Filed To Story: Finding the Secret Daddy for My Baby Novel
“Oh, it’s fine! I can’t trouble you because my place is quite far away.”
“I’m free. This is nothing,” he insisted.
She was delighted by his kindness and shyly accepted his offer. “Thanks for the trouble, then,” she said and quickly grabbed her bag.
There was no one else in the lobby, and she followed in the footsteps of the man in front of her all the way until they had descended the steps. After that, she saw a very dashing and eye-catching sports car in front of her, and she couldn’t help but gush in awe. This can’t be his car, can it?
Sure enough, the man pushed the unlock button, and the car beeped twice in response. Finally, he opened the passenger seat door and urged, “Hop in!”
“Thank you!” Ellen was overwhelmed with excitement that she couldn’t help herself from doing something silly. She stomped her feet several times to get the dirt off her soles before she dared to cautiously get into his expensive car.
It was Ellen’s first time in a sports car, hence the nervousness and thrill running down her spine. I didn’t know Mr. Tillman is loaded.
“Is there anyone else in your family?” Jared initiated a conversation. “No. I’m the only one,” she replied naturally. “You? Alone?” He looked at her in surprise.
“Yup. I’m all alone. My brother is gone a long time ago, and my grandmother passed away two weeks ago.” She could not mask the overflowing sorrow.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” he apologized for pricking her sore spot. She shook her head. “Thank you.”
Ellen’s address was added to the navigation system. She felt guilty to have him take the long route just to send her home.
When they arrived at her place, his brows furrowed. “Is this where you live?”
“Yeah, it’s my grandmother’s place, but it’ll be demolished soon.”
The corner of Jared’s lips slightly curved upward. If his memories served him right, that was within the area he planned for demolition.
“Thanks for the ride! Be careful on your way back.” She bent over to bid goodbye.
He nodded before driving into a street in the rain. It was not until the sports car vanished from her sight that she finally came back to her senses. Red tinges crept onto her cheeks, and there was something familiar about that man for some reason. Despite his sophisticated grace and the social strata difference between them, she was not afraid of him.
Meanwhile, Jared gave his subordinate a call on his way home. After inquiring about the demolition area with the address he had, his conjecture hardened into certainty.
“Why are you there, Mr. Presgrave? That’s the Lockwood Village.”
“My friend needed a ride back home.”
“Your friend lives there?” The subordinate doubted that Jared had a friend living in such a place.
Meanwhile, at Aguirre Residence, Olivia was worried about her daughter, who was in low spirits despite going to work every day. So, she decided to chat with
Selena.
“What’s wrong, baby girl?” Olivia held a bowl of bird nest soup into the room.
“Mom, can’t you just drive Ellen out of the company? She’s such an eyesore!”
Selena turned her head sideways.
“Just don’t mind her.”
“I remember that time she didn’t want to give me her toy when I wanted it during our younger days. I simply borrowed it for a while, yet she accused me of stealing. Dad even told me off because of that!” Selena brought up their younger times.
Olivia secretly did not favor Ellen as she scoffed. “Someone like her is bound to be a non-starter.”
Her affirmation lifted Selena’s spirit. When Selena finished the bird’s nest soup, she had a question unanswered. “Mom, we won’t go bankrupt, will we?”
“Of course not. We need not worry about money.” Olivia reassured her confidently.
The weight on her mind disappeared because she did not earn herself a living through work. She had one clear goal—winning her boss’ heart and marrying him!
For the following week, Ellen did not encounter Jared and received a call from the demolition contractors, saying they would visit in the afternoon someday to take some measurements of the place. It seemed like the procedure went smoothly as it was approved.
Everyone in Lockwood Village was elated about the news. Thanks to its strategic geographic location, many could rake in a fortune. Those who earnestly hoped for demolition finally had their wish granted.
Needless to say, Ellen bumped into Selena every day at work. The latter seemed haughty; their gazes met every time, but she did not approach Ellen.
The month was about to end when the villagers received the demolition payment, but there was nothing in Ellen’s bank account.
Therefore, she dropped by the demolition company for inquiry. The contractor told her that the payment was canceled because her name was not included in the family’s registration.
Since she had to register her name under the family before collecting the money, she needed to look into the problem.
By the time Ellen arrived home, Lilac’s family had stopped by. They heard of the demolition payment, so they paid a visit to claim their share.
“Ellie, part of the amount belongs to you and me. Isn’t this how inheritance works?” Her uncle, Garrett, cut to the chase. She was stunned momentarily as mixed feelings churned in her stomach.
“That’s right! Ellie, you’ve been living with Jessica, but you’re not her biological granddaughter. We’re supposed to be her immediate family according to the law,” Nicole chipped in.
“So, we should split it into six among my mother, the three of us, your uncle, and you.” Ellen was at her wit’s end. Grievance stifled her chest as Jessica once told her that the house would belong to her and no one else.
Every nook and cranny of the place carried precious memories; it was her home. “What’s with the silence, Ellie? Perhaps, you don’t wanna share? Are you trying to hog everything?” Garrett’s wife was making assumptions.
“T-That’s not it.” Ellen clasped her hands together and lowered her head.
“That’s final, then! You should register your name. Once you have the money, you gotta transfer our portions to us. You know what to do.” Garrett wrapped it up.
Lilac’s silence indicated her agreement with their decision because of her dire need for money to have a better life.
Although she was aware that Jessica bestowed everything on Ellen, the amount of money was too much for her to ignore! Sharing it amongst the family wouldn’t hurt, would it?
Everyone left once the discussion was over, leaving Ellen sitting in a corner like a fragile animal that could not resist. Tears finally escaped from her eyes, and pain squeezed her heart as she observed the furniture at home.
At that moment, her phone rang. She glanced at it and quelled the waves of emotions. “Who is this?”
“Ellie, it’s me! I heard that Aunt Jessica’s house is going to be demolished. Any updates yet?” Olivia inquired.
“Aunt Olivia! I haven’t received the money yet. The contractor asked me to make an appeal to register my name to Grandma’s.”