CHAPTER 76: CHAPTER 76: HELPED HER FIND THE DOG

Jean Ellison glanced towards the entrance, for some reason thinking of Justin Holden.

Seeing Philip Paxton in casual clothes, she lowered her gaze, her long eyelashes casting a shadow over her eyelids.

"Jean, I just got back from a mission, hope I didn’t miss the parent-child activity."

Philip Paxton looked apologetic, a scar on his rugged jaw with partially dried blood.

The stubble on his face was quite noticeable, and his fringe was messily scattered.

"Uncle Paxton..."

Jesse Ellison called out in a sweet voice, suddenly realizing she should call him Dad, quickly raising her hand to cover her mouth.

She opened her mouth again, her big, round eyes fixed on the person in front of her, unable to utter a word.

Calling Uncle Paxton Dad was a bit difficult for her.

Jean Ellison shook her head.

"No, you arrived just in time."

A parent nearby whispered, "Maybe he’s the new bodyguard, looks like a man from the military."

"Keep it down, the kid’s mom said he’s the father, and there’s no evidence to say otherwise."

Someone chimed in.

"Could this little girl be the illegitimate child of a wealthy family? Her identity kept in the shadows, parents can’t appear together."

"I think you’ve read too many novels, your imagination’s running wild. There’s no such thing as illegitimate children these days, they all have inheritance rights, exposure’s just a matter of time."

Philip Paxton heard this and turned to look at the gossiping parents.

"Hello, I’m Jesse Ellison’s father. My surname is Paxton, and I’m a police officer."

He identified himself, pulling out his badge.

Hearing he was a police officer, the parents who were gossiping fell silent immediately.

A police officer’s salary is only a few thousand a month, how could he afford to send a child to this kindergarten.

The parents were still skeptical about his identity, some even stared at him and Jesse, shook their heads after a while.

They don’t look alike, no matter how you look at it, they don’t seem like father and daughter.

Matthew Ashford came out with his son, seeing the man standing with Jean Ellison.

Isn’t that Kingswell’s Criminal Investigation Team Captain, Philip Paxton?

Officer Paxton was in plain clothes, he almost didn’t recognize him.

He stepped forward, greeting him proactively, "Captain Paxton, long time no see."

Philip Paxton saw him, an old acquaintance, they had known each other for years.

Last year, the theft case of President Grant’s company’s confidential files was solved by him in just twenty-four hours, minimizing the company’s losses.

"Are you here today to give a lecture at the kindergarten?"

Matthew Ashford knew that Philip Paxton wasn’t married, nor did he have children.

His presence here must be work-related.

"No, I’m here today specifically to accompany the child for the parent-child activity."

Philip Paxton spoke with a humble tone, slightly bowing his head, his gaze sweeping over the top of Jesse’s head.

Matthew Ashford, not easily surprised, has long honed his skills in the business world, no matter how shocked he was, his face remained expressionless.

"That’s nice, it’s rare for Officer Paxton to give himself a day off."

He chuckled, his eyes shadowed with unclear emotions.

The game began on the other side of the lawn, Jean Ellison holding Jesse’s hand walked over, with Philip Paxton following behind the mother and daughter.

Arthur Ashford tugged at his dad’s clothes, curiously asking, "Is Jesse’s dad really a police officer?"

He admired police officers; his dream was to become one.

But his grandparents wouldn’t allow it, insisting he become someone like his dad in the future.

Matthew Ashford thought for a few seconds, "Hmm."

Having Captain Paxton help with the parent-child activity, perhaps Jesse’s dad is also someone from the police station.

He couldn’t leave at that moment, so he found a colleague to replace him.

Jean Ellison breathed a sigh of relief, thankfully Matthew Ashford didn’t say anything in front of the parents and teachers.

"Oh, isn’t this Captain Paxton! Thank you for retrieving Buddy for me after your shift."

A middle-aged woman, slightly plump, wearing a traditional silk qipao, squeezed out from the crowd, grinning in front of Philip Paxton, her face full of wrinkles.

"Is this your child? They’re so grown up."

"Weren’t you interviewed by the provincial station last just month saying you’re still single and have no thoughts of dating or marriage, you lied to the whole nation, that’s not very honest."

Philip Paxton recognized the woman in front of him, indeed he had kindly helped her find her dog.

"I don’t want my family exposed in front of the media."

The wealthy lady awkwardly chuckled, turned away, and continued gossiping with a group of familiar parents.

"Officer Paxton, sorry to trouble you."

"I just don’t want Jesse to be treated differently in kindergarten."

Jean Ellison felt very apologetic, she hadn’t expected parents in the kindergarten would know Philip Paxton, she hadn’t considered it properly, causing trouble for him.

"You and Jesse are indeed my family, I wasn’t wrong."

"I also don’t want you to appear in front of the media, my identity could bring danger to you and the child."

Philip Paxton explained.

He looked at Jean Ellison with focused eyes, their eyes met, and Jean understood his meaning, family could mean siblings, not necessarily husband and wife.

Even if someone raises it later, he has ways to explain.

"Now, let’s have the moms and dads join the children for the third activity."

Jesse eagerly took her mom’s and Uncle Paxton’s hands, running to line up behind the teacher.

A phone rang, and Philip Paxton looked at the caller ID, hesitated for a moment, then answered it.

"Captain Paxton, we’ve found the whereabouts of the suspect."

"Good, proceed as planned."

"...Chief Quinn wants you to be present as well."

Jean Ellison heard he had work to do, "You should go, it’s fine."

As soon as Philip Paxton left, several parents gathered and whispered among themselves.

"Maybe he really is just a newly hired bodyguard, leaving just like that."

"I don’t think he and Jesse look alike at all, nor do they seem to have any affection. Jesse didn’t even call him dad."

"What kind of dad doesn’t care about the kindergarten activities, really irresponsible."

Jean Ellison bit her lip, taking Jesse aside, a spot opened in the game line, and the parents behind immediately filled it.

"Jesse, when we get home, how about mommy makes you some delicious cupcakes?"

She crouched down, trying to comfort her daughter.

Jesse lowered her head, her soft brows furrowed into a small frown, a slight crease forming in the middle.

She looked up at her mom, her eyes glistening with tears, her nose flushed pink, making one feel tender-hearted for her.

"Okay."

She nodded heavily.

Jean Ellison half-squatted on the ground, holding her in her arms, gently stroking her back.

"Jesse is such a good girl."

A black Mercedes was parked at the kindergarten entrance.

Inside sat a man, his expression stern, jawline tense, long fingers resting loosely on the steering wheel, the other arm propped on the partially lowered window.

His suit jacket was deep ocean blue, subtly shimmering with satiny luster, complemented by double-breasted notch lapels.

The shirt underneath was tailored, snugly accentuating his lithe waistline.

He watched as Philip Paxton entered and exited again, within just ten minutes, something seemed to flicker in his deep black irises.

His lips curled slightly, a smile not reaching his eyes.

Pushing the car door open, his shiny thin-soled leather shoes made a soft sound on the ground.