Chapter 3

Jade's POV

The water park was a new project invested in by Carter Corporation this year. It hadn't officially opened to the public yet-this team-building event was essentially an internal trial run.

On departure day, the sky was somewhat overcast.

Mason gripped my hand tightly. Before we even entered the gates, his little face had already turned pale.

"Mommy, I don't want to go in... Water is scary."

I crouched down, adjusting his collar, my voice gentle and soothing.

"Don't be afraid. Mommy will stay with you the whole time. We'll just sit on the shore and won't go in the water."

Only then did Mason reluctantly nod, shrinking behind me like a frightened little quail.

As soon as we entered the park, I saw Damien surrounded by a group of executives and employees.

He wore a white casual T-shirt today, looking young and handsome.

Standing beside him, Clara wore a bright yellow bikini with a transparent sun protection jacket over it. Her figure was on full display as she clung intimately to Damien's arm, laughing happily.

Anyone who didn't know better would think they were the married couple.

"Mr. Carter, your assistant is here." Someone with sharp eyes spotted me.

Everyone's gaze immediately converged.

Damien turned around. Seeing Mason hiding behind me, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Since you're here, find somewhere to stay. Don't wander around."

His tone was cold and distant, as if he really were speaking to an unfamiliar relative.

A new administrative supervisor nearby asked curiously.

"Mr. Carter, who's this child? He actually looks a bit like you, especially around the eyes and brows."

My heart jumped.

Mason did resemble Damien. This used to be what I was most proud of.

The air went quiet for a moment.

Damien seemed to hear a joke and scoffed, then spoke carelessly.

"How could he look like me? He's her nephew."

He pointed at me, then at Mason, his eyes carrying a trace of disdain.

"No one at home to watch him, so he's staying at my place temporarily. After all, we're relatives-I help where I can."

Sounds of sudden understanding immediately rose around us.

"Oh, so he's a relative staying temporarily. Mr. Carter is so kindhearted."

"Exactly. Jade is really lucky to have Mr. Carter as both boss and relative."

The administrative supervisor quickly backtracked too.

"Looking more carefully, he really doesn't look like you. This child seems a bit timid-nothing like Mr. Carter's presence."

I felt Mason's body behind me stiffen sharply.

Though he was only six, he wasn't stupid.

He slowly peeked out from behind me, looking at that tall man surrounded by the crowd, his eyes gradually reddening.

He asked me in a small voice.

"Mommy, why did daddy say I'm his nephew? What's a nephew?"

My heart felt like someone had wrung it violently.

I covered his ears, forcing back tears as I whispered.

"Daddy's just joking with other people. Mason, be good. Don't listen."

Mason sniffled and buried his head against my leg, refusing to look at Damien again.

"All right everyone, go have fun! Everything's on me today!"

Damien waved his hand grandly, and the crowd cheered and dispersed.

Clara pulled Damien toward the largest wave pool.

"Mr. Carter, I want to play that one! Will you protect me?"

Damien nodded indulgently.

"Sure, whatever you want."

They walked away with laughter and chatter. Not a single person noticed me and Mason in the corner.

I took Mason to find a lounge chair away from the crowds.

It was quiet here. We could only hear distant screams from the wave pool.

Mason hugged his knees, staring blankly at the distant water.

"Mommy, I don't like this place."

"Okay, we'll sit for a bit then leave."

I was just about to take Mason away from this place of trouble when Damien suddenly appeared before us.

He was soaking wet, clearly just out of the water, holding two ice cream cones.

"Here."

He held out the ice cream.

I froze, about to refuse, when he added.

"Clara bought too many and can't finish them. Waste to throw them away. Give them to the kid."

Leftovers again.

Mason looked at the melting ice cream and shook his head.

"I don't want it."

Damien's expression darkened.

"Why are you so rude? I'm giving you something and you're picky?"

"Mason's cough hasn't fully recovered. He can't have cold things."

I coldly blocked it for the child.

"And these are someone else's leftovers. We don't want them."

Having his face rejected, Damien grew somewhat angry.

"Jade Wilson, is this how you teach a child? No manners at all."

Just then, Clara's voice called out from the distance.

"Mr. Carter! Come quick! The slide over here is so thrilling!"

She stood at the edge of the deep water area, waving excitedly.

Damien's expression changed completely. He responded and turned to leave.

Before leaving, as if remembering something, he pointed to the nearby shallow children's pool.

"Since you're here, take him in to play. Stop letting him hide on shore like a girl."

With that, he strode toward Clara.