Chapter 167


    At the Kindergarten.


    “Milo, your mom and dad haven’t picked you up yet?” The other kids had trickled out one by one.


    “Milo’s dad doesn’t want him anymore.” A group of kids huddled together, spreading rumors that Milo’s


    dad had abandoned him.


    “That’s not true!” Milo, in his little denim overalls, red at them with puffed cheeks. “Don’t make stuff


    up. My dad loves me a lot.”


    But Milo was lying.


    His dad didn’t like him at all.


    “You’re the liar. My mom said Milo is the kid no grown–up likes. Your dad doesn’t like mom and he


    doesn’t like you either,” the ringleader stuck out his tongue at Milo.


    “Don’t talk nonsense!” Milo reddened his eyes as he lunged to fight with the kids.


    But the other kid was taller, Milo, a little kiddo, couldn’t win.


    your


    “Milo, your dad doesn’t want you! Nobody ising for you,” the bully taunted as no one. came to pick


    up Milo.


    “My mom is runningte.” Milo was pushed over and sat on the ground, bursting into


    tears.


    The ringleader picked up a stone to throw at Milo.


    Milo was terrified, curling up. But then he saw Summer who had been quietly sitting in a corner making


    y figures. Summer flung a lump of y that hit the bully square on the forehead.


    The bully was smeared with y and started crying.


    Milo, snotty and sobbing, couldn’t help butugh at the sight of his tormentor looking so ridiculous.


    Summer was so cool he thought.


    Summer was serious as he stared down the bullies. “You’re so noisy.”


    “Summer, you’re an orphan,” the ringleader ran off crying.


    “Summer is not an orphan. He’s my uncle’s kid,” Milo stood up with a huff, hands on hips, defiance


    written all over his face.


    The kids scattered, leaving only Milo and Summer in the ssroom.


    1/4


    Summer! Summer! Milo bounded over to Summer, shouting.


    You’re so loud, Summer frowned, putting down the lump of y.


    Milo stood timidly in front of him. “You look just like Uncle Rhett when you’re mad.”


    “Of course, he is my dad,” Summer said with a hint of pride.


    Milo sat down beside him. “How do you make those y figures? Can you teach me, please?”


    Summer didn’t want to engage. “You’re noisy.”


    Since Rhett had scolded him, Milo didn’t dare to bully Summer anymore or beat Summer


    anyway.


    Today, Summer had helped him, so he liked Summer even more.


    Friendship among little kids was just that simple.


    “Summer, your dad’s here to pick you up!” the teacher called from the doorway.


    Summer paused. Dad? Was it Rhett?


    Grabbing the y figures, Summer ran out excitedly.


    He had made a figure of his parents and himself.


    “Slow down.”


    At the school gate, Rhett reached out for Summer.


    Summer jumped into Rhett’s arms. “Daddy…”


    Rhett lifted Summer, feeling a bit guilty. “Sorry I’mte, there was traffic.”


    It waste. Only Summer and Milo’s parents hadn’t arrived yet.


    Summery happily on Rhett’s shoulder, not ming him at all. “Daddy, are we going


    home?”


    “Yes,” Rhett murmured, his gaze shifting away. He wanted to sneak a strand of Summer’s hair for a


    paternity test.


    Summer nodded eagerly. “Okay!”


    He peeked at Milo hiding behind the door and fell silent


    for him.”


    “Daddy, Milo’s parents didn’te


    Rhett stopped and turned to see a timid little head poking out from behind the door.


    His expression darkened, and he checked the time.


    At this hour, even if Eve couldn’te, were Caleb and the butler just for show?


    He called Eve, but no one answered.


    Annoyed, Rhett called the FitzGerald family’s housekeeper.


    Mr. Rhett, Ms. Eve drank too much.”


    “Has she abandoned her child?” Rhett’s voice was low.


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    “Ah? Ms. Eve called Mr. Caleb. Didn’t hee to pick him up?”


    Rhett hung up, fuming. Was Caleb dead, not picking up his kid?


    Summer watched Rhett, hearing the voice on the phone, and nced back at Milo.


    So Milo’s dad really didn’t want him.


    “Daddy, can we take him home?” Summer asked softly.


    “Don’t you dislike him?” Rhett ruffled Summer’s hair, secretly snagging a few strands.


    Summer hissed but didn’t dare toin because it was his dad.


    Recently, it was strange. Everyone seemed to want his hair.


    “I don’t dislike him, he’s just naughty.” Summer leaned on Rhett and spoke again. “But if he changes, I


    can forgive him.”


    Rhett nced at Milo. “Milo, let’s go, we’re heading home.”


    Milo shone his eyes as he peeked out and dashed over.


    “Uncle Rhett, are you taking me to your house?” Milo asked quietly.


    “I don’t want to,” Rhett was quite disdainful of Milo.


    Milo looked down, dejected.


    “But Summer invited you,” Rhett added.


    Milo brightened his eyes again, gazing eagerly at Summer.


    Summer handed the y figure to Milo. “I’ll show you how to make them.”


    “Okay.”


    The two little ones hopped into the car, chattering excitedly.


    Rhett waved to the teachers and took the two kids away.


    Bringing Summer home, Granger was already waiting.


    “Summer, go y in the yard with Milo.”


    Summer took Milo by the hand, and the two ran off happily.


    “Here’s Summer’s hair,” Rhett handed the sample to his friend. “Keep it secret, and be


    3/4


    thorough


    Granger replied, “I got it.”


    ?This one’s mine,” Rhett said as he handed over his hair sample, his insistence clear in his voice. This


    needs to stay under wraps, got it?”


    “Rhett, when did you be such a nag? I’ll handle it personally, head to theb right now, and have


    your results in three hours, okay?” Granger said, his face a mix of exasperation and amusement.


    “Is yourb up to snuff?” Rhett asked, his eyes scanning for any hint of uncertainty.


    “Are you kidding me? You think someone’s out to get you?” Granger was taken aback. “Seriously,


    what’s so special about this kid?”


    “Just make sure it stays secret,” Rhett said, his mind obviously elsewhere.


    “Man, this isn’t like you at all. What are you afraid of?” Granger couldn’t help butugh. He had known


    Rhett since childhood and had never seen him this worked up. “Are you for real? Which dame has got


    you so twisted up that you ended up with a kid this big secretly?”


    “My wife,” Rhett shot back, smacking Granger on the forehead. “Just get on with it and let’s talk when


    you have the results.”


    Granger mumbled, his words tripping over his shock.


    Thinking Rhett would acknowledge a woman like that was nothing short of a miracle.


    What kind of woman could she be?


    “It’ste. How about letting me crash for dinner? Is your wife gonna be home soon?” Granger spun


    around, his curiosity getting the better of him as he thought about sticking around.


    “Beat it, I’m in a rush here,” Rhett warned him, pushing for those results.


    “Alright! Wait for my call.” Granger conceded as he headed out, his mind still reeling with


    the revtions.