Chapter 259
After having dinner and watching a movie, as they passed by the arcade, Isabella remembered that it had been a long time since she played games with Maggie, so she dragged her into the arcade.
For Isabella, activities like shopping, eating, watching movies, and playing games at the arcade were quite ordinary, but since it had been a long time since she had gone out with Maggie, she was very happy even with these simple activities.
Maggie had arranged to have dinner with Reed in the evening.
After leaving the arcade, she planned to send Isabella back to the Miller family and then go to meet him.
Isabella didnt want to leave Maggie, so she pouted and asked, Cant you bring me along? Maggie paused for a moment.
Since Reed had just asked her out for a casual dinner without any particular matters to discuss, it should be fine to bring Isabella along.
With that in mind, Maggie called Reed and asked if he minded her bringing a child along.
Reed laughed, Maggie, you can bring her over, Uncle doesnt mind.
After a pause, he asked, Is she your child? Maggie replied, Yes.
Reed was quite surprised when he heard this.
Last time they met, although Maggie mentioned that she was already married, he hadnt expected her to look so young and already have a child.
Half an hour later, when Maggie entered the private room holding Isabellas hand, Reed was already there.
Seeing Isabella, Reed smiled, Maggie, is this your daughter? She looks a lot like you.
Maggie smiled and said, Yes.
Whats her name? Isabella Wilson.
Wilson… is she from the Wilson family? Reed paused.
When he first saw Isabella, she seemed familiar, but he couldnt remember where he had seen her.
Hearing Maggies response, he suddenly remembered meeting the Wilson family during New Years, and the little girl Franklin was holding back then clearly was- He looked at Maggie with some shock, Is your husband Franklin Wilson? Maggie nodded, Yes.
Reed remained silent for a moment.
Previously, when Maggie said she was married, he had wondered how someone as excellent as her could get married so young.
After all, people as outstanding as her were few and far between.
But if her husband was Franklin, then honestly, in terms of their circumstances, he was the only one who could match her.
Thinking about this, Reed smiled, but remembering the melancholic expression Maggie had when she mentioned her marriage and recalling how he had met the Wilson family but hadnt seen Maggie, he realized that the relationship between Maggie and Franklin seemed to have more serious issues than he initially thought.
He gestured for Maggie and Isabella to sit down, then took out two gifts, one for each of them.
Maggie was about to decline, but Reed gently said, Its normal for an elder to give gifts to juniors during the New Year.
Its not much, take it.
Maggie reluctantly accepted, Thank you, Uncle Hardin.
She then turned to Isabella and said, Isabella, thank Uncle Hardin.
Isabella obediently responded, Thank you, Grandpa Hardin.
No need to be so polite, Reed said, giving Isabella a few more glances before smiling, She really looks more like Franklin.
Maggie replied, Yes, thats true.
Reed smiled again and said, Whether she looks like Franklin or you, shes a great child.
Maggie lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, not responding.
Reed then asked, Have you and that troublesome son of mine made up yet? Maggie shook her head and smiled, It seems the conflict has only deepened.
Reed laughed, Thats good.
He nonchalantly added, Hes had an easy life, so giving him a little lesson is good.
Im actually looking forward to it.
Afterward, they continued chatting about other topics.
After dinner, Maggie and Reed talked for over an hour before parting ways.
In the following days, after spending time with Isabella and fulfilling her dinner appointment with Reed, Maggie mostly stayed at home to study the materials that Nolan had given her.
When she was studying at home, Isabella was very obedient.
Apart from occasionally going out with Hugo and others, she usually stayed in her room playing alone.
However, every day, she would video call Franklin.
Whenever Franklin called, Julia was usually there.
It wasnt that Maggie was deliberately paying attention to their conversations, but since Isabella knew that Maggie didnt like Julia, when Julia was around, Isabella would take her tablet outside to talk, not staying in the room.
After focusing on her research for two or three days, Maggie finally had some inspiration.
This was the first time she had such a clear idea after receiving the materials from Nolan.
That day, she worked from morning until night, not even moving when her family urged her to come down for lunch.
Seeing how busy she was, Helen had to bring the food upstairs for her.
When Isabella saw that the food had gone cold and Maggie still hadnt eaten, she went over and urged her, Mom, eat first.
Maggie muttered an Hmm without taking her eyes off the computer, clearly unaware of what she had just agreed to.
Isabella pursed her lips and called her a few more times before Maggie finally reacted and ate the food.
At night, it was the same.
Maggie couldnt even find time to eat.
Isabella had originally wanted to ask her to help with her bath, but after calling her several times and getting no response, she gave up and went downstairs to ask Xavier to help her.
After finishing her bath and returning to her room, she saw that Maggie was still sitting in front of the computer, so she climbed into bed and fell asleep.