Donna stay here for so long.

He simply couldn’t stand the way Ryan used to blame his wife for everything.

Lately, Ryan had been writing self-criticisms, and his temper had indeed mellowed considerably.

The family of three—Anne, Nathan Fawcett, and Ian—ate their noodles.

Anne had been at the hospital taking care of Sharon Sutton recently and hadn’t had a proper meal in a while. Now, with her son beside her, she found the noodles she’d made were actually quite delicious.

Just as they were enjoying their meal, Master Linden came downstairs. Seeing them eating, he frowned. "What time is it? Why are you eating now?"

The old master was very particular about rules.

Barring special circumstances, one ate at mealtimes. One did not simply eat whenever they pleased.

’And yet, here were Nathan and Ian, eating at this hour!’

When Nathan saw Master Linden, he asked, "Grandpa, what brings you down?"

"I wanted to go for a walk." Master Linden’s gaze fell on Anne. "So, Anne Sutton is back."

Anne looked at the old man and nodded. "Yes. I just got off the plane and hadn’t had lunch, so I’m eating with Ian. Is there a problem?"

Anne wasn’t intimidated by him.

Master Linden said, "Ian already had lunch! And you’re letting him eat again. How can a child’s stomach handle so much food?"

"He likes my noodles."

"You are just..." Master Linden disliked Anne’s parenting style. He always felt she was too permissive with the child.

’No discipline at all!’

’So unreliable.’

Anne simply looked at the old man and said nothing.

Nathan interjected, "Ian hasn’t seen his mother in a while, so he’s just keeping Anne company. Grandpa, since you’re heading out, let me see you off."

Nathan stood up, worried that if the old man stayed, he would start an argument with Anne.

The old man wasn’t in good health, and besides... he didn’t want to see Anne get upset by him either.

It would just make them both miserable, so it was better to cut things short.

Nathan escorted his grandfather out the door.

Master Linden looked at Nathan. "You went to pick her up at noon and didn’t eat? And you’re just settling for some noodles?"

Nathan said, "Anne’s noodles are delicious. You should try them sometime if you get the chance. I’m sure you’d like them."

"As if I’d eat that!" Master Linden said with a huff.

’How could anything Anne makes possibly taste good?’

He refused to believe it.

’Wasn’t the food made by their family’s own chef good enough?’

Seeing his grandfather’s reaction, Nathan didn’t press the issue.

Master Linden said, "I’m going to see a friend. I’ll be back tonight."