Chapter 240 The Role of a Father
After obtaining Colton’s and Hayden’s hairs, Richard stayed for a few pleasantries and left.
Nicole, too, had no intention of remaining at the Gardner Residence after everything had been completed. Though Anna was friendly to her, Nicole still felt uneasy staying there.
Hence, she left with Hayden in her arms after bidding goodbye to Anna and Colton.
After Nicole left their sight, Anna retracted her gaze. But when she noticed her son staring at Nicole’s departing figure, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Why? You’re now interested in her?”
When he heard that, Colton retracted his gaze as well and nodded without denying it. “Yes.”
That took Anna by surprise. He had been uninterested in women for many years. He had previously rejected every woman Anna had introduced to him, causing her to believe he actually adored men.
“Do you really like Nicole?” she asked again.
This time, he did not answer. Looking at Anna’s smile, he nonchalantly pursed his lips and said, “Mom, stop thinking about it. Just wait for the DNA paternity test result. I have something on in the company, so I’m leaving now.”
“Stop right there! Every time I mention your relationship, you use the same excuse. Are there really that many coincidences?”
Previously, Colton agreed for Queenie to be his fiancée in order to repay her for saving him five years ago, and also to avoid Anna’s constant asking and recommendation of women.
“Mom, Richard has asked me for dinner tonight. It’s getting late and I need to go now.” Seeing that his previous excuse had failed, Colton quickly devised another and left without waiting for Anna’s response.
…
Just as Nicole was bringing Hayden back home, Julia called her halfway.
“Nicole, I’m back in the country. Do you want to have dinner together today?” she asked enthusiastically.
Nicole was fine with that. Hence, she nodded and responded, “Sure. You decide on the location. I’ll be there once I send Hayden home.”
“Deal. I’ll take you to a fun place after dinner. Don’t forget to dress up!” Julia spoke with zeal.
She sensed that the place Julia was referring to was unlikely to be decent, but she agreed nonetheless. “Okay.”
After Nicole hung up the phone, Hayden exclaimed, “You’re no longer bringing me out to play, Mom!”
Nicole laughed at that. She tilted her head to look at him, saying, “I’ll bring you out another day. Just not today.”
Hayden did not pursue this further as he sat on the seat. With his head bowed, he fiddled with his fingers and swung his short legs before saying after a while, “Mom, I am the son of Mr. Handsome and you. We don’t need the DNA paternity test.”
When Nicole heard that, her heart sank. It turned out that Hayden knew everything.
He noticed the change in Nicole’s expression and went on, “I do resemble Mr. Handsome. Though I prefer Mr. Yates, if you cannot accept him, Mr. Handsome is also acceptable.”
According to the child’s observations these few days, Colton would assist Nicole in a lot of things and was a reliable man despite being a little standoffish.
Hayden did not want his mother to suffer alone anymore. Many things would be made easier for her if he had a reliable father.
But of course, Nicole was unaware of Hayden’s thoughts. She simply assumed her son liked Colton, and she smiled as she said, “Hayden, if Colton is really your father, I won’t stop you from acknowledging him. But everything has to be proven first.”
If Hayden’s father was Joseph, the playboy, she was reluctant for Hayden to acknowledge him. However, if Colton was Hayden’s father, she would not prevent them from doing so.
Though Colton was sometimes arrogant, his personality was acceptable, and he was more than qualified to be Hayden’s father.
Of course, it had to be proven first that the duo was related by blood.
