Chapter 3 For The Best

• The driver responded, “She didn't say much. She only said to let the traffic police handle it.”
• The driver had assumed she was just another woman trying to get close to Gabriel. However, she had merely wanted to deal with the minor fender bender and didn't engage in unnecessary conversation with Gabriel in the car, let alone ask for his contact information.
• For some reason, Gabriel felt a touch of irritation in his heart. Over the years, he had lost interest in any woman. Yet, in the quiet solitude of midnight dreams, he would occasionally recall the sweet moment of that one night.
• But it was merely a thought, as that woman had completely vanished since that night.
• Fine, it's probably for the best that she's gone.
• She's simply a woman who values her own interests.
• Five years ago, when Gabriel woke up after the absurdity of that one night, the woman who had been by his side was already long gone.
• Back then, at that hotel, he had been drugged by someone from a rival company. Amidst the ensuing chaos and confusion, he remembered the distinct scent that filled the air when he opened the door.
• The scent seemed to be his antidote, and he pulled a delicate woman into the room.
• The struggle and naivety of that woman in the darkness, along with her crying, were things he could not forget.
• When he saw the bloodstains on the bed, he realized that the woman was still a virgin.
• This realization made him feel increasingly guilty. He had tarnished a young woman's reputation and purity.
• Gabriel wanted to offer some money as compensation. With a furrowed brow, he called Erick Frost, his assistant, his voice icy as he commanded, “Find the girl who entered my room tonight and give her a sum of money as compensation.”
• “All right.” Erick immediately took care of the matter.
• The following day, he responded to Gabriel, stating that the girl had already received the five million.
• Gabriel, who had been engrossed in his work, suddenly felt a wave of frustration welling up within him.
• Five years had passed, yet he was unable to swallow the resentment that lingered in his chest.
• But none of these mattered anymore. The girl had taken the money, a clear indication that she wanted nothing more to do with him.
• Jeanette didn't return home. Instead, she temporarily stayed at Sylvie's place. Sylvie, a renowned celebrity, owned numerous properties. The suite that Jeanette was staying in was specifically prepared by Sylvie for her and Charles.
• After dropping them off, Sylvie rushed off for work.
• Jeanette took a tour around the house with Charles, and they both retired to bed quite early after freshening up.
• Charles had a competition to attend tomorrow.
• Early the next day, Jeanette arrived at the competition venue with Charles.
• He was donned in a decent white-on-black suit, standing taller than most of his peers. His thick black hair was neatly combed to a side parting, revealing his smooth forehead. His cute nose, rounded lips, and well-defined jawline gave him a charming appearance.
• On the big screen, his face was captured from all angles. It was simply a divine masterpiece.
• A wave of admiration swept through the crowd. The child was so good-looking that they wondered just how exceptional the genetic makeup of his parents must be.
• Charles had already stood poised on the stage. His gaze was focused as his fingers danced across the strings. He played a piece of considerable difficulty. Instantly, the entire hall fell into extreme silence as everyone listened attentively and allowed themselves to be carried away by the ebb and flow of the music.
• Jeanette, too, felt that her son had outperformed himself this time and silently applauded his efforts. Finally, he stepped off the stage, and seven or eight more children took their turns. This went on until eight-fifty in the evening when the final winner was decided by a vote.
• On the screen, images were rapidly changing until the final list of winners appeared.
• “And the first place goes to... Charles Gardner! Let us invite Charles to the stage to share with us his feelings,” the host announced.
• A small figure, calm and elegant, appeared on the screen.
• The host crouched down, turned to him, and asked, “Tell me, Charles, how are you feeling right now?”
• “I feel very happy and excited,” Charles replied in his piping voice.
• The audience once again erupted into applause.
• “Is there anything you'd like to say to the viewers at home?” the host asked again.
• “Yes.”
• Charles took the microphone from the host, looked in the direction of the camera, and said, “Sir, could you please zoom in on my face? Thank you.”
• Although the cameraman didn't understand why, he still did as he was told.
• That delicate little face suddenly appeared three times larger, with an unmatched clarity.
• He smiled contentedly before finally speaking up. “My name is Charles Gardner, and my mommy is Jeanette Gardner. I am four years, two months, and three days old. I want to use this platform to find someone, and that person is my daddy. Daddy, if you happen to see me, please reach out to us! I really want to meet you!”
• This was the real reason he had strived to participate in this competition.
• He was determined to find his father and have him take good care of his mother.
• Jeanette was both furious and shocked. She had never anticipated that her son had joined this competition to find that despicable man.
• She rushed backstage and dragged Charles into a private room for a serious talk. “Charles, how many times have I told you that your daddy is no longer alive? I watched him being buried with my own eyes.”
• Jeanette wished nothing more than to personally end that despicable man's life. Cursing him to die was nothing less than what he deserved.
• “Mommy... I still believe that Daddy is alive...” Charles observed his mother's face, noticing her expression growing increasingly grim. “I'm sorry, Mommy...” he said with teary eyes.
• Upon hearing her son's apology, Jeanette found herself at a loss for words. She couldn't bring herself to scold him, knowing well the deep need a child his age had for a father.
• Charles blinked his slightly reddened eyes. He still believed that his father was alive. But when he saw his mother getting angry, all he could do was nod and say, “All right, then!”
• Sylvie drove them home. Throughout the journey, Jeanette was consumed with worry. She was genuinely concerned that, following her son's remarks, that despicable man might show up at their doorstep.