Her Precious Baby

Chapter 92

The man’s expression was wintry as he stared down at Floretta, whose hand he was holding.

Her face was lined with anxiety as she shook his arm in hopes that he’d come up with a solution soon.

The man released Floretta and patted her head. “Remember not to wander too far off.”

She nodded as a hint of slyness flashed in her eyes.

Angeline and Jacob were still busy filming on set.

Angeline’s acting skills in creating romantic tension were so convincing that even the director and staff were on the edge of their seats.

Jacob was blushing all the way to the tips of his ears as he thoroughly enjoyed the feel of Angeline’s hand on his chest.

Their kissing scene was next, and his nerves were as taut as a drawn bowstring.

At the thought, Jacob was filled with even more anticipation for the scene. With a flex of his powerful arms, he broke free from the ropes tying him down.

“You—”

Angeline was so shocked that she took several steps back and covered her mouth.

Jacob’s handsome face was carved in stone as he scoffed and kept walking toward Angeline until she was backed up against the wall.

“Do you think a flimsy coil of rope will be enough to subdue me?” His grip on her chin was firm as he gazed into her eyes derisively.

“General, please behave yourself!” Angeline uttered uneasily.

Just then, she was distracted by the sight of a little girl in a yellow dress chasing after a butterfly in the garden behind Jacob.

Floretta?

Why is she here?

Have I been missing her so badly that I’m having hallucinations?

Angeline couldn’t believe her eyes.

“Cut! Angeline, what are you daydreaming about? You have to look into the eyes of the male lead, not the space behind him. Otherwise, how would you expect to evoke any emotion in your audience?” Derek interrupted.

Angeline came to and apologized, “I’m sorry, Mr. McKenna. I must be too exhausted.”

“It’s fine. Take a break. We’ll reshoot this scene in the afternoon instead!”

“Thank you, Mr. McKenna.” Angeline bowed gleefully and rushed straight in the direction of the garden without a moment’s hesitation.

“Hey!”

Jacob’s call fell on deaf ears as he stared at the staff who were wrapping up. His face was thunderous as he went into a fit of rage.

There goes the kissing scene I’ve been looking forward to all night!

The set was at a scenic location that resembled the historical setting depicted in the original work. The garden was surrounded by faux hillocks and a profusion of blooming flowers. A long stream cut through the area, but the water level wasn’t deep.

Even so, Angeline was still full of concern. Her eyes circled the perimeter, but Floretta was nowhere to be seen.

“Floretta, is it you?” Angeline opened her cherry lips and cooed.

Angeline’s face fell as the only response she received was utter silence.

Was she truly seeing things after being overworked?

She was about to turn back when she felt a pressure on her waist and heard the tinkling laughter of Floretta.

“Floretta, it really is you! How did you get here? Did you sneak out again?”

Angeline couldn’t imagine how a mere child managed to travel overseas and appear before her very eyes.

Floretta’s eyes were wide as she waved her arms at the woman.

Angeline’s brows furrowed. She was not accustomed to Floretta’s silence as the little girl used to be such a chatterbox whenever they met.

“Is your father here with you?” Angeline inquired gently.

Floretta nodded.

Angeline surveyed her surroundings but did not catch sight of Evander. Therefore, she whipped out her phone to call him, but it went unanswered.

She had no choice but to hang up for the time being. As she stared at Floretta, Angeline’s heart ached for her. “What happened to your father? How could he abandon you here all alone?”

Floretta pouted and gave Angeline puppy eyes.

Angeline felt even more ill at ease as she observed Floretta. She could sense that something was off with the child this time round.

She brought Floretta back to her break room and saw that her lunch was already set up on the table by her assistant.

Angeline noticed Floretta was visibly more relaxed now that there was more privacy in the room.

“Floretta, you must be hungry. Why don’t I make you something to eat?” Angeline carefully led her to the side of the table.

“Okay,” Floretta responded.

Despite the brief reply, Angeline was relieved. Floretta must have just been too overwhelmed with her feelings to have spoken and isn’t autistic.

Angeline prepared a savory bowl of quinoa mixed with scrambled eggs, vegetables, and beef.

She fed it to Floretta, who gobbled the meal down hungrily as if she’d been starved for several days.

“Slow down. We’re not in a hurry,” Angeline assured as she used a napkin to wipe Floretta’s lips.

Why is she so famished?

Francesca wouldn’t abuse Floretta, so she must have neglected Floretta’s diet instead.

A knock sounded on the door, pulling Angeline from her reverie.

“Don’t mind me while I answer the door, Floretta.”

Evander’s ice-cold, chiseled countenance greeted Angeline as she looked out of the peephole.

She opened the door and questioned furiously, “Why are you here?”

“Is Floretta here with you?” Evander’s tone was measured and showed no sign of surprise.

“Can’t you even take care of your own daughter without bothering me?”

“If Floretta goes missing in your territory, you will be held responsible as well,” he reminded.

Angeline was livid. “It might not be my place, Mr. Golding, but how could you call yourself a father when you leave your daughter alone in a garden to catch butterflies? What if she fell into the stream and drowned? Besides, she looks as if she’s been starved for a few days. Have you been feeding her at all?”

Evander’s face fell. “Let me have a look at her.”

“That you must.” Angeline tilted her body to make way for his passage.

Floretta was swinging her chubby little legs as she savored her food while holding the bowl possessively.

Evander sat before her and frowned. “How do you find the food?”

Floretta harrumphed and turned away from him.

Her mouth was still stuffed with food as she remarked between chews, “It tastes so much better than what we have at home.”

Evander was rendered speechless at the fact that Floretta only started speaking in the presence of Angeline.

He suspected the brat had been pretending to be sick all this while.

Taking in the dishes arranged on the table, he was at a loss. Why did Floretta take such a liking to such ordinary food?