Chapter 352: Chapter 352: Confirmed as Father and Daughter
Before getting off the car, Mr. Coleman said, "Miss Ashley, remember to call me when you need to leave, I’ll be waiting nearby."
Ashley Shaw quickly replied, "You don’t have to wait for me, I don’t even know what time it’ll be."
"No problem," Mr. Coleman insisted cautiously, fearing her refusal, adding, "It’s the young master’s request."
He looked as though he’d be at a loss if she didn’t let him wait.
Ashley Shaw was a soft-hearted person, especially towards those who had watched her grow up.
So she nodded, "Alright, I’ll call you when it’s over."
Mr. Coleman felt relieved, watching her get off and then went to find a parking spot nearby.
Ashley Shaw stood at the entrance of the restaurant named "Serene Court," and her mind inexplicably recalled what Warren Prescott had said outside the courthouse.
He had said, Xavier Quincy was odd.
Whether it was due to Warren Prescott’s words planting a psychological suggestion, she suddenly felt a bit afraid to go in.
It wasn’t just Warren Prescott; she also felt Xavier Quincy was a bit odd.
This oddity was not coming from Xavier Quincy himself, but from his sudden return to Veridia.
The more she recalled, the more she was convinced that Xavier Quincy had indeed not returned to Veridia at this time in her previous life.
She clearly remembered that, since he left the country, he only came back on the day of her and Warren Prescott’s wedding.
But now it was clear, there was an unknown variable with Xavier Quincy.
She even boldly hypothesized, could it be that Xavier Quincy had also come back from a previous life?
But she immediately dismissed this notion.
Rebirth wasn’t like eating or sleeping; not just anyone could be reborn.
She wasn’t saying she was special, but if everyone could be reborn, the world would be in chaos.
Yet the more she thought about it, the more she was afraid to go in.
Because she also vaguely felt that Xavier Quincy’s attitude towards her was indeed different from the previous life.
Her phone rang at that moment, startling Ashley Shaw.
She took out her phone and saw the caller ID: "Leo."
She thought he was calling to hurry her, but Xavier Quincy started by asking, "Why aren’t you coming in now that you’ve arrived?"
Perhaps her sixth sense was too accurate; Ashley Shaw subconsciously glanced toward a window in the restaurant and saw Xavier Quincy smiling and waving at her.
Ashley Shaw returned a strained smile, hung up the phone, and forced herself to walk in.
She told herself, don’t overthink, don’t scare yourself.
...
Meanwhile, elsewhere,
Shane Coleman got in Owen Sinclair’s car, and they headed to Westcroft Central Hospital together.
Since one of Owen Sinclair’s friends had an unexpected surgery and couldn’t be reached to inform them of the test results, they were going to the hospital to pick up the report themselves.
But because Owen Sinclair’s status was special, appearing in such a setting, especially to pick up a paternity test...
If discovered, it would certainly cause a major scandal in the entertainment news.
So upon arriving at the hospital, Owen Sinclair stayed in the car while Shane Coleman went in to fetch the report.
After waiting for roughly ten minutes, just when Owen Sinclair was about to get out to smoke, Shane Coleman returned.
Before he could ask, Shane Coleman got into the car cheerfully, reaching over to pat his shoulder.
"Congratulations, becoming a dad effortlessly at this age, and your little gem is a super beauty."
Owen Sinclair’s eyelid twitched violently, his mind felt like fireworks exploding, colorful, making him both excited and bewildered.
Such a feeling, not even when he won the International Best Actor award.
After a while, he reached a trembling hand toward Shane Coleman.
"The report... let me see."
Shane Coleman immediately handed the report over.
The names on it were all pseudonyms, yet it clearly stated that they were indeed father and daughter.
Owen Sinclair’s mind went blank for a moment, recovering his voice after a while.
"Shane... I have a daughter..."
Shane Coleman looked speechless, "I know, I was the one who told you, why repeat it?"
But Owen Sinclair seemed to not hear him, repeating, "I have a daughter..."
Shane Coleman realized that Owen Sinclair was simply too happy.
"Calm down, don’t go overboard like Felix Fanning passing the imperial exam, getting too elated and losing your mind. I ask, what do you plan to do now? Tell Ashley directly that you’re her dad?"
Hearing this, Owen Sinclair suddenly snapped out of his joy, the smile vanished, replaced by worry.
"No."
"Why? Now there’s evidence to prove it, what are you hesitating for? Hurry up and acknowledge your daughter! Didn’t you hear her at lunch today? If you’re her dad, she’d be very happy."
"That was a joke, because she’s sure that I wouldn’t be her father, so she said it."
"Wait... Owen, I don’t get it, what exactly are you apprehensive about?"
"Her mother."
"Huh? Didn’t her mother already... pass away?"
"I owe her, I let her down. Her mother must have told her about me, so I’m afraid she’ll blame me for letting them down and refuse to acknowledge me."
Shane Coleman was silent for a while, then said, "Then we’ll take it slow, frequently appear before her, and win her over. When the time comes, let things happen naturally..."
"Will that work?"
"Do you have a better plan apart from this?"
The answer was: No.
Owen Sinclair remained silent.
"Let’s do it this way! Your studio has also been established this week, then move to Aethelgard, and invite her to meals every day. In Veridia, everything can be sorted out over a meal!"
Owen Sinclair only hummed, knowing it wasn’t as simple as Shane Coleman made it sound.
Through these few interactions, he had somewhat understood Ashley Shaw’s character.
Seeming easygoing, but she’s very determined inwardly, once she sets her mind, not even ten bulls could pull her back.
And if she thought of him as a "bad" father, no matter how much effort he put in, it seemed futile.
But as Shane Coleman said, apart from this, he had no other way.
...
Serene Court.
The restaurant was built in a Thai style, Thai features could be seen everywhere.
The private room Ashley Shaw was in was called "Saranya," the capital of Thailand, and the best room in Serene Court.
From here, one could see the garden of Serene Court.
When Ashley Shaw pushed the door open, the first dish had just been served.
It was a Thai cold dish: Spicy Papaya Salad.
"Try it, I remember you liked this as well."
"Mm." Ashley Shaw walked over to sit down and took a bite with her chopsticks.
It was delicious, but perhaps because her heart wasn’t in it, it lacked the usual flavor.
Still, she said, "Delicious!"
"If you like it, have more. After you’re finished, I have something to tell you."
Ashley Shaw hadn’t had the chance to ask before Xavier Quincy handed over a box.
"I originally had it sent to the Prescott Family, thinking you were still staying there. After knowing you’re not, I had the courier send it to me. I’m bringing it to you now, open it and see."
"Is this the gift you brought for me from abroad?"
"Yes."
Xavier Quincy didn’t mention it, and she almost forgot about it.