Susan frowned with dissatisfaction. “Even if Louis doesn't work at T Corporation, he's still a shareholder. Whatever decisions they make, shouldn't they consult Louis as well?"

The butler smiled apologetically and said, "Yes, you're right."

"This won't do. Since Louis isn't here, I need to listen to what they have to say." Susan thought that she could not let Luke get the upper hand.

She went through a lot just to get Louis so many shares from T Corporation, but if Luke decided to pull some strings and keep the shares for himself, then all her previous efforts would be in vain.

"Madam Crawford, Old Master Crawford ordered..." The butler blocked her way.

"Don't worry, I'll just stand by the door. If I can hear it, I'll hear it. If I can't, then so be it. I won't make things difficult for you," Susan insisted on moving forward.

"This is Old Master Crawford's order, Madam Crawford. Do you want to displease the old master?" The butler held his ground and stood in her way.

If she continued forward, she would reach the door.

Susan saw that the butler would not budge, and if she continued to make a fuss, the people inside would surely be able to hear it. Original from .

She did not dare upset the old master right now, so she glared at the butler and left.

The butler breathed a sigh of relief. Although Susan would hold a grudge against him, it would not be the first time, so he did not think anything of it.

When the tea room door opened, Luke and Old Master Crawford walked out.

Although the old master was elderly, his hearing was still sharp. He asked the butler, "Who was it who tried to enter just now?"

"Old Master Crawford, you heard that?" the butler did not answer.

"Was it Susan?" Old Master Crawford knew who it was after noticing how the butler did not answer. After Allison left, the only person left in this house who was this aggressive and domineering was Susan.

"Madam Crawford is just concerned about the Crawford family affairs," the butler had no choice but to say.

Old Master Crawford grunted as he knew exactly what Susan was up to.

After glancing at the time, Old Master Crawford said, "It's almost time. The children are about to finish school, so have Mrs. Nancy prepare dinner."

"Yes," replied the butler as he bowed. “Young Master Luke, will you be having dinner at Crawford Manor this evening?"

“I will," said Luke. He had originally intended to bring the children back tomorrow, but since he was already here, he might as well stay for dinner and bring them back later.

Old Master Crawford was getting old and needed a quiet space.

The place had always been a bit rowdy as the kids were here all the time.

“In that case, I'll have Mrs. Nancy prepare dinner now." The butler headed to the kitchen after he finished speaking.

“Luke, will you be staying the night?" Old Master Crawford asked as he would need to have the maid clean Luke's bedroom if Luke decided to stay the night.

“No, I'll take the children back home after dinner," said Luke.

Old Master Crawford nodded without obstructing him as he thought that bringing the children back home with him was not a bad idea. Since he could not handle Luca himself, perhaps the children could assist him.

“A few of the kids got some new things during their stay. I'll have someone pack them up," said the old master as he ordered the maid.

“We can always buy them again." Luke frowned. He would have to travel to Russia often in the future because of the Russian project.

For the most part, he would bring Luca along with him, so the kids would still have to stay at Crawford Manor from time to time.

“Just take them with you and save the money. Besides, do you even have time to buy them with the children?" said Old Master Crawford while he gestured to the maid and insisted that she go pack them up.

Luke kept quiet as he really did not have much time to spend with the children.

When the kids were younger, he could still bring them to the company to watch over them. The kids knew how to behave, so he would put them in the office and they would stay by his side the entire day without making a fuss.

Now that they have to attend school, bringing them along with him would only interfere with their studies.

That was why he still needed Luca.

He had to hurry up and find the person controlling Luca so that she could return to their family.

An hour had passed.

Uncle Zander picked up the three kids from school and returned.

Lanie, Rainie, and Tommy walked into the living room while holding hands. Their eyes lit up the moment they saw Luke. They let go of each other's hands and ran over to Luke. “Daddy, you're back!"

Tommy cheered the loudest. Their father came back, which meant that Luca should be back too.

He looked around but did not see Luca, so he asked, “Daddy, where's Ms. Luca?"

Luke saw Tommy yearning for Luca and empathized with him. She was the one who took care of him since he was little. It was only natural that he longed to be close to her.

He patted his head and said, “She didn't come over. She's at the villa."

“Oh, I see... Daddy, you should've brought Ms. Luca over," Tommy said discontentedly.

Raine, who stood beside him, also said, "He's right, Daddy. We all miss Ms. Luca."

"When I bring you all back after dinner, you'll be able to see her." Luke caressed each of their heads separately.

"You're great, Daddy!" Tommy was the first to jump up and down while applauding.

"Awesome!" Rainie cheered after glancing at Lanie.

Lanie did not have much to say, but the corners of his mouth curled up into a smile too.

Old Master Crawford saw the three kids' reactions and looked at Luke. He then said meaningfully, "It seems like the children like Luca a lot."

"They were already very close to Luca to begin with." Luke caressed their heads again.

Their fondness came from their kinship. There was an innate connection between a mother and her children. Otherwise, they would not have found out so early on that Luca was their mother.

Although the three children were smart enough to notice something unusual in Luca's behavior, if it were not for their kinship, they would not have found out about it sooner than the adults.

Tommy nodded at Old Master Crawford. "Yes, Great-grandpa. We like Ms. Luca a lot."

Old Master Crawford stroked his beard while smiling and said, "Well, that's great. I think having Luca by your father's side isn't a bad idea."

Thea scornfully watched all of this while standing at the side.

They were so childish.

Her grandmother was right. Although they were cousins, she should not get too close.

They only knew how to feign smiles to please the adults. How lame.

Luke noticed Thea's gaze and could not help but raise his eyebrows.

Thea's eyes met Luke's, and it startled her. Although she despised her three cousins, she was still afraid of her uncle.

Old Master Crawford also noticed that Thea was acting strange and intentionally said in a serious tone, "Thea, why aren't you greeting your uncle?"

"Hello, Uncle.." Thea said embarrassedly.

Susan walked over and just so happened to hear Old Master Crawford's stern voice, which made her indignant.

He was so affectionate toward Luke's kids yet so strict with Thea. It was all because Louis refused to have a second child. The old master was not satisfied with the fact that there were no grandsons from their side.

She could not help but speak up for Thea, "Father, Thea is still a kid. Why are you talking to her in such a fierce tone? You'll frighten her."