Dominic looked down at her from above, and in his pitch-black eyes were evident-disgust toward her.
Dominic was very resistant to her. She even had the illusion that he would come down and drive her away in the next moment.
Dominic had always disliked her. She knew that. But since moving back to Forest Hill and after the three little troublemakers caused chaos from time to time, at least on the surface, Dominic seemed to be able to treat her with equanimity.
His sudden change in attitude was probably due to Riley mentioning Grandfather, and he redirected his anger towards her!
Alessia's eyes flickered as she quickly analyzed the reason for Dominic's change in attitude.
She even remembered what Bianca had mentioned a few days ago-that there was a rift between Dominic and their grandmother.
Perhaps the reason why Dominic couldn't accept her and disliked her wasn't just because she was chosen by their grandmother as his wife, but also partly because of her grandfather!
Alessia thought that the next time she met with Grandma Carter, she could indirectly inquire about the reason.
With this in mind, Alessia withdrew her gaze and left with Riley.
Dominic stared at the two graceful figures leaving, his eyes darkening ominously.
Just then, a small figure emerged from the nearby room and immediately hugged Dominic's long legs.
Feeling the soft little thing approaching, Dominic almost instantly suppressed the hostility in his heart. Because he was so nervous, his actions to protect Eleanor were a bit clumsy.
"Daddy," Eleanor looked up with her milky white face, her blue eyes blinking innocently.
Dominic picked up Eleanor, holding her carefully in his arms.
Eleanor wrapped her arms around Dominic's neck and pouted, "Daddy, you can't scold Mommy."
She had just seen it at the door. Daddy's eyes were so fierce when he looked at Mommy.
Dominic awkwardly pursed his thin lips.
Perhaps no father in the world could resist a daughter who was so beautiful, soft, and obedient.
Ever since he knew Eleanor, from the moment she was born and endured the torment of illness, he wanted to give her the best of everything in the world.
At this moment, when he heard Eleanor defending Alessia, although he felt uncomfortable, he didn't hesitate and verbally agreed, "Okay, Daddy won't scold Mommy anymore."
"Yeay, Daddy is so good." Eleanor kissed Dominic's face, rewarding him with a kiss. It was the first time she kissed him.
Dominic's pupils dilated. This feeling was so subtle, as if holding a cotton ball in his hand.
"Daddy, don't forget what you said. If I see you scolding Mommy again, I will be angry." Eleanor's small hand was already pressed against his forehead, gently smoothing it out. "Daddy, you shouldn't frown, it will make you look old!"
Dominic's eyes, which had initially sunk, softened again, and without any hesitation, he agreed, "Okay, I won't frown, and I won't conflict with Mommy."
"Hehe, Daddy, you're indeed my good daddy, handsome daddy, smart daddy."
Eleanor was extremely obedient, and her little mouth seemed to have been possessed by Christian, constantly firing sugar-coated bullets at Dominic.
But Dominic, who was always decisive and resolute, inexplicably fell for it. His usually stoic face was now constantly smiling, completely forgetting the hostility he had just harbored a minute ago.
...
The next day, at the venue of the Ramirez group's Autumn Collection Showcase.
It was already three o'clock in the afternoon, and various media outlets, seasoned fashion experts, distributors, celebrities, and a small number of influential guests invited by the Ramirez had gradually filled the seats.
Behind the performance stage, with the curtains drawn, Ava looked at the gradually filling seats and asked Jessie beside her.
"How much longer until Al arrives?"
"It should be soon," Jessie, dressed in a sleek white suit, checked her watch and replied.
"It's almost half past three. Should we remind them again?" Ava was not at ease. Just then, someone from backstage approached Jessie, so she grabbed her and said, "If you're busy, you can give me Al's contact number, and I'll contact her."
Ava was eager to make friends with Al. She had worked in the fashion industry for many years and had some reputation in the fashion circle in Toronto, but she had never been able to make further progress.
If she could befriend Al, it would undoubtedly help her career a lot.
Jessie hesitated for a moment as she looked at the anxious Ava. Meanwhile, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Alessia entering with her two children.
"Auntie, Alessia and her children are here," Jessie said, following Ava's gaze.
Sure enough, Ava saw Alessia, dressed in a short-sleeved denim shorts and a plain face, entering with her two children. The sudden bustle of the backstage made the kids excited, and they looked around from time to time.
This was the backstage of the latest season's fashion show, at the forefront of fashion.
The three of them looked like villagers coming to the city, completely out of place.
Ava frowned and questioned, "How did they come here?"
"I invited them..." Jessie began to explain.
"Nonsense." Ava interrupted Jessie before she could finish her sentence.
Jessie was stunned.
Before she could finish her scolding, Ava seemed to realize that she had spoken too harshly and quickly changed her tone, trying to smooth things over.
"Jessie, I didn't mean anything by it. Since today is your first show, your cousin knows nothing about fashion, and I'm afraid she'll cause you trouble."
Jessie looked at Ava's hypocritical face and couldn't help but want to laugh.
She had been considering whether to tell Auntie about her cousin's identity as Al. But now, it seemed like even her previous thought of asking Auntie to treat her cousin better was a joke.
Based on Auntie's current attitude towards her cousin, even if she knew her cousin's identity and really changed her attitude towards her cousin, it would still be hypocritical and exploitative.
Such kindness was better left alone.
Jessie said coldly, "My cousin and the kids are here to help."
After speaking, Jessie ignored Ava and walked towards the door.
A look of suspicion flashed in Ava's eyes. This stubborn girl, Jessie, how did she suddenly become close to Alessia?
Could it be that this stubborn girl knew that Alessia was Gordon's daughter?
In recent years, Harrison had become much nicer to this stubborn girl. Now that Nolan had been sent away, there was no guarantee that Harrison wouldn't rely more and more on this stubborn girl and eventually tell her about their plans.
Analyzing it, Ava was convinced that this was the only reason why Jessie was getting close to Alessia.
Unwillingly, she glanced at the spot reserved for Al and reluctantly walked towards Alessia.
Meanwhile, as Jessie approached, Bianca suddenly jumped out from outside with a big bouquet of flowers in her hands.
"Surprise!" Bianca, dressed in a red dress, held a bunch of bright red roses, looking as beautiful as the roses themselves.
"Yes, thank you, beautiful Bianca." Jessie accepted the flowers with a bright smile.
"Pretty sister, we also have a gift for you." Christian tugged at Jessie's clothes and handed her a rainbow lollipop, blabbering about the meaning behind this gift.
"Lollipops are sweet. When you're tired or sad, just put it in your mouth, and all the negative emotions will turn into bubbles and disappear. Everything will become super sweet!"
"Okay, thank you, my little baby." Although this sounded childish, it was particularly intimate. Jessie was touched as she accepted the lollipop handed over by Christian.
"Pretty sister, if you add another lollipop, you'll get double the sweetness." Eleanor smiled sweetly, also holding up a lollipop.
"Thank you, my clever Elle." Jessie took it and couldn't help but touch Eleanor's tender face.
"Wishing you a successful show," Alessia said.
Jessie looked at Alessia, took a deep breath, and suppressed her excitement. "Sia, with you here, this show is bound to be a hit."
She even had a bit of anticipation, wondering how crazy it would be when Alessia appeared as Al later. She had a premonition that today would be a carnival in the fashion circle.
"Lucy, come over here." After exchanging pleasantries, Jessie called for her assistant to arrange for Christian and Eleanor to have their hair and makeup done before they went on stage for the show.
Just as Christian and Eleanor were being led away, Ava happened to walk over.
***