“I can help you carry her!” Emmett said with outstretched arms.

“You?” Kendra chuckled. “I wouldn’t expect a man to know how to carry a baby!”

“Well, I carried my younger brother when he was a baby,” Emmett explained. “It’s no problem for me at all!”

Abel walked over and overtook Emmett instead, grabbing hold of Quincy and carrying her into his arms in one swift move. “Let me do it,” Abel told Kendra. “You can go ahead and prepare dinner.”

“Dinner is already prepared, Mr. Abel,” Kendra informed him. “You’re back a little later than usual today.”

“Mm,” Abel grunted softly. “Some things got in the way.”

Behind him, Emmett stuck out his tongue childishly.

Kendra took over Quincy once again as they entered the dining hall. “Why don’t you both head upstairs to change and wash up first? I’ll get the dishes out,” Kendra told them.

Abel and Emmett went upstairs and headed for their respective rooms. Back in her room, Emmeline inspected her fake mustache and made sure it was properly in place before changing and going back downstairs. As everyone was gathered at the dining table, Luca suddenly walked into the hall.

“Mr. Abel, Ms. Murphy is here,” Luca informed his boss.

“At this time? What does she want?” Abel raised his eyebrow in suspicion.

“She says Madame Ryker asked her to bring something over,” Luca explained. “Should I let her in?”

“Well, let her in then since it’s Mom’s instruction. She might just tell on me if I turned her away,” Abel said.

Luca quickly informed security to allow Evelyn Murphy’s sports car into the compound. A few minutes later, Evelyn entered the house with two big gift boxes and headed straight for the dining hall.

“Abel! Auntie Rosaline prepared some lamb stew to soothe your tummy, so I’m here to deliver it!” she announced cheerily just before noticing the man next to Abel.

Why was the pretty boy still hanging out with Abel? She thought to herself in annoyance. She had used the lamb stew as an excuse to visit Abel and be closer to him, but she had not expected the wicked man to still be around! Abel was even serving him food and feeding him pieces of meat he had cut up himself.

“Emmett, have more of these ribs. You should eat more to fill up that skinny frame of yours,” Abel told Emmett.

“Thank you, Abel,” Emmett smiled affectionately. “You dote on me more than my own mother.”

“Hey, I’m not your mother or your grandmother. I’m a proper man, ok?” Abel teased in return.

“But you’re always so patient and gentle with me, almost exactly like my mother,” Emmett said coyly.

“You’re impossible, you know that?” Abel scolded, but his voice remained gentle. “Why can’t you describe me like your father instead?”

“No, my father has a horrible temper!” Emmett objected. “You’re much better than him.”

“Alright, alright, you win,” Abel surrendered. “As long as you finish your food, you can say I remind you of your mother or grandmother or anyone else you fancy…”

Emmett almost choked and spluttered at Abel’s words. Even Kendra could not help herself from smiling at their exchange. It seemed like Abel was always looking out and caring for Emmett, no matter her gender.

However, Evelyn Murphy was absolutely raging with anger. She could not believe that a beautiful woman like her who turned heads wherever she went was losing out to a prepubescent boy like Emmett. How humiliating! She could not understand why Abel was attracted to that pretty boy. Perhaps the rumors about him being gay were true?

“Mr. Abel,” Evelyn smiled gently as she placed the food container on the table. “Please enjoy the stew while it’s warm.”

“Mm,” Abel nodded. “Just leave it there,” he said curtly.

“Let me handle it,” Kendra offered. She brought the containers into the kitchen and emerged with a small bowl of stew for Abel.

“Have you had your dinner, Ms. Murphy?” Kendra asked politely. “If you don’t mind, would you like to have dinner with us?”

“Of course, I would,” Evelyn accepted Kendra’s invitation. “Auntie Rosaline did ask me to accompany Abel for dinner, after all…”

Kendra snuck a quick glance at Abel who did not seem to have any objections. “Well then, please have a seat, Ms. Murphy!” Kendra said.

Evelyn smoothed her skirt and gingerly sat down at the empty seat next to Abel.