Chapter 240

Savannah nodded. "Alright, Caroline, I get it. You should take a break. You must be wiped out."

I shook my head. Honestly, I wasn't that tired. Royce had been carrying the baby the whole way, and I slept most of the time on the plane.

I glanced at Royce. He was looking at the baby with such tenderness, not a trace of fatigue on his face.

I knew that if anyone deserved my gratitude for finding the baby, it was Royce.

I tugged at his sleeve. "What are you doing? You should go rest. You barely slept on the way here."

To my surprise, Royce shook his head. "I'm good, not tired."

"Are you sure you're not tired?"

"I'm not tired either, but you haven't slept much."

"A little longer won't hurt. I need to check on the bidding situation at the company. By the way, Asher told me they're here too."

"You should probably stay out of sight. I think Asher has a good shot at winning."

I understood what Royce meant. If my relationship with Asher was exposed, even if he won the project, someone might report it.

We wanted to keep our conscience clear, so I had to avoid any suspicion.

"Alright, I won't see him. We'll talk after the bidding is over."

He nodded, said goodbye to Kelly, and left.

Kelly watched Royce's retreating figure and hinted, "Royce is a good guy. I'm very pleased."

I found it odd. "Mom, what are you talking about? What do you mean you're pleased?"

"Royce is indeed a good person."

"If you ever remarry and find someone like him, I'd be at ease."

I gave her a helpless look. "What are you thinking? Remarry? That's impossible."

"I have four kids now."

"Who would marry me with such a big family?"

It's almost laughable. Ten years of marriage left me with nothing but these four kids.

If anyone knew, they'd avoid me like the plague.

Who would marry me?

I didn't doubt Royce's sincerity, but I felt he might not have thought it through yet.

Kelly shook her head silently. "I don't think so."

I ignored her and focused on playing with the baby.

After the long journey, the baby was exhausted and soon fell asleep.

Maybe he felt safe knowing he was home.

Just then, I got a call from Alfonso.

I had been so happy these past few days that I forgot about him.

I answered the call, a bit impatient. "Alfonso? What do you want?"

Alfonso was taken aback by my tone but continued, "The bidding starts tomorrow. Have you thought it over, Ms. Sharp?"

I guessed he didn't know I had the baby back. I sneered.

"Of course, I have."

"What?"

Alfonso's voice was filled with excitement, thinking the project was his.

"My answer is no way. Keep dreaming!"

Alfonso was stunned, unable to believe what he heard. "Ms. Sharp? Are you sure?"

"Your own child isn't worth more than this project? You must be a terrible mother, so cold-hearted."

I scoffed. "Think what you want. I won't give the project to someone who threatens me."

"You..."

Alfonso's voice turned sinister. "In that case, don't blame me for being ruthless, Ms. Sharp."

"If something happens to your child, don't blame me."

"Go ahead and try."

"Use whatever means you have. Your threats don't scare me, Alfonso."

With that, I hung up, not wanting to waste any more time on him.

He was too arrogant, thinking he could find the baby when others couldn't.

He's probably losing it right now.

But what does that have to do with me? I should have known anyone who could associate with someone like Brandon wouldn't be a good person.

The most important thing is he hurt Celestia. If I gave him the project, I'd be betraying my friend and not avenging Isadora.

Thinking of this, I called Isadora.

I told her about Alfonso coming to Suncrest City.

Isadora was in her late pregnancy, and her husband wouldn't let her go out. She was still agitated when she heard.

"That bastard, he's shameless, using his old tricks again."

"He's always been good at threats. Don't let him fool you."

"Don't worry, we're prepared. I have the baby back, so nothing will happen."

"That's good. Speaking of babies, I'm due at the end of this month."

"The doctor said my due date is soon. Can you come?"

I was taken aback. "I'll try. I have to be there for your delivery."

"It's okay if you can't. I'll send you an invitation for the full moon celebration. You can come then."

"Even if you can't come, you have to send a gift."

Isadora joked, and I laughed, holding the phone. "Of course. I'll be there for the full moon celebration, and I'll bring a gift."

"That's more like it. I'll be waiting for your gift."

"Alright, you must be tired. Get some rest."

"Don't think about Alfonso. He'll get what's coming to him. This will be resolved."

"Okay, I know."

After hanging up, I took a deep breath, feeling like everything around me was finally settled. I relaxed completely.

The result of over-relaxation was that I quickly fell asleep. When I woke up in the evening, I couldn't believe the past few days were real, so I rushed to the kids' room.

I opened the door and saw my kids sleeping soundly in their cribs, all three of them in dreamland.

I pinched their little cheeks one by one, feeling relieved.

Thank goodness it wasn't a dream. If I woke up to find it was all a dream, I wouldn't be able to handle it.

I grabbed a blanket and slept on the carpet in the kids' room. Only then did I feel at ease.

The next morning, I got a call from Asher.

He laughed and said, "Caroline, I just landed in Suncrest City. Do you have time for lunch?"

"Royce picked me up this morning. Why didn't you come?"

"She wants to avoid suspicion."

A calm voice came through the receiver, from Royce.

I nodded. "Yes, Asher, I reviewed the bidding companies' information. I think you have a good chance of winning."