Emily and Andrew went to a meeting. Cecil walked in front of them. When he returned to the office, Cecil slammed the door in front of Emily to express his dissatisfaction.
Emily and Andrew entered the meeting room, ignoring him.
The meeting went smoothly. After the meeting, Andrew gave Emily her schedule for the day.
"I have something to do tomorrow afternoon. Cancel all the appointments in the afternoon," Emily said to Andrew.
She remembered that tomorrow was Friday, and Derek would send Aaron and Ian to her place in the afternoon. She had to go back early.
Andrew nodded, and then let Emily check the updated schedule.
After returning to the office, Emily took out a bank card from the drawer and handed it to Andrew.
Andrew looked at it, but he did not take it.
"What is this?" Andrew asked.
"You spent a lot of money investigating the hospital. The salary I gave you in advance must not be enough. I can't let you pay for this. Take it, or I won't ask you to do anything in the future." Emily held out the card to Andrew.
Emily didn't completely trust Andrew at first. After all, Emily hadn't seen him for many years. Although she had helped him solve his problems and verified what he had said about his experience over the years. However, what she had to do was very important, and she couldn't afford any mistakes. That was why Emily tested Andrew through this investigation task.
She made requests, yet she didn't give Andrew any extra money or manpower. The results of Andrew's investigation were the same as what Louise had shown to Emily. This meant that Andrew was not only trustworthy, but he was also a capable person.
Emily was very generous to Andrew, who was already on her side. The money in this card was a recognition of Andrew and a reward for him.
Andrew took the bank card and knew that he had earned Emily's trust. He wasn't angry at Emily for her inspection of him. It was more reassuring to become a companion with such a cautious and intelligent person.
Emily's smile deepened when Andrew took the bank card.
"Alright. If there's nothing else, I'll go now." Andrew got up and left.
At noon on Friday, Emily rushed home as soon as she finished her work.
She had been very busy these past few days. Therefore, she didn't spend much time with the children and felt bad about it.
The two little guys were very happy to see Emily come home early today, especially Chris. He decided to let Aaron and Ian hold Emily's hands one more time because they made her come back early. Chris felt that he was being very generous.
When Emily and the two kids were cleaning up the house, Derek had already brought the other two little guys into the car.
Ian was holding a large bouquet with a card in it. Ian's small body was almost covered by the flowers. Derek wanted to take the flowers for him, but Ian refused.
"Daddy, I chose the gift," Ian said seriously. Since this is the gift he chose, he would give it to Emily personally.
"Now you have Emily, and I have become less important," Derek retracted his hands.
"It's not like that, Daddy. We're going to stay at Emily's house, so we should show our gratitude. Didn't you say that yesterday?" Ian tilted his head and asked.
Derek was stumped by Ian's question. He remembered what he had said last night. He now knew what it felt like to ask for trouble.
Last night, after Derek returned from the tennis court, he saw Ian sprawled on the ground drawing something with brushes scattered around him.
As soon as Derek walked over, Ian covered it with his arms. "Daddy, you can't peek."
"What are you drawing?" Derek asked curiously.
"I'm making a thank-you card for Emily," Ian replied solemnly. This was a good idea he had thought of.
"Do you know how to spell?" Derek was surprised because Ian did not like to study.
Ian blushed. "I know how to draw. I draw very well," he tried to explain.
Derek sighed. Ian had grown up. But he still remembered Ian as a baby in the cradle.
"Daddy, will Emily like my gift?" Ian was a little worried.
"You are trying to show your gratitude with this gift. She will like it because you put so much effort into it." Derek rubbed Ian's head.
Ian was very happy to hear this. "Daddy, move away. Don't disturb me," he said.
Derek had mixed feelings since his son was pushing him away.
At this time, Aaron also entered the room. He held a notebook in his arms. The notebook was wrapped with a bowknot on it. Aaron must have wrapped the gift by himself judging from its appearance.
"Is this your gift?" Derek asked Aaron.
Aaron nodded. "The most difficult number puzzles." Although his condition had improved a lot with Emily's help, he still didn't like to talk much.
"The most difficult ones?" Derek guessed.
"I solved them." Aaron looked proud. This was his honor and he wanted to give his best things to Emily.
"You've solved all these difficult number puzzles, so you're giving them to Emily?" Derek felt jealous. These two little fellows had never cared so much about him.
As if sensing Derek's current mood, Aaron and Ian quickly ran over to hug him. The children's hugs soothed Derek's heart.
Moreover, the two little fellows had also inspired him. Derek decided to write a card for Emily as well. He wanted to secretly hide his card in Ian's card. He would invite her to dinner. He wanted to book the entire restaurant. After dinner, he wanted to confess his feelings for Emily.
At this moment, Derek even thought of the kind of flowers to be used at their wedding.
"Daddy." Before going to bed, Ian had a new idea. "Can I pick flowers from the greenhouse tomorrow morning? I want to choose the most beautiful flowers for Emily."
Aaron's eyes sparkled when he heard this.
"Aaron, how about we go together?" Ian said sincerely.
Aaron nodded in delight.
Derek immediately agreed. With the flowers as a cover, he could secretly stuff his card in them and hide it well.
Derek cleared his mind. He looked at the flowers in Ian's hands. Derek planned to give the flowers to Emily as if she had agreed to his invitation. Unexpectedly, his greatest rival was his son.
At this moment, the driver suddenly braked.
Derek quickly pulled Aaron and Ian. Although they were in child seats, Derek was still worried that they would be injured.
Derek asked, "What happened?"
"A stray cat popped up just now." The driver was also shocked.
Suddenly, the stray cat came out under the car and ran away.
"Drive slowly," ordered Derek.
"Daddy, my card," Ian shouted as he noticed that the card in the flowers was missing.
Aaron also looked around, searching for the card.
"All of you, sit still." Derek held them down, and he soon found Ian's card.
He handed the card to Ian. Ian said happily, "Thank you, Daddy."
They did not notice that there was another card that remained unnoticed in between the seats.