Chapter 574


    Once the details were settled, Ryder and Tommy left Tia’s apartment.


    Then, Ryder suggested to his son, riding behind him on a motorcycle, with a


    heart filled with joy, “Let’s go buy some new clothes for the holidays. We can


    wear them when we film that video with Ms. Poole.”


    “Do you like Ms. Poole, Dad?” Tommy asked without reservation. He had seen


    -the look in his father’s eyes because, at times, a child’s instincts can be


    remarkably urate. On top of that, he was aware that his father was not a


    man who was good at hiding his feelings.


    “Huh? You… How can you say that?” Ryder put on an angry face and


    continued, “I am an old divorcee. How can I be worthy of her?”


    “True. I also don’t think you’re worthy of her. In all aspects-”


    Aargh! Infuriated by Tommy’s direct response, Ryder almost threw up blood.


    He ns to borate further, too! Is that something a child of age seven


    would say? The audacity! “That may be the truth, but you can’t just say that


    out loud. Do you think I have no sense of pride, you little brat?” he interrupted


    his son with augh.


    Even though his son’s words clearly infuriated Ryder, he was still in a good


    mood. As necessary as reality was, so too were hopes and dreams. Before


    the bubble burst, they would remain in an eternally optimistic frame of mind.


    Meanwhile, Tommy’s subsequent nudge did just that. “There might have


    been a misunderstanding just now, Dad. Ms. Poole actually wanted Uncle


    Manny to film with us.”


    “What?” In shock, Ryder jerked the motorcycle to a halt.


    “Did you not know, Dad?” As proof that Tommy was much smarter than his


    father, he immediately exined, “Ms. Poole looked at Uncle Manny like you


    did at her. Your eyes were both sparkling. If she did not want Uncle Manny to


    film with us, her eyes would never have lit up like that.”


    “…” After giving it some thought, Ryder realized this was likely the case. He


    was also self–aware enough to know that no woman’s eyes would light up


    when she saw his ugly mug. “Oh, this is bad. We agreed to film the video.


    What if Uncle Manny isn’t free to film with us? What do we do then? Argh! That


    won’t do! I have to call him right away!” After saying this, he quickly called


    Emmanuel.


    Meanwhile, Emmanuel was at home, putting up decorations and assisting


    Alessandra in getting the house ready for the new year.


    His mother had naturally been beside herself with joy when she learned


    Mackenzie agreed to spend the first day of the holiday with them. She also


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    sighed upon learning that Mackenzie would stay for only one day.


    He was about to console his mother when his phone suddenly rang. “Hey,


    Ryder. What is it?” he said, answering the phone.


    “Manny, what time will you be free during the New Year?”


    “That… I don’t quite know just yet.” Emmanuel was telling the truth because he


    had no idea when he would visit Juan and thus had no time to think about


    anything else.


    “I–I see-” Ryder was audibly panicking.


    “What is it, Ryder?” Emmanuel could tell something was wrong with that tone.