Chapter 127: The Right Man for Wendy

Chase resolutely walked forward and, in the quiet after the fireworks, said to a little girl, “Hey sweetie, could you share one of your sparklers with my wife?”

The girl's parents stood nearby, smiling, watching their child learn to share happiness. Residents of this neighborhood were all well-off or influential, generally recognizing one another.

The little girl still held several sparklers. Facing two strangers, she looked confused and blinked. “Did you forget to buy your wife any fireworks?”

Chase crouched, speaking sincerely, “That’s right, I forgot. Would you share just one with us?” He held up one finger. “Just one would be enough!”

Wendy felt embarrassed and tugged at Chase, urging him to leave. The little girl looked back at her parents, who smiled, waiting for her decision. After a moment, the girl handed a sparkler to Wendy.

“If you forgot, then I’ll give one to your wife. Daddy says all girls can have sparklers for Christmas! And your wife is a girl too!”

The kindness of strangers always touched Wendy. She hesitated before Chase gently drew her back to the present. She crouched, took the sparkler, and said sincerely, “Thank you. Your dress is beautiful. You’re the prettiest girl here!”

The girl happily bounced into her parents' arms. “She said I’m pretty!”

“Our little sweetheart is very pretty indeed.”

Wendy’s eyes reddened as she held the sparkler. They found a quiet corner. Others, with parents, relatives, or lovers, were setting off fireworks in the distance.

Chase pulled a lighter from Wendy’s pocket and lit her sparkler. “Paul can’t set off fireworks with you anymore, but I’ll always be here with you.”

The sparkler ignited, tiny bursts of light crackling in the air. The faint smell of smoke drifted around them. Chase noticed the redness in Wendy’s eyes.

He looked at her, her eyes shimmering like fireworks. “I’ll always be with you.”

Wendy sniffled. “Don’t lie to me. Dad lied to me. I just hope you never do.”

When they got home, Wendy reverted to a childlike state, saying to Mandy, “Mom, Chase tricked a sparkler out of a little girl.”

Mandy looked back. Chase stood by the entrance, still holding Wendy’s coat, a lingering smile on his face. Louis emerged from the kitchen.

“Who did he give it to?” Mandy asked.

Wendy said, “Of course he gave it to me! The little girl said only girls can have sparklers!”

Mandy said, “Not many people can make Wendy smile. Chase happens to be the only one. I haven’t seen her smile like this in a long time.” She knew the burden of the Quinn Group had weighed heavily on Wendy, but there was no other choice. She was a widow and had long since stepped back from her position. Stella couldn’t be relied upon. Only Wendy could handle it. “The one who can stay by Wendy’s side has to be Chase.”

Louis nodded, then asked, “And Henry? What’s your plan?”

“At first, I thought we could quietly take care of Henry after he returned to the country. That way, the kids wouldn’t have to worry. But he got to Stella first. Now that the couple has no issues and knows how to handle things together, I won’t interfere.”

Louis glanced back. Wendy and Chase emerged from the bathroom, Wendy playfully smearing water from her hands onto Chase’s face. They looked more like a real couple now, compared to the many times they’d come home separately.

Mandy’s judgment had been sound. Of all the people in the world, the one she chose as her son-in-law was clearly superior to someone like Henry. Louis, who had once considered lending a hand, now saw it as unnecessary.

“Since we don’t need to take any action, then don’t dwell on it. Just enjoy life. With Ms. Quinn and Chase around, the best days are still ahead of you.”

Mandy stood and went upstairs to her husband’s memorial room. Louis stood respectfully as she murmured a few words.

“Wendy’s grown up, but Stella is still young. We’ve spoiled her far too much, which is why she can’t tell right from wrong. She doesn’t show much respect for Chase either. Before, we turned a blind eye to help Wendy keep up appearances. But now, it’s time we did something.” Mandy sighed. “You really had it easy—didn’t have to worry about a thing, left me here to take care of the whole family. And you don’t even feel sorry for me.”