Chapter 1877

Just as he was about to scoop up the little troublemaker and take him outside, the door of the room swung open and Elizabeth walked in.

"The guests have all arrived. Why don't you bring the babies out for a bit?"

Rose took Colt over, and Chloe, cradling her son, prepared to join Damon in making their entrance.

As they reached the doorway, Elizabeth caught Chloe's arm, hesitating as if torn whether to speak.

Chloe looked puzzled. "What's up?"

Elizabeth glanced at Damon, then pulled Chloe aside and whispered:d2

"The thing is that Presley is here too. I think, in this situation, if he wants to hold the babies..."

Chloe nodded. "I understand."

Elizabeth's face showed a hint of apology. "I'm sorry, Chloe, I just can't bear it. It's pitiful to see him like that."

"It's all water under the bridge. No matter what, he's their great-grandfather. I'm doing fine now. As long as the babies are healthy, I don't have room in my heart for those unhappy memories. Don't worry. A little respect for him in public is also respect for myself."

Relieved, Elizabeth nodded. "I am so sorry you have to bear this."

Chloe smiled reassuringly. "I get it a little. He wasn't exactly kind to you either, or you wouldn't have eloped with his son all those years ago. And yet, you still have a soft spot for him, don't you?"

Elizabeth gave a wry smile. "What can I say? No matter how mean he can be, I just can't bring myself to retaliate. As much as I hate him at times, I pity him too. I've come to terms with it over the

years. It is what it is."

Chloe chuckled. "Well, I'm the same. No matter how much he disapproves of me, I'm determined to outlive him. I'll just indulge him for now."

The words were slightly inappropriate, but they were honest.

Elizabeth also didn't think there was anything to worry about. She gently squeezed Chloe's arm as a reassuring gesture. "Give Damon a heads-up, so he doesn't stir the pot."

--

When Damon and Chloe emerged into the banquet hall, the bubbling conversations came to an abrupt halt. All eyes were drawn to them as they approached.

Most guests were eager to catch a glimpse of the twins, but with layers of security, no one could get too close. Not only had Damon prepared, but Stanley had also mustered additional hands, ensuring that not even a fly could breach the hotel's perimeter.

The moment they appeared, Alyssa joyfully took Little Moon from Damon’s arms into hers.

Chloe glanced at Presley standing at the back and walked towards him, with baby in arms. They faced each other, expressions neutral, and it was impossible to discern what each was thinking.

Finally, almost simultaneously, their gazes fell on the Little Sun in her arms.

"This is Elio, we've chosen his name. If you're not happy with it, you can pick another," Chloe offered, extending her son towards Presley.

The gesture caught Presley off guard, his gaze fixated on her in disbelief. It wasn't until he was sure she was serious about letting him hold the baby that he nervously opened his arms and carefully

cradled the baby.

It was the first time in a hundred days that he'd held the baby, the first time he'd seen his face up close. Indeed, a Harper through and through, he’s the spitting image of Damon. Especially the boy's eyes were calmly observing him. He could tell this baby would grow up wise, composed, and measured.

"I like the name Elio. Good, very good. No need for another name. And the little girl? What's her name?"

Chloe managed a smile. "Luna."

Presley's smile broadened in satisfaction. "Elio, Luna. Excellent, both excellent."

Chloe simply nodded. After all, these were her treasures. How could she give them just any names? Moreover, these names were given by Damon.

Presley, holding the baby, slowly advanced to stand beside the old lady.

Alyssa glanced at him coldly. "If I were Chloe, I wouldn't give you the chance to get anywhere near the babies."

Presley ignored her comment.

"Thank you all for attending the celebration banquet of my great-grandchildren, Elio and Luna. With your blessings, the Harper family rejoices in this joyous occasion..."

Though he didn't name names, it was clear to everyone that this was a concession, an acknowledgment, and even an olive branch to Chloe.

Chloe, standing beside Damon, wore a soft smile, subtle and unobtrusive, unaffected by Presley's words.

Later, a few close acquaintances requested to see the babies, and Chloe didn't refuse.

The celebration began in the morning, with lunch served at noon, and didn't end until the evening. However, the babies only made a brief appearance at the banquet before being whisked away. The noise and air quality weren't ideal for the babies, and they were quickly safeguarded. Damon had arranged for a car to take them home early.

The celebration banquet concluded without incident.

As they returned home early, the household staff busily fussed over the two little ones, eagerly playing with them for a while.

The news was dominated by the Harper family's celebration. The appearance of the babies wasn't publicized, but Presley's words were the talk of the town.

Because of Chloe, he had caused quite a stir in the past. He cut ties with his grandson, used the company to force an alliance marriage with the Alonso family, and even used the Global Economic Summit as a platform to exert pressure and ridicule. He had done everything, both right and wrong.

After all the commotion, he got to hold his great-grandchildren in his arms. Wasn't it all for nothing?

People sneered and gossiped, but that was that. However, the incident taught many old people a lesson.

They should interfere less in the lives of the young. Each had their own path to follow. Their ideas and beliefs were not always correct. Their way of life certainly wasn't a one-size-fits-all solution.

Forcing the younger generation to walk a path they deemed correct often backfired.

The old people didn't want defiance, but they overlooked that the young ones didn't wish for their lives to be controlled by others either.

Some still talked about it, some tried to see it from Presley's perspective, some from an outsider’s, and some couldn't help but offer an overall judgment.

As time wore on, people grew tired, the novelty faded, and the matter naturally sank into oblivion.

--

Due to the babies, Chloe's biological clock had also readjusted itself along with them.

At half-past seven each morning, the babies woke like clockwork. She'd get up at seven to prepare warm water, heat the baby bottles, and mix the formula.

After a quick wash, she filled the bottles with hot water and, out of habit, wandered over to the window.

The weather had turned chilly. Outside the manor, the rows of ginkgo trees had turned a sea of yellow; leaves twirled down even without a breeze. Overnight, the ground had become carpeted with their leaves.

And at the foot of the closest ginkgo to the manor's entrance, a solitary figure stood reliably at this hour.

The man donned a black trench coat, hands in pockets, gazing towards the manor gates. Every day, relentlessly so.

Since leaving the hospital over two months ago, not a day had passed without this routine.

What exactly had happened back then? Two such brilliant people, to have ended up here.

Yasmine had never found it in her to forgive, or perhaps, she had never found a reason to after all these years.

And that man, after years of pursuit, had taken her away on her coronation day for all the nation, even the world, to see, and even now, he stood humbly by her mother’s side.

Yet even so, Yasmine chose not to forgive him.

Chloe was curious. Perhaps if she knew the truth, her rage would exceed her mother's by leaps and bounds, so much so that she might never let that man near her mother again.

But such interference might backfire.

That wasn't her business, and besides, it wasn't that her mother didn't want to forgive him. It was just that there was no reason to forgive him. Her interference was not a form of support for her mother.

Yasmine didn't need convincing to leave him. She needed a reason to forgive. So the less Chloe knew about Mother's past, the better.

All she needed to know was that this man was the one her mother really wanted.

Turning around, she poured the water from the bottles into the sink and adeptly prepared two bottles of formula. Just as the temperature was right, the two little rascals stirred awake.

Those two, with their surprisingly strong sense of timing.

Damon emerged, freshly washed, to help feed one of them. They worked together seamlessly.

After the feeding and some playtime with the babies, Damon finally got dressed.

Damon's favoritism was as clear as day. If he had a moment, he'd first cradle his little girl, looking at her with the same tender gaze he reserved for Chloe.

As for his son... Well, blood of his blood, he didn't gaze at him quite like he did at Nathan after all.

Spoiling his little girl wasn't without its rewards. She adored him. Every time he returned from work, Little Moon's bell-like laughter and excited flailing of tiny arms and legs satisfied some unspoken pride within Damon.

Little Moon seemed to particularly enjoy watching Damon dress. Each morning after feeding, as Damon changed, she would watch him, kicking and wriggling, but her eyes never strayed from him, not until he was fully dressed, with Chloe helping him with his tie, watch, and cufflinks.

Wearing a neatly tailored suit, Damon looked energetic, and his aura expanded and radiated with confidence. It left the little one giggling delightedly.

Once or twice could be coincidence, but it happened too often for it to be just that. The little one truly loved watching Damon in his suits.

Now she was there again, happily kicking her little legs and chuckling as Chloe adjusted his tie. Looking at her joyous daughter, Chloe couldn't help but say, "Maybe we should avoid her when getting dressed from now on. She seems to really like your look."

Damon raised an eyebrow, wrapped his arms around Chloe's waist, and pulled her close, smiling down at her.

Chloe's hands pressed against his chest as she looked up, "What are you doing?"

"How do I look? Handsome or not?"

Chloe's ears tinged with red, "Isn't it obvious?"

He tightened his embrace, "Just answer the question, okay?"

Chloe tucked in her chin slightly, only to be stopped by Damon's forehead against hers.

"Hm?"

Her gaze flickered to the bed where both little ones gazed back with wide, innocent eyes.

Chloe pursed her lips, applying a slight force with both hands in an attempt to push him away, but it only proved to be futile.

"Handsome. So handsome that even our daughter is smitten. How could you not be?"

Her tone was less than flattering. Damon playfully bit her nose, but Chloe dodged.

"Jealous, hm?"

She gave him a mock scowl, "I'm not that shallow, okay? Jealous of my own daughter?"

Damon quirked a brow, "So why don't you want me to dress like this in front of our daughter?"

"A man who flaunts his charm everyday is not a good husband. It invites trouble."

Damon seemed oddly pleased with her words, "Go on, find any woman outside who’d dare covet your man."

Chloe blinked slowly, lips curving into a smile. True, she had laid down the law before.

"There will always be a few fools who don't know any better."

"So you think I'd fancy someone you already consider fools?"

Chloe paused, sorting through his slightly convoluted words. Sensing the dangerous inquiry in his eyes, she tiptoed up for a kiss. "Sorry, your taste couldn't be that low, right?"

She'd already said those people were fools who didn't know any better, an obvious flaw Damon wouldn't like.

His expression remained unamused, clearly feeling brushed off. Chloe, sensing this, slid her hands up to his shoulders and kissed him again. "Actually, I should be the one upset, don't you think? Even our daughter is so taken by you, and what about those predatory women outside? No matter how tough I talk, my threats can never outweigh your charm."

Her voice trailed off, a playful acknowledgment of his allure.

Damon's features finally softened as he basked in her rare concession.

His forehead creased slightly. "If you love me, just say it straight. Why beat around the bush?"

Chloe's lips were tightly pursed, yet a faint smile betrayed her facade. "Yeah, you're right. I love you."

Damon bent forward ever so slightly, prompting, "And then?"

With a playful arch of her brow, Chloe lowered her gaze to smooth out the wrinkles on his crisply ironed shirt before wrapping her arms around his shoulders again. She gazed into his eyes and teased, "The babies are watching. Aren't you worried your little princess will get jealous?"

Damon glanced at the two little ones on the bed who were intently observing them, then turned back to her with a confident look. "It's the perfect moment to show her that in this life, her father's heart belongs to only one woman—her mother."

Chloe's eyes filled with mirth, "You've got a point there." With those words, she tilted her head back and their lips met once more in a tender kiss.

Damon smiled, pulling her closer by the waist and deepening their embrace.

Morning sunlight streamed through the thick glass panes, breaking into the room and bathing the couple, tightly held in each other's arms.

The light stretched their shadows across the floor, spilling onto the bed where their two beautiful little angels lay.

Their giggles filled the air as they kicked their chubby legs and waved their tiny arms, their laughter echoing through the room like a melody.

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