After dinner, I headed back to my bedroom. Spending the afternoon playing, running around, and shopping with Daisy had drained every drop of my energy. The moment my head hit the plush pillows, a wave of heavy exhaustion washed over me. I set the air conditioning to a comfortable 22°C and drifted into a deep sleep almost instantly.
A little while later, Seraphina and Sophia stepped softly into the room. Seeing me fast asleep, gentle smiles touched their lips. They tiptoed over, slid under the covers, and settled down on either side of me, resting peacefully through the night.
When morning came, light filtered through the heavy drapes. I opened my eyes to find Seraphina and Clara resting quietly near me.
"Time to wake up, lazybones," I murmured softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from Clara’s cheek. "It’s already eight o’clock. We’ve got a busy day ahead."
Both of them stirred with sleepy smiles before stretching and heading off to their respective rooms to get ready.
Half an hour later, we gathered around the long dining table. Daisy was already buckled into her high chair next to my seat at the head of the table, swinging her little legs back and forth.
"Are you excited, princess?" I smiled, tapping her nose gently. "Today is your very first day of kindergarten!"
Daisy grinned brightly, her eyes shining. "Yes! I’m super happy! But... are you coming to drop me off too, Uncle Julian?"
I looked over at Sophia, who was buttering a piece of toast. "How were you planning on taking her to school?"
"I was just going to hail a quick rideshare," Sophia replied casually.
"No need for that," I waved my hand. "We’ll take the Aurelius Z3, and I’m coming with you. Drop-off is at 9:15, right? We still have plenty of time. Let’s finish breakfast first."
Ten minutes later, breakfast wrapped up. I stood up and pulled Clara into a quick, warm embrace, kissing her lips softly. "Take care of business today, love. Remember, there’s a special task waiting on your desk at Cosmos Group."
Clara smiled warmly, leaning into the kiss. "I haven’t forgotten. I’m heading out now!"
I waved goodbye as her car pulled out of the courtyard.
Seraphina smoothed down her outfit. "I’m heading over to the villa’s security management office to double-check the new surveillance updates."
"Sounds good, go ahead," I nodded.
With everything set, Sophia, Daisy, and I stepped into the back of the Aurelius Z3. The driver closed the door, slid into the front seat, and smoothly navigated out of the estate gates.
Twenty minutes later, the executive limousine pulled up outside Metro City’s most prestigious private kindergarten.
After helping Daisy settle into her new classroom with her tiny backpack, Sophia and I walked over to the administration building to meet with the principal.
Inside the sprawling, polished office, the principal sat behind a heavy oak desk. I took a seat across from him, resting one leg over the other, while Sophia sat gracefully beside me.
"I assume you know who I am," I said calmly, crossing my hands. "My secretary should have already sent over our file and identification documents."
The principal blinked, looking somewhat bewildered as he looked between the two of us. "Ah... my apologies, sir. I didn’t quite catch your name from the staff report..."
I tilted my head, my gaze turning cold and sharp. "So you don’t recognize me... which means you probably don’t remember who Daisy is, either. I was originally planning on donating ten million Stardollars to your expansion foundation, but it seems that won’t be necessary."
The principal’s face went pale instantly. He stood up so fast his leather chair scraped loudly against the floor. "Wait! Mr. Vance! Please forgive my ignorance! Of course I remember young Lady Daisy! I was just... taken aback by your presence!"
"Is that so?" I leaned back, a faint, cold smile playing on my lips. "Then you remember now. Here is a bank draft for ten million Stardollars. But mark my words—if my little girl faces even the slightest hint of trouble, mistreatment, or negligence at this institution, I will ensure this school ceases to exist by nightfall."
Cold sweat broke out across the principal’s forehead. He bowed deeply, his hands trembling slightly as he accepted the document. "Under no circumstances, Mr. Vance! You have my personal guarantee! Young Lady Daisy will receive the utmost care and absolute protection!"
"I’m not worried about her physical safety," I added smoothly. "My shadow security team is watching over her every second. It’s your standing you should care about. As long as Daisy is happy here, your school will receive a ten-million-Stardollar grant every single year until she graduates."
The principal wiped his brow, bowing repeatedly. "Thank you for your incredible generosity, Mr. Vance! Leave everything to me!"
Leaving the administrative office, Sophia and I stepped back into the quiet comfort of the Aurelius Z3.
As the car glided smoothly onto the main road, I reached forward and pressed the control panel, sliding up the heavy, soundproof privacy glass between us and the driver.
I turned my body slightly toward Sophia, looking at her mature, refined side profile. "So... shall we pick up where we left off last night?"
Sophia turned her head, her deep, intelligent eyes studying my face. "Are you truly sure you want to drag yourself into my messy life, Julian? It’s full of heavy responsibilities, a child, and past baggage... or are you simply after my looks?"
I couldn’t help but burst into a soft, genuine laugh.
"Sophia, look at me," I said, leaning in slightly, my voice warm and steady. "If I were only after looks, do you really think a man with my wealth and position would ever lack stunning women? If physical attraction was all I cared about, I already have Clara and Seraphina, who are breathtaking in every way. Why would I pursue you?"
Sophia remained quiet, listening intently.
"I love Clara and Seraphina with all my heart," I continued, my gaze earnest. "And with you... call it affection, protectiveness, or something deeper... I know what I feel. I want to step into your life and bear those responsibilities with you. So, what do you say?"
A faint, tender expression flickered in Sophia’s eyes before she regained her composure. "Is that so? Then why don’t you prove it? Show me your sincerity first, and let’s see if you can truly move my heart."
"Of course, sweetheart," I smirked playfully. "Just sit back and wait to fall into my arms."
Sophia studied my face, her voice dropping into a gentle, serious tone. "But... you do remember my conditions, right?"
"Naturally," I murmured softly.
Before she could react, I leaned in close, closing the distance between us. My lips lingered just inches from the shell of her ear, my warm breath brushing against the delicate skin of her neck.
"I don’t mind your conditions at all," I whispered softly, a playful edge to my tone. "But if you ever happen to change your mind about having more children in the future... I’m always available."
Sophia’s cheeks flushed a delicate shade of crimson. She pushed my shoulder playfully, though there was no real force behind it. "You really are a shameless playboy, aren’t you?"
"Sweetheart, I have strict standards for the women I let into my life," I laughed softly, sitting back. "When I commit, it’s for a lifetime. A real playboy wouldn’t build a home for you and your daughter. Though... if you enjoy that kind of playful banter, we can always explore it when we’re alone tomorrow after Daisy goes to school."
Sophia let out a soft sigh, a gentle, helpless smile playing on her lips. "Win me over first. Then we’ll talk about tomorrow."
Before I could tease her further, the limousine gently slowed to a halt. The driver tapped lightly on the partition glass, signaling that we had arrived back at Grandview Villa.
Stepping into the main foyer, we found Seraphina sitting gracefully on the grand living room sofa, flipping through a tablet.
Sophia smoothed down her skirt. "I’ll head to the kitchen to make sure the chefs are following the strict dietary charts I prepared for Mr. Lin, and then check on his nurses."
"Perfect," I smiled, looking at her with a gentle gaze. "Go handle your work. But be ready for tomorrow—I have a surprise waiting for you."
Sophia shot me a curious look before heading toward the East Wing.
I walked over to the sofa and sat down beside Seraphina, wrapping an arm around her waist. "You’re looking particularly gorgeous today, love."
Seraphina blushed, leaning her head against my chest. "Why are you suddenly being so sweet? Is there something on your mind?"
I scooped her up into my arms in one smooth motion, standing up. "Let’s go do some ’hard work’ upstairs."
Seraphina gasped playfully, burying her face in my shoulder as I carried her up to the master suite.
Inside, I set her down gently on the plush king-sized bed, locked the grand double doors, and drew the heavy blackout curtains, blocking out the bright afternoon sun. In the dim, intimate warmth of the room, time seemed to stand still as two hours slipped away in each other’s arms.
Afterward, Seraphina lay resting against my chest, her skin glowing, completely spent.
I traced soft circles on her shoulder, a satisfied smile on my face. "How was it, love?"
"It was wonderful, darling... but I’m completely exhausted," she murmured weakly, resting her palm over my heart. "Where do you get all this energy today?"
"I have a very important matter to settle tonight," I chuckled, kissing her forehead. "I’ll be stepping out around 7:30 PM. Just thinking about taking care of business gets my blood pumping."
Seraphina raised her head slightly, pressing a soft kiss against my lips. "Alright... just promise to be careful. Let me rest for half an hour first..."
"Rest up, my queen," I whispered softly, holding her close as she drifted into a contented nap.