Alex was sipping on some lemon-infused water in the passenger seat when he nearly choked at the conversation, coughing non-stop.


    Little Mateo, ever the caring one, piped up, "Alex, you gotta sip water slowly like mom says, or you''ll end up choking."


    He reached out with his tiny hand to pat Alex''s hair, offeringfort. Alex felt so touched he was nearly teary-eyed.


    Meanwhile, the everposed Everett shot back with a cheeky grin, "It''s your mom who needs to step up her game; she could use more sleep."


    "But my mom''s super strong! She can even run with me in her arms," Mateo said, clearly unconvinced.


    Everett''s lips curled into a knowing smirk, "You''ll get it when you''re older and married."


    "Really?" Mateo''s little face was a mix of skepticism and curiosity.


    Alex sighed quietly, feeling sorry for the young master being so easily swayed. In the rearview mirror, Alex caught Everett looking utterly content, loungingzily.


    Muttering to himself, he thought: It''s not that the missus iscking stamina; it''s Mr. Everett who''s being a handful!


    The car pulled up at the school gate. As soon as the door opened, Mateo bounced out with excitement. Everett noticed his cor was askew and pulled him close, kneeling to fix it.


    Two kids, looking remarkably simr, dashed over with eager little steps.


    They chimed in unison, "Hi, Mr. Everett!"


    Everett turned to see Mateo''s friends, Dn and Cindy, who had quickly be familiar to him. He gave a slight nod and stood up to address the trio, "Make sure to look out for each other, alright?" While he wasn''t as outwardly worried as Selena, it didn''t mean he didn''t care. Fatherly love just wasn''t something he expressed easily with words.


    All three kids nodded obediently.


    In their eyes, Everett was like a towering mountain, a strong and formidable figure they naturally admired.


    Cindy, clinging to Mateo, eagerly dered, "Mr. Everett, I''ll take good care of Mateo. Can I marry him when I grow up?"


    Dn just sighed, "............"


    Mateo blushed, pulling his hand away.


    But Cindy was relentless, wrapping her arms around his, showing her possessive side.


    Dn couldn''t hold back anymore, pulling his sister away and scolding, "Cindy, you used to say you''d marry Mr. Everett when you grew up! Why the switch to Mateo now? And


    you''re so young, have some shame!"


    With her hands on her hips, Cindy retorted, "Mr. Everett already has Auntie Selena, so I need a new target."


    She gazed dreamily at Mateo, "So what if we''re young? Adler said you gotta start looking for a husband in kindergarten!"


    Thinking of their unreliable cousin Adler Jaime, Dn could only face-palm.


    How embarrassing!


    But Cindy was undeterred. She believed in grabbing her chances and ran to hug Everett''s leg, pleading, "Mr. Everett, please don''t let Mateo marry anyone else. Can Ie ask for his hand when I grow up?" Alex found the kids'' innocent chatter amusing and let out a chuckle.


    Everett, who once wasn''t fond of kids, had softened since bing a dad, especially after losing Haley, making him more tolerant of little girls.


    He rarely smiled, but he did offer


    Cindy a small smile now. However, he didn''t make any promises.


    Belf


    ncing at his son, whose cheeks were flushed and fists were clenched, Everett replied casually, "Mateo''s choice of a wife is his own;


    I won''t meddle. You should ask him."


    The Bet family wasn''t in need of a marriage alliance to thrive. By the


    time Mateo took the reins, their empire would only growrger. Mateo''s marriage would be his own choice, ensuring he marries


    someone he truly likes for a happy life.