Ethan didn't ask questions, stood up, and walked upstairs, entrusting Alexander to Kilian and Ellena.
Anna followed Liam upstairs and locked the study door. Without wasting any time, she took out her phone, opened the photos, and got straight to the point, "Who is this woman? Why is she in this house?"
Ethan began to speak, but Anna anticipated his response, cutting him off, "Don't tell me she's the cook! I had someone investigate her. She's Suzy's half-sister from the same father but different mother. Four years ago, she got pregnant out of wedlock and was kicked out of the Miller family."
Ethan's pupils sharply contracted, and a coldness appeared in his narrow eyes upon hearing this. Learning that they had privately investigated Samantha triggered an inexplicable anger within him.
Sensing his anger, Anna was momentarily stunned, a mix of shock and awe rising within her.
To her surprise, her son was angry at her for a woman other than Jessica. This discovery made her heart sink suddenly, and a sinister premonition loomed in her mind.
"Ethan, you are the heir to the Steele family and the president of the Emperor Group! With your status, you absolutely cannot marry a woman of Samantha's status. You should marry someone who can help you. Although the Miller family's status in the capital is not as high as the Steele family's, it is still among the top ten families and Suzy is also Noah's biological mother."
Ethan's gaze turned icy.
"If you called me here to talk about this, then we have nothing to say."
His non-denial was perceived by Anna as an acknowledgment—acknowledgment of his feelings for Samantha. Anna's heart sank directly to the bottom, and she glanced anxiously at Liam.
Liam, with a stern face, spoke in a low voice, "Your mom and I have already chosen a date. The 28th of next month is a good day for a wedding. We will announce the engagement to the media shortly."
It wasn't a discussion but a direct order.
Ethan's deep black eyes suddenly contracted, a storm of emotions surging within him.
"You should know, no one can force me!"
Having said this, he stood up and left the study without looking back. Liam felt a twisting pain in his chest, his face turning pale. Fearing he might collapse from anger, Anna continuously patted his back to soothe him.
Liam, breathing heavily, sighed, "I'm losing control of him more and more. He won't marry the perfect young lady and insists on liking a woman with a questionable private life, ruining his reputation. Jessica was like this, and now Samantha is the same."
Anna reassured him repeatedly, "Don't worry, I won't let this happen. Our daughter-in-law can only be Noah's biological mother. I won't let Ethan find a stepmother for Noah."
However, Liam wasn't as optimistic. Ethan was notoriously stubborn. If he weren't stubborn, the events of the past wouldn't have happened.
After descending from the study, Ethan left Anna and others behind, taking Alexander with him in the car. Sensing Ethan's unpleasant mood, Alexander, in his warmth, didn't argue with him. He secretly took out his phone and sent a message to Noah.
"Daddy is not in a good mood today. Can you ask Mommy to come and keep him company tonight? After dinner, I'll hide in my room. You come up with a reason to let Mommy come over."
After sending the message, there was no immediate reply. Alexander wasn't in a hurry. He knew Noah would definitely respond as soon as he saw the message.
Meanwhile...
Samantha drove to the hospital with Charlotte and Noah.
Holding Samantha's hand, Noah asked excitedly, "Mommy, are you really taking me to see Great-grandpa? I actually have a great-grandpa!"
Samantha smiled and nodded, "Yes! Your grandma was killed when Mommy was very young. Great-grandpa protected me as I grew up. Be a bit more polite when you go in. Grandpa's mood gets better when he hears sweet words."
Noah vigorously nodded his little head.
Charlotte also nodded.
The three of them, carrying a fruit basket, walked hand in hand into the hospital.
Just as they reached the door of the ward, they heard laughter inside, "Yes, yes, my granddaughter is beautiful. I don't ask for much, just a stable job and income. Handsomeness is not important. Don't mind if she has a child. And, treat them well, can't be fickle, must cherish my granddaughter..."
Hearing this voice, Noah shivered all over.
This voice was his Grandpa's.
Was the Grandpa Miss Samantha mentioned the same as his grandpa?
If he entered now, Grandpa would surely recognize him. How would his plan proceed smoothly then?
Samantha, with a speechless smile, twitched the corner of her mouth, and veins popped on her forehead.
Is Grandpa trying to find a blind date for her? Is she so desperate to rely on blind dates to get married?
Samantha sighed in silence and was about to lead the two little ones inside when she noticed Alexander was nowhere to be found.
She looked at Charlotte in confusion, "Where's your brother?"
Charlotte blinked her watery big eyes and replied, "Brother said he was hungry and went out to find something to eat."
Samantha muttered to herself, "The brat always goes missing at critical moments."
Saying that, she held Charlotte's hand and walked into the ward.
Grandpa saw her walking in with a mini version of a little girl, and his eyes immediately lit up. Without even saying goodbye on the phone, he quickly hung up.
Charlotte, showing rare cleverness, didn't wait for Grandpa to speak and crisply shouted, "Great-grandpa!"
Grandpa's eyes welled up with excitement. He waved to Charlotte, "Come over quickly, let Great-grandpa see you."
Charlotte obediently walked over.
Grandpa looked at her with kindness.
Her naturally wavy hair framed a small face that turned into a crescent moon when she smiled, revealing white teeth, a delicate little mouth, and a straight little nose, making her appear exquisite like a doll.
Grandpa nodded approvingly, "Really good! Not only did you save your life, but you also gave birth to such a cute great-granddaughter. Really good..."
Charlotte affectionately hugged Grandpa's arm, "Great-grandpa, Charlotte misses you..."
Grandpa felt a strong bitterness in his heart and couldn't hold back his tears.
Samantha, on the side, couldn't help but tear up as well.
...
Noah sat on a bench in the hospital garden, his small eyebrows knitted together, deeply troubled. Nick was talking to Oliver on the phone. Passing by the garden, he noticed Noah sitting on the bench, and his eyes deepened, halting him in his tracks.
"What did you just say?"
Oliver, impatient, said, "Ethan is preparing to take Noah to the Ecological Park for a picnic. Hurry up! I'm on my way there."
"Noah?" Nick frowned, "Are Noah and Ethan together now?"
"Nonsense, of course, he is with Ethan! Hurry up and come. Last time, Ethan drank with me all night because of you. You should come and apologize too. Jessica is already dead. He has the right to pursue his own happiness. Do you still want him to be a widower for the rest of his life for Jessica?"
Just in case, Nick asked again, "Are you sure Noah is with Ethan?"
"Of course, Noah is with Ethan. Otherwise, the three of us big men wouldn’t go on a picnic! Noah personally chose this place. Come quickly."
"Okay!"
Getting a definite answer, Nick's face tightened, giving a perfunctory reply before hanging up the phone.
Nick looked at Noah's dark eyes, feigning calmness, and said, "Noah!" Nick sat down beside him, a meaningful question in his eyes, "Why are you alone here? Where is your father?"
Noah lowered his head, covering the anxiety in his eyes, and hastily made up a reason, "My father is at home. One of my friends is hospitalized, and I came to visit him."
Nick's eyes deepened.
"Which friend? Do you want me to check on him for you? Where is your family driver? Why isn't he accompanying you?"
"No need! It's nothing serious. I'll go find him. Uncle Nick, see you later!" Afraid that he would continue questioning and expose the lie, Noah jumped off the bench and hurriedly left.
Watching his small figure disappear, Nick lowered his eyelids, concealing the emotions in his eyes. Noah had no friends. No wonder he felt like meeting two different people on these two occasions. Turns out, there were really two Noahs. Both the depressed one and the one who came for the test were Noah. The one going on a picnic with Ethan and the one chatting with him just now were Noah. Real and fake Noah seemed to be aware of each other. Did Ethan know?
***