However, Audrey didn’t seem to be afraid of him.
“Daddy, I want chicken wings!”
“Daddy, I want that thing in front of you.”
“More, Daddy!”
She was the only one giving orders throughout dinner.
Compared to her chattiness, Gregory was much quieter. He sat in his chair and munched on his food slowly. He seemed like a mini version of Ashton.
They were affected by the family environment they grew up in.
Audrey was brought up by the Stovall family who adored her, so she was cheeky and lively.
Gregory was raised by Ashton. As a result of his strict upbringing, he treated dinner as part of his everyday routine.
He was just a little kid, but he was exactly like Ashton and treated outsiders coldly. If he were to treat his family this coolly, he might end up leading a lonely life.
At that thought, I tried to teach him how to help others.
“Gregory, I like that dish in front of you. Can you help me get it?”
“Gregory, your sister can’t reach that. Take care of her.”
Soon, Gregory knew how to express his feelings by helping others. Audrey learned from her brother and stopped chattering. Instead, she helped Gregory to get the food he couldn’t reach.
Dinner soon became a very heartwarming event.
Yet, John was complaining for he was considered an “outsider.”
“You’re making me feel lonely.” John threw his fork away. “Huh, I’ve lost my appetite.”
I arched a brow at his reaction. “Are you alright?”
Before he could reply, Audrey jumped out of her chair and scurried around the table before coming to a stop beside John. She stood on tiptoe and tugged on the corner of his jacket. “Uncle John, I’ll give you all my delicious food. Don’t be sad.”
John picked her up so she could sit in his lap. He was grinning from ear to ear. “Okay. Let’s eat together. You are my all-time favorite, Audrey!”
He didn’t forget to give Ashton a smug glare.
Ashton’s face clouded over and he looked terrifyingly cold.
The dining table was split into two different atmospheres with me in the middle.
On the left, John was acting lovey-dovey with Audrey. On my right, Ashton and Gregory were eating without a word as though the dishes tasted bland.
It was so amusing that my lips curved up in a grin. I didn’t manage to defeat Ashton back in the bedroom with my trick, but Audrey did it on my behalf.
As a result, I gobbled down my dinner happily.
When I was wiping my mouth, I spotted Ashton’s plate was still full. I looked up and saw him still scowling at John and Audrey. The little girl was sitting in John’s lap and eating dinner, which was prepared by Ashton. It was as if John and Audrey were father and daughter.
Immediately, I cleared my throat and proceeded to increase Ashton’s torture. “You did the right thing by adopting Audrey. Look, she adores you. I have a suggestion. She can call you ‘Daddy.’ What do you think, John?”
John snickered under his breath before replying resolutely, “That sounds like a great idea.”
He promptly turned Audrey around and joked, “Audrey, call me ‘Daddy!’“
Engrossed in her food, Audrey uttered without hesitation, “Dad—”
Thud! The sound of a fork being slammed onto the table reverberated in the dining room.
It was Ashton. He rose to his feet in a huff and strode away. He had only taken two steps when he stopped abruptly and turned at his shoulder. “Gregory Hall, you did a good job today. I shall reward you with an extra half an hour of screen time. Follow me to my study.”
