Chapter 140

20

Tap tap. Tap tap.

A faintly unpleasant noise could be heard. Ashley glanced down to check the source of the sound. One foot of Greyson, sitting across from him, was sticking out from the small round tea table and shaking wildly. Ashley clicked his tongue inside his mouth and slightly frowned. There he goes again...

Greyson, who noticed Ashley's frowning face and gaze, quickly stopped his rapidly tapping leg. Looking at his son who smiled innocently as if nothing had happened, Ashley said nothing.

He never had such a habit before, so why had it become like this?

Since mimicking people around him was Greyson's specialty and way of life, this too was certainly a habit of someone around him. And that someone was most likely Dane Striker.

<Don't be too harsh with Greyson.>

Remembering Koi's request, Ashley let out a short "whew" sigh and opened his mouth.

"Don't behave improperly."

"Yes, Papa."

Though he spoke in a gentler tone than usual, as if admonishing, Greyson's reaction was the same as always. Looking at him smiling and answering nonchalantly, Ashley inwardly felt doubtful. Is he really listening to what I'm saying?

But the reason he was sitting here enduring even jet lag fatigue wasn't to suspect and monitor his son as usual. He decided not to mention this anymore and changed the subject.

"That article, you two must have seen it too."

When he directly brought up the main point, Greyson hesitated but soon returned to his earlier expression.

"Yes, we were unlucky to be photographed. I'm sorry."

So they came because of this. Greyson soon realized the reason for their visit. Now what should he say... As he was quickly thinking, Ashley opened his mouth.

"It's not something you need to apologize for."

At the quiet voice, Greyson blinked. In the past, he would have pressed him angrily asking what this was all about, but his attitude now was too calm.

"Aren't you going to ask what happened?"

When Greyson asked in puzzlement, Ashley responded indifferently.

"There's no need to fuss about a child's sex life."

This too was an unexpected reaction. When Greyson closed his mouth, Ashley bent his second finger to stroke his chin and fell into thought for a moment.

<Let's go back and slowly think about what Greyson needs.>

He recalled what Koi had said, but nothing particular came to mind.

Wouldn't he know best himself?

"...Ahem."

At the short clearing of throat, Greyson straightened his posture again. This time it seemed like something was about to be said. Thinking so and waiting, Ashley finally spoke.

"It seems things have gotten quite noisy because of this, is there anything uncomfortable?"

"...Uh."

Greyson's eyes gradually grew larger. Seeing his son's reaction, Ashley became embarrassed. Have I been too excessive all this time?

Among Ashley's children, Greyson particularly resembled Dominic. As he grew, this became a near-certain fact, to the extent that even Burnice couldn't deny it. Because of this, Ashley sometimes got goosebumps when looking at his son, as if his father had come back to life...

Could it have been just prejudice?

It was only natural for Greyson to resemble him. He was his blood. Nathaniel also showed traces of Dominic. The same was true for Stacy, Chase, Larien, and even Bliss - his shadow remained. It was just particularly strong in Greyson.

<But he's our child.>

He seemed to hear Koi's whisper. Ashley felt cold sweat on his palms and clenched and unclenched his fist under the table. Greyson's mind, watching him, was confused. Why is Papa acting like this?

"Greyson."

"Yes."

After a long while, Ashley called him. At the quiet voice, Greyson immediately answered.

"The reporters will all disappear by tomorrow. I told Nathaniel to handle it."

"Uh... yes, thank you."

At the unexpected words, Greyson greeted him in bewilderment. When accidents caused by the Miller children became too heated, it was always common for the family's secretarial team to step in and quietly settle things. But for Ashley to give instructions first before the secretarial team stepped in was uncommon. And through Nathaniel at that.

Silence came again. Suddenly Ashley realized that having a conversation with his son was very awkward. What kind of conversations had they been having until now?

"Haa."

After letting out a low sigh, he looked at his son sitting across from him and spoke.

"So, is there anything you need?"

When the earlier question was repeated, Greyson finally accepted that he was sincere. Though it was still hard to believe.

"Did you come to check if I might be in a difficult situation?"

To his son, who asked without hiding his surprised expression, Ashley frowned again after his brow had relaxed. He wanted to be sarcastic, asking why else would he have come all this way, but instead he said something else.

"Yes, Koi said he wanted to give gifts, and I thought it would be better to check the situation directly."

He didn't bother to say that he had come this far because his heart was swayed by Koi's persuasion. What he had seen with his eyes was already enough to make him fall into deep contemplation.

"There is a bit of a problem."

Greyson said with a grin. Whatever change of heart it was, he couldn't miss this opportunity. Ashley looked at his son with a serious expression. After hearing Greyson's words, he soon made an incredulous expression.

"That's all?"

"Yes, it's nothing much, right?"

Greyson said again with a smiling face.

"But it's a very big problem for me."

Ashley stared at Greyson's face for a while and then withdrew his gaze.

"Alright, I'll talk to the chief. Anything else you need?"

"Nothing right now. Thank you for listening."

Greyson concluded politely. Even this was exactly the attitude and words Ashley had taught him. Looking at it this way, his son seemed unchanged.

But if what I saw is correct...

"Greyson."

"Yes, Papa."

At the quiet call, he immediately answered this time too. Surprisingly, Ashley didn't continue speaking right away but just looked at his son's face for a while. As if choosing what to say.

At the unfamiliar behavior, Greyson was puzzled but waited for him to speak. After a strange silence, Ashley opened his mouth.

"I have something to tell you."

* * *

Knock knock, after knocking, Dane opened the door after a moment. He glanced at Ashley standing at the door and Greyson visible behind him, then stepped aside.

"Ash, Greyson. Did the talk go well?"

At Koi's question, Ashley nodded expressionlessly and Greyson smiled as always. Koi embraced Dane with a regretful face and patted his back.

"It was nice to see you, Dane. You must be tired, sorry for visiting so late."

"Not at all, I was glad to see you too."

Surprisingly, Dane smiled and warmly returned the greeting. Greyson, who immediately looked into the room through the open door, soon understood why. There was an unwrapped gift box on the bed.

It must be Darling's stuff again.

It was rare for Dane's face to soften to that extent. 'What did they buy? I must find out and use it as reference next time,' he was resolving when Koi, who had released his arms from Dane, looked up at him and said.

"Please take good care of Greyson."

Soon after, Koi looked back at Greyson with eyes full of love. Seeing that face, Dane recalled all the praise about his child that Koi had just poured out to him.

When all the children's nicknames are Satan, scoundrel, pervert, mad dog, swindler, and poisoned marshmallow, how can he say his children are like angels?

Dane, who recalled the nicknames of the Miller family's six siblings he had seen in some article, shook his head. Koi, who didn't see this because he was embracing Greyson, greeted his son and then looked back at Dane.

"You don't need to come out, we're leaving now so rest."

Ashley also seemed to think the same, briefly nodding and turning around. Dane didn't bother to follow them out and just waved lightly before going into his room.

"Wait!"

Right then. Greyson, who had been left alone in the corridor, suddenly rushed into Dane's room. Passing by Dane, who frowned saying "What," he headed straight to the bed, looked into the box, and said aloud.

"Cat clothes?"

As he was dumbfounded by the ridiculous gift, Dane, who had followed him in, smiled broadly and took out a cute dress.

"Yes, French luxury cat clothes. They said it's all handmade."

Laughing "hehe," he took out the dress and even a small crown, muttering with satisfaction.

"Koi has good taste. Your Papa, not so much."

Dane looked once at Darling sleeping on the cushion and put the gifts back in the box. He naturally hummed at the thought of bathing the cat on the weekend, dressing her in new clothes, and taking lots of pictures.

"What did your Papa say? Nothing much?"

"Ah."

Finally getting attention turned to him, Greyson cleared his throat with an "ahem."

"There was something. He asked if I needed anything."

Dane, who had been organizing the box, stopped. His eyes, as he turned his head, were wide open.

"You, don't tell me..."

Looking at the expectant face, Greyson confidently nodded.

"I told him to let us do volunteer work together instead of separately. Starting tomorrow, we'll be together!"

At that moment, veins stood out on Dane's temples.

"Hey, you idiot!"