Imaginations are often beautiful, but when it comes to real-life actions, things rarely go smoothly.
Alessia left the ward with the children, closely followed by Gordon.
Before he could talk to Alessia, he was intercepted by Dominic.
Dominic wore a black haute couture suit, his expressionless face looking particularly serious. His voice coldly met Gordon's gaze. "Mr. Laroux, as you can see, the mother of my child has no time. There is still another child at home waiting to be taken care of. If you have any business, you can talk to me directly."
Dominic openly defended Alessia, leaving Gordon slightly taken aback.
Similarly, Alessia, who had not yet walked far, heard Dominic's words.
She pursed her lips, thinking why did he have to use the term 'mother of my child' so affectionately? Yesterday, when he was entangled with another woman in the rain, he didn't remember that she was the mother of his child.
Men's mouths, full of lies.
Alessia thought to herself but didn't say anything, instead quickening her pace with the two children.
Dominic caught sight of Alessia's actions, and a slight curve appeared at the corner of his lips. His deep eyes filled with indulgence.
Seeing Dominic's change in expression, Gordon's heart was like a mirror. It seemed that Christian hadn't exaggerated. Indeed, Alessia and Dominic's relationship was indeed intimate, and a reconciliation was probably just a matter of time.
Since that was the case, he no longer pursued Alessia. Instead, he sighed with a sense of resignation. "It seems that Mr. Carter really likes my daughter!"
Gordon acknowledged that Alessia was his daughter.
The implication was that he was willing to acknowledge Alessia as his daughter again.
Dominic raised an eyebrow, quickly understanding Gordon's intention. Dialogue between intelligent people often required minimal words.
"I will convey Mr. Laroux's intentions to Alessia, but this does not include Alessia performing surgery on your esteemed wife," Dominic defended firmly. "However, I can guarantee that as long as I'm here, no one will harm Alessia, nor will anyone force her to do anything against her will."
Gordon's eyes sharpened, a glint of fierceness flashing through them. Dominic met his gaze steadily, unafraid, their standoff intense as if blades were clashing in the air.
It was a clash between the richest man of the previous generation and the wealthiest of the current era, neither willing to back down.
In the end, it was Gordon who broke eye contact first. He knew Dominic's capabilities well enough to understand that if Dominic wanted to protect someone, he would succeed.
He could continue to contend with Dominic, but Evelyn couldn't afford to wait.
At that moment, Gordon seemed to age several years, his eyes dimming as he conceded.
"Mr. Carter, if you can help persuade Alessia to perform the surgery for my wife, I'll relinquish the East City land, and we can develop it together."
The East City land was a legacy from Gordon's ancestors, coveted by every major player in Toronto's business community.
Even Dominic's grandfather had eyed it keenly, and Dominic had considered it too.
Offering this land demonstrated Gordon's sincerity.
Dominic fell silent.
Gordon's anxiety gradually transformed into confidence.
The land, no matter how valuable, couldn't compare to Evelyn's life. He was willing to give up everything to save her.
After a few seconds, just as Gordon thought Dominic might agree, Dominic smiled indifferently.
"I appreciate your offer, Mr. Laroux, but I cannot accept it."
With that, he turned to leave.
"Why?" Gordon asked anxiously, not understanding.
Without looking back, Dominic replied, "Because my attitude towards the mother of my children is the same as yours. No amount of money can buy her happiness. If Alessia is to perform surgery on your wife, it must be of her own free will."
Finished speaking, Dominic didn't pause.
Gordon watched Dominic's figure disappear down the corridor. His mouth moved as if to speak, but he ended up with a bitter smile, returning to the hospital room without saying a word.
People often say that businessmen are driven by profit, yet Dominic valued Alessia more than any benefit, which was truly rare.
This daughter of his was indeed fortunate...
Evelyn, reclining on the bed, noticed Gordon's unusual expression as he entered. She moved her lips and asked, "What's wrong?"
Gordon's previously somber eyes lit up, his heart warming as he looked at Evelyn. He moved to her bedside and tightly grasped her frail fingers.
"Evelyn, are you concerned about me?"
"You're like a child. You're my husband. If I don't care about you, who will?" Evelyn smiled, smoothing out the ever-present frown on Gordon's forehead.
Joy shone even brighter in Gordon's eyes. Since their daughter's death, his wife hadn't shown him such tenderness.
Hurriedly, he said, "Alright, alright, Evelyn, you care about me, which is wonderful. I'm fine, really. I was just thinking about the details of your surgery. Believe me, you'll be discharged soon."
"Okay, I believe you. You're like a child, almost sixty and still acting this way," Evelyn teased, withdrawing her hand.
Her teasing only made Gordon happier. He smiled and gently reminded her, "Rest for now. I need to take care of something and will be back soon."
He didn't want to leave; he wanted to stay by her side. But to keep her smile forever, he had one more thing to do.
He had already expressed to Dominic his willingness to acknowledge Alessia.
Alessia's response was still unknown. Since Dominic refused to persuade her, he had to turn to Ava Ramirez.
Although Alessia had distanced herself from Ava, Gordon believed Ava knew her better and could find a way to reach her. She would know what Alessia truly wanted and how to persuade her.
...
As Dominic exited the hospital, Alessia was waiting in the car with Christian and Eleanor.
When he got in, Alessia started the car.
They drove straight to the kindergarten to pick up Christopher. After explaining the situation and apologizing to the teacher, they headed back to the Carter old mansion.
Alessia initially planned to leave after dropping off the kids, but the enthusiastic Grandma Carter insisted she stay for dinner.
The children, just back from school, immediately ran to visit Brenda.
This had become their routine over the past few days since they returned to the mansion. Even Brenda, who initially resisted, had grown to accept and enjoy their presence. Though she didn't say much, her eyes and expressions couldn't hide her affection when she saw the children.
True feelings can't be faked.
Watching the children leave, Grandma Carter held Alessia's hand and sighed, "Alessia, you are our family's blessing. Without you, our family would still be stuck in a lifeless rut."
This praise felt overwhelming, especially since she no longer considered herself part of the Carter family.
Alessia glanced at Dominic, who was leaning against the door, feeling awkward. "Grandma, you're exaggerating."
Grandma Carter firmly pulled Alessia's hand back when she tried to withdraw it, glaring at Dominic with frustration.
"Sit properly. You deserve this praise. If it weren't for you giving us these three adorable children, who knows how long your mother-in-law would have stayed locked in her courtyard, and the misunderstanding between me and this little rascal might have lasted until our graves."
Dominic pinched his nose, clearly uncomfortable with this piece of history being brought up. He changed the subject, half-threatening, "Grandma, do you still want me to play cards with you this weekend?"
"Are you threatening me, you brat?" Grandma Carter saw right through him, her face darkening as she asked.
Dominic, knowing he couldn't win against her, could only laugh it off and pinched his nose again, not daring to say more.
Grandma Carter, pleased with herself, snorted and affectionately said to Alessia, "Sia, this brat is easily spoiled. You must remember not to be too kind to him, and keep him in check."
Alessia felt uneasy about this advice, suspecting Grandma Carter was trying to matchmake her with Dominic again.
She really didn't want to be tied to Dominic.
Hesitantly, she said, "Grandma, I am the mother of the three children, and Mr. Carter is their father. Our relationship is fair and balanced. I will never try to control him. Regardless of who gets custody, we can discuss it amicably."
Grandma Carter's smile froze. Why was custody being brought up again?
Recently, she had observed that their relationship seemed to be moving towards reconciliation. How did things change so quickly in just a couple of days?
She looked at Dominic.
Seeing her grandson's eyes practically glued to his ex-wife while she remained cold, Grandma Carter understood everything.
She thought to herself, 'Serves him right! He didn't cherish such a good wife before, so now he deserved to suffer a bit.'
However, Dominic was her grandson. Now that he finally seemed to have straightened out his feelings, she couldn't let him lose faith in love again.
Grandma Carter smiled again and patted Alessia's hand. "Why bring up custody? Did Dominic upset you again?"
Not giving Alessia a chance to respond, she waved Dominic over. "Dom, come apologize to Alessia. A real man knows how to treat a woman well."
Alessia bit her tongue, not wanting to argue with the caring elder.
She expected Dominic to resist, but she was wrong.
Glancing at him, she saw his eyes were already on her. Their gazes locked, and she couldn't look away.
Dominic walked over, his deep gaze fixed on her, and obediently placed his hand on Grandma Carter's.
Grandma Carter, satisfied, placed Dominic's hand over Alessia's, then stepped back, leaving them alone.
"Alright, you youngsters sort out your misunderstandings. I'm too old to help," she said cheerfully, leaving the living room to give them space.
***