Chapter 12

Eileen Barton sighed. How could she bear to give her daughter away to someone else?

Let alone someone who’s completely unknown to me.

Even one’s own father shouldn’t be taken lightly.

“I have no plans. Teresa can’t leave me.” Eileen Barton replied without hesitation. This answer was final.

Emily Church expected Eileen Barton to say that. But Teresa Barton was still young and had already missed out on several years of her father’s love. Given this opportunity to regain that love, Emily felt she had to try to persuade Eileen Barton anyway.

Back when I returned to my home country, I was worried about how to find Teresa Barton’s biological father. Now, it was easy to find him. Moreover, he offered to take care of Teresa Barton. Why not give it a try?

“But Eileen, Teresa’s father has taken the initiative to reach out to her, saying he wants to take care of Teresa. This is a great opportunity for Teresa to experience fatherly love again. You can’t bear to let Teresa grow up without that kind of love, can you?” Emily Church explained patiently, trying to open Eileen Barton’s heart.

But once Eileen Barton makes up her mind, it’s impossible to change her mind easily. Moreover, Corey Bruce has insulted her repeatedly. The fact that these two have no prior issues at all makes things even more complicated. Eileen Barton simply can’t accept the idea that Teresa Barton has such a father.

“If he really wanted to take care of Teresa, why didn’t he show up earlier? From the moment he found Teresa, to the paternity test, and then to coming to her home, it all seemed so easy for him. Five years have passed—why is he only showing up now? I won’t allow Teresa to live with such a person.” Eileen Barton spoke firmly and decisively.

Emily Church was stunned by what was said. Seeing how serious Eileen Barton was, she didn’t dare say anything further.

“Alright, I’ll be going back to the company tomorrow. How’s things at Teresa’s kindergarten?” After calming herself down a bit, Eileen Barton got straight to the point.

Theresa Barton has recovered pretty well now. It’s time for her to start kindergarten. Otherwise, with work obligations, it would be impossible to take proper care of her. After all, Theresa Barton is indeed old enough to go to kindergarten.

Only then was Emily Church brought back to the topic at hand.

“It’s all taken care of. The kindergarten principal is my college classmate. I’ve entrusted Teresa to her care, so don’t worry!”

Emily Church is very efficient at handling things. Everything related to Eileen Barton’s return to her home country was taken care of by Emily Church, which saved Eileen Barton a lot of hassle.

“Thank you, Emily, Theresa. Hurry up and thank Auntie!”

Teresa Barton, who was with her, was also taken care of by Emily Church.

“Thank you, auntie.” Teresa Barton said with a smiling face and pouted slightly, completely melting Emily Church’s heart.

Eileen Barton returned to the company and began working on the new season’s fashion designs for the DL brand, alongside Emily Church.

These busy days gradually helped Eileen Barton regain a sense of reality in her life. Having a firm foothold in her own country was something Eileen Barton had longed for day and night.

“Very good, Eileen. The designs for this season are excellent. I’m sure that sales of the new products will reach new heights this season.” Baldwin Owen was very pleased with Eileen Barton’s designs and couldn’t help but praise her.

“President Gu, you’re too kind. As long as you’re satisfied, that’s all that matters. There’s still much I need to learn from you.” Eileen Barton was very modest. Whenever praised, she would simply smile without saying anything in return.

During lunch break, everyone put aside their work and took a rest.

A few employees are chatting in the coffee room.

“Wow, as expected of the chief designer. Every piece of the new collection is stunning. I want to buy them all.”

“That’s right. Look at President Gu’s face—it’s beaming with joy. In the past, every time a new product was designed, the designs had to be revised over and over again. But this time, everything went smoothly without any problems at all. It’s really a relief.”

“You guys, think about it: Designer Su is so young and talented. How come she already has a daughter?”

“I heard she got pregnant before getting married. The baby’s really cute. I wonder whose child it is.”

Emily Church and Eileen Barton were about to go to the coffee room for a cup of coffee during their break. But when they reached the door, they heard the employees talking about them.

“What are you talking about? So loudly?” Emily Church immediately reprimanded them sternly upon seeing this.

When employees saw Eileen Barton, they awkwardly fell silent and quickly left the scene.

“It’s unbearable. Why don’t they just get their work done and stop talking nonsense? No wonder President Gu always gives them trouble. They really deserve it!” Emily Church couldn’t help but complain about them.

But Eileen Barton remained silent, pouring coffee for herself as usual.

“It’s okay, Eileen. Don’t pay any attention to what they say.” Emily Church thought Eileen Barton might be upset by those words, so she quickly tried to comfort her.

Eileen Barton took a slow sip of coffee, then smiled.

“I really didn’t pay any attention. It seems like you’re more excited than I am.”

Eileen Barton thought to herself that she really had no merit whatsoever to have such a wonderful friend who always stood up for her.

But she really doesn’t care about these rumors at all. She’s long since gotten used to it. It doesn’t matter to her.

Seeing Eileen Barton smile so calmly, I realized I had overthought things.

Eileen Barton glanced at her watch and realized it was almost time to pick up Teresa Barton.

“Emily, Teresa is about to finish school. You keep an eye on her while I go get her.”

During this conversation, Emily Church also forgot about this matter. But soon, it would be time for filming.

“The shooting time is approaching. Hurry back quickly!”

Eileen Barton waved her hand, put down her coffee cup, and left immediately.

At the entrance of the kindergarten

“Uncle !” When Teresa Barton saw that familiar figure, she didn’t even have time to put her backpack on properly before she rushed towards Corey Bruce at full speed, crashing into him.

The moment Corey Bruce saw Teresa Barton, he seemed like a completely different person. He had a smile on his face, Erin’s dimples appeared, and he looked utterly adoring.

“Teresa, have you missed me?” Corey Bruce picked up Teresa Barton and pinched her plump cheeks.

As he spoke, Corey Bruce also took out Teresa Barton’s favorite lollipop from his pocket.

When Teresa Barton saw the lollipop, she eagerly took it from him. “Oh, handsome uncle, how did you get here? Did you come to play with me?”

“Of course! Where does Teresa want to go?”

Teresa Barton rolled her eyes. “A theme park!”

This is the place Teresa Barton most wanted to go to. When she was abroad, her mother was always busy with work and rarely took her out to play.

“No problem!” With that, Corey Bruce lifted Teresa Barton onto his shoulders. Teresa Barton felt excited and thrilled, screaming and clapping her hands!

“Theresa, it’s time to take a flight!” Corey Bruce ran over. Theresa Barton sat on Corey Bruce’s shoulders, with her arms outstretched. It felt just like actually being in an airplane. For a child, this was simply incredible fun!

Eileen Barton had just parked her car and was about to get out to pick up Theresa Barton.