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Chapter_269
Whitney couldn’t refuse the call, especially after remembering Elaine’s smug expression in the upstairs hallway, all because of Ludwik’s overindulgence. “Send it to my phone. I’ll need the time and place,” she said curtly, not giving Orion a chance to say more before she hung up.
Turning back to her son, a headache began to settle in. There was no way Danny could come with her this afternoon. It was too late to hire a nanny, and besides, she wouldn’t trust one anyway.
After a moment’s thought, there was only one person she could think of to watch her son.
Tiana… She had Cherry, and maybe the two kids would get along just fine.
The plan had always been to keep Sammy’s existence a secret, but things were changing, and if only Tiana knew, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. Whitney sighed deeply, shaking her head. “How about we go visit a lady friend? She has a super cute baby girl that I think you’ll love, Sammy.”
Danny didn’t like girls at all. The girls at preschool would cling to him, and that made the boys jealous. With his little arms crossed, he said with a pout, “Are you trying to dump me with someone else, Mommy?”
“…”
“So soon, I’m a burden?”
“Nothing of the sort!” Whitney was taken aback. Sammy had been unusually sensitive and clingy lately.
“Mommy just doesn’t want to put you in danger. You’re only three and a half, still so little. Aunt Tiana is someone Mommy really trusts.”
“Fine, let’s meet this lady,” Danny finally agreed, but his tone was still reluctant.
Whitney couldn’t help but notice how much Danny’s lofty tone resembled Ludwik’s—fussy and overly demanding. Was it just her imagination, or had Sammy changed since returning from overseas?
At Everwood Villa Estate, the real Sammy didn’t wake up until late morning, the comfort of the bed tempting him to stay longer. The maids waited outside, curious but not daring to rush him.
It wasn’t until Sammy opened the door himself, looking neat in his clothes and flashing a bright smile, that the maids were left in utter shock. “You can dress yourself now, Master Sammy?” Maid Fleur knelt down, her eyes welling up.
“My goodness, not only did Master Sammy dress himself, but he also brushed his teeth and washed his face!” another maid gasped, clearly impressed.
Sammy paused, frowning slightly. Hadn’t he always done these things by himself? He’d been mastering all of it by two, never once troubling his mother. Maybe his look-alike, Danny, couldn’t do it?
Shrugging it off, he waved dismissively at the maids. “Let’s do it over.”
The door closed, and after a brief pause, a naked Sammy reappeared, claiming, “I was sleepwalking just now. Actually, I can’t dress myself. Sisters, would you help me, please?”
The maids stood frozen, speechless but amused by the little one’s antics.
Upstairs, Elaine’s confidant, Lyra, overheard the laughter and came upstairs, glowering at Sammy, who she still thought of as ‘Daniel.’ “Master Sammy, you’ve overslept again. You missed school today, and I’ll have to report this to the Boss.”
Sammy, ever sharp, noticed Lyra’s stern demeanor, which reminded him of the nasty woman from the previous night. The maids dressing him were silent, heads bowed, nervous about laughing.
Sammy made a face and suddenly struck a pose, puffing himself up with confidence. “Who do you think you are? If I don’t want to go to school, I won’t. Who are you to tell my dad? Careful, or I might find a way to get you fired.”
Lyra was stunned. Was this the same shy, withdrawn Daniel she knew?
She retorted angrily, “Master Sammy, I am your mommy’s personal maid.”
Sammy grinned mischievously. “Good to know. If I’m not happy with Mommy, she’ll be out of a job, let alone you!”
Lyra was rendered speechless, her anger giving way to confusion.
“Where’s my daddy?” Sammy asked, as if casually changing the subject.
“The Boss stayed with you last night until you fell asleep. Then he went out and hasn’t returned. He went straight to the office today but called to check on you, telling us to make sure you had a good breakfast,” one of the maids explained, always honest in her duties.
Sammy was aware that his absentee dad had sat by his bed last night, but despite his father’s affections, he hadn’t forgotten how easily Ludwik had been swayed by that woman.
He wondered if there was any hope for the man. Sammy decided he would observe his father for a while before deciding whether or not to help him reconcile with his mother.
By the time Sammy finished breakfast, it was nearly noon, and Everwood Villa Estate was quiet. The real ‘Master Sammy’ had yet to return.
Sammy scratched his head, thinking back to the previous night. He had been “mistakenly” brought back from the auction, so the real Danny must be at the convention center. He vaguely recalled his mom rushing off in a hurry…
“Damn. ‘Master Sammy’ couldn’t have been mistakenly taken back by my mom, could he?” Sammy pondered. The mix-up was enormous. Had he and Danny been switched?
Shaking his head, Sammy wandered the estate, amused and perplexed as he searched for a way to contact the real ‘Master Sammy.’ He needed to meet up with him.
He scouted the estate’s exits and entrances, but after his escape attempt the previous night, Ludwik had ordered the bodyguards to keep a close watch on him.
“Master Sammy, what are you wandering around for? This is your home, don’t you know it well?” the head of security asked, smiling at Sammy’s behavior.
Sammy cleared his throat and pulled back his head, boldly claiming, “Of course I know it. I’m just bored and walking around.”
He paused, then spoke with a feigned air of authority, “Stop following me around. Is it really that easy to earn your pay? Go weed the garden or mop the floors, or I might complain to Daddy!”
The bodyguards were speechless. When did Master Sammy become so sharp-tongued? He used to wander aimlessly or play by himself, but now he was calculating.
Reluctantly, the bodyguards went to fetch their tools.
Sammy took the opportunity to sneak toward the backyard, hoping to find another way out.
Suddenly, a soft voice stopped him. “Master Sammy, you’re skipping class again today? Are you here to visit your grandma?”
Sammy turned to see a plump, smiling maid. Feeling inexplicably drawn to her, he replied, “Yes, I’m here to see Grandma. Where is she?”
Taryn looked at Sammy, surprised and concerned. “Honey, are you confused? Your grandma’s been bedridden in the single-family unit all this time. Come on, let’s go see her.”
Taryn? Sammy remembered her name. Mom and Aunt Yael had mentioned her before. She was a friend of his mother’s who had been working on a new drug to help those in a vegetative state.
Realizing who she was, Sammy quickly followed Taryn to the private room in the single-family unit.
An elderly woman lay there in quiet repose. Though not very old, her hair had the faintest remnants of youth, but her face was pale—almost as if she were simply asleep.
Taryn gently washed the woman’s face, then pulled out a pill. She discreetly turned off the surveillance camera and placed it in the woman’s mouth. “The medicine the young missus gave is almost gone, Danny. Do you remember what I told you the other day? Maybe your real mom will show up soon, and that could be the saving grace for your grandma. Just last night, I saw your grandma’s fingers twitch.”
Sammy’s attention sharpened. The thought of his grandmother waking up filled him with both hope and anxiety.
