Chapter 245


    When Daniel Lippert, whose nickname was Danny, was too young to speak, fragile and sickly, he was


    under ine’s thumb.


    But now, at three and a half, ever since he found his voice, he had stopped listening to ine. This little


    ingrate, true to her mother Delphine’s words–a snake that could not be tamed. Recently, for some


    reason, he suddenly stopped calling ine ‘mom‘, realizing he was not like her. So young, yet so cold


    and defiant!


    A shadow crossed ine’s eyes–a child born of that wretch could never be kept.


    Once she had a child with Ludwik, she would find a way to dispose of him. With a newfort for


    Ludwik, he would not grieve too long.


    For now, she would tolerate him–a little brat, easily duped by her cunning schemes.


    ine took a deep breath, forcing herself to rx as she descended the stairs. The breakfast was


    already secretly prepared by the maid.


    She pretended to serve it.


    When Ludwik and Daniel came downstairs, ine lifted her face with a feigned, gentle smile. Then,


    she overheard their conversation.


    “What’s with the pale face? Didn’t sleep wellst night?”


    The boy replied coolly, “Had a nightmare.”


    The man paused, his noble hand caressing his son’s cheek. “I will sleep with you every night from now


    on.”


    “Aren’t you supposed to spend a couple of nights with her?”


    “Your mom can wait. You’re still young,” Ludwik said curtly.


    ine’s smile froze.


    Suddenly, the boy hung his head, murmuring, “Kids at preschool say you’ll get rid of me if you have a


    new baby.”


    “Then we won’t have one,” Ludwik frowned, then realized something.


    “Is that why you’ve been upset since morning?”


    The little one coldly wriggled out of his embrace and headed for the table.


    Ludwik’s gaze followed,nding on ine, “ine, Danny’s been having trouble sleeping. Let’s sleep


    separately tonight. You heard us. He needs a sense of security. We can talk about having another child


    It was not a discussion; when it came to this kid, Ludwik wouldn’t hear otherwise–Daniel was spoiled


    rotten.


    ine nearly crushed the dish in her hand, giving the child a venomous look. However, the next


    moment, she steadied her breath and managed a loving smile. “Danny’s health has just improved


    these past months. Of course, hees first.”


    Ludwik seemed pleased, patting her shoulder. “You’re a good mom.”


    Yet, the child sat at the table, appraising this ‘good mom‘ with a detached gaze.


    ine continued the charade, bringing over a te, “Danny! Mommy made your favorite chicken


    soup!”


    Daniel tasted it and turned his face. “You didn’t make this. I can tell from the taste that Fleur made it.


    Why lie?”


    An awkward silence filled the room; the maid, Fleur, shuddered and retreated into the kitchen.


    ine was livid but stole a nce at Ludwik.


    He sipped his coffee thoughtfully before speaking, “Your mom wants you to like her. We should be


    forgiving of a woman’s little lies.”


    Though he sounded forgiving, he mercilessly exposed the truth.


    ine felt even more awkward. With her delicate fingers, how could she possibly make meals for this


    little bastard every day? In fact, she even wished him weak and ill.


    “Ludwik, I just didn’t have time this morning. Usually, I care for Danny myself.”


    “I know. It’s just that he doesn’t like what you make. The little devil is picky; I’ll handle it.”


    Ludwik’s tone was cold as he rolled up his sleeves and walked into the kitchen.


    ine watched, her resentment growing deeper. For three years, from baby food to meals, Ludwik did


    it all, even rushing home for lunch to cook for the finicky child!


    Would her own child ever receive such devotion?Ccontent ? exclusive by N?/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Or was it because, after all, this child was Whitney’s?


    The more ine thought, the angrier she became. Her gaze fixed on Daniel; she “identally”


    knocked over the cutlery box, sending a fork flying onto the back of Daniel’s soft hand. The boy. still


    young, turned to ine and screamed.


    “Ah!” A small cut appeared on his chubby hand.


    “Hey! Old man!” Daniel howled towards the kitchen. “She hit me!”


    ine quickly covered his mouth before Ludwik could hear themotion and emerge from the


    kitchen. Pretending to stop the bleeding, she squeezed the boy’s hand harder, turning his face purple,


    unable to cry out.


    He struggled to reach Ludwik.


    “What happened?” Ludwik emerged, brows knitted in concern.


    DIA


    ine let go, feigning concern. “Ludwik, Danny was careless with the cutlery. It’s my fault for not


    watching him, and he hurt himself. Fleur, get a band–aid!”


    “You’re lying. You hit me,” Daniel sobbed weakly.


    Ludwik red, examining the scattered cutlery and his son’s defiant demeanor.


    ine’s eyes reddened. “Danny, Mommy loves you. How could I hurt you? Let it go, Ludwik, as long as


    he’s happy. But Danny, you really can’t y with these things again. What if you get hurt?”


    She caressed his head, the picture of affection.


    Ludwik sighed, fixing a band–aid on his son, then lectured sternly, “This is your mom. Don’t let me see


    you disrespect her again, ndering her. Where did you pick up such bad habits?”


    “I didn’t.” Daniel bit his lip, his beautiful face cold yet aggrieved. “Ask the maids. They saw her hit me!”


    Fleur and the maids bowed their heads in silence.


    ine remained calm; her word wasw in this house.


    Ludwik surveyed the room. “I know you’re mischievous. Your “Little Demon” title in preschool is


    deserved.”


    He blew gently on the wound, the pain hitting deep.


    Unexpectedly, the boy pushed his father’s handsome face away, his little cheeks red with anger, his


    eyes zing with fury yet helpless. Finally, he huffed, “Stinky Dad! I’m not eating. I’m going


    to Grandma’s.”


    “Stay put. Finish your meal first.”


    Ludwik’s face turned stern. “And stop throwing tantrums. Enough is enough. You’re going to preschool


    today, no exceptions.”


    “Nobody likes me there. I’m not going!” Little Daniel’s face flushed with distress.


    ine watched the father–son quarrel unfold with a sly grin. So, they thought they could outsmart her?


    With a sharine smile, she turned her gaze to the little outcast and cooed, “Ludwik, don’t be too hard


    on Danny. If he doesn’t want to go to the international preschool, it must be because he’s had a little tiff


    with the other children. Why don’t I take him to the regr ss? I’ve heard the kids there are more


    down–to–earth. Maybe Danny could make some friends there.”


    At her words, a wave of panic washed over Daniel’s eyes.


    The regr ss was where the chubby kid who tormented him relentlessly was. This woman was


    doing this on purpose. She knew that he had asked his father to sleep in his room to prevent Daddy


    from having a new baby with her.