Chapter 318

Daisy's eyes welled up with tears, but she remained silent.

Liam wrapped his arms around his little sister protectively, glaring at Theodore. "We don't want anything from this woman."

To the Vanderbilt children, anyone who threatened their mother's happiness was automatically the enemy.

Rosalind maintained her gracious smile despite the rejection. "It's quite alright, Mr. Goldmann. Please don't scold them on my account."

Her polite words masked the simmering resentment in her heart. These insolent children would learn their place soon enough.

Theodore slammed his fist on the table, the sudden noise making everyone jump. "I am not your doting grandfather! If your parents spoiled you rotten, I'll be the one to correct that behavior. Apologize to Miss Summers immediately!"

Caleb and Daisy flinched at his outburst but stood their ground, their small chins jutting out stubbornly.

Liam's voice cut through the tension like a knife. "We have nothing to apologize for."

Mr. Chester nearly choked on his own breath at the child's audacity.

Theodore's eyes widened in shock. This level of defiance from a child was unheard of in the Goldmann household. "No supper for any of you until you apologize!"

"Fine by us."

Without hesitation, Liam pushed back his chair and marched away, his siblings following close behind.

Watching Theodore's thunderous expression, Mr. Chester ventured carefully, "The children are just—"

"Spare me your excuses!" Theodore snapped. "Their behavior is unacceptable. Hunger will teach them manners."

Rosalind's eyes gleamed with barely concealed malice. Once she became Mrs. Goldmann, she'd make sure these brats regretted their insolence.

Later that night...

Theodore tossed and turned in his bed, unable to sleep. The children's defiance reminded him painfully of Nathan's stubbornness at their age.

Despite his anger, a nagging worry gnawed at him. The Vanderbilt children shared their father's iron will—would they really go hungry all night?

He threw off his covers and headed to check on them.

As he entered the living room, he noticed light spilling from the kitchen. Anger flared—had that soft-hearted butler disobeyed his orders?

What he saw when he entered the kitchen stopped him dead in his tracks.

Daisy and Caleb sat at the counter, rubbing sleep from their eyes while Liam stood on a step stool, expertly maneuvering a frying pan.

Theodore's jaw dropped. These children could cook?

Noticing his presence, Caleb and Daisy immediately sat up straighter.

"What," Theodore demanded, "do you think you're doing?"

Caleb turned with a cheeky grin. "What does it look like? Making midnight snacks."

Theodore's voice turned stern. "At your age? Who taught you this?"

The thought of children handling hot stoves sent a chill down his spine. What was Nathan thinking allowing this?

Daisy piped up proudly, "Liam's been cooking since he was four and a half. He's amazing at it!"

Liam calmly turned off the burner, his movements precise and practiced. The aroma of perfectly cooked spaghetti filled the kitchen, making his siblings' stomachs growl audibly.

They'd planned to sneak a meal, never expecting to get caught by the family patriarch.

Theodore examined the perfectly al dente pasta with growing astonishment. His gaze lingered on Liam—this child was different. The quiet intensity in his eyes, the way he carried himself... it reminded Theodore uncannily of his younger self.