CEO Ex-Husband, Don't Bother Me-Chapter 166 - 143: Both Domineering and Childish

Julian Donovan looked up to see the two of them, finally stubbing out his cigarette. He told Dylan, "She’s inside!"

Dylan dashed inside. Felix Draper handed a bag to Julian Donovan. "The clothes you asked me to get for Joy. I had to drag Sarah Sutton out first thing in the morning to help me pick them out!"

Julian Donovan took the bag, offering no thanks. "You should be thanking me for giving you another chance to pester Sarah Sutton."

That was actually true. Felix Draper said proudly, as if presenting a treasure, "Go on, take a look! They’re this adorable pink color, a perfect match for Joy’s personality. My Sarah is just so capable, isn’t she? She’s even an expert at buying children’s clothes!"

"Tacky!"

Julian Donovan’s brow furrowed the moment he heard "adorable pink." He tossed that one word at Felix, then turned and headed inside with the bag. Felix Draper was so mad he could have spit blood. He chased after him, protesting furiously, "Julian Donovan, you’ve gone too far! How dare you call something my Sarah bought tacky? Do you have any taste at all? She’s the renowned fashion queen of Wincastle!"

Julian Donovan completely ignored his protests and walked straight into the hospital room with the bag. Naomi Shaw had already helped Joy sit up in bed. Dylan was leaning over the bedside, fussing over his little sister. For every ten things Dylan said, he was lucky to get two or three sentences back from Joy, but he was happy all the same.

It didn’t matter to him whether she liked to talk or not. As long as she was his very own sister, he was happy.

Naomi Shaw had been worrying about what clothes Joy could wear, so she was relieved when Julian Donovan walked in and handed her a bag. She pulled out the contents and saw an adorable, soft pink outfit. Mindful of the injury on Joy’s leg, the matching pants were very loose, and the fabric was so soft it wouldn’t irritate her wound in the slightest.

She adored the outfit. "Where did you get these? They’re so beautiful and so thoughtful!"

Before Julian Donovan could answer, Felix Draper, who had followed him in, rushed over and chimed in, "I know, right? They’re gorgeous, aren’t they, Naomi?"

"Mmm, they’re lovely. Did you buy them?"

Unlike Julian Donovan, Naomi Shaw was unstinting in her praise for the outfit. Felix Draper’s bruised ego was finally soothed. "My Sarah helped pick them out."

"Your Sarah?"

Naomi Shaw wasn’t very familiar with his love life, nor did she know much about Sarah Sutton. All she knew was that Sarah was a highly successful career woman, someone from a completely different world than a plain, ordinary person like herself.

"What do you mean, ’your Sarah’? She’s your ex-wife!"

Julian Donovan couldn’t stand the blissful way Felix was always talking about Sarah Sutton, especially when it was obvious Sarah didn’t give him the time of day. Felix’s temper flared. "Damn it! What right do you have to mock me? Isn’t she your ex-wife, too!"

The moment Felix Draper’s words left his mouth, the entire room fell silent. An awkward expression crossed Naomi Shaw’s face. Julian Donovan’s gaze turned cold enough to kill. Even Dylan frowned in disapproval, glaring at the tactless Felix.

Felix Draper snorted. "Well, you asked for it!"

’After all, Julian was the one who provoked me first.’

Julian Donovan shot him a glare, then turned and walked over to Joy. She called out to him again, shyly, "Daddy..."

"Mmm..."

His heart was still pounding like a drum, but Julian managed to compose himself enough to lean down and kiss her small cheek. Joy immediately scrunched up her face in discomfort. Seeing this, Dylan rushed forward and yanked his father away. "Julian Donovan, get away from her! You just had a cigarette. You reek of smoke, you’re going to choke Joy!"

Julian Donovan was annoyed. He’d finally managed a moment of connection with his daughter, only to be yanked away by his son. But when he saw the uncomfortable look on Joy’s face, he realized Dylan was right. His stubble had probably scratched her, too. He was suddenly at a complete loss.

He truly had no idea how to be gentle with a little girl who seemed as fragile as a porcelain doll.

Dylan pushed him aside, taking his place and leaning in to kiss Joy’s cheek. "Joy, Daddy stinks of smoke, doesn’t he? How about from now on, we work together to make him quit, okay?"

"Dylan Donovan!"

Julian Donovan barked Dylan’s name in frustration. The little rascal really knew how to build an alliance. Forcing him to quit smoking and drinking would be more painful than death. Naomi had never really tried to rein in his habits, and he’d always just ignored Dylan’s previous protests. But if Joy protested... he wouldn’t have the heart to ignore her.

He looked over at Joy, his expression conflicted, only to see her nod seriously at Dylan. "Okay, big brother..."