CHAPTER 490: CHAPTER 490: HONEY, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

Ivana Monroe caught sight of Ian Keane’s disdainful expression and approached him, gently touching the little boy’s smooth, delicate cheek, and softly said, "Ian, you can’t be like this. She’s here because Mommy invited her, alright?"

Mommy invited her?

Ian wondered, why would Mommy invite such a dirty little girl over?

"Okay."

Although he didn’t like Tonia, for the sake of Mommy, he reluctantly nodded.

Ivana smiled, "Ian is a good boy."

Ian’s cool little face turned slightly red.

Before dinner.

Ivana called Tonia down from the sofa, preparing to take the little girl for a bath. Ian, like his father, had a cleanliness obsession, and Ivana was concerned that Tonia might face Ian’s scornful looks at the dining table.

Tonia, though young, had an inferiority complex.

Auntie Chapman immediately intercepted Ivana, smiling, "Madam, let me handle this!"

"No need, Auntie Chapman. You’ve been busy all day; take a rest! I’m quite skilled at bathing children."

Ivana didn’t want to trouble Auntie Chapman.

"I’m not at all busy; with the little masters off to school, I’ve been almost bored to death. Madam, please let me bathe Tonia. I promise she’ll be comfortable and clean."

Auntie Chapman dared not let Ivana bathe Tonia. If she offended Ian Keane, she’d have to pack her bags and leave.

Auntie Chapman had been here for a while, deeply understanding Ian Keane’s temperament—quite unlike the easy-going Timmy.

"Tonia dear~ I bathe so comfortably! If you let me bathe you, I’ll reward you with something fun."

Auntie Chapman, seeing Ivana’s hesitation, began coaxing the little girl.

Tonia hesitated, sensing Ian’s cold eyes on her, her little heart trembled as she obediently nodded and said to Ivana, "Auntie, I want Grandma Chapman to help me with the bath."

"Hahaha... what a sweet child."

Tonia agreed, and Auntie Chapman beamed.

"Alright!" Ivana added, "Auntie Chapman, after Tonia finishes her bath, take her to pick out toys. Anything she likes, pack them up."

Auntie Chapman was somewhat surprised. Madam was being extraordinarily kind to this little girl.

Auntie Chapman took Tonia to bathe in the bathroom of her room, filling the white porcelain bathtub halfway with water. As she undressed the little girl, Auntie Chapman was shocked.

"Tonia... how did you get these injuries on your body?"

Old and new injuries crisscrossed Tonia’s skinny back, as if whipped by something.

"I fell."

Tonia hung her head, sinking her little body into the water.

"These can’t possibly be from falling! Tell Grandma Chapman, who hit you and with what?"

Auntie Chapman was indignant. This was definitely child abuse!

"No one hit me, I just fell."

Tonia insisted.

Auntie Chapman sighed, unable to do anything else.

Perhaps Tonia had some unavoidable reasons.

After washing once, the bathwater had turned black, so Auntie Chapman showered Tonia twice more, checking the new scars on her back, which had been scabbing but now was swollen from soaking.

A medical kit was handy right in Auntie Chapman’s room, so she applied medication to Tonia’s back and dressed her in brand-new clothes.

This outfit was commissioned by President Kane, stored in the Kane family’s dedicated dressing room for the future little princess, offering clothes for every age from birth to eighteen.

Of course, Auntie Chapman didn’t dare act on her own; it was at Madam’s request.

Once changed into a pink strawberry-edged cashmere sweater, the little girl seemed transformed. Auntie Chapman dried her hair, styled it into a bun, and Tonia instantly looked adorable.

Even with her skin not being very fair, she resembled a little heiress from a wealthy family.

Indeed, people rely on clothes for appearance; it couldn’t be more true.

Auntie Chapman led Tonia to the full-length mirror.

Seeing the adorable little girl in the mirror, Tonia paused, somewhat incredulous—was the reflection really her?

Auntie Chapman smiled, "Tonia, do you like it?"

Tonia nodded vigorously, "I like it."

Auntie Chapman continued, "These are the clothes of the future little princess of the Kane family, Madam asked me to give you. See how good Madam is to you?"

Tonia was very envious—the thought of being the little princess of the Kane family was so blissful! She had never worn such beautiful clothes before; they felt so soft, she was reluctant to take them off.

Tonia said innocently, "Grandma Chapman, when I grow up, I’ll earn money to repay Auntie."

Auntie Chapman laughed; this child had a good heart.

But then again, the Kane family was so wealthy, did Madam really need you to earn money to repay?

Auntie Chapman said, "No need to wait until later. If Tonia wants to repay Madam, when you go out, you just can’t trouble Madam anymore, understand?"

Tonia was stunned, it took her quite a while to process Auntie Chapman’s words.

Tonia lowered her head, feeling downcast, "I understand."

Seeing Tonia’s expression, Auntie Chapman felt a bit guilty, as if she was bullying a child.

But there was no choice; Ian, Young Master, very much disliked Tonia having contact with the Madam.

Auntie Chapman took Tonia to choose toys, but Tonia showed little interest, not wanting to take anything or even play, despite the toys being quite beautiful, unlike any she had seen before.

Auntie Chapman packed a Barbie doll and a smart dog for Tonia.

Entering the dining room, the aroma of the food was overwhelming; it was food’s fragrance she had never smelled before, causing her tummy to rumble uncontrollably.

Ivana brightened at Tonia’s refreshed appearance, "Tonia, you are so adorable! Come to Auntie."

Ivana gestured to Tonia.

Tonia really wanted to run over; she liked this Auntie who was even nicer than her mom.

Tonia felt Ian’s icy gaze again, recalling Auntie Chapman’s words: "Auntie, Tonia is very hungry, can I eat first?"

"Of course, you can."

The little girl picked the seat furthest from Ivana to sit and eat.

Ian, satisfied, withdrew his gaze and sat beside Ivana.

In the evening.

Ivana was pondering word choices, trying to get Leon Keane to agree on sending Tonia home.

She wanted to see Tonia’s home, feeling a connection with her; if Tonia’s family was struggling, she considered supporting them, including all of Tonia’s educational expenses.

"Tomorrow, I’ll go with you to send those kids home."

Leon seemed to read Ivana’s thoughts; without her having to speak, he stated directly.

The happiness was surprisingly overwhelming, catching Ivana off guard.

"Honey, really?"

"What do you think?"

"Wow~ Honey, you’re amazing, I love you so much."

Ivana, typically not one for sweet talk, was so elated at this moment that she spontaneously hugged Leon’s neck, her eyes sparkling at him.

"If you love me, show me with actions."