Chapter 525


    ?


    Jacob''s expression stiffened. He had brought Lisa along, thinking they could just breeze through without any hups. He assumed everyone would turn a blind eye to the situation, never expecting Neil toe right out and ask him such a direct question. Saying yes would be a tant lie, and if Neil ever uncovered the truth, it could spell disaster.


    As Jacob hesitated, unsure how to dodge the question, Lisa suddenly stepped forward. "Mr. Neil, I''m the baby you saw all those years ago. My name''s Lisa, and I must say, you look a lot younger than I pictured," Lisa chimed in.


    Neil studied the girl standing before him. Gone was the overwhelming connection he felt more than two decades ago. Back then, seeing that tiny baby swaddled in nkets had softened his heart, bringing him to tears despite himself. He had known the emerald pendant was a family treasure, meant for his darling daughter, Willow. But he had given it to that child instead. His Willow was gone, and he had longed for that baby to be his own. Now, looking at the girl with a smileced with what seemed like ttery, he felt none of that old sentiment-in fact, he could hardly stand her. Naturally, Neil understood-she was just a newborn back then. Maybe he had simply projected all his longing onto her. There''s no such thing as a connection thatsts a lifetime at first sight. Over the years, he frequently recalled the baby''s smile, like a beacon of light. But now, that light seemed snuffed out.


    Even though the girl before him wasn''t what he had imagined, Neil didn''t let his disappointment show. After all, she was merely a child from his imagination; he couldn''t expect her to live up to those fantasies. Neil was gracious as he said to Lisa, "You''ve got quite the sweet tongue, haven''t you?"


    Lisa beamed at thepliment, assuming Neil liked being buttered up. She quickly added, “It''s a real pleasure visiting for the first time today; your wee just warms our hearts."


    The phrase "warms our hearts" from Lisa''s lips left others momentarily taken aback.Jacob felt his stomach drop. How could she misuse the phrase like that? Wasn''t it just showing Neil she was a bit clueless? He had reminded her repeatedly to keep quiet, but she insisted on talking. Leah looked equally uneasy. Yet Lisa, unaware, thought Neil enjoyed her ttery, continuing toy it on thick.


    Neil''s once-friendly demeanor began to cool. Having been a savvy businessman for decades, he could read people like a book. This Lisa was all sh, no substance, and clearly not the brightest bulb in the box. Neil really wasn''t fond of her.


    He was let down. Over the years, he had genuinely cared about this child. He had even considered having Ruby adopt her, to fill the void left by their daughter. But seeing what she had be, Neil had dismissed that idea. In fact, he felt it was best tedimit her interaction with Ruby altogether. This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    "Dinner''s ready; let''s head to the dining room," Neil announced. Jacob nodded eagerly, rushing to agree, and courteously gestured for Neil to lead the way.


    As Neil walked ahead and turned back, he instructed, “Mr. Jacob knows the old story. To spare my wife any heartache, there''s no need to bring up anything from over twenty years ago around her."