Jude saw his mom saying such things, and couldn’t help but feel anxious, deciding to employ the backup plan of brainwashing Seraphina Sinclair alone.
"Dad, I want to talk to Mommy alone for a bit, could you give us some space?"
First, Jude sought Desmond Fairchild’s permission. After he agreed to leave, Jude continued with his mother, "Mommy, I know what you’re thinking. You’re just afraid of Dad’s complicated family background, that he’s hard to deal with. But have you considered that if you marry Dad, even if it’s a fake marriage, it could be beneficial for your plan?"
Jude was a clever kid, knowing it was difficult for Seraphina to change her mind suddenly. So he shifted the conversation to mention the fake marriage.
Even though he supported his parents’ fake marriage, Jude believed that with his father’s charm, given time, he could surely win Seraphina over and make the marriage real. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel·fiɾe·net
Listening to her son’s analysis, Seraphina couldn’t help but find it quite reasonable.
Even though she was unwilling to admit it, she had to acknowledge that Ethan Lloyd was right. The evidence she had gathered could only make the Lloyd Group suffer in some cooperation projects. To topple Lloyd Group, Seraphina had to find a partner.
The Cloudsea Group, as the leading group in Bayside City, must be her best partner.
Seeing his mother’s face showing signs of wavering, Jude immediately continued, "Also, you can get engaged to Dad first. Dad won’t force you into anything you don’t want to do."
Jude lavished so much praise on Desmond that it was just shy of putting him on a pedestal.
After a series of internal struggles, Seraphina finally nodded and said, "Alright then, let’s do it your way."
Jude finally persuaded his mother to agree, so he wasn’t going to back down. After his mother agreed, Jude immediately called Desmond back and let them have a proper conversation.
After explaining everything, Jude swiftly left the scene to give them space.
Before leaving, Jude winked at Desmond, indicating he’d sorted things out.
Seeing his son’s mischievous expression, Desmond couldn’t help but smile.
"I’ll be straightforward with you. I can agree to get engaged with you, but with conditions, you must agree to some of my requests."
After all, engagement is not marriage; even if she agrees temporarily, there is always room for change in the future.
Seeing Desmond’s straightforwardness, Seraphina relaxed a bit more and said, "Since President Fairchild is so straightforward, I’ll be frank too. We can get engaged, but no consummation of marriage is allowed, and you cannot make unreasonable demands on me in everyday life."
Upon hearing Seraphina’s words, Desmond frowned slightly, "Consummation? Didn’t we already do that five years ago?"
Maybe because Desmond was too straightforward, Seraphina blushed and hurriedly retorted, "Don’t mention the past from five years ago! I’m talking about the future, even if I’m your fiancée in public, you can’t mess with me."
"Alright." Desmond nodded, having no interest in forcing Seraphina into anything. He would wait until she was willing.
And the days ahead were long; Desmond believed Seraphina’s perception of him would change.
Hearing Desmond’s response, Seraphina’s gaze cautiously fell on his face.
As their eyes met, Seraphina inexplicably felt at ease.
"Jude’s birthday is coming up soon, today I’ll have Ace bring a stylist to get you guys outfitted for the occasion, so it’s settled."
Finally, the family of three no longer had differing opinions, sharing the same wish.
Soon, it was Jude’s birthday.
Desmond, unusually attentive, was making their identity public for the first time in front of everyone, so he was naturally invested. When designing the outfits, he didn’t forget to have the stylist prepare matching family attire, making their familial relationship visually apparent.
After getting styled, Desmond waited at the door for Seraphina and Jude to come out. Fortunately, the mother and son didn’t keep him waiting long, and Jude quickly came bouncing out.
Seeing Jude in a little suit, Desmond’s lips curved into a tender smile.
Jude resembled him very much, but he was still a child, with a youthful, sunny spirit that adults lacked, something Desmond wanted most to protect.
Desmond half-squatted in front of Jude, softly asked, "Jude, where’s Mommy?"
"Mommy is coming out now."
As soon as Jude’s words fell, Desmond saw the door lock in front of him being turned again, and soon, Seraphina walked out in high heels.
Today, unlike before, Seraphina was dressed for the occasion in a black velvet gown with a V-neck design showcasing her beautiful collarbones. The well-cut gown highlighted her waistline, visually crafting Seraphina into a mature woman.
"Dad, doesn’t Mommy’s look suit her today?"
Seeing his father stare in a daze, Jude quickly pulled on his sleeve to jolt him back to reality.
Desmond snapped out of it, deepened his gaze, and smiled, "Your mommy looks good in everything she wears."
"What time is it now, hasn’t Grandma arrived yet?"
Amid the small interaction between Desmond and his son, Seraphina didn’t mind. Seeing the banquet was about to start but not the shadow of Old Mrs. Fairchild, she couldn’t help but feel anxious.
"Grandma is here already, waiting for us downstairs."
"Then let’s hurry up and go down."
Seraphina naturally took Desmond’s arm and held Jude’s hand with the other as they headed downstairs.
From the moment they appeared at the staircase, all eyes seemed to focus on this family of three, filled with astonishment.
Although before this, people more or less knew about President Fairchild suddenly having a son, no one in Bayside City knew the specifics.
Until yesterday, when Desmond sent out a thousand invitations throughout Bayside City, inviting all the families to witness today, did people finally believe that the once untouchable, aloof golden bachelor Desmond Fairchild really had suddenly ended up with a son!
After the three reached downstairs, Jude’s gaze immediately locked onto Old Mrs. Fairchild. He released Seraphina’s hand to run toward her.
Desmond and Seraphina had no choice but to follow Jude to Old Mrs. Fairchild.
"My darling, I’ve missed you so much!"
The elderly woman couldn’t hide her joy upon seeing Jude, promptly opening her arms to embrace the little one.
Since Jude left last time, Old Mrs. Fairchild had missed him terribly, wishing she could have someone bring him to stay at the old house for a while. But ultimately, fearing the child was too young to be without his parents, she let go of the idea.