The next day, Josie began participating in the project, single-handedly producing a tender proposal.

Grape had grown accustomed to her mother's busyness. She sat obediently on one side, playing with her toys. "Mom, has an old man come to our house? The housekeeper won't let me go over there." Despite being engrossed in her work, Josie extended a hand, gently patting Grape's head. "Hmm, he isn't feeling well. Once he gets a little better, I'll take you to see him, alright?"

Grape widened her eyes. "Give my medicine to him, and he will wake up faster."

Josie curved her lips into a bitter smile at her daughter's attentiveness.

Just then, Dexter came down from the study, placing a few books on Josie's desk. "These contain records of Rivodia's development over the past few years. They can help you quickly understand the situation," he said.

Josie pressed her lips together and nodded.

Grape's eyes were sharp, causing her to tug at Dexter's arm. "Mr. Russell, your hand is injured! Does it hurt?"

The bandage was wrapped by Josie, complete with a bow on top.

Dexter crouched down to bring himself to Grape's eye level. "It does. Why don't you blow on it, Grape?"

The enthusiastic Grape immediately puffed up her cheeks and blew with all her might.

"Does it still hurt, Mr. Russell?"

"It doesn't hurt anymore. That was very helpful. Thank you, Grape."

Upon hearing this, Grape was filled with delight and generously offered, "If it still hurts, I'll blow on it for you again, Mr. Russell!"

"Sure."

Upon witnessing this scene, Josie couldn't help but feel the corner of her mouth twitching. Dexter was quite skilled at interacting with children. At this moment, he was squatting on the ground, conversing with Grape in a childlike manner and looking every bit like a father.

The sight simply mesmerized her.

At that moment, the sound of a car echoed from outside, signaling Moses' return. Grape jumped up in joy. "Mr. Chakov is back."

The way she mentioned Moses elicited a barely perceptible frown from Dexter. He was just getting up when he squatted back down and asked seriously, "What did you call him?" Grape was puzzled. "Mr. Chakov?"

"What about the secretary who is often by my side?"

"Mr. Peeple!"

"The bodyguard outside?"

"Mr. Bodyguard!"Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

"What about me?"

The conversation flowed smoothly until that moment, which filled Josie with a sense of foreboding. She interrupted them, asking, "What are you doing?"

Dexter did not respond to her.

After giving it some serious thought, Grape said, "You're Mr. Russell."

The way she addressed all of them made them seem equal in her eyes. Dexter simply sat down on the ground, holding Grape's chubby little hand as he said earnestly, "Grape, I'm sure you're smart enough to know that I am your father. Since I'm your father, you can't call me Mr. Russell anymore."

"Dexter!" Josie interrupted him, promptly closing her computer. Visibly upset, she chastised him, "I didn't give you permission to tell her like that."

Dexter wore an expression of surprise. "No matter what, I'm her biological father. She is still so young, so she shouldn't have any cognitive obstacles imposed on her. Otherwise, how will you explain it to her when she grows up?"

Josie acknowledged that he had a valid point, but she simply didn't want Grape to acknowledge him. "Don't forget," she cautioned, "we only have a contract for a hundred days. I still have custody rights. Whether you'll be able to see her in the future is still uncertain."

They didn't want to argue in front of the child, but there were certain things that needed to be addressed upfront. "Josie, have you forgotten? Once these hundred days are over, custody may not necessarily remain in your hands."

"You!"

Grape listened to the argument between the two adults, her face filled with confusion. "What should I call you then?" She knew that Dexter was her father, but since Josie had never mentioned it, she didn't dare to refer to him as such.

Dexter gently caressed her soft hair. "I am your daddy," he said.

"However, unlike other children, your parents don't live together."