Chapter 7
Caspar’s POV:
Noah lowered his head and didn’t respond to my question, gently stroking the star-shaped bookmark as if it were some precious treasure.
I sighed and gave up pressing him.
“It’s okay,” I said softly, “I’ll take you to see her myself tomorrow p>
The next morning.
I hadn’t even had a chance to enjoy my morning coffee when a gentle knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.
Opening the study door, I was greeted by a sight that left me utterly stunned.
Noah stood at the doorway, fully dressed and ready, wearing his little backpack stuffed with paintbrushes and drawing paper, and he had even put on his jacket without being asked.
This was absolutely not normal.
Usually, getting Noah ready to go anywhere required Edward to move heaven and earth, using every trick in the book—coaxing, bribing, and sometimes even mild threats.
“Sir,” Edward’s voice came from behind me, “the young master woke up early this morning, finished his breakfast on his own, and has been sitting by the door waiting ever since p>
I crouched down, gazing into Noah’s eyes that sparkled with anticipation.
“You’re that eager to go to Luminous Gallery?” I asked softly.
Noah nodded vigorously, then pointed his little finger toward the door, signaling he was ready to go.
Watching my son’s enthusiastic response, my emotions were all over the map. What kind of magic did this Audrey Lane woman possess to make my usually withdrawn son show such intense anticipation?
“Then let’s go,” I stood up. “Today I’ll personally drive you to the gallery p>
Edward was clearly shocked by my decision, but he quickly masked his expression: “Sir, your schedule p>
“Postpone it,” I replied curtly. “Some things are more important than business meetings p>
The luxury sedan glided smoothly toward the gallery, the atmosphere inside slightly awkward.
I watched Noah through the rearview mirror as he sat in his car seat, completely absorbed by the GPS screen, tracking our route as we got closer and closer to Luminous Gallery.
Every time the distance decreased, his eyes would light up a little more.
I tried to engage him in conversation: “Noah, do you really like Miss Lane p>
He turned to look at me and nodded.
“Why?” I continued.
Noah didn’t answer immediately, seeming to seriously consider the question.
Finally, apparently unable to articulate his thoughts, he simply took out his drawing board and wrote two large characters: “She’s nice p>
We arrived at Luminous Gallery at half past nine in the morning.
We waited in the reception area for nearly half an hour, and Audrey Lane still hadn’t shown up.
I was beginning to feel irritated—few people dared to keep me waiting this long.
Noah, however, displayed unusual patience, sitting quietly in his chair and occasionally glancing toward the entrance.
Gallery manager Mrs. Smith approached us, looking somewhat embarrassed as she explained.
“Mr. Thornton, I sincerely apologize. Ms. Brown has already been fired. ”
I didn’t reply, but checked my watch. “How much longer until Ms. Lane arrives? ”
“Miss Lane just called to say she’s caught in traffic, she will arrive shortly.” Mrs. Smith answered quickly and carefully.
Upon hearing this, Noah suddenly stood up from his seat, his eyes visibly brightening, his entire small body turning toward the entrance.
Just then, my phone rang.
It was an emergency call from the company—there was a problem with an important merger deal that required my immediate attention.
“Mrs. Smith,” I said to the gallery manager, “could I borrow an empty office? I need to handle some urgent business p>
Mrs. Smith immediately became deferential: “Of course, of course! Mr. Thornton, this way please p>
I turned to Noah: “Daddy needs to handle some work. You wait here for Miss Lane, okay p>
Noah nodded, but his gaze remained fixed on the entrance.
In the borrowed office, I juggled complex business negotiations while absent-mindedly thinking about this Audrey Lane woman. During a break in the calls, I instructed my assistant.
“James, I need you to arrange for a gift that a young woman would appreciate p>
“What type of gift, Sir? A business gift or…” James’s voice carried a probing tone.
“Something suitable for a young artist,” I replied concisely. “Something that shows respect and appreciation p>
There was silence on the other end for a few seconds, then James asked cautiously: “Sir, this artist… is she perhaps p>
“Is she what?” I was puzzled by his hemming and hawing.
“I mean… might she be like Noah’s mother p>
Before James could finish his sentence, I cut him off: “You should know where the boundaries are, James p>
The atmosphere on the phone instantly froze. After a long moment, James said tremulously: “I’m sorry, Sir. I overstepped p>
“Purchase a set of exquisite, practical art supplies,” I commanded coldly. “Have them delivered to the Luminous gallery within the hour p>
After hanging up, I took a deep breath. The topic of Noah’s mother was forever off-limits—no one was allowed to touch that subject.
Looking up through the office’s glass window, I noticed a hurried figure arriving. A young woman was crouching in front of Noah—she had slightly wavy long hair, a slender figure, and wore something simple yet elegant.
Noah’s face instantly bloomed with joy.
Watching my son’s reaction, I immediately understood who the newcomer was. I straightened my suit jacket. It was time to meet this long-awaited Audrey Lane.
As I pushed open the office door and walked toward them, a strange sense of familiarity suddenly washed over me.
The feeling was odd, as if I had encountered this woman somewhere long, long ago, but I couldn’t pinpoint exactly where or when.
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