The Sweet Rival (Mango Shen and Nathaniel Ye)
Chapter 1540

Sissaye was worried that Carlson would hit her mother just like Marcelo did when she was absent. Hence, she still entered the room even though she knew that she would possibly disturb their reunion. However, she was a little scared when Harris stopped her just now. Luckily, Zion was here with him.

Sissaye felt that Zion was a dependable person. His presence made her feel at ease. It felt as if he could settle everything for her as long as he was with her.

This was the first time that Sissaye had felt so safe. She understood that she should never rely on anyone but herself, so she was used to taking care of things on her own since she was young. However, wher she was with Zion, she just wanted to relax because she knew she could trust him.

Carlson heard the noise. Then he saw Sissaye holding the candies in her hands. He couldn't help but break into a smile. It came to him naturally. He didn't have to consider his facial expression, nor did he have to consider whether the person in front of him had any ulterior motive. He just had an urge to give her the best things in the world.

So this was what it felt like to have a daughter.

"Sissaye, what's the matter?"

Carlson's smile was as bright as the sun. Sissaye had taken a liking to his handsome face in an instant.

"Zion bought me some candies. I want to share them with mommy."

Sissaye was now bolder when she spoke.

Carlson glanced at Zion and was surprised to see that he also had candies in his hand.

If he remembered correctly, Zion didn't like sweet food at all. However, he kept quiet since Zion was only a child.

Tessa was over the moon as she waved at Sissaye.

"Mommy, have a try. It's really sweet."

Tessa teared up a little when she saw her daughter's expectant gaze.

She nodded and took a candy. "Thank you, baby."

"You're most welcome."

Sissaye turned around and handed the candies to Carlson. "Daddy, do you want to have one?"

"Okay."

Tessa's facial expression changed instantly.

She didn't mind if her daughter gave her some candies, but it was too intimate for her to offer Carlson the same candies.

"Um..."

Before Tessa could stop her, Carlson placed the candy in his mouth. He then patted Sissaye on the head and said, "I need to talk to your mom. Why don't you and Zion have some fun outside?" "Alright."

Previously, Sissaye was a little worried about her mother. Now that she saw that Tessa was fine and that Carlson was a gentleman, she felt relieved instantly. Furthermore, she really wanted to eat the candies right now.

Zion was silent as he went out with Sissaye.

The candy that had melted in Sissaye's mouth was so sweet that he was on cloud nine.

The look in his eyes changed as well when he looked at Tessa.

"It's just candy. Why do you try to stop her?"

The corner of Carlson's lips curved upward slightly.

Tessa blushed a little as she lowered her head hurriedly.

"Sissaye likes you a lot."

"Of course my daughter likes me. Why wouldn't she?" Carlson brought up the fact that Sissaye was his daughter naturally.

"Eight years ago, had it not crossed your mind that she might be my daughter?"

At the thought of Marcelo who bullied his daughter for many years, he couldn't wait to tear him into pieces.

Tessa paused momentarily. There seemed to be an awkward look on her face.

Sure enough, this topic was brought up eventually.

"It never occurred to me at all."

As Tessa's head sank lower, Carlson's words were also stuck in his throat.

Tessa was not like this in the past. She was confident and shone with radiance. She would be in the limelight when she was among the crowd. However, right now, she had low self-esteemed. She even attempted to make herself seem less noticeable for some reason.

Carlson felt that someone had just stuck a dagger in his heart. In a low voice, he said, "In these past few years, I've always worked toward gathering more power. I've busied myself with countless matters for fear that I'll miss you if I'm free. However, every day when it was midnight, you would be on my mind. I never knew that I can feel lonely on a large bed. Tessa, I've never forgotten you before. I didn't look for you the past few years because I was scared that I would snatch you back to myself because I couldn't control myself. You've finally obtained your own happiness, so you would probably hate me for the rest of your life if I did that. However, I don't know that you would end up like this now. I even regretted not paying attention to your life for the past few years."

"Stop."

Tessa's heart was bleeding as well.

Who were them to each other?

They met because of a strange coincidence but didn't manage to be together in the end. However, Sissaye was their daughter that connected them to each other.

Tessa was completely flustered. Her hands were twisting the hem of her dress as if she was trying to make a Swiss roll.

Carlson regained a sense of familiarity when he saw what she did because of her anxiety.

He smiled all of a sudden.

"Well, let's not talk about that. From now on, just trust me with everything. I will deal with it. You only need to keep Sissaye company."

"Are you leaving soon?"

Tessa knew that he was busy. Currently, he had to have a lot on his plates. However, she suddenly felt reluctant to part with him.

Tessa immediately scolded herself for being shameless when she realized her feelings.

Who was she to him now?

She had a husband. Although she didn't love her husband, Marcelo, they were bonded together by the law. Despite that, what was she doing now? She missed her ex-boyfriend too much to part with him!

"Ah, I'm such a shameless woman."

Tessa's face went pale in an instant.

"Have a safe journey."

Carlson had thought that Tessa would ask him to stay, but she didn't do so. Instead, she wished him a safe journey.

She had changed a lot indeed.

Carlson was no longer a reckless young man. Naturally, he knew what the problem was. He was very busy indeed and couldn't afford to get away from work, but now he just didn't want to leave. "I'll stay for a few days to spend time with you and Sissaye."

"Huh?"

Tessa was a little surprised.

Carlson looked at her adorable eyes and laughed again.

"What kind of face is that? Tessa, from now on, you'd better get used to my presence. I never intended to let you and Sissaye leave my life after I was informed about you. I know what you're worried about right now. You're a married woman, aren't you? But so what if that's the case? Who would dare to object to what I want to do?"

He said it in an utterly domineering tone, but Tessa was no longer who she used to be. She had gone through a lot so she was not as courageous as she was in the past.

She looked at Carlson and said solemnly, "Carl, you are the Crown Prince now. I don't deserve to be your wife. Besides, so many people are keeping an eye on you secretly. If you hurt Marcelo, all your efforts for so many years may go down the drain." "What about it? He bullied my beloved woman and sold my wife. If I don't do something, am I still an honorable man?"

There was a cold look in his eyes.

"Anyway, I'll take care of this. You should take a rest since you've just come back."

After finishing his words, he got up and walked outside.

At this moment, Tessa finally understood that Carlson was completely different from before. He had the aura of a superior, and he would not allow anyone to oppose him. He was more domineering than before while she no longer had the courage to stand up to him.

Zion looked at Sissaye as she enjoyed the candies happily the outside house. A small smile crept onto his face as well. He was starting to miss his mother.

When Sissaye said that she wanted to share the candies with her mother, Zion actually felt a little guilty. It seemed that he had never thought of buying anything for his mother. He felt that since Nathaniel was around, she wouldn't be lacking anything. Therefore, he didn't need to buy anything for her at all. However, just now, he realized that Nathaniel's gift to Mango was a gift from husband to wife. As their son, Zion shouldn't have taken things for granted.

At the thought of this, he took out his phone and made a video call to Mango.

When Sissaye heard the notification sound, she froze momentarily.

Would Zion, who was cold and aloof, call someone out of his own will?

She couldn't help but lean towards him.

Zion didn't care about her creeping closer to him. However, he had to wait for a while before Mango answered the call.

"Zion! Do you miss me?"

At this moment, Mango was munching on the mango in her hand happily. Meanwhile, Nathaniel was walking behind her with a tissue in hand while carrying a bag. It was quite a unique scene.

Relief washed over Zion's face.

"Mommy, I miss you so much. Why did you run away with dad? I finally came here with Carlson, but you're nowhere to be seen. I'm so disappointed."

Zion was rarely so talkative, so Mango was startled. However, she felt somewhat guilty when she heard his dejected voice.

"Why didn't you call me in advance? I wouldn't have left if I knew you were coming."

"What are you talking about? You'll have to come with me even if that brat is here. Mango, we're on vacation. Why do you want a thrid-wheeler to tag along?" Nathaniel was instantly displeased when he heard that Mango valued Zion more than him.

The corner of Zion's mouth was twitching upon hearing his words.

How could Nathaniel call himself a father?

He stole Zion's mother from him and made such a shameless statement about it. He was probably the only person who was unabashed enough to say this.

"Dad, didn't you and mom make me, who is now a third-wheeler, together?"

Nathaniel was almost choked on his own saliva when he heard Zion's retort.

On the other hand, Mango burst into peals of laughter.

Nathaniel and his son were arguing as soon as they met. She wondered if they were enemies in their past life.

"Okay, that's enough. Why are you fighting with my son? Go over there and buy some dragon fruits for me. They look pretty good."

Mango pointed at a stall next to her.

Nathaniel knew that she wanted to talk to their son in private. Although he loved to quarrel with the former, he cared about their son as well. Hence, he left obediently. Once Zion saw Nathaniel leave, he smiled and said, "Mommy, you look even prettier than before."

"Thank you, Zion. I have to stay young so that I can look as youthful as your wife in the future. It would be embarrassing if I look too old during your wedding, wouldn't it?" Mango said teasingly. For certain, she saw Sissaye who was standing behind Zion.

Zion blushed a little in that instant.

"Mommy, what are you talking about? I'm only seven."

"Yes, seven is not young anymore. In ancient times, men and women would keep an appropriate distance from each other when they were seven. This means that..." "Mommy, where are you heading to recently? Will you be staying in Y Country?"

Zion changed the topic in a haste. Otherwise, Mango would probably make another mind-boggling statement.

Gosh, even if he was emotionally mature, it was a little too early to talk about this now.

Mango forgot what she was going to say after Zion cut her off. However, she still nodded and said, "I think so. It'll depend on your father's decision. Why do you ask?"