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

---- Chapter 144: Do You Like This Fake Flower? Aaron stepped into the living room just as Clara returned from the garden. Maverick waved at her warmly. "Clara, come sit over here. The garden's looking good, right? I'm guessing most girls love flowers." Clara's eyes sparkled. "It's stunning! This greenhouse has the most complete collection I've ever seen. And those rose grape plants-they're rare, and the blooms are so vibrant." She smiled and walked over. Maverick beamed with pride. "You have an eye for beauty!

Those roses are notoriously difficult to keep alive, imported all the way from the Philippines. Everyone told me they'd wither in two weeks, but I refused to believe them. And here we are, three months later, thriving perfectly!" Clara remembered seeing these flowers in ---- Sebastian's garden. Back then, she had asked a few questions and learned they were called Rose Grape. "You're amazing, Grandpa!" She playfully gave him a thumbs-up. "You're great at business and gardening too!" The little girl's admiration warmed Maverick's heart. "Want me to give you a pot?" Clara shook her head quickly.

"No, thank you! I can take care of people, but flowers? I'd ruin them in a day." Maverick's eyes lingered on her natural, unpretentious charm. Unlike most of the younger family members who fawned over him with fake politeness, she was genuine, sincere, and refreshingly honest. A sudden idea sparked in his mind. He motioned to the old butler. "If you don't want a real flower, I'll give you a fake one instead." Clara laughed. "A plastic flower? Perfect. At least it won't die!" ---- Deborah, always eager to join in, added teasingly, "Dad really knows how to amuse people.

All those rare flowers in the garden, and he gives her a fake one." The butler carefully placed a small sandalwood box in Maverick's hands. With a casual gesture, he passed it to Clara. "See if you like this fake flower." Clara's eyes curved into crescent moons. "Thank you, Grandpa!" She didn't take it too seriously, assuming it was just his playful joke. When she opened the box, her breath caught. Inside was a jade rose. Its color resembled the tender leaves of early spring, green and dewy. The texture was exquisite, more brilliant than any gemstone she had seen.

The craftsmanship was flawless. Each petal seemed alive, perfectly capturing the beauty and elegance of jade. ---- Every detail-the color, the texture, even the way the petals curved-spoke of immense value. Clara remembered helping her mother organize a dowry once, seeing a fine jade paperweight. It had sold for a satisfying price, yet compared to this rose, it was nowhere near as impressive. Deborah's eyes widened, her hands tightening with rage. What is this old man thinking? He only ever gives good things to Aaron! The rest of the family fawns over him and gets nothing.

Clara closed the box gently. Beautiful as it was, she dared not accept it. "It's too precious. I can't take this." Deborah's shoulders relaxed. Clara had sense. Maverick waved it off. "It's old stuff from your grandmother's dowry. Women usually like these things. Keeping them serves no purpose for me. Consider it a welcome gift from her. She always liked kids like you, capable and genuine." Clara glanced at Aaron, silently asking what he thought.