"Then what were you doing at the time?" 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Quinn’s hand froze midway through wiping her tears. A moment later, she slowly lifted her head to meet Dylan’s gaze.

His dark eyes were cold and heavy, carrying a pressure that made her spine turn icy.

"Robin has never been a mischievous child," Dylan said, his voice frigid. "Quinn, I hope you haven’t forgotten what you promised me back then."

Quinn’s expression changed instantly.

"Dylan, don’t worry—I remember everything I promised you." She frowned anxiously, her voice rushing out in panic. "I know today was my fault. I failed to take care of Robin properly. Melissa was cooking in the kitchen, and Robin and I were having snacks in the yard. Halfway through, I got a call from the company. It was work-related, and I got too absorbed in the conversation. I didn’t notice Robin taking the fruit knife from the table by himself..."

Her eyes reddened further as tears streamed down her cheeks. "I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean for this to happen..."

Lowering her head, she covered her face and began sobbing in self-reproach.

Dylan simply looked at her. Those dark eyes of his remained utterly unmoved.

"If the company is keeping you that busy," he said at last, "then I’ll have Oliver hire another childcare specialist."

"A childcare specialist?"

Quinn looked up sharply, tears still clinging to her lashes as shock filled her face.

"Dylan, I know I was wrong this time, but Robin has called me ’Mom’ for five years. I’ve truly treated him like my own son." Her voice trembled desperately. "Please... don’t separate us, okay?"

Dylan’s expression remained unchanged.

"Robin is older now. He needs someone more serious." His tone was calm, but unyielding. "I’ve seen everything you’ve done for him these past five years. Don’t worry—even if there’s a childcare specialist, you’ll still be his mother in Robin’s heart."

"But—"

"I’ve already made my decision." His voice dropped, cold and final. "If the company is busy, then return to work for now. I’ll take care of Robin these next few days."

Without giving her another chance to argue, Dylan turned and walked away with the sleeping child in his arms.

Quinn remained standing there, staring blankly at the man’s tall figure as it disappeared farther and farther down the corridor.

Slowly, the hands hanging at her sides clenched tightly.

She lifted a hand and wiped away her tears, but the softness in her eyes was gone, replaced entirely by bitterness and resentment.

For five years, she had calculated every step carefully. She had exhausted herself scheming, suppressing her temper, patiently playing the role of the gentle, virtuous woman.

And now, when she was finally so close to getting everything she wanted, she absolutely could not afford a single mistake.

If Dylan cared about Robin this much... Then she would make Elise hate that child down to her bones.

***

Dylan brought Robin back to his own villa.

On the drive home, he had already called Mrs. Lander and instructed her to prepare porridge along with several light dishes.

It was the first time since Elise had left home that Dylan had personally called to ask for dinner to be prepared.

Mrs. Lander immediately assumed he must have coaxed Mrs. Bennett back home, that the couple had reconciled and were returning together like before.

The thought alone brightened her mood considerably.

She hurried excitedly into the kitchen and began pulling ingredients from the refrigerator.

Twenty minutes later, the black Maybach rolled into the courtyard of the residence.

Dylan stepped out carrying the still-sleeping Robin in his arms.

Oliver still had other matters to handle, so after dropping them off, he turned the car around and drove away.

Hearing the sound of the car, Mrs. Lander immediately came out to greet them.

"Sir, Madam, welco—" Her voice stopped abruptly.

She stared at Dylan holding a child, the smile on her face slowly stiffening before fading entirely.

Somewhat awkwardly, she asked, "Sir... this child is...?"

Robin’s head rested against Dylan’s shoulder, his face turned away, so Mrs. Lander couldn’t see him clearly.

But judging by his size, the child looked at least four or five years old.

"This is Robin," Dylan said evenly, his tone as casual as if discussing the weather. "The child Elise and I adopted."

Mrs. Lander was so stunned she nearly forgot how to speak.

The child Mr. and Mrs. Bennett adopted? When had that happened?

She had worked at their house for six years and was absolutely certain she had never once heard about an adopted son.

Dylan, however, paid no attention to her reaction.

His gaze shifted calmly toward the kitchen. "Is the porridge ready?"

"Yes, yes!" Mrs. Lander snapped back to her senses and nodded quickly. "It’s plain rice porridge. It’ll be done in another ten minutes."

Dylan gave a faint nod.

"Clean up the children’s room. Robin will be staying here for the next few days."

"The children’s room..."

Mrs. Lander’s expression turned awkward.

"Sir, did you forget? A few months ago, Madam asked us to clear it out. The room’s empty now—even the bed was removed."

Dylan paused slightly.

At her reminder, he suddenly remembered––there really had been such a thing.

And only at that moment did he vaguely realize just how determined Elise had been back then... to try for another child with him again.

That children’s room had once been personally decorated by Elise herself. Everything inside had been prepared for the twins she and Dylan had lost.

After the deaths of the babies, Elise had spent countless hours there alone. During those five years, the children’s room was where she stayed the most.

Dylan stopped outside the door, shifting Robin carefully in his arms so he could free one hand to grip the doorknob.

He twisted it, but it wouldn’t budge.

Locked...

A faint crease formed between Dylan’s brows. For no clear reason, an inexplicable heaviness settled over his chest.

At that moment, the child resting against his shoulder stirred slightly.

Dylan came back to himself and withdrew his hand from the doorknob. Gently patting the boy’s back, he lowered his voice.

"You’re awake?"

Robin lifted his head groggily, still dazed from sleep.

Instinctively, he raised a hand to rub his eyes, only to notice the thick white bandages wrapped around his injured hand.

He froze. Then his little mouth crumpled, and his eyes instantly reddened again.

"Daddy... my hand hurts so much."

Dylan patiently soothed him.

"You are a brave little man, aren’t you? Be strong. It’ll heal in a few days, okay?"

Robin nodded obediently.

"Daddy, don’t blame Mommy. Mommy didn’t want me to get hurt either."

At those words, Dylan fell silent for a moment. Looking at the child’s small face, he lowered his voice further.

"Then tell Daddy the truth. How exactly did you get hurt?"

"I saw a man in a video using a fruit knife to peel an apple really well," Robin explained softly. "I wanted to learn too."

Dylan frowned. "What video?"

"On Mommy’s tablet."

Hearing that, Dylan didn’t think much of it.

Apps nowadays were flooded with all kinds of short videos, and children naturally liked to imitate what they saw. It wasn’t unusual.

He gently ruffled the boy’s hair.

"Got it. Daddy won’t blame Mommy. But you have to remember this—knives are dangerous. You can’t touch them again in the future."

"I will remember now!" Robin nodded earnestly. "Daddy can rest assured!"

A faint softness entered Dylan’s eyes.

"Should Daddy take you downstairs to eat?"

"Okay!"

...

When they reached the first floor, Mrs. Lander finally got a clear look at Robin’s face and nearly went numb from shock.

Adopted? Who would possibly believe that? The child looked almost identical to Dylan.

Combined with Elise suddenly leaving home these past days, Mrs. Lander instantly pieced everything together in her mind.

Dylan had secretly had an illegitimate child outside the marriage. And now he was disguising the child as an adopted son...

No wonder Madam had been so devastated that she left home.

Quietly, Mrs. Lander felt a pang of sympathy for Elise. And deep down, she thought Elise deserved far better than this.

But no matter what she thought privately, she was still only a housekeeper. Outwardly, she continued serving Dylan and the child respectfully.

After ladling out the porridge to cool, she turned and hurried back into the kitchen to finish the dishes.

Dylan carried Robin to the dining table and carefully set him down in a chair before taking the seat beside him.

The little boy’s wide eyes wandered curiously around the unfamiliar surroundings before turning back to Dylan.

"Daddy, where is this place?"

"This is Daddy’s home," Dylan answered gently, his deep voice unusually soft. "And it’s your home too."

"Huh?" Robin blinked in confusion.

"Then... is this Mommy’s home too?"

Dylan paused. Looking at the innocent face before him, his lips pressed together slightly.

Just as he was about to answer, the phone in his pocket vibrated.

It was Oliver.

"Sir," he said gravely from the other end, "we found something on Madam’s side... something extremely unfavorable to Miss Foster."