Chapter 1217

When the couple and their son arrived home, they found Mike Corden's black Volkswagen Atlas parked in the compound. Their company had arrived.

"Mr. Corden is always punctual, isn't he?" Lily chuckled, noticing the car.

Alexander carried Galen from the car, then offered Lily his hand. "Of course he is," he said, a note of displeasure in his voice. "He's after something of ours."

"Aren't business deals supposed to benefit both sides?" Lily murmured.

Over the past six months, Mike Corden had become a frequent visitor, seemingly spending considerable time in the country. While his primary business remained overseas, his presence in Hyderland had increased significantly. Alexander suspected Mike was gradually relocating his operations. However, he'd lowered his guard when Corden showed no signs of doing so, instead forming a long-term partnership with Lily's studio by placing a substantial order. Furthermore, since Galen's birth, the two families had grown closer, with Galen and Nick Corden often playing together.

Alexander lowered his gaze to Lily's slightly swollen abdomen. "You know I wasn't talking about that."

Lily found Alexander both amusing and ridiculous. She patted her belly and shot him a look.

Before Alexander could respond, Mike's voice cut through the air. "Aren't you being a bit overprotective? She's not even born yet!"

"Yet you keep thinking about her, knowing so!" Alexander turned and glared at Mike.

It had all begun when Mike, after a few drinks, jokingly suggested a marriage between their families.

Alexander, not taking it seriously, laughed it off, pointing out they both only had sons. However, Mike casually gestured towards Lily, who was drinking tea, suggesting the marriage could be possible if one of her twins were a girl.

It was a joke, but Alexander's amusement quickly soured. "How could I marry off my precious daughter because of some joke?"

Mike hadn't expected such a seasoned businessman to remain upset over a simple jest for so long. He believed his family and son would be a good match for the Russells.

"Can't I even think of her?" Mike mused.

"No, you can't!" Alexander, holding his son and gripping Lily's hand tightly, strode past Mike without a backward glance. He was starting to wonder if he should limit his interactions with the man, lest he "kidnap" his precious daughter. Lily was speechless.

'They're both influential businessmen, yet they're fussing over a child whose gender they don't even know. How childish!' she thought.

After the three entered the house, Lily realized Nick was absent. She assumed he was playing inside.

"Nick? Nick!"

Galen wriggled, climbed off Alexander, and toddled off to search for Nick. "Where's Nicky?" Lily asked curiously.

"I didn't bring him," Mike said casually. "School's about to start, and he has a lot of homework. I couldn't let him play too much."

"You're right," Alexander said, taking a hot towel from the housekeeper and testing its temperature before wiping Lily's hands. He snorted, "The world has become so competitive. It doesn't hurt for boys to work harder."

Mike nodded thoughtfully. "Are you saying you'll give Nick a chance if he works hard?"