Chapter 219: Daisy’s New Home
“Luca, are we going to stay at the hotel for a few more days?”
At Sophie’s question, Luca nodded.
“I’d feel more at ease if she didn’t stay at home for now. Tell Auntie and Rachel to bear with it a little longer.”
Sophie seemed to remember something and sighed with a helpless smile.
“’Bear with it?’ It’s more like they’re on vacation.”
“The suite you arranged is huge and bright. Three meals are delivered every day, and everything is taken care of.”
“I’m starting to worry Rachel will get so comfortable that she won’t want to leave.”
Back home, Rachel still had to help wash vegetables or clean the dishes from time to time.
Here, she didn’t even have to step outside.
Meals arrived at the door right on time, every dish was delicious and balanced, and the suite even had a high-end gaming computer comparable to those in an esports hotel.
Food.
Drinks.
Games.
Internet.
To Rachel, this place was practically paradise.
If this was what Luca called “putting up with it,” she’d happily endure it forever.
…
After leaving the hotel, Luca brought Sophie and Daisy back to the villa in Stillwater Bay.
He had already told Sophie about his decision to adopt Daisy.
The moment she heard it, she clapped happily.
“I was thinking the same thing.”
Even if Luca hadn’t suggested it, she would have brought it up herself.
Daisy’s parents had both been only children.
Her grandparents had already passed away, and none of the more distant relatives had come looking for her over the past two days.
If anyone had truly wanted to take responsibility for her…
They would’ve shown up by now.
There were still legal procedures to complete before the adoption became official.
Fortunately, to Luca, that wasn’t much of a problem.
…
“Sister Sophie…”
Sitting quietly on Sophie’s lap, Daisy watched the scenery flash past the window with nervous eyes.
“Where are we going?”
Sophie gently hugged her, letting the little girl’s head rest against her chest.
“We’re going to Big Bro Luca’s house to play.”
Luca reached over and gently rubbed the back of Daisy’s head.
“Daisy…”
“How would you like to live at Big Bro Luca’s house from now on?”
The little girl blinked.
“What about my princess room?”
A small pout appeared on her face.
Luca chuckled.
“If you want, I’ll build another princess room just for you.”
“Then you’ll have two princess rooms.”
“You can stay in whichever one you like.”
Daisy’s eyes widened.
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Okay!”
She nodded excitedly.
Of course…
Deep down, she already understood that her parents would never be coming home again.
Seeing her agree, Luca immediately called Mason.
“Send someone to Daisy’s house and photograph every corner of her bedroom.”
He wanted to recreate it exactly.
Not only at the villa in Ashford…
He also planned to prepare identical princess rooms in San Fierro and New Orleans.
No matter where she stayed, she’d always have a room that felt like home.
…
Back at the villa, Mrs. Hale had already finished preparing dinner and was waiting eagerly.
The moment Luca stepped inside after changing his shoes, the rich Beef short ribs drifted over.
“Mom!”
“Ribs?”
“It smells amazing!”
Sophie smiled and gently nudged Daisy forward.
“Daisy.”
“This is Auntie.”
The little girl shyly hid behind Sophie’s legs.
She peeked out for a moment before softly greeting her.
“H-Hello, Auntie…”
“Oh my…”
Mrs. Hale’s heart melted instantly.
“What a polite little sweetheart.”
Looking at Daisy’s timid face, however, she couldn’t help feeling a pang of sadness.
Such a young child…
Yet she’d already lost both her parents.
Fortunately…
She still had Luca and Sophie.
Otherwise, she would’ve ended up in an orphanage.
“Come inside.”
“You must all be hungry.”
“Dinner’s ready.”
…
Throughout the meal, Mrs. Hale kept placing food onto Sophie’s and Daisy’s plates.
The two of them ate happily.
“Auntie…”
“Your cooking is so delicious.”
Every time Sophie visited, the Hales insisted she stay for dinner.
Every single visit ended the same way.
She praised Mrs. Hale’s cooking without holding back.
Honestly…
She thought Mrs. Hale cooked even better than her Mom.
“If you like it, then come often.”
Mrs. Hale smiled so brightly that the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes deepened.
“Whatever you want to eat, Auntie will cook it for you.”
Then she turned to Daisy.
“Little Daisy.”
“Does Auntie’s food taste good?”
The little girl nodded seriously.
“It’s delicious.”
Mrs. Hale smiled warmly as she wiped away a strand of beef stuck to the corner of Daisy’s mouth.
“Then how about staying with Auntie from now on?”
“I’ll cook tasty food for you every single day.”
“Okay?”
“Okay.”
Daisy nodded without hesitation.
After all…
She had already promised Luca she’d live at his house.
Her kindergarten teacher had always said good children kept their promises.
Seeing the little girl agree so readily, Mrs. Hale beamed with joy.
…
That afternoon, everyone took Daisy for a walk around the neighborhood.
They strolled beside the artificial lake before stopping at the children’s playground.
Every few steps, Mrs. Hale bumped into another resident.
She’d always stop to chat for a while.
Whenever people noticed Luca walking behind her, their smiles immediately became brighter.
One after another, they began introducing their daughters or granddaughters.
After all…
Anyone living in this community was financially well-off.
And a young man like Luca…
Handsome.
Successful.
Polite.
Who wouldn’t want him as a son-in-law?
Whenever this happened, Mrs. Hale would simply smile and point toward Sophie, who was holding Daisy’s hand not far away.
She never explained.
She didn’t need to.
Everyone immediately assumed the three of them were a happy little family.
Seeing that, the parents reluctantly gave up the idea.
Of course…
Sophie’s breathtaking appearance also discouraged most of them.
With a face like hers…
Very few girls could compete.
…
“Mom.”
Luca finally caught up to her.
“Do you really know everyone in this neighborhood?”
Mrs. Hale rolled her eyes.
“Of course not.”
“I just know all the old ladies and old men.”
Luca laughed.
“That’s still impressive.”
He hadn’t expected his mother to become such a social butterfly after moving here.
She’d only been here a short while, yet already seemed to know half the neighborhood.
Mrs. Hale waved her hand dismissively.
“We’re Dominoes partners.”
“We play together every few days.”
“How could we not know each other?”
“I see…”
Thinking about it…
Most people living here were already financially secure.
Many were retired or close to retirement.
With so much free time, board games naturally became everyone’s favorite pastime.
Mrs. Hale had been playing for decades.
She lost far more often than she won.
Yet she never seemed able to quit.
…
As evening approached, Mr. Hale finally returned from work.
His BMW X5 slowly rolled into the driveway before coming to a stop.
“Uncle.”
Sophie greeted him with a smile.
“Sophie’s here.”
Mr. Hale nodded warmly while changing into his slippers.
Then his gaze fell on the little girl standing beside her.
A complicated look flashed across his eyes.
So…
It really was her.
Even though he’d guessed as much, he’d secretly hoped it was only someone with the same name.
Now…
That final bit of hope disappeared.
Life could truly be cruel.
He forced a smile and crouched slightly.
“You must be little Daisy.”
Opening his palm, he revealed a small candy.
“Do you remember Grandpa?”
Mr. Hale had often visited Daisy’s parents’ barbecue stall.
He’d always chatted with her and occasionally slipped her little snacks.
The girl still remembered.
“I remember.”
“Grandpa Candy.”
She happily accepted the candy.
Mr. Hale couldn’t help laughing.
“That’s right.”
“I’m Grandpa Candy.”
Mrs. Hale immediately burst into laughter.
“She calls me Auntie…”
“But she calls you Grandpa.”
“Doesn’t that make you feel old?”
Mr. Hale puffed out his chest.
“What’s wrong with being Grandpa?”
“I’m still the most handsome grandpa in the entire neighborhood!”
He could accept getting older…
But when it came to his looks…
That was something he refused to compromise on.