Chapter 470

Amelia's eyes sparkled with childlike innocence. "No, Gabrielle. You're reading too much into it. Evelyn is actually quite kind."

"Kind? If she were kind, I wouldn't have been framed by her!" Gabrielle exhaled sharply, growing more concerned about her naive best friend. "Amelia, you're a mother now yet still trust everyone blindly! This worries me terribly!"

There was a brief silence before Amelia chuckled at her own delayed reaction. As she opened her mouth to respond, the restroom door swung open.

Both women instinctively fell silent, turning toward Samuel who emerged rolling up his sleeves.

"Amelia, you must be exhausted holding Ethan," Samuel said gently. "Come sit down and rest."

Nodding, Amelia settled onto the couch with Gabrielle, adjusting the toddler in her lap. "Ethan, say hello to your uncle! This is Uncle Samuel!"

The boy blinked owlishly before attempting, "Unca...Sam-el?"

The adults burst into laughter at his adorable mispronunciation.

"It's Uncle Samuel, sweetheart," Amelia corrected patiently.

Ethan scrunched his face in concentration. "Uncle...Sammy?"

Amelia sighed while Samuel reached out to pinch the boy's chubby cheeks affectionately. "He's just a toddler, Amelia. Don't expect perfect diction."

There was something oddly familiar about the adopted child's features that reminded Samuel of his sister, though he felt no particular familial bond - just typical adult fondness for a cute child.

Gabrielle had begun unpacking the elaborate meal she'd prepared, arranging dishes meticulously before offering Samuel utensils. "Try it, Samuel. I hope it suits your taste."

"Thank you," Samuel accepted gracefully, taking a polite bite. "Delicious."

That simple compliment made Gabrielle's cheeks flush. "I could bring you homemade meals every day if you'd like!"

Samuel's expression cooled immediately. "Unnecessary. I prefer working lunches alone. Your visits would disrupt my schedule and waste your time."

The whiplash from praise to rejection left Gabrielle visibly flustered.

"Oh! Well...I don't mind the time, but if it disturbs your work, I won't come uninvited! Just have Amelia message me whenever you want something special!"