Daniel squinted, maintaining a contemplative silence for a moment.
Chris furrowed his brow. "Uncle Daniel, Lena and I are puzzled. What should our next move be?"
"Yeah." Lena nodded. "Or perhaps we should consider a different approach. Maybe Maisie isn't connected to the
Newhouses?"
"She definitely is," Daniel asserted firmly, locking eyes with them. "No need to change our approach, but this test
result did catch my attention. Maisie isn't Delilah's daughter, but she might be Wilfred's."
Chris and Lena were visibly surprised.
"Uncle Daniel, have you uncovered something?"
"Not precisely," Daniel replied in a subdued tone. "I recently met Wilfred along with Maisie. It was the second time
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtWilfred encountered Maisie after the banquet. I just sensed that his gaze toward Maisie was noticeably different."
Chris bit his lip. "Um... Was it the gaze of an older man with inappropriate intentions toward a young —?"
Before he could finish his sentence, Lena jabbed him hard!
Daniel didn't mind and chuckled. "You're a man yourself, so why are you still so clueless? A man's gaze when he
desires something from a woman is distinct from Wilfred's gaze."
Chris scratched his head, feeling embarrassed. He was indeed naive in this aspect.
"Alright, let's leave it at that for today." Daniel thanked both of them. "I'll need to contemplate our next steps."
After bidding farewell to the two, Daniel entered the car.
Maisie had been waiting and leaned against him as soon as he got in, softly asking, "Who were you talking to for so
long?"
He teased her, "Guess? Was it another woman?"
Maisie pouted.
Daniel smiled and rested her head against his shoulder. "It was Chris and Lena coming to see me. It's their
anniversary, and they wanted to use my amusement park."
"Oh."
Daniel paused for a moment and spoke softly. "Do you know about Zuko's mother, Cordelia?"
"Of course I do." Maisie chuckled. "When I was in Centrolis, Mrs. Hamerton helped me a lot. I've kept that in mind."
Daniel slowly revealed Cordelia's background.
"My sister mentioned that Cordelia had a difficult life before. The Jenners that raised her for 20 years weren't her
real family. Her true identity was a lost pearl from Southeast Aciatic's Irwins, wandering outside..."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Yeah, I've heard about it. It does sound quite like a fairy tale!"
Daniel looked at her quietly and asked, "If it were you, would you be happy?"
"Huh?" Maisie froze before she smiled after a moment. "You mean suddenly becoming a princess?
How's that possible?! This wouldn't happen to me."
"Just what if?" Daniel smiled. "Like... what if your father's Wilfred?"
Maisie was a bit puzzled but thought seriously for a moment, showing a hint of envy. "That should be a very happy
thing.
"I never had a father growing up, so I can't imagine what it feels like to have one," she said softly. "But I remember
during school open days, when parents were invited to the school for activities, performances, games, and photos, I
used to struggle... Everyone else had their parents there, but I'd just sit in a corner."
Maisie's voice trailed off, and Daniel hugged her, whispering in her ear, "That won't happen again."
Maisie didn't catch his meaning and smiled at him. "What are you saying? There won't be those activities anymore!"
Daniel smiled and remained silent.