Chapter 64

"Laura Scott and Vivian Vanderbilt, you're the ones who pushed me to this point first!"

At the Goldmann estate...

A sleek black sedan glided along the tree-lined driveway. Towering sycamores formed a natural canopy overhead, their leaves rustling gently in the breeze. Ahead, the ornate marble fountain at the circular plaza's center came into view, its cascading waters glistening in the afternoon sun.

Beyond the fountain stood the main residence - a sprawling Gothic Revival mansion that dominated the landscape with its imposing turrets and arched windows. The centuries-old stonework exuded timeless elegance and power.

"Mr. Goldmann, you live here all by yourself?" Daisy's eyes widened as she took in the estate's grandeur, easily three times the size of their own home.

Nathan's lips curved slightly as he watched the children's reactions. "You're welcome to stay whenever you like."

'They'll be living here soon enough anyway.'

Liam turned away sharply. "We're not interested."

Nathan merely smiled in response.

As the car stopped at the grand entrance, the head butler Mr. Chester hurried forward to open the door. His practiced composure faltered the moment he saw the two children inside.

The siblings stepped out one after another. The butler's eyes darted between them and Nathan with barely concealed shock.

"Mr. Goldmann, these children are—"

Nathan ignored the question, ushering the children inside ahead of him.

Oliver approached the flustered butler. "All will become clear in time, Mr. Chester. No need for questions now."

Inside, the double-height foyer took their breath away. A massive crystal chandelier hung from the vaulted ceiling, its prisms casting rainbow patterns across the marble floors. The assembled staff stood at attention, their professional masks slipping at the sight of their employer with two children.

'Mr. Goldmann has children?!'

Daisy immediately bounded onto one of the plush sofas, her small legs swinging freely. Nathan turned to Mr. Chester. "Have the kitchen prepare some snacks."

"Right away, sir." The butler bowed.

Liam's critical gaze swept over the room's displays of antique vases and gilded artifacts. "Our place is cozier. This feels like a museum."

The nearby maid held her breath at the bold remark.

Nathan chuckled. "True. Without a lady of the house, the decor lacks warmth."

The maid nearly choked.

'This is considered lacking?!'

Daisy hopped down and approached Nathan with wide, sparkling eyes. "Then you should come to our house! We don't have a master!"

Her smartwatch chose that moment to light up with an incoming call from "Her Royal Highness."

Nathan's eyes narrowed at the display. Before Liam could react, Nathan grabbed Daisy's wrist and answered the call.

"Mr. Goldmann, it's extremely rude to answer someone else's call!" Daisy protested loudly, deliberately overlapping with Evelyn's greeting from the other end.

The overlapping voices made Evelyn's words unintelligible to Nathan.

Evelyn froze when she heard Daisy's exclamation.

'Mr. Goldmann? Nathan Goldmann?!'

"Mommy, we're fine! Mr. Goldmann saved us. Hello? Hello? Mommy, can you hear me?" Daisy pressed the watch closer to her ear before deliberately ending the call. She blinked up at Nathan with practiced innocence. "The signal must be bad where Mommy is."

Liam exhaled silently. 'That was too close. Almost blew everything.'

Nathan's jaw tightened but he remained silent.

Evelyn's racing heart finally began to calm.

'At least Liam and Daisy are safe. But how did Nathan find them? This can't happen again. I won't give Laura and Vivian another opportunity.'

At Vanderbilt Manor...

"Damn it! The call won't go through!" Vivian paced frantically. "You said they called demanding more money. They wouldn't actually hurt the kids, would they?"