Chapter 272: First Meeting

It was nine o’clock.

Alexander Sullivan received a call from his father. He answered immediately. "Dad."

"Alexander, are you up yet?"

"Yeah, I’m already up."

"Then come over a little earlier today!"

"Okay."

He hung up.

Alexander Sullivan let out a breath and looked toward the villa’s main gate, his heart clenching with nerves. He’d never felt this anxious, not even when facing the toughest business negotiations. Another half hour passed.

Alexander Sullivan stepped on the gas and drove through the villa’s main gate.

The security guard had already received notice from Johnson Royce, so they waved him through.

At the same time, an Audi slowly approached from the opposite direction. Alexander Sullivan noticed that the person in the driver’s seat was Peter Preston.

Peter Preston, of course, saw Alexander Sullivan as well, but he showed no surprise.

Their eyes met for a moment.

Peter Preston gave a slight nod before driving out of the villa complex.

Alexander Sullivan didn’t dwell on it and drove up to the Royce family’s villa.

He got out of the car, took the gifts he had prepared, walked to the front door, and rang the doorbell.

「A few minutes later.」

Johnson Royce came to open the door.

"Dad."

"Alexander, you’re here! Come on in," Johnson Royce said, bustling to greet his son. "Why did you buy so much? Here, let me help you with that." He took some of the bags from his son’s hands.

Alexander Sullivan followed his father into the house.

"You can just put everything here!"

"Oh, okay." Alexander Sullivan placed the items on a nearby cabinet, looking awkward and out of his element.

Florence Preston came downstairs, holding Bobby in her arms.

Alexander Sullivan stood frozen, watching her with an exceptionally humble posture.

Florence Preston looked at Alexander Sullivan. ’This is the first time I’ve met Johnson’s son,’ she thought. ’He looks a bit like Johnson did when he was younger. If I didn’t know he was Claire Ainsworth’s brother, I would have been quite impressed by his refined, polite demeanor and his distinguished air.’

"Alexander, this is your Miss Preston."

Alexander Sullivan’s heart skipped a beat. ’Is that a coincidence?’ he wondered.

"Hello, Miss Preston. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I hope I’m not intruding today." His tone was so respectful and polite that it was impossible to find fault.

Florence Preston replied coolly, "It’s no intrusion. The house is quiet today anyway, so one more person makes no difference."

Alexander Sullivan smiled. He could hear the distance in her voice, but he understood.

Johnson Royce quickly tried to smooth things over. "It’s just me, your Miss Preston, and Bobby at home today. Your sister went to her in-laws’ for the holiday."

Alexander Sullivan simply hummed in acknowledgment.

Johnson Royce then introduced him to Bobby.

Bobby stared at Alexander Sullivan with wide, curious eyes.

Alexander Sullivan quickly pulled a large red envelope from his coat and offered it to Florence Preston with both hands. "It’s just a small token. A red envelope for Bobby. I hope you don’t mind, Miss Preston."

Florence Preston glanced at it but didn’t immediately reach for it.

When Bobby saw the red envelope, he suddenly let out a giggle and reached for it.

Alexander Sullivan’s gaze softened as he looked at Bobby.

"You like your big brother’s red envelope, don’t you, Bobby?"

Bobby giggled again.

"Honey, go on and take it for him!" Johnson Royce urged.

Seeing her son smiling so happily at Alexander Sullivan, Florence Preston suddenly found her aversion to him lessening. She reached out and accepted the envelope. There was no cash inside; it felt like a bank card.

"You shouldn’t have. I’ll thank you on Bobby’s behalf."

Alexander Sullivan smiled. "It’s my pleasure. Miss Preston, may I hold Bobby?"

Without a word, Florence Preston handed Bobby to him.

Alexander Sullivan carefully reached out and took Bobby into his arms.

Bobby gazed up at Alexander Sullivan with his bright, clear eyes, then began to laugh and wave his hands happily in his arms.

Watching the child in his arms, Alexander Sullivan’s expression grew exceptionally gentle.

"See? Bobby really likes Alexander," Johnson Royce said happily to Florence Preston.

Florence Preston showed no particular reaction. "Just take good care of Bobby," she said before turning and heading upstairs. Once back in her bedroom, she took the bank card out of the red envelope and checked the balance. Her eyes widened in shock—it was thirty million. ’He’s certainly generous,’ she thought.

「Downstairs.」

Alexander Sullivan sat on the sofa with Bobby, unable to resist gently squeezing the baby’s little hand. "Dad, what’s Bobby’s full name?"

Johnson Royce replied, "Elias Royce."

"Elias Royce. That’s a great name."

Alexander Sullivan played with Bobby for a moment before suddenly asking, "Dad, do you know Peter Preston?"