Filed To Story: Finding the Secret Daddy for My Baby Novel
Zacharias reached out to take the gift bag from her, and from inside, he retrieved a wooden box. Inside the box was a bracelet, which he put on his wrist. It complemented his wristwatch nicely.
“Nice. I like it.’ He readily accepted the gift. Shirley asked, “Do you know when my father and the others will arrive?” “They’ll be here in about half an hour, Zacharias answered since he was the one in contact with Richard. Her expression became visibly nervous and she said, “I’ll go back to my room and pack my luggage then.” As Zacharias watched her eager desire to leave, his heart was anxious, but he didn’t know how to hold onto her.
“Shirley, I want to ask you a question.” He called out to her. Shirley turned to him while asking, “What’s the question?” “Have you ever liked me during the time wer spent together?” he inquired bluntly.
She was initially surprised by the question but then answered seriously, “Mr.
Flintstone, you have always been someone I deeply respect. Regardless of where I am in the future, I will remember your care for me. Goodbye.” Having said that, she pushed the door and left, leaving him with an increasingly unpleasant expression on his face.
Half an hour later, a black SUV arrived. Shirley had already placed her luggage in the living room. She hurried out to greet her father, who had stepped out of the front passenger seat. She started feeling anxious, and as a result, she spoke in a softer-than-usual voice.
“Dad, you’re here.” As she looked around, she noticed Imogen getting out of the car. Imogen seemed nervous too, and the two of them exchanged glances.
At this moment, Zacharias’ imposing figure emerged from behind Shirley. When Imogen laid eyes on him, her gaze widened.
Imogen was three years older than Shirley, so she had a more mature mindset and higher emotional awareness. She had seen Zacharias on television before, but she hadn’t anticipated that seeing him in person would make her heart race, However, she suppressed all her emotions and didn’t let them show.
“Mr. Lloyd Zacharias stepped forward and extended his hand to shake hands with Richard.
“Mr. Flintstone. Richard reciprocated the handshake. “My daughter has been quite willful. I apologize for any trouble she may have caused you.” “Not at all. Please come in and have some tea,” Zacharias replied while showing particular respect toward Richard.
Richard turned his gaze to his daughter and sighed with exasperation before entering the house. Imogen took a step forward and held onto Shirley. “Shirley, thank you.” “Don’t mention it,” Shirley replied..
Imogen then asked, “Is it my duty to protect Mr. Flintstone 24/7?” Shirley nodded. ‘Yes. Currently, I’ve been assigned to work in this residence.” Imogen’s heart leaped with joy when she heard that. So, she was taking over Shirley’s job?
Shirley felt a knot in her stomach as she was afraid to enter the hall. She held Imogen’s hand and mentally prepared herself because she was about to face her father’s scolding in front of Zacharias.
“Shirley, let’s go inside,” Imogen said to her. It was cold outside, and what was more, she was very interested in the important figure inside.
After taking a deep breath, Shirley nodded and said, “Alright. Let’s go inside.” She pushed the door open and allowed Imogen to enter first. She was like a child who had done something wrong as she obediently stood behind her father.
Although there was an age gap between her and Zacharias, his status and authority were evident, making him and Richard appear equally powerful.
“Mr. Flintstone, Shirley has caused you trouble. It’s all my fault. I’ve spoiled her all her life,” Richard said as he was filled with self-blame.
Zacharias’ gaze on Shirley held an indulgent and affectionate look as if he was treating her like his junior.
“Don’t worry about it. Miss Lloyd has been inconvenienced here for so many days, and I feel guilty about it too,” Zacharias said with a smile.
Even after receiving the call from Richard, he made every effort to keep Shirley here. However, he knew he couldn’t force her to stay. There was no reason for her to stay anymore.
If Richard wanted to take his daughter with him. he would definitely be able to.
Besides, Zacharias current status made it inconvenient for him to offend the Lloyd Family.
Moreover, he held great respect for Richard as his elder. Even though he himself was powerful, he wouldn’t dare to be disrespectful to Richard.
“Shirley, why don’t you apologize to Mr. Flintstone sincerely,” Richard said to his daughter. Shirley exhibited the demeanor of a young girl in front of her father.
She hadn’t even apologized yet, but the gentleman had already forgiven her.
“There’s no need to apologize. This was just a minor matter,” Zacharias said with a smile. Imogen, who was standing by the side, also lowered her head and said to Zacharias, “Mr. Flintstone, I should apologize to you as well.” Zacharias finally looked at Imogen and gave a slight nod, indicating that there was no need to bring up the matter again.
Imogen immediately stepped back. Zacharias’ imposing aura made her cautious about displaying any emotions.
She also felt that Zacharias treated Shirley with special attention, but of course, that was likely because of Shirley’s identity!
“Dad, when are we leaving?” Shirley asked her father. She hoped to avoid being scolded in front of Zacharias.
Richard glanced at his daughter and sighed. “Where do you want to go?” “I want to go back home. I miss Mom,” Shirley said with a smile.
“Miss Lloyd, are you in a hurry to go home? I wanted to invite Mr. Lloyd to have dinner together tonight!” Zacharias smiled and looked at Shirley. His deep gaze revealed a hint of reluctance.
“Mr. Flintstone, there’s no need for a meal. My father is very busy.” Shirley waved her hand and hinted at her father. “Right, Dad?” Since Shirley was Richard’s daughter, he instantly understood the look he gave her.
“We should have this meal, but it should be my treat, Richard said..
Zacharias smiled and said, “Mr. Lloyd, let’s have dinner before you go then.” Shirley was the most anxious of all. She hadn’t anticipated that her father would dine with Zacharias. She was eager to leave as she knew that the longer they stayed, the more likely her father would scold her.
“Dad, let me put my luggage in the car. We’ll go to Grandma’s house first, and then we can have dinner later!” Shirley was already eager to leave. It wasn’t that she didn’t like it here, but because she knew getting scolded was inevitable. Her father must be very angry, and she didn’t want to receive a scolding from him before Zacharias, so she hurriedly pulled her father away.
“Don’t move your things first,” Richard said.
Shirley was taken aback and asked, “Why?” Turning to look at his daughter, he said sternly, “Starting from now, you will intern here with: Imogen.” Her beautiful eyes widened in disbelief as she listened to her father’s words.
Meanwhile, Zacharias was also surprised, but the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but twitch as if he were suppressing his smile. That’s great. Now, that girl has no escape.
Imogen also looked at Richard in surprise. She then looked at Shirley, not expecting they would be interning together.
Yet, Shirley was unwilling to intern here anymore, so she disregarded Zacharias” presence and held her father’s arm. “Dad, let’s talk outside.” “There’s no need to talk any further. Your internship documents have been sent over, so you must finish your three-month internship here,” Richard said firmly, thinking this internship could give his daughter a chance to grow up.
Shirley instantly understood her father was being serious and was really going to put her through this internship. Also, she could sense that this was her father’s punishment for her.
“Shirley, that’s great. We can intern together,” Imogen cheered.
Upon hearing Imogen’s words, Shirley thought she now had another friend during her internship and smiled at Imogen while nodding. “Yes, let’s intern together.” “Dad, can I ask for my own position? I want to intern in the office,” Shirley said to her father, thinking about whether her father would be willing to arrange an internal transfer for her as she didn’t want to continue being Zacharias’ bodyguard.
However, Richard rejected her. “You can discuss this matter with Mr. Flintstone.
It’s not appropriate for me to interfere with this matter.
Once that was said, he glanced at his watch and said to Zacharias, “Mr.
Flintstone, I have something to attend to. I’ll leave first.” Then, he turned back to his daughter. “Good luck with your internship.” “Take care, Mr. Lloyd.” Zacharias got up, wanting to send Richard off.
At that moment, Shirley spoke up first. “Mr. Flintstone, let me see my dad out.” Afterward, she quickly followed behind her father. Once they were out of the house, she held onto her father. “Dad, how could you arrange for me to intern here without asking me? Even if you want me to do an internship, can’t you arrange for me to intern at my great- uncle’s office?” Shirley asked in frustration.
“How could you still make demands? Don’t you know how serious this is? You would have been sent to the military court if this had gotten any more serious.