CHAPTER 114: CHAPTER 114: YOU REALLY LOOK LIKE DAD MATERIAL

Leaving the private room, Holly Crowe kept replaying Shannon Yarrow’s words, filled with grievance and implication, in her mind.

Every word she said was like a fine needle pricking at the heart, not lethal, but deeply aching.

Doubt and unease clouded her mind—what exactly was the past between Shannon Yarrow and Blake Sinclair?

"What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Blake Sinclair’s deep voice sounded in her ear.

Holly Crowe snapped back to reality, having been so lost in thought she didn’t hear Blake Sinclair call her several times.

She looked up and met his deep eyes.

Holly opened her mouth, but the words swallowed back down.

How should she ask?

And what happens if she does ask? Would he just cover one lie with another?

Even if he told the truth, would it be something she could accept?

She didn’t want suspicion and doubt to ruin the current peace when things weren’t certain.

Holly forced a smile, shaking her head, "Nothing, just feeling a bit stifled."

Blake Sinclair’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment, then without further questions, he gently pulled her closer, "Let’s just head home early and rest.

"Okay." Holly followed him towards the elevator entrance.

Just as they reached the elevator and were about to press the button, a little girl, about three or four years old, came stumbling over and bumped into Holly’s calf.

The little girl, with her hair in two cute buns and wearing an exquisite pink princess dress, was incredibly adorable.

After steadying herself, she didn’t cry or fuss but lifted her chubby little face and stared directly at Holly.

She spoke in a sweet, childish voice, "Pretty sister, you’re so beautiful."

Holly’s gloomy mood was mostly dispelled, almost melted by her cuteness.

She crouched down and gently pinched the girl’s bun, which felt soft like a cloud.

"Thank you, sweetie. Why are you here alone? Where are your mom and dad?"

She looked around but didn’t see any adults who seemed like the child’s parents, furrowing her brow.

Judging by the girl’s lavish attire, she came from a wealthy background.

How could such a young child be here alone? Could she be lost?

Just as she was thinking about this, the little girl reached out her chubby hand, grabbed Holly’s finger, and sighed like a little adult.

"Pretty sister, my name is Serena Lowell. Can you help me find my parents? They were just here with my brother, and suddenly they’re gone."

Holly’s heart skipped a beat, instantly imagining a dramatic scene from a wealthy family neglecting their daughter in favor of a son.

About to ask more, the little girl suddenly yawned widely, her body slumping forward into Holly’s arms, nuzzling her tiny head against Holly’s neck.

Momentarily at a loss, Holly found it surprising how easily the girl could fall asleep in a stranger’s embrace.

Not daring to move, she stiffly looked up at Blake Sinclair, "What... what should we do?"

Blake’s eyes flashed with amusement. He bent down, gently scooping the little girl from her arms with one hand and naturally taking Holly’s hand with the other, "Let’s go."

Holly was bewildered, letting him lead her, "Where to?"

"To help the lost child find her parents."

"What? Do you know where her parents are?"

Holly was puzzled. The little girl hadn’t said much—how could he know?

Blake turned to her with a smile, "Yes, they’ll be here soon."

Holly was skeptical but followed him into the elevator.

The elevator doors closed off the outside noise, leaving only them and the evenly breathing little girl in their arms.

Holly looked at the man beside her in the elevator’s mirror.

His posture holding Serena Lowell was very steady, one hand carefully supporting the girl’s back, letting her rest securely in his arm—a skill clearly honed with Shirley Sinclair.

In this moment, gone was his usual stern demeanor; his aura somehow softened miraculously.

Seeing his cautious manner, Holly’s heart was gently nudged by something indefinable.

It seemed she... had glimpsed Blake Sinclair’s future role as a father.

Just then, Blake suddenly turned his head, catching Holly’s gaze before she could look away.

"What are you looking at?" he asked softly.

The deliberate softness of his voice made it exceptionally tender.

Holly’s heart missed a beat, unsure if it was the atmosphere or the sight of him holding a child that struck her, blurting out, "You seem... quite like a father."

As soon as the words left her mouth, she saw Blake raise an eyebrow slightly.

Holly froze, biting her tongue in frustration.

How did she let that slip?

Blake was also taken aback by her sudden comment, a hint of surprise in his eyes, quickly replaced by a deeper smile.

He adjusted how he held the child, carefully freeing his hand to gently stroke Holly’s hand.

He leaned slightly towards her, speaking in a low voice, "Really? Then I guess I need to work harder tonight?"

Holly rolled her eyes at him and pulled her hand away, "What nonsense are you talking about? We agreed not to bring this up for now."

Her heart raced wildly from his straightforward words but was quickly overshadowed by a sour sentiment.

She remembered what Shannon Yarrow had said earlier, and those words were like cold water instantly dousing all her excitement, snapping her back to reality.

Holly turned away to avoid his gaze; there were still many unexplained mysteries between them, not to mention his past with Shannon Yarrow.

Without knowing what truly happened between him and Shannon in the past, and until she could be sure it wouldn’t affect the future, she couldn’t, and wouldn’t, consider having a child.

Having a child meant binding herself to Blake Sinclair entirely.

She loved Blake Sinclair, but not like before, unwilling to hand over her heart so easily, only to end up battered.

She had to take responsibility for her own life.

Blake sensed her mood shift, furrowing his brow, about to say something when the elevator doors opened.

They stepped out one after the other, walking just a few steps before a meticulously dressed woman ran towards them, her beige dress highlighting her gentle temperament, though her face was filled with urgency.

A tall man followed behind her, in a well-fitted suit, handsome with a young boy riding his shoulders.

The little boy, dressed in a plaid shirt and suspenders, clung to the black bow tie around his neck, frowning like a little adult.

The woman rushed straight to the girl in Blake’s arms, her voice trembling, "Serena Lowell..."

This must be the girl’s mother, Holly quickly explained, "Hello, we found her at the elevator on the third floor and were just about to take her to find you. We’re not bad people; don’t worry..."

The woman’s eyes welled with tears, emotions high as the man stepped closer, placing a comforting arm around her waist, but his gaze landed on Blake Sinclair, his eyes narrowing slightly.

His gaze shifted to the girl in Blake’s arms, his voice both indulgent and stern: "Serena Lowell! Stop pretending to sleep! If you make your mother cry, no cake for a month."

As soon as he finished speaking, Serena Lowell quickly opened her eyes, turning up with a smile at the man from Blake’s arms.

She reached out her arms, speaking in her sweet voice, "Mommy, hug the baby."

Seeing this, Holly quickly took the child from Blake’s arms, carefully handing her to the woman.

The woman received the child, holding her tightly and soothingly patting her back.

At this moment, the man let the boy down from his shoulders, extending his hand towards Blake Sinclair, speaking familiarly, "Long time no see, President Sinclair."