CHAPTER 115: CHAPTER 115: PLANNING FOR PREGNANCY?

Blake Sinclair reached out to shake hands with him, but quickly let go, "President Lowell."

The two of them exchanged glances, their auras evenly matched.

Holly Crowe stood by in surprise, "...?"

So they knew each other? No wonder Blake Sinclair was so confident about finding Serena’s parents earlier.

Blake Sinclair withdrew his hand, pulled Holly close to him, and introduced her, "President Lowell of Stellar Media, heir to the Lowell Group, Jonathan Lowell."

Holly realized and let out an "Oh."

No wonder he looked familiar; this man was Jonathan Lowell, the man who made headlines in Beldon a few years ago with his wedding and dominated the news for over half a month!

So, the woman beside him is his wife, Josie Jacobs?

Holly quickly greeted them, "President Lowell, Josie, hello."

Josie was holding Serena and smiled warmly, "Hello, I’m Josie. Thank you so much for today."

Holly smiled, "It’s no problem, Serena is adorable."

Josie gently tapped Serena’s nose and sighed helplessly, "Serena is quite lively; just when I was changing her little brother’s diaper, she disappeared, which scared me. Luckily she ran into you."

Serena lay in her mother’s arms, sneaking a glance at the little boy standing next to her mother, sticking her tongue out, "Elliot is embarrassing, still wearing diapers at three."

The boy called Elliot blushed and lowered his head shyly, clutching his little bow tie tighter.

Jonathan looked at his daughter helplessly, "You’re three this year too, and didn’t you come here wearing diapers? It’s just recently you stopped, and now you’re teasing your brother?"

Serena huffed angrily, snuggling deeper into Josie’s embrace, "Daddy’s bad, Mom’s nice."

Holly watched the interaction of this family of four and couldn’t help but laugh.

Josie bounced the little one in her arms, "Quick, say thank you to Auntie Holly and Uncle Sinclair."

Serena lifted her head, gave Holly a sweet smile, her little voice sugary sweet, "Thank you, Auntie Holly~."

Then she looked at Blake Sinclair beside her and said obediently, "And thank you, Uncle Sinclair."

Beside her, Elliot was very polite and gave them a small bow, "Thank you, Uncle, Auntie."

The same expression of thanks, yet the terms of address were significantly different, causing Blake Sinclair’s face to darken slightly.

Holly quickly took Blake Sinclair’s hand and said, "It was Blake Sinclair who recognized Serena."

She shook his hand lightly, and Blake Sinclair squeezed back, saying, "I saw pictures of the child in President Lowell’s friend circle."

Jonathan elongated his tone, making an "Oh" sound.

"I didn’t know a busy man like President Sinclair would look at my moments? No way, being a dad does that to you. President Sinclair, you’ll understand someday."

Jonathan had been overshadowed by Blake Sinclair for years, finally witnessing him at a disadvantage, feeling satisfied, giving his daughter a mental thumbs-up.

He tilted his chin at Blake Sinclair and casually said, "Well, what’s up, Uncle? It’s rare to bump into one another, want to go up and grab a drink?"

Blake Sinclair’s arm tightened around Holly, calmly refusing, "No, quit drinking."

Jonathan, "Didn’t you say you’d drink after getting married?"

He gave a chuckle, giving him a meaningful look, "What’s this? Preparing for kids? Sounds like good news is on the way, waiting for you to share baby photos."

Preparing for kids?

Holly quickly waved her hand in explanation, "No, no, President Lowell misunderstood! It’s because he has an injury on his back, and the wound hasn’t healed yet, the doctor strictly advised against drinking!"

Josie saw Jonathan enjoying the excitement and nudged his elbow helplessly, scolding in a low voice, "Say a little less."

Blake Sinclair remained composed, unfazed by the teasing.

He met Jonathan’s teasing gaze, raised an eyebrow, "Why? Is this President Lowell’s personal experience? Seems like you had plenty of homework preparing for kids back then?"

Jonathan, instead of feeling embarrassed, proudly put his arm around Josie’s shoulder.

He raised his chin boastfully, with the superiority of someone who’s been there, "Of course, how did you think I got these two kids? Did they fall from the sky? Such major life events require thorough planning and careful preparation!"

He added, for good measure, "President Sinclair, get a move on, you’re not getting any younger."

Blake Sinclair calmly retorted, "No need to worry, President Lowell, some things are about quality, not quantity."

His gaze swept over Serena in Josie’s arms and Elliot who was quietly obedient, "Indeed, President Lowell is blessed with both a son and a daughter, which is truly enviable."

Though he said this, there was not a hint of envy in his tone, instead it felt more like a challenge.

The two men, both prominent business figures, now behaving like high school teenagers, discussing and subtly boasting about something as trivial as preparing for kids.

All surrounding the topic as if losing was a huge loss of face.

Is this male ego?

Indeed, a man remains a boy till death.

Can’t comprehend, really can’t.

Holly and Josie exchanged glances, seeing the same helpless amusement in each other’s eyes.

Jonathan clearly felt dissatisfied, started to speak, but was cut off by Josie.

She took his arm, handed Serena over to him, and ended the conversation between the two men.

"Alright, alright, the more you talk, the less sensible it gets. President Sinclair has an injury and really can’t drink, let’s not disturb them."

She turned to Holly, steering the conversation back on track, "Holly, we’re truly grateful to you today. Let’s get together again when we return to Beldon, we must thank you properly."

Holly nodded.

Jonathan, looking like he hadn’t had enough of the exchange, expertly held his daughter, his other arm circled around Josie’s waist, face full of affection, "Listen to my wife."

He nodded at Blake Sinclair, as a farewell.

Blake Sinclair nodded in response.

The two of them now appeared as though their little confrontation earlier was just an illusion.

The family of four gradually walked away, Elliot obediently holding his mother’s hand while looking back to wave at Holly, and Serena chatted non-stop in Jonathan’s arms.

The smile on Holly’s face had yet to fade completely, she looked at the calm man beside her and laughed, "Is this how you men usually chat?"

Blake Sinclair looked down at her, wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her fully into his embrace.

"Ignore him," he spoke in a low voice, carrying a hint of indulgence, "he’s just jealous."

"Jealous of what?" Holly asked instinctively.

"Jealous that I married you, jealous of our happy relationship."

"Ah?"

Holly looked back at the direction the family of four walked away, recalling Jonathan’s protective manner towards Josie, "President Lowell jealous? But he and Josie have such a great relationship, what would he be jealous of?"

Blake Sinclair listened and let out an indescribable ’tsk’, "You noticed that?"

Holly gave him a puzzled look.

Blake Sinclair turned her around, embracing her face-to-face, "Jonathan and Josie missed several years. He almost lost her."

He briefly recounted their years-spanning past, the missed youth, misunderstood times, and that unforgettable regret.

Though his words were simple, they made Holly furrow her brows, feeling a tug at her heart.

She hadn’t realized Jonathan and Josie had gone through so much, remembering the grand wedding announcement, she remarked, "... Fortunately, it ended in happiness, President Lowell’s wishes were fulfilled, and they have such lovely children."

Her words carried genuine envy and blessings.

"Ended in happiness, wishes fulfilled..." Blake Sinclair repeated these phrases.

He chuckled softly, imbued with a trace of an indescribable complexity, and led her outside, "They’ve barely started..."

The night wind blew, dispersing the rest of his near-murmured words.

Holly caught only a few words, looked up and asked, "Hmm? What did you say?"

Blake Sinclair composed himself, shook his head, and held her tightly in his arms, "Nothing."

Holly leaned into his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, thinking of Josie and Jonathan’s reunion, and then of herself.

Would her and Blake Sinclair’s story end well?

What was his past really about?

Was she the protagonist in their story, or an obstacle in another?

Would she ultimately find happiness after hardship?

Countless questions surged in her heart, causing her nose to sting, all the words swallowed back with the night wind.

All she could do was hug him tighter, as if she could draw some sense of safety that way.