Chapter 48
Chapter 48 Naughty Parent
Isabella Thompson looked into the man's midnight blue eyes silently and nodded awkwardly.
"Yes," she replied.
Then, she could not help but look at Madame Emma Lockwood, who had been blinking at her. Madame Emma Lockwood was squinting her eyes to the point of cramping Isabella tried to suppress the corners of her lips and not laugh.
The man seemed to have sensed something and turned to look at Madame Emma Lockwood with a dark expression. There was finally a hint of helplessness in his voice. "Mom-"
Mom...
Isabella felt even more awkward.
Earlier at the rockery, she thought that servants had stolen food from the main family. In the end, they were caught by people like the butler and were taught a lesson. However, the truth was....
Madame Emma Lockwood ignored the man's black face and ran to Isabella Thompson's side with steady steps as if he had seen his savior. He stuffed a piece of chocolate cake that he had been hiding in his hand into Isabella Thompson's hand.
Madame Emma Lockwood raised her chin at the man like a proud child. “Look, look, I have such foresight. I knew long ago that my granddaughter-in-law was coming, so I waited for her here with the cake. Stupid son, go away quickly. Not only do I have a daughter-in-law to stand up for me, but I also have a granddaughter-in-law now..."
Madame Emma Lockwood's curly hair curled up proudly.
The veins on the man's forehead throbbed, and his face was dark. He said angrily, "Mom, are you being reasonable by stealing desserts? Have you forgotten the doctor's instructions? You have to steal desserts every day. Count how many cakes you've stolen this week?"
"Even if I ate it secretly in the past, I really came here today to wait for my granddaughter-in-law. If you don't believe me, ask my granddaughter-in-law!"
Madame Emma Lockwood directly pulled Isabella over as a shield.
The man's face was dignified and cold as he looked at Isabella threateningly.
Isabella had a deadpan expression. She carried the cake and took two steps away from Madame Emma Lockwood. "Grandma, I didn't tell you that I was coming today. It's wrong of you to eat secretly." Her expression was serious.
Madame Emma Lockwood was speechless.
Her granddaughter-in-law was too disrespectful!
She widened her eyes in disbelief and looked at Isabella with a hurt expression.
Isabella returned the favor with a deadpan exterior.
The man raised his eyebrows in surprise. He did not expect Isabella to go against Madame Emma Lockwood. Logically speaking, shouldn't she say a few good words to appease Madame Emma Lockwood first?
Isabella took a bite of the cake in her hand. Then, she narrowed his eyes in enjoyment. Under Madame Emma Lockwood's widened eyes, she said, "It smells so good. No wonder you wanted to eat it secretly!" Madame Emma Lockwood looked at her and swallowed silently.
Isabella took another bite of the cake without any sympathy and said in enjoyment, "Grandma, we've been caught stealing food. We have to find a decent excuse. If there's really no decent excuse, we have to be bold and take responsibility. At most, we'll be careful not to be caught the next time we steal food."
Due to the fact that the man opposite him was too fierce, Isabella did not intend to be polite to him. She directly instigated Madame Emma Lockwood.
Madame Emma Lockwood's aggrieved eyes suddenly lit up at this moment. She looked at Isabella excitedly and said, "Good granddaughter-in-law, can you help grandma steal the cake next time?" "How dare she!"
Before Isabella could speak, the man on the other side spoke.
With a dark expression, he glared at Isabella. "Try it if you dare!"
"Grandma, this uncle is too fierce. He's a little scary." Isabella blinked at Madame Emma Lockwood and hid behind her while eating the cake.
Madame Emma Lockwood felt a sense of accomplishment from the little girl. She felt she should shoulder the great responsibility of protecting her granddaughter-in-law and fighting against evil forces like her son till the end
She puffed out her chest and said, "How dare you scold my granddaughter-in-law? If you scare my granddaughter-in-law away, my grandson will have no wife. Can you take responsibility?" The man did not know what to say.
It seemed the man was fuming mad. "Mom, you can't pamper her. It's her first time here today. If you pamper her like this, won't she be high off one's ass in the future?"
Madame Emma Lockwood snorted. "So what if I dote on her? That's how I doted on my daughter-in-law back then. Now, I still have to dote on my granddaughter-in-law!”
The man sneered. "Don't think someone will take your side even if you be like this! Hmph, I'll tell you the truth. Your eldest daughter-in-law secretly reported to me that you secretly ate snacks today!" Madame Emma Lockwood was instantly furious. "My, I doted on them for nothing in the past. Now, all of them are complaining about me!"
After saying that, she turned to look at Isabella. "My granddaughter-in-law, you can't learn from those heartless people. In the future, you must get grandma some cupcakes!"
Isabella nodded repeatedly and said with a smile, "Yes, yes. grandma, don't worry. I'll definitely help you eat cupcakes every day."
With that, she took another bite of the cake. She was happy to help!
Madame Emma Lockwood had no idea that there was a trap in Isabella's words. She immediately looked at the man smugly.
The man's face darkened as he charged at Isabella Thompson. "This is your first time here. You're too bold. Aren't you afraid of angering me? What if you aren't allowed into the family?"
Isabella looked at the man calmly and turned to Madame Emma Lockwood with a pitiful expression.
Madame Emma Lockwood immediately understood. She picked up a branch beside him and swung it at the
man.
"How dare you bully my granddaughter-in-law? And not let me eat cake? Unfilial son..."
The more Madame Emma Lockwood spoke, the angrier she became. When she got to the part where she was not allowed to eat cake, she felt even more sorrowful. When she whipped the man, she did not go easy on
him at all.
The man clutched his head and scurried away.
Draxton looked at the man who ran out from behind the rockery with his head in his hands. He cried out in surprise, "Dad? Why did you make grandma angry?"
Draxton was speechless. He did not know what his father had done to make Madame Emma Lockwood fly into a rage to the point of whipping someone with a branch.
Ricky also raised his head and looked curiously at the miserable grandpa.
The man was running with his head lowered when he met Ricky's gaze. The man's serious and embarrassed expression froze.
Then, he slowly opened his mouth and revealed an extremely stiff smile.
He wanted to smile kindly, but in the end, this smile was uglier than crying.
It was mainly because his current situation was not exactly dignified.
Ricky pursed his lips and said, "Daddy's daddy, don't force yourself if you can't smile."
Philip Lockwood's smile froze.
At this moment, Madame Emma Lockwood, who was chasing after Philip with a branch, could not help but be stunned when she saw Ricky.
She raised the branch and forgot about chasing Philip down. She looked at Ricky with sparkling eyes, and her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Madame Emma Lockwood said in surprise, "Ricky, you're Ricky, right?"
Ricky looked at the excited grandma and nodded obediently. He said in a meek voice, "Yes, my name is Ricky, grandma."
"Great-grandma, I'm your great-grandma!" Madame Emma Lockwood exclaimed.
Madame Emma Lockwood squatted down and opened her arms. “Ricky, come give great-grandma a hug! Hurry!”
Ricky looked at Madame Emma Lockwood shyly and stood still.
Philip had already returned to his senses. He looked at the cute and exquisite child, and the stiff expression on his face had turned serious. He also opened his arms to the child and squatted down. "I'm grandpa, Ricky. Hurry up and come into grandpa's arms!"
He looked at Little Ricky expectantly.
Ricky looked at him and then at Madame Emma Lockwood. In the end, he decided to walk up to Madame Emma Lockwood and hug her.
Madame Emma Lockwood was instantly blown away with happiness. The little child in her arms was soft and warm. She cried out excitedly and sighed. "My, Ricky, little baby. I love you so much, my little baby! Madame Emma Lockwood did not seem like a regular elderly woman at all. She picked up Ricky and spun him around happily.
Philip, who had been ignored, had a stiff expression. He kept his arms open and looked at the child who had pounced into Madame Emma Lockwood's embrace. He heard a cracking sound, and his heart broke.
Draxton could not help but laugh as he looked at his father. In front of grandma, his father could forget about winning. There had to be a winner between this mother-son duo.
It was his father's fault for always controlling Madame Emma Lockwood to limit her sweet intake. Madame Emma Lockwood was very vengeful.
Isabella stood beside the rockery and tilted her head to look at this scene with a smile. The Lockwood family liked Ricky from the bottom of their hearts. Isabella was very satisfied with this.
"Bella!" Draxton waved at Isabella.
Isabella walked over. Draxton held her hand. The two of them stood side by side. Philip's face immediately
darkened.
Isabella raised an eyebrow.
Then his face darkened even more.
Draxton saw the change in their expressions and said solemnly, "Dad, Bella is timid. Don't scare her!"
"Her? She's timid?" Philip looked at Draxton in disbelief. "Who told you that?"
Draxton ignored him and said to Isabella, "Bella, this is Dad. Don't be afraid. He only looks fierce. He doesn't have much status in the family. You don't have to be afraid of him. Philip's brows creased. "How can you say that about your father?" He was furious that his son didn't even bother to give him an ounce of respect. He didn't need such a son!
A smile flashed across Isabella's eyes. "Dad, please calm down. I see that you're very dignified. Please take care of me in the future."
"Hmph, at least you have good taste."
Philip finally felt a little better.
Isabella tried hard to suppress the smile on her lips.
Philip glared at Draxton Lockwood and exclaimed, "You unfilial son. You didn't even inform your family beforehand that you brought her back. If you've told them in advance, grandma wouldn't have to hide behind
the rockery to eat secretly."
Draxton smiled and said, “Grandma was hiding behind the rockery and eating secretly, but you saw through her, didn't you? She didn't even have the chance to do that yet."
Philip snorted and pointed at Isabella. "That's all gone into her stomach, yet you say she's timid. Well, I think. otherwise!"
Isabella smiled shyly. "Dad, I was afraid grandma might be enticed, so I helped her eat it. Please don't misunderstand me!"
Philip snorted and said to Draxton, "Look, she even talked back. She's very bold!"
Draxton turned to Isabella and said, "Dad and grandma have the same personality. They are very naughty. When Dad was young, he restrained himself for the sake of the Lockwood family. Now that he has retired, he has completely set himself free!"
Isabella's lips curled up.
"What are you guys talking about?" Philip glared at them and turned to look at Ricky longingly.
"Mom, can I hug him?"Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
He pleaded.
Madame Emma Lockwood turned around and ignored him. She carried Ricky and left. As she walked away, she said to Draxton, "Draxton, hurry. Bring my granddaughter-in-law over. Don't just stand outside. Let's go inside and talk. I can't let my little darling be exposed to the cold."
Ricky was held in Madame Emma Lockwood's arms. Madame Emma Lockwood carried Ricky and strutted away with ease. Ricky twisted his little body uncomfortably and said, "Great-grandma, put me down. I'll walk by myself. You'll get tired if you keep hugging me!"
"No!" Madame Emma Lockwood cried out and kissed Ricky's little face excitedly.
"Oh my god, my baby is so gentle and considerate. I'm not tired at all. My baby, let me carry you!"
Ricky was overwhelmed by her fervent display of love.
He glanced helplessly at his mother, who was following behind him.
Isabella smiled at him, indicating that she couldn't do anything either.
Ricky could only lie quietly and obediently in Madame Emma Lockwood's arms.
Philip looked ahead, and he shifted his gaze toward Isabella and Draxton.
"Ricky is four this year, right?" he asked.
Isabella and Draxton nodded.
"Ricky is already four years old. You guys didn't have another child?" He would have been able to carry another baby in his arms if they had another child! It was infuriating!
Draxton said helplessly, "Dad, we're talking about a child. Do you think you can give birth just because you want to?"
"Why can't you do that? Could it be that you can't do it anymore?" Philip looked at his son with disdain.
Draxton was utterly speechless.
Draxton took a deep breath. "Dad!" He gritted his teeth.
Isabella looked at Draxton sympathetically. She pitied him. She didn't know he would be questioned like that at home.
Just as she thought about this, Philip's gaze landed on her. "Could it be that you're unwilling to have another child?"
Isabella gave him an insincere smile.
Philip looked anxiously in the direction of Ricky. He chased after her with his long legs and shouted, "Mom, Let me help you carry him! You should take a rest!"
"Get lost! Don't you dare steal my little baby!"
Madame Emma Lockwood replied domineeringly.
Isabella and Draxton followed behind them. Isabella could not help but wonder if Betty would be this favored if she were here.
Thinking of this, she asked Draxton, "Does your family have a habit of favoring boys over girls?"
Draxton said, "You mean, our family."
Isabella thought this man was trying to take advantage of her.
"This man!" she muttered inwardly.
"Alright, our family," Isabella yielded.
Draxton smiled in return. "To be honest, our family favors girls over boys. The status of boys in this house cannot be compared to those of girls."
Isabella listened carefully, not knowing if he was telling the truth.
Draxton continued, "Moreover, our family favors a child the younger they are, but grandma is an exception."
"Why is grandma an exception?" Isabella asked.
"Because grandpa dotes on grandma, and no one in our family dares to provoke grandpa. Therefore, other than our father, no one dares to provoke her."
Isabella could not help but laugh.
"Grandpa must have doted on her a lot for her to have such a personality." Isabella was amused.
Draxton said, "Grandma has always been naughty. Coupled with the fact that grandpa dotes on her, it's no wonder she doesn't have a care in the world. Dad has completely inherited grandma's personality. He's the same. There's nothing they're afraid of.
"When Dad was still chieftain, no one could figure out his personality. Many people had suffered greatly at his hands!"
"Doesn't have a care in the world. There's nothing they're afraid of." Isabella Thompson could not help but repeat these sentences.
She thought they actually describe Betty very well.