Chapter 1687


    "Julian, what a sweet name. So, your sister must be Helena, right?" ric gently took Julian''s small hand, his smile barely containing his delight. His tone was softer than ever before.


    "Yeah, Daddy! You''re so smart, guessing my name just like that!" Helena, sitting beside ric, pped her hands joyously in praise.


    Hertha looked at Helena in amazement.


    What''s happening here? They''ve just met ric and Helena''s already calling him Daddy?


    That escted quickly!


    Feeling a pang of jealousy, Hertha''s spirits sank even lower.


    "See? Daddy''s got lots of tricks up his sleeve. I''ll show you just how amazing I can be," ric turned back, his eyes twinkling as he spoke to Helena. Receivingpliments from his daughter made ric''s heart swell with joy, more so than closing any million-dor deal.


    "Yeah, yeah, sure!" Helena nodded eagerly. "Daddy, you should stay and live with us."


    Helena, ever the social butterfly, grabbed ric''s hand, suggesting he stay over.


    ric was about to agree without hesitation.From N?velDrama.Org.


    Seeing ric open his mouth to respond, Hertha gasped, quickly interjecting, "Oh, but he has work, plus he lives just next door, so it''s no trouble for him toe over and y..."


    She didn''t wait for ric to ept, immediately shutting down the idea of him moving in.


    What a joke, she thought. She and ric were practically strangers; why would he move in with her?


    After the incident with Angelina and Georgia teaming up against her, with ric standing idly by, Hertha was furious. She hadn''t forgiven him yet.


    Rejected, ric felt a wave of disappointment but kept a brave face for the children.


    "Yeah, Daddy''s just next door, always here when you need me," he concurred, following Hertha''s lead.


    Hertha was nervous, her secret about the children finally discovered by ric, though he promised not to fight her for them.


    Still, she couldn''t shake off her anxiety, wishing for someone to bolster her courage.


    ncing towards the kitchen, she noticed her mother''s absence.


    It then dawned on her, having been inside for quite some time, that the house was unusually quiet. Could her mother not be home? Didn''t her mothere over today to help with the kids?


    Maybe she stepped out to grab some groceries?


    Without backup, Hertha was on her own.


    She forced a smile, addressing the children, Julian, Helena, why don''t you head to the yroom for a bit? Mommy and your daddy need to talk. I''ll call you when dinner''s ready."


    "Daddy''s eating with us, right?" Helena tilted her head, hitting Hertha with the ultimate question.


    Caught off guard and met with


    ric''s pleading gaze, as if to say, Yes, I''m staying for dinner. I''ve missed ourst two chances to eat together, and I''m not missing this one.


    Hertha didn''t want ric to stay for dinner, but how could she disappoint her daughter?


    Biting the bullet, she answered, "Yes, we''re all eating together!"


    é


    "Yay! Let''s go y, Julian!" Helena, bubbling with excitement, jumped off the couch, grabbing Julian''s hand as they scampered off to the yroom.


    Hertha''s face fell as she turned to confront ric.


    Before she could speak, the sound of keys turning in the door echoed from outside.