Chapter 1543 - 1530: Modest Background, Yet Cunning at Heart

When Richard Shaw returned, he found Constantine Stewart playing in the courtyard with Casimir Shaw. The man didn’t go inside; he stood under the veranda, glanced through the window at the lively scene inside, and said with a smile, "Why don’t you go in?"

"Playing with your son. Your son is too aggressive with skipping grades, isn’t he? He’s already in high school? At this rate, won’t he be taking the college entrance exam at thirteen or fourteen?" Constantine, dressed in a dark, thin wool sweater, had a fair and refined appearance, standing elegantly under the veranda. With his smile, the corners of his phoenix eyes lifted, winning a wave of goodwill without effort.

"Old Shaw won’t let me take the college entrance exam so early," Casimir, playing a game nearby, chimed in, "nor will he let me skip grades anymore."

An eleven or twelve-year-old boy, youthful and handsome, was practically a combination of Richard Shaw and Leah Squire.

Richard Shaw walked over, ruffled the boy’s hair, and said with a smile, "Nowadays it’s a time of peace, he doesn’t need to skip grades to make a name; it’s better for him to play more with kids his age."

Constantine snorted at this, laughing, "With your son’s intelligence, playing with kids his age? Other kids would be crying."

Richard Shaw felt a subtle sense of pride. These days, good fortune brought good spirits. Ever since he helped overturn the Cox Family’s case that year, the Shaw Family’s fortune had soared. Leah was expecting a second child, the Shaw Family was joyful, and he suddenly developed the heart of an old father, thinking that in a few years his son would grow up, marry, and have kids, allowing him to enjoy his old age peacefully.

This notion was often criticized by Leah, saying he had the body of a twenty-year-old, the age of thirty, and the heart of an eighty-year-old.

"What are you envying? Aren’t you about to have a child too?" Richard Shaw looked at Constantine, a year younger than him, with a baby still in the womb, then glanced at his own son, feeling proud all over again.

"Whether it’s a mischievous monkey or a little princess, ever since Chloe Winston became pregnant, I haven’t had a good night’s sleep," Constantine only said this in front of Richard Shaw, otherwise he felt embarrassed. He woke up multiple times every night, had to confirm the little girl was in his arms, and had to kiss her flat little belly to fall asleep.

Thinking of his thirty-some years, he had never been so anxious.

"It’s totally normal. Old Li would complain to me that every time their fourth little one was born, he’d wake up several times at night." Richard Shaw patted his shoulder, laughing, "Your wife is young and was raised by you, these tasks are naturally yours when it comes to your child."

It’s not about whether to hire a nanny or not; when it comes to raising one’s own child, there’s both reassurance and a sense of accomplishment.

"Hmm, I know." Constantine had long planned for all this. In his eyes, Chloe Winston was still a big kid, and naturally, it was his responsibility to manage all these things.

"What’s happening inside?"

"The Shaw Family’s cousin is about to get engaged. The old lady and Leah are not very at ease, insisting on having someone come over to check things out." Richard Shaw glanced inside the house, asking indifferently, "What do you think of him?"

Constantine lowered his eyes, having a smile on his refined face, and said slowly, "I just listened for a bit inside, his background is ordinary, he’s quite cunning, seems to be a notable figure from Seaside City, how did someone from the place where chickens don’t lay eggs and birds don’t poop get acquainted with your cousin?"

This evaluation by Constantine was almost a bad review.

Richard Shaw frowned slightly upon hearing this. In terms of judging people, he’s not as skilled as the old lady, Leah, or Constantine, so he didn’t get involved. After all, marriage mainly depends on the parties involved. As long as the young couple sees eye to eye, it’s fine. Even if Lana marries a wolf, the Shaw Family background ensures the man must act like a docile big-tailed dog for years, gentle and considerate.

"Not everyone has your kind of background. A Shaw daughter marrying down can lead to a more relaxed life afterward." Richard Shaw took a glance inside the room, seeing the man by Lana’s side in his twenties, looking handsome and outstanding with a humble demeanor, wondering why Constantine gave such a bad review.

"Hmm. Men like me are naturally rare." Constantine curled his lips, smiling elegantly and handsomely, "Your wife has better judgment than you, ask for her and the old lady’s opinion later."

Both kept their voices very low, chatting for a bit before being called into the house for dinner.

Leah was seven months pregnant, only briefly met the guest before resting, skipping dinner with them. The kitchen specially prepared a nutritional meal.

Constantine walked over to Chloe Winston, observing that the girl had become more lively after stepping out, her rosy cheeks seemed to glow, enhancing her already beautiful appearance. He also noticed Lana Shaw’s fiancé subtly glancing towards Chloe, his gaze inadvertently turning cold.

The man leaned close to the girl’s ear and whispered, "There are more outsiders today. Go with Leah to the small dining room to enjoy the nutritional meal; I’ll join you after dinner."

Chloe felt her ears burning, the man approaching was enveloped in a cool woody scent. She nodded, glancing up to see the Shaw Family matriarch smiling with the elders.

"I never thought, that kid Stewart still knows how to care," the matriarch teased with a laugh.

Constantine helped the girl up, laughed, "Grandma, don’t tease me. With a wife who came into my life so late, who else would I care for?"

With that, he accompanied Chloe upstairs to eat with Leah.

"What nonsense are you saying?" Chloe pinched the flesh on his arm, glaring at him with a smile.

"I’m not talking nonsense; it’s the truth from my heart, I only care for you," Constantine whispered into her ear, accompanying her up the stairs.

Leah, feeling heavy, couldn’t stand the noise, had already gone upstairs to relax. Richard Shaw entered to speak with his wife briefly, then helped her up into the temporary rest room on the second floor, where a nutrition meal was brought for both Leah and Chloe.

"Why did you come up, Chloe?" Leah, wearing a loose cashmere sweater, remained radiant even at seven months pregnant. Seeing Constantine escort Chloe upstairs to eat, she beckoned Chloe over to sit.

"She feels uneasy around strangers, it’s quieter eating up here, hope she doesn’t disturb you," Constantine always referred to Leah respectfully as ’sister-in-law,’ never at fault.

Leah saw the girl’s delicate appearance, pregnant just a month and still young, and noted how Constantine treated her as a fragile doll even within the Shaw Family, clearly not wanting Chloe exposed to the outsiders downstairs.

Constantine, so shrewd, is truly a businessman. Their Shaw is just honest and simple, one can hardly tell.

Leah pondered the matriarch’s sharpness, wondering why none of it seemed inherited by him.

"Don’t worry, Chloe’s safe with me, you two can go down to eat." Leah warmly pulled Chloe to sit down, then ushered the two men away.