NovelNext Chapter 20
Chapter 20
The Smith family villa was brightly lit on New Year's Eve.
In the kitchen, Grace Sullivan was busy kneading dough. Ethan Smith stood behind her, his gaze tender as he watched her work. He had originally intended to cook himself, but Grace and Emily had teamed up to "revoke" his chef privileges.
"Daddy, look at the dumpling I made!" Emily held up a misshapen dumpling, beaming with pride.
Ethan chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Well done."
Just then, the doorbell rang abruptly.
The three exchanged puzzled glances. Who would visit at this hour?
When the door opened, Sophia Sinclair stood outside, holding Luna Smith's hand. Emily's face immediately darkened. "What are you doing here?"
"Emily!" Grace lightly tapped the back of her daughter's head, though there was no real reprimand in her tone.
Sophia's gaze swept past everyone, landing directly on Ethan. "Ethan, can we talk alone?"
"Sorry, now isn't a good time," Ethan refused without hesitation.
Tears welled up in Luna's eyes. "Daddy… do you really not want me anymore?"
"Shut up!" Emily suddenly snapped. "Who said he's your dad? Call him that again and I'll punch you!"
Luna hiccuped in fright. Sophia paled but still forced herself to hand over a gift box. "Happy New Year."
[Ding! System Task: Accept the gift. Disposal permitted after completion.]
Ethan froze. The system's golden text flickered—visible only to him.
"Thanks," he finally said, taking the box while maintaining clear distance.
A glimmer of hope flashed in Sophia's eyes, but before she could speak, Emily stepped in front of her father. "Gift's been accepted. Time to leave, right?"
The air turned icy. Sophia opened her mouth, but under Emily's fierce glare, she eventually turned and led Luna away.
The moment the door closed, Emily threw herself into her father's arms. "Daddy is mine! No one can take him away!"
Ethan and Grace exchanged a glance, both seeing the same confusion and concern in each other's eyes.