Chapter 676 My Dad is Dead

“This…” Ivy looked at the wound on her palm, smiled sweetly, and said, “It’s okay. Just a small wound. I’m very brave, I won’t cry.”

Elvis’s heart skipped a beat. He knelt, gently taking Ivy’s soft white hand. “Does it hurt?” He blew on the wound, his movements gentle and careful.

Ivy looked at Elvis. The first time she saw him at the airport, she’d wished he were her father. Sophia’s mother often bullied her for not having one. She imagined a father who would hug and protect her and her mother. But she worried this handsome uncle might not like them.

Now, seeing his tender treatment, Ivy’s eyes lit up. He must like her too.

Ivy hissed, “Ouch, it hurts,” her voice as sweet as milk.

Elvis saw her pain, her quiet endurance, and his heart softened. He held her close. “Ivy, it’s okay. You can cry in front of me.”

Really?

Tears welled in Ivy’s big eyes. She sniffed. “Handsome uncle, they scolded me for hitting people!”

Ivy was brave alone, but Elvis’s tall, strong presence made her want to lean on him, so she told him everything.

Elvis’s thin lips pursed, his cold eyes turning to Sophia’s mother. “Is it you and your child who bullied Ivy?”

Sophia’s mother had been captivated by Elvis since his arrival. She’d never seen such a handsome man, sculpted perfection radiating strength and dominance.

Hearing Elvis’s question, Sophia cried, tugging her mother’s sleeve. “Mom, he called you a shrew!”

Sophia’s mother snapped out of her reverie. Recognizing Elvis’s elegant simplicity, she assumed he was Ivy’s mother’s latest partner—a thought that filled her with jealousy. “Sir, who are you? Ivy’s uncle? Don’t let her mother fool you. She has many men. This child is illegitimate. You’re in a position; why raise someone else’s child? Don’t be fooled!” she spat. “And she targets married men! My husband is already…”

Ivy, terrified the uncle would misunderstand, threw her arms around his neck. “Handsome uncle, don’t listen! My mom isn’t like that. I had a dad, but… he’s dead.”

Dead?

Elvis’s beautiful eyes turned cold. He patted Ivy’s head. “Ivy doesn’t have a dad? I’m her dad!”

What?

Sophia’s mother scoffed. “Uncle, don’t be deceived! It’s fine for a man to have a little fun…”

Elvis’s deep laugh cut her off. “My woman would never notice your husband. You’re beneath carrying her shoes!”

Humiliated, Sophia’s mother froze.

Sophia’s father arrived, breathless and grim. He slapped his wife. “What are you doing here? I’m busy, and you still cause trouble at night?”

“Dad, Ivy hit me first!” Sophia cried.

Sophia’s mother, face burning, protested, “Darling, it wasn’t your fault! Ivy hit you! Make her apologize or she’ll be kicked out! You know the principal!”

Just then, Peterson arrived with the principal. Sophia’s mother, overjoyed, feigned injustice. “Principal, we’re acquaintances; we donate! You must help us!”

The principal, sweating, saw Elvis and his wariness deepened. “Sophia’s mother, I checked the surveillance. Your daughter started it. I recommend apologizing to Mr. Augustine. He owns this nursery!”

What?

Sophia’s mother froze. Augustine? The world’s top tycoon? Her eyes fell on the silver button on Elvis’s sleeve—the word “Augustine” glittered.

Oh, God!

Disbelief and fear washed over her. The illegitimate child she’d scorned was Elvis’s daughter!

Peterson warned Sophia’s father, “If your wife and daughter don’t apologize, you won’t stay in Greenland.”

Sophia’s father pinched his wife. “You’ve killed us! Apologize! Offending Mr. Augustine… do you want us all buried with you?!”

Sophia’s mother collapsed, dragging Sophia to apologize to Ivy.