Chapter 212

S21 42. Stay Away from My Daughter

“Mom, why did you say that?” Barbara tugged at her mother’s sleeve.

Melanie brushed her hand away. “Don’t get involved, Barbara. This is a matter between me and the man who doesn’t know himself. His job is only to manage the house and take care of the children. How dare he want to get close to you? What does he really have?”

Philip took a deep breath. His hands clenched into fists at his sides.” Sorry, Madam. What’s wrong with my job? Why do you mention it like a lowly job?”

While Barbara was stunned, Melanie sighed in disbelief. “You dare to fight?”

With round eyes, Melanie approached the man. However, before she could reach him, Barbara stopped her.

“Enough, Mommy. Don’t embarrass me.”

“The man behind you is shameless. He’s just an assistant, but he

acts like a boss.”

“Then what about me? I don’t even have a job. Did I embarrass you?”

Melanie was taken aback. “You’re defending him? What’s wrong with you?”

“There’s nothing wrong with me. Philip has fixed me!”

Melanie’s laugh started to sound cynical. “So, is he the reason you’ve changed lately? He poisoned your mind with what? A spell?”

Barbara grimaced. “Stop it, Mom. I don’t want things to get worse. Let’s go back inside.”

Barbara tried to take Melanie’s hand, but failed. Her mother had again

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pointed at Philip with a threatening look.

“Once again you approach my daughter, I will make you regret it. You are nothing. You have nothing worthy to offer her.”

“Mom!”

Barbara’s tears welled up again. Not knowing how to deal with her mother, she ran inside. Philip looked at her back with a troubled heart.

“You!” Melanie pushed Philip’s shoulder with her index finger. “Our business isn’t finished yet. While you still have the chance, stay away from my daughter.”

As Melanie turned to follow Barbara, Philip closed his eyes. He was trying to control his feelings. But suddenly, something appeared from

behind the bushes.

“Philip, are you sad?” Louis asked while brushing leaves from his hair

and clothes.

Philip blinked at Louis. His annoyance disappeared in no time. Young Master, since when were you there?”

“Since earlier. I saw you dating Auntie. Then suddenly, Grandma came. Everything went wrong.”

Philip raised an eyebrow. “You’re here to peek at us?”

Louis chuckled before he approached Philip. “I actually wanted to bail your promise. You said you would give me whatever gift I asked for. But because you and Auntie looked like you were having fun, I didn’t

dare interrupt.”

Philip smiled wryly. Picking up the leaves from Louis’ head, he whispered, “That’s just your imagination. I’m not dating your aunt.

“But you like her, right?” Louis looked up with a sweet expression.” You look at her like Daddy looks at Mommy.”

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Philip turned still. After one blink, he widened his smile. “How old are you, Young Master? Why do you sound like an adult?”

“That’s because I like to watch the people and I am sensitive. But I think you don’t need to be sad, Philip. Grandma’s words are not true. Mommy said we shouldn’t insult people’s jobs. All jobs are great, as long as they obey the rules.”

Philip nodded. Before he had time to reply, Louis was already hugging him and patting his leg.

“Don’t be sad anymore. Grandma will definitely realize that she’s wrong. Your job is actually something to be proud of. Not everyone can be in your position.”

Philip’s heart warmed. While patting Louis’ back, he took a deep

breath.

“Honestly, I don’t care what your grandmother said earlier. I really love and enjoy my job. Having a boss as good as you is an invaluable gift.”

“So, are you still going to give me a gift? I’ve kept the meaning of you gaze a secret this afternoon.” Louis eyes sparkled brightly, radiating enthusiasm.

Excited, Philip ruffled his hair. “Men always keep their promises. What gift do you want?”

“I want you to take Auntie to a picnic on the beach next Saturday. No. need to invite Daddy and Mommy. Just the four of us. This is a young people’s event.”

Philip sighed in disbelief. “Can we call it a gift?”

“Yes! Mommy said the most valuable thing a person can give is his time. So, are you willing to fulfill it?”

Philip smiled for a moment. “Alright.”

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Louis immediately jumped with his hands up. “Woohoo! We’ll play happily on the beach. I really can’t wait.”

A second later, he started to pull his assistant’s hand. “Let’s come in, Philip. We have to tell Emily and ask Daddy’s permission.”

Philip followed happily. Deep in his heart, he also couldn’t wait to

have fun with Barbara.

***

The night was boring for Barbara. Since the incident, she had locked her bedroom door. She even ignored Melanie’s call.

Barbara was afraid that when she faced her mother, her emotions

would be uncontrollable. She could be condemned as a disobedient daughter, and her self-esteem would fall even further in Philip’s eyes.

“I should have just played with the kids. That way, all my problems would have been forgotten.”

Alone in the room, Barbara started to feel sleepy. However, wher someone knocked on the window, she immediately widened her Without thinking, she opened the curtain.

“Philip?”

The man motioned her to open the window. Barbara complied. Wh there was no longer a glass partition between them, Philip smiled.

“Am I bothering you?”

Barbara put on a sullen look. “I’m in a bad mood. What do you want? Just get on with it.”

The curve of Philip’s lips shrunk. “I’m sorry if I seemed rude to your mother. I didn’t mean to argue. It’s just that I couldn’t accept it if someone insults my job. Besides….”

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Philip shook his head for a moment. “I forgot that dispute with people who don’t share the same thought is just a waste of energy. I should just keep quiet.”

After taking a deep breath, Barbara’s shoulders dropped. Her lips moved forward.

“You don’t need to apologize. I feel you. I also often hold back my irritation, but end up arguing. Maybe because of our thin patience, we are often labeled as an impudent generation.”

Philip was stunned. He didn’t know that Barbara had such wise thoughts.

“By the way, about the picnic, Young Master and Young Lady are asking you to go this Saturday. Do you have time?”

Barbara’s eyebrows rose high. Her lungs were suddenly full with joy. The picnic seemed like a date to her ears. However, she didn’t want her cheeks to blush in front of Philip

“Actually, I don’t like picnics,” she answered curtly.

“You don’t like it or you have never done it?”

Barbara glanced back. Seeing Philip’s sweet smile, her cheeks heated

“N-never,” Barbara stammered, her head bowed. She didn’t realize that from Philip’s position, her face could actually be seen more clearly.

“Then, try it. This Saturday, let’s have a picnic together. You should

feel the excitement.”

Barbara blinked stiffly. Her gaze was now locked on those bright eyes. “We’ll just sit and eat, right? What’s the fun in it?”

Philip put on a bigger smile. “We can also enjoy the view while talking about many things. There are lots of fun games that we can play too.

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You’ll definitely like it.”

Barbara fell silent. She didn’t seem interested. In fact, her heart tingled at the thought of the excitement.

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