Chapter 177: Chapter 177: This Saturday, We Made Plans to Hang Out Together
Ivana Monroe sat in the back seat, silent. Hearing the name "President Kane" now stirred complex, restless emotions within her.
Today, Leon’s mother and Kiki Jennings caused a scene at her company. She even brought out a baseball bat, giving Kiki and Leon’s mother a fierce comeuppance. They were bound to exaggerate this incident when complaining to Leon Keane.
The first meeting with Leon’s mother turned out like this—mending their relationship was nearly impossible. The best option now was to completely cut ties with Leon Keane.
Ivana clutched her chest, her eyes vacant. Why did she feel heartache again? It was more intense than ever before.
"Ivana, are you okay?" Derrick Stern didn’t wait for Ivana’s answer. Looking through the rearview mirror, he saw her head down and hand clutching her chest as if in pain. His smile faded and he asked with concern.
Ivana seemed not to have heard.
Derrick became anxious, "How about I take you to the hospital for a check-up?"
Just as Derrick prepared to turn the car around, Ivana slowly raised her face, lowering her hand from her chest.
"I’m fine, no need for the hospital, just felt a bit carsick earlier."
Ivana’s complexion wasn’t good; it resembled symptoms of carsickness. Yet, Derrick began to doubt. He had driven Ivana several times before and didn’t recall her ever being carsick!
People who get carsick typically always experience it, right?
Derrick had no carsickness medicine in the car, so he opened the rear automatic window: "Fresh air helps a lot. If you can’t bear it, just tell me, I’ll pull over for a bit."
Despite his suspicions, Derrick chose to trust Ivana.
Ivana whispered "Mm," feeling the coolness of autumn wind on her face. Although chilly, it brought comfort; only with cool breezes brushing against her could she remain exceptionally clear-headed.
She and Leon Keane were people from completely different worlds. There was no chance between them now, even less than before. She was no longer at an age where she’d throw caution to the wind for love. She had Timmy now; even if not for herself, she must think of Timmy, ensuring no one bullies him.
Leon’s mother could bully her, but she absolutely couldn’t bully Timmy.
She wouldn’t give Leon’s mother the chance.
Understanding this drove Ivana to cement her resolve even amidst heartache.
"Hmm?" Ivana looked puzzled at the driver’s seat. What had Derrick said earlier? She hadn’t heard clearly.
Derrick repeated, "Secretary Sullivan asked me to thank you on her behalf."
Ivana echoed "Huh?", confused as to why Derrick suddenly brought up Secretary Sullivan. She wasn’t adept at such leaps in conversation. Why was the secretary thanking her?
Through the rearview mirror, Derrick saw Ivana’s cute, bewildered expression and chuckled. Their future president’s wife, not only was she beautiful and kind-hearted, she did good deeds only to forget them.
She truly was a living Thunder!
Derrick clarified Ivana’s confusion, "Secretary Sullivan has been transferred back to President Kane’s side these past few days."
Ivana had an epiphany. So that’s what it was about. She smiled and said, "That has nothing to do with me. It was her own capability that earned her the position. Leon Keane brought her back to work alongside him."
Ivana did good deeds without seeking recognition, even deliberately downplaying them, attributing success to Secretary Sullivan herself.
Derrick remained silent, feeling further admiration for Ivana. Had it not been for President Kane directly telling him, "Next time there’s a position transfer, dare to bother Ivana again and you’ll be completely out of the company," he would have truly believed it was Secretary Sullivan’s own merit accruing the transfer.
Wellbright Kindergarten’s entrance.
Two identical-looking little boys walked out side by side. When Ian Keane saw Derrick, his little brows furrowed in displeasure.
"Ian, Timmy."
Ivana saw the two little boys and her face bloomed with a smile, reaching out to touch Timmy’s head. Seeing Ian Keane’s gaze on her hand, she was surprised at his expression. Did Ian want her to pat his head too?
Ivana tentatively extended her hand, Ian held his head upright, noticeably enjoying Ivana’s pat.
After patting a couple of times, Ivana withdrew her hand, hearing Ian say, "This Saturday, me and Timmy have agreed to play together. Are you bringing Timmy to my house, or should I come to yours?"
Ian looked up again, his handsome little face earnest.
Although the child hadn’t called her "Auntie," observing his face identical to Timmy’s, she adored him deeply from the heart, feeling his lack of address wasn’t an impolite gesture.
Ivana didn’t know how to respond to Ian’s question.
Previously, it didn’t matter whose house it was. But now, Leon’s mother had deep objections to her, and she wasn’t able to go to the Kane family’s old residence. Ian Keane wanting to come to her home might also be challenging.
"You don’t want me to go to your house to play with Timmy?" Ian’s perceptibility was keen; he noticed Ivana’s hesitation.
The little boy suddenly felt a deep sense of loss. No one knew the courage it took him to make this decision, first arranging with Timmy and then daring to propose it to Ivana.
"If you don’t want to, never mind." Ian lowered his head, humph quietly. He was not her biological son. Her eyes were filled only with Timmy. What was he even hoping for?
Ian felt awful, to the point of wanting to cry, but he didn’t. Even with reddened eyes, he forced the tears back. Having already embarrassed himself once, he didn’t want to do so again in front of Ivana.
Appearing like a helpless child who cries when denied candy.
Seeing his brother like this, Timmy Monroe panicked.
"Mommy, I want to play with Ian. If you’re busy, you can send me to Ian’s home to play with him. Timmy promises to be well-behaved at his house."
Derrick was astonished, surprised that Ian Keane proactively wanted to get close to Ivana. Being an adult, he was all too aware of Ian’s temperament. Why did Ian want to do this? Derrick could almost see through it at a glance.
Ian wasn’t the type of child who enjoyed playing. At school, he could be with Timmy almost daily. If not to be closer to Ivana, Ian wouldn’t have actively proposed going to her house to play with Timmy.
Derrick actually knew that Leon’s mother didn’t like Ivana. Whatever decision Ivana made now was deeply difficult, severely speaking; Ivana simply couldn’t make any good decision.
But acting this way would hurt Ian’s feelings.
Derrick heard Timmy’s angelic voice, cleverly explaining Ivana’s dilemma without leaving a trace. It almost made him want to give Timmy a thumbs-up.
This child was overly astute. If Leon’s mother knew Timmy was her biological grandson, she’d love him dearly. Her usual indulgence in Ian was obvious, displaying just how much she adored her grandson.