Watson Castle, inside the bedroom.
Linda twirled around in her pretty dress, tossing Adam's toys across the room like a fairy scattering petals, quickly covering the floor with a mess.
With every toss, she lifted her skirt and spun gleefully in place.
Adam was fuming. He pointed at Linda and shouted, "Why are you doing this?"
Linda batted her large eyes, replying with smug arrogance, "Because I like to."
Adam laughed in disbelief. "Just because you like it, you think you can do whatever you want? What are you, the queen? No, even a queen can't behave like this. Listen up, messing with me comes with serious consequences. Got it?"
Linda spun again, clearly unfazed, and giggled mockingly. "So what if I did? What can you do to me?"
In the past, she was always the one bullying Dean. He never dared touch her. He only responded with cold indifference. Besides, Mommy always took her side.
Adam clenched his teeth, cheeks flushed with anger. He finally saw through the little tyrant's tricks.
Yesterday, he had called Hilary and asked her to bring Dean home from Aude Animation City. From Hilary, he learned that Dean had run away after being slapped by a girl named Linda.
Hmph, little bully.
I'm not Dean. Let's see how long your arrogance lasts.
"Linda," Adam commanded, "I'm ordering you to pick up all these toys and put them back where they belong."
He started counting, "One, two, three…"
Linda shrugged, looking at him with disdain. "Cut the act. When Mommy gets back, you're toast."
Before she could finish, Adam darted at her like a ghost, tackling her onto the bed. He raised his chubby hand and smacked her bottom hard. "That's for bullying people and throwing my toys. Let's see if you dare do it again!"
"Ow! That hurts!" Linda howled, bursting into tears, flailing her arms as she sobbed breathlessly.
Outside the door, the housekeeper and maids panicked.
"What's going on? Get the mechanical key, now!"
Soon, Gilbert Watson's deep and commanding voice echoed from outside the room.
Adam froze. Oh no, the villainous dad is back!
His wide eyes darted about, then he suddenly flopped onto the floor, wailing and rolling around.
The door swung open. Gilbert stormed in, his imposing figure bringing in a chill.
Inside the room, toys were scattered everywhere. One little kid was lying face-down on the bed, bawling her lungs out. The other was rolling on the floor, crying dramatically.
Gilbert's expression darkened. He walked over, grabbed Linda, and demanded, "Linda, I didn't scold you last night, and now you've gone too far again, bullying Dean? Do you really think I won't discipline you?"
Linda's mouth hung open in disbelief, her little face flushed purple with frustration.
She was innocent. Well, sort of. Sure, she started it, but she didn't even get the upper hand and ended up getting spanked instead.
But her father looked terrifying right now. She didn't even dare to speak.
"Gilbert, don't scare her. She's just a child…" Emma rushed in, scooping Linda into her arms. Linda collapsed into her embrace, crying uncontrollably.
"Enough," Gilbert snapped, eyes cold and sharp. "Don't think I don't know what happened yesterday. Linda slapped Dean."
Emma opened her mouth but stayed silent.
She knew full well how spoiled her daughter was.
By now, the maids had lifted Adam off the floor.
He wiped his tears and walked over to Gilbert, tugging his large hand with a soft, childlike voice.
"Daddy, we're still kids. Just say a few words and let it go. We'll do better next time."
Gilbert looked at Adam, touched by his maturity despite the injustice. He sighed, lifted him into his arms, and turned to Emma.
"Linda will stand in time-out for one hour today. You'd better start teaching her properly. If this happens again, the punishment won't be so light."
With that, he carried Adam toward the study.
"Mommy, I'm so mad! You and Daddy have both wronged me. When you're old, you can count on Dean to take care of you. I won't! I'm heartbroken!" Linda finally suffered a loss she couldn't explain, and all she could do was sob while uttering a threat before collapsing into Emma's arms in tears.
At that moment, neither the servants nor the staff, nor even Emma herself had any sympathy for Linda's cries, all believing that she had bullied Dean.
Emma's eyes were fixed on the figure of Gilbert Watson walking away with Dean in his arms. Her gaze grew cold and sour. There was no doubt, Gilbert truly favored Dean…
A face flashed through her mind, Claire.
If Gilbert ever discovered the true parentage between Claire and Dean, she would fall into a bottomless abyss with no hope of redemption.
Claire, you wretched woman, why did you have to come back?
Gilbert is finally about to marry me. I won't let you ruin everything! If you get in my way, don't blame me for being ruthless!
She clenched her fists tightly.
Adam, nestled in his daddy's arms, grinned from ear to ear.
Yes! Total victory this time! Linda lost completely and utterly.
Hmph! A real man should at least be able to handle a girl. Otherwise, how could he protect Mommy?
Night fell deep and quiet.
Adam had taken a long nap during the day, so he was wide awake now.
He swaggered confidently, planning to sneak into Dean's game room to play with some toys. As he passed a study, he suddenly overheard voices coming from inside.
"Mr. Watson, the company's computer system is still down. The hacker is very cunning and well-hidden," the chief systems engineer reported nervously, looking utterly defeated.
Despite years of experience, this was the strangest case he had ever encountered. He and his entire IT team had worked for nearly two days without locating the problem. This was seriously bad news.
He had no choice but to report the situation truthfully to Gilbert.
Gilbert's face darkened, his voice low and icy. "What's the IP address of the hacker?"
"Mr. Watson, tracking shows the IP is from the Nocta. That's why we haven't been able to crack it."
Gilbert's brows furrowed sharply, his expression thunderous.
By the window, Adam perked up both ears, eavesdropping intently. Words like "computer system" and "hacker" made him smack his forehead.
Oh no! He had forgotten to unlock Daddy's company system because he got distracted playing with toys!
It had been nearly two days already who knew how much money the company had lost?
He patted his chest guiltily. Oof, his conscience hurt a little…
Even though Daddy had bullied Mommy, he did agree to marry her yesterday. And he wasn't that bad to Adam either at least he stood up for him today.
If he really married Mommy, they'd be a family.
And families should love and support each other.
Maybe messing with Daddy this much was a bit over the top…
He thought for a moment then a plan formed.
"Ahem, ahem." Once the engineer left, the little guy walked into the study, hands behind his back, clearing his throat.
Gilbert, in the middle of intense work, looked up and frowned. "Why aren't you asleep yet? It's late."
"Daddy, is something wrong at your company?" Adam asked, smiling innocently, though he already knew the answer.
"There is, but it has nothing to do with you. Off to bed." Gilbert didn't even glance up.
"Daddy, can I borrow your computer for a bit?"
"What for?"
"My kindergarten teacher gave us a homework assignment. I need it," the little guy lied smoothly, his expression calm.
"Alright, but make it quick." Gilbert nodded, eyes still on his papers.
Adam gleefully climbed onto the chair. A few moments later, he patted his hands and climbed back down. In his sweet baby voice, he said, "All done, Daddy. I'm going to bed now."
"Okay, don't kick off your blanket." Gilbert smiled fondly as he watched the tiny figure toddle off.
He didn't know why, but deep down, he had always favored this son in particular.
Six years ago, Emma had given birth to twins, Dean and Linda.
Dean was cold and aloof, with a proud, distant demeanor. Not only did he look exactly like Gilbert, but even his personality mirrored his.
Linda, on the other hand, was beautiful, sweet, and well-behaved.
Still, in private, Gilbert always felt especially close to his son. He paid more attention to him, more than he realized.