The Ashton brothers and their families had never seen that side of Michael before.
In truth, Michael had a benevolent side as well, just not toward them.
Michael's grandchildren seldom had the courage to spend time with him alone since they were
children. Everyone was terrified of him, let alone acting coy in front of him and seeking a hug.
Now, they watched enviously while he held Juliette in his arms and sent her home.
Christina couldn't help but complain to Francine, “Francine, look at how Old Mr. Ashton dotes on Gwen.
He adores her children so much. I'm afraid things may be different in the Ashton family soon.”
“But this is fine, no? Otherwise, the smugger Candace is, the harder our lives are going to be,”
Francine replied with a grin.
A cold sneer crept onto Francine's face as she glared at Candace. The latter seemed glum as if she
was upset.
Seeing that Candace was unhappy, Francine and Christina felt a lot better.
Throughout all these years, Francine and Christina had been suppressed by this woman who married
into the family after being a mistress. They dared not speak much and had to obey the woman's orders.
They approached Candace and asked, “Are you okay, Candace?”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtUpon hearing that, Candace finally withdrew her gaze and glanced over the two women, only to see a
gleam of derision in their eyes.
She pursed her lips while her attitude remained arrogant. “What an ungrateful little girl, just like her
mother. If it wasn't for me, she would've been bitten by the bug and might even get a fatal infection! Not
only did she not thank me, but she also complained to Michael about me. Such an annoying child.”
That said, she turned around and went upstairs.
After Francine and Christina exchanged glances, they laughed out loud.
If Candace were as nice as she claims, nothing bad would have happened to Gwen, and she would not
be living away from her family now. Candace bullied and neglected Gwen, and it was only then that
Gwen...
At that thought, Francine and Christina stopped mulling.
The children's biological father had already acknowledged the children before all. Therefore, they
should also refrain from badmouthing Gwendolyn.
They followed Michael to walk Gwendolyn and the others back to the car.
Right before the door was shut, Michael said smilingly, “Remember to visit me often, Gwen.”
Sitting in the car, Zayden tilted his head sideways to face the window before waving his hand.
The car slowly drove away from the Ashton residence and headed toward the entrance.
Suddenly, a sense of disappointment welled up in Michael's heart, for he felt like Gwendolyn was the
closest to him in this family. When she was with him back then, he felt like he had a dear family
member by his side, and his loneliness grew over the years she was absent.
When Gwendolyn and her family arrived that night, Michael's heart swelled with warmth and joy.
Now that she had left with her family, he felt extremely dispirited as if his heart was emptied.
Seeing that, Zachary walked over to Michael and asked worriedly, “Dad, you don't look so good. Are
you unwell?”
Michael merely raked a glimpse over Zachary. When he recalled how his son had screwed up back
then, he felt extremely remorseful and gave the latter a slap. “Keep an eye on your wife and daughter.
Make sure they stop causing any trouble.”
Although Michael had little interest in what was going on in the family at the time, he was aware of
everything that was going on.
Although Michael had little interest in what was going on in the family at the time, he was aware of
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmeverything that was going on.
Candace and Felicia were known to bully Gwendolyn.
Back then, Michael assumed everything would be fine if he protected Gwendolyn. No one would've
predicted that she was still met with a mishap in the end.
Now that she brought her three children back to the Ashton residence, he would continue keeping them
out of harm's way and never let her get hurt again.
He would finally rest assured and die content after Gwendolyn get married into the Surrington family,
for Zayden would be there to defend her by then.
Michael entered the house after saying that.
Confused, Zachary froze in place. What does Dad mean?
When he returned to his bedroom, he saw Candace had already taken a shower. She was applying a
facial mask while dressed in a red silk nightgown.
As Zachary loosened his tie, he inquired, “Did you and Fel do anything outrageous today? Dad called
you two out.”
Candace turned around at that precise moment. She had hand cream on her hands and was
massaging them in a circular motion. “What outrageous things could we have done? That old man is
simply biased. He hadn't considered how Fel had built a reputation for the Ashton family. Isn't he aware
of how many guests, whom we were unable to invite previously, attended the banquet today?”