Chapter 27 Game On

Chapter 27 Game On

Asher shoved a hand in his pocket, discomfort spreading across his face. 

Pressing his lips into a thin line, he seemed to be struggling with a reply.

Violet walked in on them in that awkward position, with Mimi giving him an incredulous look. 

“You aren't gonna back out of your promise, are you?” She asked. “Uncle Ash, Daddy must be waiting for us.”

Violet shook her head, helpless. 

She stepped onto the balcony and squatted behind Mimi, turning her to face her. “Come on, Baby… do you want your Daddy to see us like this?”

A tiny frown appeared on Mimi's face. 

She pursed her lips, not quite understanding her mother's statement. “What do you mean, Mummy? Of course, Daddy would love to see us.”

But Violet sighed. 

Hopefully, her tactics would work on her. 

Mimi got smarter each day, and she was afraid the girl was going to see through her lies. 

“Your knee is bruised due to Mummy's carelessness. Your Daddy will definitely scold me when we meet. Why don't we wait until your wound heals first?”

Mimi seemed to buy her lie because the gloom on her face instantly increased. “But it was my fault that my knees got bruised. Mummy, don't worry, Daddy won't scold you.”

Violet shook her head. “Your Daddy might not believe that, Mimi. It's an adult’s responsibility to make sure the kids are safe.”

The little girl nodded in understanding.

But then, she said the opposite of what Violet expected. “I won't let Daddy bully you, Mummy, so-”

“Your Daddy will be sad.” Violet hated cutting the girl off.

But she already knew from the Island that Asher came up with that excuse only to have Mimi agree to come with them. 

Clyde was probably still on that Island at the moment. 

If they didn't tell Mimi that lie, no way the girl was going to follow them back. 

“Apart from getting mad at me, your Daddy will be sad to see you this way…” Violet went on. “Do you wanna see him sad?”

Mimi's shoulders sank, the sadness on her face increasing.

She slowly shook her head, pursing her lips as if offended. “Hmmm. Daddy was very sad when the Doctor treated me. Mummy, I won't see Daddy until my knee becomes normal.”

Finally!

What a relief!

Violet couldn't hold back her smile despite fighting down her guilt. 

It was wrong to lie to the little girl.

Even more wrong was preventing her from seeing her father.

Well, what choice did she have?

That heartless man was already threatening her.

Violet wanted to stay away from him. And for that to happen, she also had to make sure Mimi didn't go anywhere near the man. 

Maybe living here with Asher was the best idea.

This neighborhood was new and very far from the city.

There was no way Clyde would locate them no matter how hard he tried. 

“That's very thoughtful of you, Baby.” Sighing in relief, she kissed the girl's cheek. “Don't move around a lot, or it might hurt.”

“But Mummy, I'm starving.” Mimi rubbed her stomach. “Can I go check if the Chef is done cooking?”

“Very well. But don't run, okay?”

“I won't, Mummy! Love you, bye!”

As Mimi skittered out of the room, Violet patted her chest.

It turned out that convincing her daughter was only a piece of cake. 

Maybe if she kept doing that, Mimi might gradually stop asking about Clyde. 

“You did a good job.” Asher took her hand, helping her stand up. 

Well, Violet's guilt was still there. 

She wasn't sure about what to do. 

She couldn't deny her baby her right.

“Ash.” She faced him, staring into his eyes, contemplating if this was the right moment to tell him. 

Would Asher be okay with her letting Clyde acknowledge Mimi?

Violet doubted so. 

Maybe she shouldn't bring it up at all. 

She could be silent about it and secretly hope that Mimi would forget Clyde,

But-

“I'm listening.” Asher urged her to go on, giving her a gentle smile. 

He was back to his usual self.

He was happy again.

Yet, what she was about to say might chase away the happiness.

Was it worth mentioning?

“I… uhm-” She changed the topic. “Since this place is very far from your company. I wonder how you'll be getting to work.”

Asher's eyes lit up with realization as if expecting her to say something else. 

Was that relief she saw on his face? 

“It's no biggie. I'll just go to work early and return as soon as I can,” he replied before his phone rang.

His assistant's name flashed on the screen. 

Sensing they were going to discuss work, Violet left him alone to go find Mimi. 

After she left,

Asher released his clenched fist. 

Violet wanted to stay with him. She wasn't just pretending. 

Her action just now as she convinced Mimi so they wouldn't see Clyde revealed that.

Maybe he should stop worrying that much. 

His fears and insecurities were for nothing.

As long as Violet was on his side, Clyde Crawford would only dream on about getting his ex-wife back. 

Asher pressed the answer button, wondering why his assistant called. 

He thought he'd told him that he was taking the day off.

“Mr. Sydney, there's a problem.” Was the first thing his assistant said the moment he answered the phone. 

No pleasantries or hesitations. Did something huge happen?

“Remember the database you asked the IT Department to erase some months ago,” his assistant continued. “I just got an Intel that someone is trying to retrieve it.”

There was only a single database Asher had asked to be erased. 

He'd almost forgotten about it. 

“Who do you think it is, Mr. Sydney? Have we gotten into a fight with any of our rivals recently?”

Asher’s fingers tightened around his phone. 

A business rival? 

It might not be one. 

Chuckling, he hung up and sighed.

If it's what he was thinking, then Game On.