Chapter 8 When Did You Have a Son?

• Bruce Dawson looked at Bunny's angry face. There was something strangely familiar about it, but he couldn't quite place where he'd seen it before.
• Just as the tension between them was escalating, the door to the penthouse swung open. A woman in her mid-forties walked in and said, "Mr. Bruce, you called for me?"
• "Maria, I'm heading out for a while. Stay here and watch over this little rascal," Bruce ordered. He dismissed the sense of familiarity as he headed up the stairs.
• Maria glanced around the room and saw the little munchkin nestled on the couch. Her mouth dropped open in shock. "This... You must be Little Master.
• "My goodness, it's a miracle! Our Mr. Bruce finally has an heir! He bears a striking resemblance to Mr. Bruce's childhood chubbiness. You two looked exactly the same."
• Maria was the cousin of the butler at the Dawson Estate. She had served the family for over thirty years. She was from the countryside and had a rustic charm that endeared her to Bruce's grandparents.
• Her cooking was exceptional, and she had a considerate nature, which young Bruce appreciated. Therefore, she had taken care of Bruce all this time.
• Bruce was halfway up the stairs. He stopped listening to Maria's praise for the boy. He turned around and stared at them. Bruce asked once more, "Does he really look like me?"
• "Yes, Mr. Bruce. I wouldn't lie to you," Maria said, beaming with certainty. She mused, "But if you look closely, he also resembles Madam a little."
• When he heard Maria's affirmation, Bruce began to doubt Bunny's parentage. When Maria mentioned his deceased wife, he became wary and questioned loudly, "What did you say?"
• He was shocked, not intending to blame the housekeeper.
• Maria was immediately alarmed at Bruce's raised voice. She was so overjoyed at meeting Bunny that she let something slip in her excitement.
• For the past five years, his wife had been a taboo subject, and no one dared mention her name in Bruce's presence for fear of angering him.
• Realizing her slip, Maria hastily explained, "Maybe I'm getting old and seeing things wrong. Please, Mr. Bruce, don't take it to heart."
• Maria's words caught Bruce's attention. He walked back to the sofa, picked up Bunny, and scrutinized his face. Images of Willa's delicate features flashed in his mind.
• The boy's eyebrows and lips bore some resemblance to her, while the rest didn't.
• What struck him most was the similarity in expressions and mannerisms.
• —the way they looked when angry, happy, talking, or crying, as well as the way they pouted and fiddled with their clothes.
• As these similarities overlapped with each other, Bruce couldn't ignore the striking resemblance between Bunny and his late wife.
• Lil?
• Is this really you?
• Did you give birth to this troublemaker? Is this brat our boy?
• Could such a coincidence truly exist in this world?
• Bunny intentionally reminded Bruce. The boy blinks his cute eyes at Maria. He looked at the kind lady and asked, "Grandma, who is this Madam you're talking about?"
• "Little Master, you... you can't call me that. I don't deserve that," Maria stammered. She glanced at Bruce, unsure of how to respond. Then she had an idea and changed the topic.
• "Dad calls you Maria, so it's not wrong for me to call you Grandma!" Sure enough, Bunny's attention was diverted. After all, he was just a child, and no matter how clever he was, he couldn't outsmart adults.
• After all, Maria had more experience in life than him.
• Maria thought of Bruce's mother, Halle Mallin, who was still alive. She couldn't let the child call her grandma.
• Maria explained, "Little Master, your real grandma is at the Dawson Estate. I'm just a housekeeper."
• "Then I'll call you Ms. Maria! Mommy said kids should be polite and respect their elders," Bunny said sweetly, his voice soft and understanding.
• No matter how mischievous and unruly he was, the boy always remembered Willa's words.
• Maria felt warm and sweet inside, listening to Bunny speak so politely. "Alright, alright," she repeated, growing increasingly fond of the young boy, who was both sweet and polite.
• It seemed his mother had raised him very well.
• "Ms. Maria, is Madam my father's wife? She must be very beautiful," Bunny asked, his quick mind returning to his original question.
• After their conversation, Maria initially believed Bunny had forgotten his previous question, but later realized he hadn't. Now she was torn about how to answer him.
• "Maria, he's probably hungry. Make him something to eat," Bruce said, interrupting the awkward situation and helping Maria out.
• "Oh! Alright, right away," Maria said, escaping to the kitchen.
• "Are you doing this on purpose?" Bunny asked, lifting his chin and glaring at Bruce with an urge to scratch his face.
• "So what if I am? Don't you think you talk too much? You're annoying!" Bruce said this as he dropped Bunny on the sofa and headed upstairs.
• "Hmph! Daddy, you're too much. This is the third time you've thrown me a party today. One day, I'll find someone who can deal with you," Bunny yelled angrily, making a face at Bruce's back.
• If he weren't so hungry and tired, he would have fought Bruce right there.
• Half an hour later, Bruce had taken off his suit and was now dressed in casual clothes. He came downstairs and talked on the phone.
• From the other end, a rebellious voice asked, "Bruce, how long are we supposed to wait? Give me a word. When are you coming?"
• Bruce checked his watch and said, "I'm leaving now. I'll be there in twenty minutes."
• "Alright, see you at the usual spot," the voice replied. He was about to hang up when he heard a soft voice asking, "Daddy, you're going out this late?" His shock was evident.
• "Mr. Bruce! Bruce Dawson! When did you have a kid?"
• "Tonight," Bruce replied calmly.
• "What? Tonight? That's—that's too fast! How did you manage to raise a son old enough to call you 'Daddy' overnight?" The voice exclaimed.
• "You talk too much," Bruce replied, ending the call.
• At this time, Maria carried a bowl of pasta and emerged from the kitchen. When she noticed Bruce was leaving the house, she asked with a smile, "Mr. Bruce, I made ground beef pasta for the Little Master. Would you like some? There's more in the pot."