Chapter 454: She Said She's Going to Call the Police

The boy called Nathan Fawcett “Grandpa,” and Nathan certainly fit the bill.

Nathan Fawcett glanced at the little guy. He wasn’t unhappy about being called “Grandpa” by Leo.

At first, he didn’t really care.

‘That’s just how seniority works!’

But then…

Anne Sutton said, “I’m going to start cooking. Ian said he wanted to eat my food.”

The moment Anne Sutton walked away, Leo followed her. “Auntie.”

“Auntie?”

‘He calls Anne “Auntie,” but he calls me “Grandpa”?’

Suddenly, being called “Grandpa” didn’t feel so great anymore!

Anne Sutton went into the kitchen, tied on an apron, and prepped the ingredients. She glanced at Leo, who was squatting in the doorway watching her, and said, “Why don’t you go play with Ian?”

“No.” He wanted to stay right there and watch Anne Sutton.

She made him feel safer.

After all, he knew her best.

He wasn’t familiar with anyone else.

Nathan Fawcett walked over, his gaze falling on Anne Sutton. “Do you need any help?”

“No, it’s fine.” Anne glanced at Nathan. “Go play with the kids.”

“…” Nathan said, “Finn is already asleep.”

When he saw Anne return, he had simply put the boy down to sleep on the sofa.

Anne gave the man a look and went back to her work.

Anne said, “What, is our Ian not a child? Does he not need you to spend time with him? Nathan Fawcett, you’re going too far! They’re both children, can’t you be a little fairer? Don’t you think Ian will be upset when you favor Finn like this?”

“…” Hearing Anne’s words, Nathan said, “What’s wrong with Ian?”

“You’re still asking what’s wrong.” Rolling her eyes at him, Anne didn’t want to talk to him anymore.

After hearing her, Nathan turned his head and looked at Ian, who was sitting off to the side, playing by himself.

Ian used to be quite clingy with Nathan.

But right now, he was just playing there alone, not talking to Nathan, and not bothering his dad with anything.

Nathan watched the little guy and realized that he seemed…

to have grown up a lot all of a sudden.

Nathan walked over to him. Ian was taking apart a toy airplane in his hands. “What are you doing, taking the plane apart?” Nathan asked.

Ian glanced at him. “Because I want to.”

“Are you upset?” Nathan sat down. “You’re not even talking to Dad anymore.”

“You don’t like me anyway,” Ian said dejectedly.

Nathan was always telling him he was a big boy now and shouldn’t let people carry him all the time.

But…

He carried Finn all the time!

Ian couldn’t stand it!

He could accept the conditions Nathan set for him.

But he couldn’t accept Nathan using a different standard for him and Finn.

Nathan said, “I don’t dislike you.”

“Yes, you do.” Ian glanced at Nathan and then ignored him.

Nathan sat down, picked him up, and held him. “Is this better?”

“No,” Ian said. “I’m a big boy now. I don’t need you to hold me.”

Nathan looked at the little guy who was sulking at him. “Finn wasn’t feeling well today. Is that why you’re upset?”

Ian said, “I like Mom. I don’t like you.”

“…” Nathan hadn’t expected the little rascal to say something like that so deliberately.

But hearing him say he liked his mom and not him really did sting a little.

Anne finished cooking, brought the food out, and set it on the table. When Ian saw that the food was ready, he ran over. “Mom, it smells so good.”

It was hard to say if he was deliberately trying to annoy Nathan, but he was dead silent around his father, yet incredibly well-behaved in front of Anne.

It was like he was two different people.

For the first time, Nathan felt a small spark of rebellion from his son.

In his memory, Ian was still a little kid who didn’t understand anything, but now he already had a mind of his own.

Anne called Leo and Finn over and prepared food for them all.

To be fair, she gave all the children the same meal.

When it came to eating, Leo was a rather picky eater.

He used to be a picky eater at home and refused to eat many things.

But ever since he started staying with Mia Shaw, she would discipline him from time to time.

The children sat in a row, eating earnestly.

Anne sat to the side and asked Ian, “What do they serve for meals at your school every day?”

Ian said, “Their food is gross. I don’t eat it.”

Anne looked at Ian in disbelief. “Is it really that bad?”

The school they attended was nearby, and the monthly expenses were quite high, all to give the children the best experience.

Hearing Ian say the food was bad really surprised Anne.

“What about Finn?” Anne looked at Finn. “Did you eat, Finn?”

Finn nodded. “I thought it was pretty good.”

“How could it be good?” Ian looked at Finn. “Have you ever even had good food before? If you think the school’s food is so great, then don’t eat my mom’s.”

Seeing that Finn wasn’t on his side and had even undermined him, Ian got a little upset.

Nathan looked at Ian and asked sternly, “What kind of way is that to talk?”

“But it’s true!” Ian said. “It really is bad! Why does he have to say it’s good?”

“You think it’s bad because you’re picky. He thinks it’s good because he likes it. Everyone has different opinions! Why do you have to just shut down someone else’s?”

“…” Ian looked at Nathan, lowered his head, and fell silent.

Anne sat to the side, watching this scene unfold, and felt a headache coming on.

She couldn’t quite say why.

…

‘Maybe it’s because there are more kids in the house now, so conflicts are bound to happen.’

Just then, the phone rang with a call from Mia Shaw.

Anne Sutton glanced at it and answered, “Hello.”

“Anne Sutton!” Mia Shaw said. “Where did you take him?”

“He’s at my house. What’s wrong?” Anne said. “Are you done with your work?”

Mia Shaw said, “What gives you the right to take him to your house? What are you planning to do to him? This is child abduction! Believe it or not, I’m calling the police!”

Hearing Mia threaten to call the police, Anne said, “If I recall correctly, weren’t you the one who said you were too busy and asked me to watch him for you?”

“I asked you to watch him, but I didn’t tell you to take him home! Tell me, are you trying to kidnap the boy?”

She had gotten off work and gone to the hospital. She hadn’t wanted to bother, but she was afraid something might happen to Leo at Anne’s place or that he might let something slip.

So she rushed over, only to find no one at the hospital. The wasted trip made her angry.

Anne said, “Kidnapping? Then go ahead and call the police!”

“…” Mia Shaw gritted her teeth. “Don’t think I won’t do it!”

Anne said calmly, “Do as you please.”

…

After hanging up, Anne put her phone down. Nathan looked at her and asked, “How did it go?”

Anne said, “She said she’s going to call the police and report that I kidnapped Leo.”

Leo, standing nearby, stared at Anne with wide, guarded eyes.

Any news related to Mia Shaw always made him incredibly wary.