All Frederick's fear about Morris disappeared just like that. He hoped Morris would be gone for good, but he had no idea if Morris would ever show himself again.Perhaps Jackie would gradually forget Morris. After all, she had not known him for long."Now that Morris is gone, are you still giving up on the piano? You can pick it up again and practice more. Jackie likes to hear you play, after all.""I won't spend too much time practicing the piano," Frederick said, his voice resolute."Dad, I'm giving up piano, and I mean it. I know no matter how hard I practice, I won't be able to create that uniqueness Jackie talked about in the sound of the piano..."Frederick tried to play less mechanically but failed. He knew it was futile trying to keep Jackie with his piano playing. It was Morris this time, and it could be someone else next time.There were plenty of talented pianists around the world. Jackie could fall in love with someone else's playing at any time.Knowing this, Freder
Lucas would let Coco educate their daughter and not intervene, but he would always hug and comfort Beatrice later. Beatrice was smart enough to know what to do. She would wrap her arms around his neck, wanting more hugs and support from Daddy. Even so, she would never complain about Mommy, because Daddy would never condone this behavior.Although the little girl was only three years old, she knew who held the most power in the family.Meanwhile, back at Beatrice's birthday party. The little girl turned her head and looked expectantly at Coco. "Mommy, I've been a good girl today. You have to take me to the new playground like you told me.""Okay, it's a promise," Coco said.Beatrice became interested when Renee told her about the newly opened playground in town. She had always wanted to visit the gigantic playground Renee mentioned during her last visit."Alright, be good today. Mommy and Daddy will take you there on the weekend," Coco promised.The little girl had a beautiful s
The adults hurried to the hotel's garden when they learned about the children's fight.The security guards surrounded the hotel garden and barred people from entering. Only the parents of those involved in the fight could get in.Coco looked at the girls, all of them with their hair messy and their dresses dirty. Even Eden, the weakest of the group, had several footprints on her dress, and her braids were loose.Wondering what had happened, Coco turned to her daughter, who looked like a little mess. Beatrice looked like she had been rolling on the ground, her pink dress torn, and one of her white shoes was missing. The boys were in a better state than the girls, but everyone could tell Micah, Morgan, Frederick, and Caden had just fought. At least the boys were wearing dark-colored clothes, unlike the girls who were all in light-colored clothing and looked so dirty.The children on the other side of the fight were all about the same age, ranging from seven to thirteen. There were
Renee explained, "I only had Eden and Amy with me. I can't let Eden fight, and I can't let Beatrice get hurt. So, I rushed in with Amy and told Eden to get help!"Renee told everyone about what happened, and how getting more help could help them win the fight. That felt like a good strategy, and she was proud of it. Having more power meant they had a higher chance of winning!Lisa went from watching her daughter talk with interest to paling and looking embarrassed. It was embarrassing listening to her daughter praising herself for the strategy she had come up with."Okay, enough. You don't have to say anymore," Lisa interrupted Renee, wondering if her daughter was just dense or ignorant. Renee could still go on, but she stopped. Her words did explain why so many of them had gotten involved in the fight.Lucas looked at the children, his lips pursed in anger. It was his daughter's birthday party, yet his dearest wife had been belittled and his daughter had gotten hurt.Lucas knew
Eden would not let anyone badmouth Aunt Coco.Beatrice and Eden were like two angry little monsters—as if they would jump on the other children and fight them again if they refused to apologize.Coco watched the two angry girls demand the other party to apologize, and she saw how the other children got hurt in the fight. Tears welled in her eyes even when she realized the girls were defending her. She stepped toward the girls, squatted down, and hugged the two girls. "Thank you, girls. There are all kinds of people in this world. We can't possibly ask everyone not to say anything bad about us. However, we can make ourselves strong so that these things won't hurt us."Coco studied the girls before her. "Please don't get into a fight for me again. Even if someone says something bad about me, it's fine. I just don't want you guys to get hurt."Eden understood Coco's wishes.Beatrice listened but did not quite understand her mother's words. "But they…" She was reluctant to let it
"Are you serious, Lex? You want us to apologize?""Yeah, seriously? We were outnumbered, and they beat us! They should be the ones apologizing to us.""Whoever said those nasty words, apologize," Lexington said, his carefree yet serious tone causing the children's expression to change.Eventually, four of the children stepped forward. They approached Coco and somewhat reluctantly apologized.Beatrice's eyes went wide. Realizing Lexington was the group's leader, she rushed over to him."Why didn't you apologize?" Beatrice asked in a loud voice, looking at him with curious eyes.Everyone was shocked by the sudden change of events. The hotel manager anxiously looked at both sides, finally understanding how it felt to be stuck in the middle. Still, he had to calm down and smile at both sides.The hotel manager had thought that it was an honor that the Gomez family was holding Princess Beatrice's birthday party at the hotel venue, but it seemed like the worst event he ever had."I d
"I want to know his name," Beatrice said."But he doesn't want to tell you. You have to respect his wish," Coco urged."Oh." Beatrice pouted and let go of her hand reluctantly. Then, she turned a wide grin at him, "Anyway, I'm sure you'll tell me your name one day!"Beatrice was filled with confidence, as if certain this would happen one day.Lexington frowned and grunted before leaving with the other children. Not far away, the bodyguards followed the children.Then, it was time for the parents to check on their kids and lecture them.Serenity and Jackson were the busiest among them. All their four children had been involved in the fight, after all. Fortunately, the youngest, Eden, had only called for help instead of participating in the fight.According to Eden, she had wanted to join the fight after calling for help, but her sister, Jacqueline, had held her back. Jacqueline said Eden would be in the way, and the older kids would have to divide their attention into protecting
Meanwhile, with the Gomez family. Beatrice had been thinking about her playground trip after coming home to the villa.When Coco was bathing Beatrice, the little girl gave her mother a pleading look and asked, "Mommy, I got into a fight today… Does that mean I can't go to the playground?""I really want to go… Can you give me another task? I'll do it properly!" Beatrice tried to bargain."Mommy and Daddy will take you to the new playground, just like we promised," Coco said softly."Really?" Beatrice's eyes lit up."Yes," Coco promised. "Although it was wrong for you to get into a fight, you did it to defend Mommy. You're braver than I ever thought you could be."Beatrice's cheeks flushed with some embarrassment. "I'm brave? Mommy, really?""Yes. Beatrice, you're a brave girl." Coco was shaken to the core when she learned that the three-year-old Beatrice had fought the other kids to defend her."But you mustn't fight like that again, okay? Because if you get hurt, it'll make