Oops! My Secret Baby Is Caught By His Top-Lawyer Daddy! Novel

---- Chapter 118: Because of the Unknown, There Is Fear Clara noticed immediately that Aaron's mood had shifted. Something was off. She held up the jewelry box with a mischievous grin, like a kid who'd just found treasure. "Look! Did I hit the jackpot" Aaron's lips curved into a sly smile. "I'll bet it's just a gold or platinum necklace worth a few thousand bucks. Deborah's all show, but she's stingy with real money." Clara opened the box, and sure enough, a delicate gold chain glimmered inside. She gave him a thumbs-up. "Wow! Spot on!

Now tell me-what did your grandpa give me?" Aaron's eyes twinkled. "No guessing. Even if I guess right, there's no prize." Clara pouted. "Come on! We're playing a game, and games need rewards. Besides, maybe there's a surprise!" Aaron thought for a moment, then said, "A house." Clara's eyes widened. She opened the folder-and he was right. Inside were property transfer contracts and ---- keys. The second folder held the same. "No way... One guess, and you nailed it!" Aaron chuckled. It hadn't been hard to figure out.

Grandpa's gifts were always simple and blunt: money, property, or company shares. A folder this size couldn't hold credit cards, and shares could stir up family drama. A house was the only logical option. "You studied psychology or what? That's insane!" Clara's curiosity flared. "Can you guess what I'm thinking right now?" Even though she'd said it casually, the way his wife praised him directly made Aaron feel... good. The laughter in his voice deepened. "You're thinking, 'Ugh, this house is a headache. I'll toss this hot potato to my husband." "Wow! Lawyer!

That's creepy-accurate!" Clara exclaimed. "If you weren't driving, I'd kiss you right now. Seriously, you're amazing!" Aaron's mood brightened. "Where's the house?" Clara glanced at the papers. "Paragon Estates." Aaron ran a mental check. "Not bad. Great location, solid potential for appreciation." He was genuinely surprised by Grandpa's generosity. ---- Paragon Estates was all two-thousand-square-foot flats-and he'd given two of them. What was Grandpa scheming now? Clara casually set the folders on the back seat. "Honestly... it doesn't feel like much.

These fancy family meet-and-greets aren't what I expected." Aaron tilted his head. "How so?" "I thought someone would hand me a suitcase of cash and say, "Take this money and stay away from my son!" Imagine seeing hundreds of thousands in cash-now that would've been impressive!" Aaron laughed. "You're unbelievable." Back at the hotel suite, Matt was waiting in the living room. When he saw them, he rushed over. "Leo just fell asleep." Aaron nodded. "Thanks. Tomorrow morning at nine, come with me." Matt agreed and left-he and his girlfriend were in the next room.

Clara asked, "So early?" Aaron said, "I have some things to discuss with Tristan. Want to come?" Clara shook her head. "I'll stay with Leo. You handle ---- your business. Silverton's familiar to me." She added, "No need to rush back. Leo and I are on vacation, and we've got a dinner with Lucian in a few days. You plan as needed." Aaron cupped her face and kissed her. "So thoughtful, huh?" Clara nodded proudly. "Yes. So you better appreciate itt" Aaron laughed out loud, genuinely amused. After showering, he noticed Clara wasn't in the room.

He picked up his phone and saw her message: "Surprise! I'm giving a married man what he wants most-a free night!" Aaron replied instantly: "I don't need freedom. Come over!" No reply came. Glancing at the clock, it was already eleven. She must have fallen asleep. He lay back down, tossing and turning, until an hour later he couldn't resist anymore. Using his key, he quietly opened Leo's room and carried the sleeping Clara back with him. Nothing happened, but he finally felt at peace and could sleep soundly. ---- The next day, Clara, Leo, and Matt's girlfriend headed to the amusement park.

That evening, Matt came to pick them up for dinner at Serenique Restaurant. Silverton's Serenique was the flagship location, much larger than any other. The main hall alone could seat over a thousand guests. Floors above housed banquet halls and private rooms. When Clara arrived, a wedding reception was in full swing-lively, festive, and glamorous. They reached the largest private room on the top floor, where Aaron, Tristan, and Derek were chatting. "Leo's here!" Tristan scooped him up ina playful airplane hug. Leo laughed uncontrollably. Derek waved weakly.

"Hi, Clara." Clara sat beside Aaron. "Oh! Derek, rare for you to come home. Not spending time with your parents?" Derek sighed. "Spend time with what? They saw me return single-no wife-and nearly chased me out with a broom. At least Tristan called me, or I'd be forced into a blind date tonight." In past years it wasn't an issue, but this year, the parents had heard that one of the three golden ---- bachelors might settle down-and panic set in. Clara couldn't resist asking for Scarlett's sake. "Why not marry Scarlett? Don't you love her?" "Clara! You can't say that!" Derek panicked.

"I would never cheat on Scarlett! I just... think this is fine. I don't want marriage to feel like a task because of age." Clara nodded. "I think the same. Raising Leo alone made me happy. Marriage isn't the only path to fulfillment." Aaron nudged Derek with his toe. "See, you're corrupting Clara with your no-commitment thoughts." "Wait, I'm not done!" Clara said. "Because of the unknown, there's fear. Once you take that step and get married, you'll see the view ahead is even more beautiful. For now, I'm already happy!" Derek stayed silent.

Clara continued, "Scarlett's amazing-rich, beautiful, famous. If I were a man, I'd want to marry her. She has so many excellent people around her; finding someone to marry is easy. Yet she's willing to wait for you. You're just relying on her love. I'm not afraid to tell you-Scarlett won't wait much longer!" Aaron handed her a glass of water. "Why talk so much? Just wait to see him cry." ---- Clara wasn't speaking for Derek. She was advocating for Scarlett's happiness. Being a single mom sounded easy, but the burden was immense-physically, mentally, emotionally.

Clara knew this better than anyone. And Scarlett, as a public figure, faced even more challenges. Having someone who truly loved her gave her strength. Clara then glanced at Aaron. Her eyes curved into crescent moons of joy.