Chapter 106

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Miriam opened the door , and Jonathan stepped in , his arms full of bags and papers . Wearing a sharp suit , he seemed completely out of place in the warm , homey atmosphere .
Miriam quickly moved to help him with his load . “ You shouldn’t have ! Just you coming over was enough . ” But why is everything he brought ingredients ? ” she wondered . Cooking with raw ingredients wasn’t exactly her strong suit .
In the kitchen , Teresa was busy making gruel for Michael . Jonathan’s gaze lingered on her back for a bit before he looked away . “ Where’s Mike ? ” he asked , his voice deliberately louder , as though directing the question at someone specific .
“ Mike ? It’s just me and Teresa here , ” Miriam replied . The first step of the plan was in motion – Miriam played the fool , dodging his questions .
Jonathan’s attention returned to Teresa . “ Before leaving , my secretary asked me to look after his kid . I’m here to pick him up . He’s staying with me . ”
Hearing this , Teresa could no longer stand by idly . She turned sharply , taking off her apron as she walked out of the kitchen . She stood firmly in front of him , forcing herself to meet his eyes despite their height difference .
“ Mike’s mom asked me to take care of him before she left . You don’t have to worry about him , ” she said firmly .
“ Can you really take care of him ? ” Jonathan asked rhetorically , “ You’re living in someone else’s house with a child . Can you even cook ? Without basic skills , how are you planning to look after him ? ”
Teresa retorted , “ I can’t cook , but I can order takeout . ”
Jonathan’s voice sharpened further . “ He’s only a few years old . Are you really going to feed him takeout all the time ? That’s not healthy , But then again , he’s not your own child , so I suppose you don’t really care . ”
At those words , Teresa’s anger surged . ‘ How could I not care about my own son ? ‘ she thought . Just as she was about to snap , a small figure dashed into the room and clung tightly to Jonathan’s leg .
“ Mr. Daddy Lime , you’re finally here to save me ! ” Michael sobbed .
Jonathan , sensing something strange , asked the boy to look up . Michael tilted his head back , his large eyes blinking up at Jonathan , momentarily catching him off guard .
Standing before Jonathan was a child in a wig with two pigtails cascading down his shoulders , and his cheeks were exaggeratedly blushed .
Miriam couldn’t contain herself and burst into laughter , while Teresa , still stinging from Jonathan’s earlier remarks , remained stoic .
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“ Mike Johnson , ” Jonathan said sternly , crouching down to pick him up . “ What are your up to ? ”
“ I’m not Mike , ” Michael replied , shaking his braided pigtails dramatically . “ I’m your precious daughter ! ”
Jonathan reached out and tugged off the wig , revealing the boy underneath . “ Why are you dressed like a girl ? ”
Michael clung to his neck and pointed toward the door . “ It was Aunt Cheryl ! She said . you like daughters ! ”
‘ Aunt Cheryl ? ‘ Jonathan pondered .
At that moment , Cheryl appeared , strolling casually into view . “ Hey , Jonathan ,” she said with a wave .
Jonathan frowned in confusion . “ Why are you here ? ”
Cheryl explained that she had run into Miriam while shopping and decided to drop by . Jonathan’s expression grew stormy . “ Did you dress him like this ? What nonsense did . you tell him ? And why is he calling you Aunt Cheryl ? ”
“ I …” Cheryl faltered , overwhelmed by his barrage of questions . She glanced at Teresa , silently pleading for help , Teresa , save me here ! ‘
Teresa stepped in smoothly . “ The kid insists on calling you Dad . Since Cheryl’s your sister , him calling her aunt isn’t a big deal . It’s just a form of address . ”
Cheryl couldn’t help but admire Teresa’s effortless calm under Jonathan’s intimidating gaze . She effortlessly parried his inquiries , a skill that seemed innate . It was the kind of confidence that only came from being that close to someone .
Jonathan pursed his lips , his expression softening slightly . “ Cheryl , you’re coming back with me . The kid’s coming too . ”
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