CHAPTER 73: CHAPTER 73: LET JESSE HAVE A DAD TOO

"Mom..."

The bedroom door behind them was gently pushed open. Jesse was holding a vegetable cracker, with scallion bits on the corner of his mouth, curiously looking at Uncle Holden and his mom outside the door.

"What’s up, Jesse?"

Jean Ellison put aside what Justin Holden had said, squatted down, and picked up her daughter.

"Wash hands."

Jesse stretched out her little arm, pointing at the bathroom door.

"Okay, Mom will take you to wash your hands."

Jean carried Jesse away, with Justin Holden standing at the bedroom door. He had already transferred the money, and he didn’t think Jean would refuse.

Within a few seconds, his phone showed a message indicating the transfer was refunded.

No matter how short of money Jean was, she wouldn’t compromise on this matter.

She wouldn’t let Jesse meet Justin Holden’s parents, as the child looked too much like Justin.

"Ah, just gave someone a cracker and treated so heartlessly."

When the message came, Jean almost threw her phone away.

Such words, how could Justin Holden say them? Coupled with his stern, serious face, his well-dressed appearance, it was really incongruous.

Was he complaining to her?

Jean didn’t reply to the message, pretending not to see it, her heart already in turmoil.

"Mom, used the wrong hand soap."

Jesse noticed her mom picking up the adult hand soap and reminded her. Her hand soap was a little bear, pressing down on the bear’s head would dispense foam in the shape of a little bear.

"Sorry, Jesse."

Jean quickly changed the hand soap for her, letting the bear-shaped foam fall into her open palm.

Jesse was well-behaved, washing her hands by herself, spreading the foam evenly and rinsing it off with clean water.

She lifted her little hand and sniffed.

A very fragrant orange scent.

"Oh, Mom, the teacher said last semester that there would be a parent-child activity at the start of school."

"Both Mom and Dad are supposed to come to kindergarten to play games."

Jesse looked at her with expectant eyes. Before, it was always the nanny and security uncle taking her to kindergarten for parent-child activities.

Now she had a real mom, she wanted to play games with her mom.

It would be nice to have a dad too...

"Okay, Mommy will go with you."

Jean agreed readily, she could take time off to accompany Jesse for the parent-child games.

Jesse’s face showed no smile, her petal-like lips pouting, seemingly a bit unwilling.

"What’s wrong, Jesse?"

Jean squatted in front of her, touching her small face, her rounded cheek was as pink as a freshly peeled egg.

"Other kids have their dad with them..."

Jesse tilted her little head, her black eyes fixed on Jean.

"Okay, Mommy promises you, we’ll definitely go with Dad so Jesse can also have a dad."

Jesse’s eyes brightened, wanting to run outside to find Uncle Holden.

Jean noticed her intention, stretched out her hand to stop her, "Not Uncle Holden. Mommy will ask Uncle Sterling and Uncle Paxton later if they have time."

Jesse paused, blinked, then nodded after a moment.

So it wasn’t Uncle Holden... she felt a bit disappointed.

Jean didn’t intend to ask Justin Holden, as she had just refused to deceive the parents with him. He was probably very angry now and wouldn’t agree to go to the kindergarten parent-child event with her.

She sent a message to Philip Paxton, and quickly received a reply.

He seemed to be on assignment.

"Alright, send me the time and place."

Jean put away her phone and turned her head, seeing Justin Holden standing at the bathroom door, arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe.

From this angle, he towered over her, able to see every word on her phone’s screen.

How long had he been standing there, what had he heard?

Justin Holden’s expression was calm, without visible emotions, but the lines of his jaw were more tense than usual.

Jean took a step forward, feeling a bit dizzy, clutching her phone with one hand and holding onto the sink with the other.

She was somewhat hypoglycemic, having only eaten a small bowl of cereal since morning.

Justin shifted slightly, his back muscles suddenly tightening, even he hadn’t realized his earlier tension and concern.

When Jean looked up again, he was already standing in front of her.

His tall figure blocked the doorway, leaving her no room to pass.

"Please move aside."

Justin Holden stared at her face, speaking in a deep voice, "Do you really think Mr. Paxton has time to attend the parent-child event?"

News had been reporting for several days, with unresolved criminal cases one after another.

Philip Paxton, as the head of the criminal police team, had been so busy he didn’t even have time to eat, working overnight, sleep being a luxury.

"The parent-child event is still some ways off. With Officer Paxton’s abilities, he could catch the culprit within a few days."

Justin Holden always felt that the look Jean gave him was different from others.

Her gaze was cool, as if shrouded in a thin mist when looking at him, lacking the fervent curiosity or obvious avoidance seen in others.

"Hope it happens as you wish."

Justin Holden’s voice was hoarse as he turned and left the bathroom.

Jean exhaled, for some reason, she felt Justin Holden was particularly attentive to Jesse, as if he wanted to attend the parent-child event as a father.

Agreeing with that would mean she’s gone mad.

He shouldn’t dream of getting close to Jesse. Jesse was her daughter, with the last name Ellison, not Holden.

It was nearly dinnertime, and Justin Holden walked into the kitchen first, taking down the only apron.

He was inside, so Jean didn’t want to go in.

The kitchen was filled with the aroma of rice nearly cooked, mingling with the warmth of simmering food.

The man stood in front of the stove, wearing a simple dark T-shirt, casually tied with a plain beige apron, the strap cinched at the back, accentuating his lean waist and broad shoulders.

There were two pans in front of him.

On one side was a small pot warming milk, with cute animal-shaped carrot and cucumber pieces beside it. He was patiently using molds to press cheese slices into star and moon shapes, preparing to decorate a children’s plate.

On the other side, oil in the frying pan was slightly steaming.

He turned slightly, reaching for ginger and garlic on the counter, as he stretched out his arm, the sleeve of his T-shirt strained, outlining the firm muscle lines of his upper arm.

Signs of long-term fitness and a disciplined lifestyle.

Soon, he came out holding two plates.

The children’s plate contained cheese rice balls, filled with carrot and cucumber sticks, sprinkled with seaweed flakes.

On another white plate was tomato beef brisket rice, with a few boiled broccoli florets and a small handful of corn kernels.

"Since we’re sharing an apartment, we should take turns cooking and cleaning."

"Tonight, we’ll have what I cooked first."

Jesse took a sip of milk, looking at the delicate and adorable food on her plate, her eyes shining brightly.

Jean thought his suggestion made sense, pulled out a dining chair, and sat down.

She gently broke into the thick sauce with a spoon, scooping up a bite of well-soaked rice with a wobbling piece of brisket, sending it into her mouth.

The meat was tender and melted instantly, the tomatoes sweet and tangy, refreshingly pleasant.

She raised an eyebrow, but didn’t show much emotion.

Wasn’t he supposed to be unable to cook?

Previously, when he was at home alone, he had her bring him food, she had learned cooking from the housekeeper specifically for him.

Did he learn for himself after she went to prison, with no one to cook for him?

The skills were impressive.

"It’s very tasty."

Hearing her compliment, Justin Holden’s lips slightly curled, he glanced at her, unfazed.

Jean didn’t say more, continuing with her meal.

It seemed the skills weren’t learned for himself. He must have gotten used to compliments and taken them for granted.

Editor-in-Chief Sutton couldn’t cook either, she’d heard from colleagues.

When one loves someone, they learn to do things they aren’t good at for them. It stands true for anyone.