CEO Ex-Husband, Don't Bother Me

Chapter 247 - 189: He’s My Dad

Before Ronan Joyce could answer, the little girl in his arms glared defiantly at the young assistant and declared loudly, "He’s my daddy!"

Ronan Joyce straightened up, smoothly lifting Cheryl Nash into his arms. He glanced at the stunned young assistant, who was frozen in place, and introduced them calmly, "Chester, this is my daughter, Cheryl Nash."

’No, she should be Cheryl Joyce now.’

Then he looked at the little one in his arms and said in a softened voice, "Cheryl, this is Auntie Chester!"

"Hello, Auntie Chester!"

Cheryl Nash was very outgoing and never shy with strangers.

"H-h-h-h... hi..."

The young assistant was still in a state of shock, only instinctively responding to her greeting.

WHAT?

’This little girl is Professor Joyce’s daughter?’

’Oh my god! If word of this gets out, it’s going to break so many women’s hearts.’

’For the past few years, Professor Joyce had never lacked for all sorts of admirers, but he had always politely rejected them, acting completely uninterested in romance. And here I thought he was single... to think he already has a daughter!’

’The girl looks like she’s at least three. Could it be... he had her before he went to Meridia? But he’s never mentioned it. And who is her mother?’ Her curiosity was thoroughly piqued, and she couldn’t stop her mind from racing.

Holding Cheryl Nash, Ronan Joyce got into the car. He glanced back and saw his assistant still frozen on the spot, so he called out in a firm voice, "Chester!"

That snapped the young assistant out of her daze. She hurried back to the car. "Coming!"

Ronan Joyce’s group was staying at the hotel right next to the conference center, so it was only a short drive. The whole way there, Ronan kept Cheryl Nash on his lap, just watching her quietly. He had never been one to show his emotions, so with his assistant in the car, he didn’t interact much with Cheryl.

Cheryl Nash, wanting to make a good impression on her father, obediently let him hold her the entire time.

After their car drove off, Dylan, who had been watching from another vehicle, finally told his driver to leave as well. He let out a long sigh of relief. ’Finally rid of that clingy little terror.’

’Helping her find her dad and delivering her right to him—my job is done. I just hope she remembers this favor, and that Lara Nash doesn’t skin me alive when she finds out.’

Ronan Joyce carried Cheryl Nash back to his room and cranked up the heat until it was cozy and warm. He then took off her puffy down jacket, revealing a little white sweater and black pants underneath. The outfit was a recent gift from Naomi Shaw, and in it, she looked utterly adorable and full of life.

By the time they reached the room, he had finally regained his composure. He set her down on the sofa and sat across from her. He opened his mouth to speak several times, but the words wouldn’t come out. "Your..."

"Where’s your mom?"

He finally forced out the three words, enduring the ache in his heart.

’Just now, outside, he’d been thrilled for a moment, thinking she might show up too. But he later realized it was just wishful thinking.’

’Truly wishful thinking.’

’Otherwise, she wouldn’t have kept their daughter a secret from him for this long. The thought made him furious. If he hadn’t found out today, was she planning on keeping their lovely daughter from him for the rest of his life?’

"She’s in Thailos. I came with Auntie Naomi!"

Cheryl Nash answered truthfully. Ronan Joyce listened with forced patience as she explained everything, his expression growing darker and uglier by the second.

’She’s getting married?’

’That night in Port Sterling... he thought she still loved him.’

’He had planned to have a serious talk with her after this physics conference was over. He had sworn never to set foot in Thailos again, but she could always leave.’

’Back then, he hadn’t been strong enough to stand up to her family, hadn’t been able to protect their happiness. For years, regret and anguish had tormented him nonstop, often jolting him awake in the dead of night.’

"Daddy, can you take me to the taekwondo studio in a bit?"

Cheryl Nash’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Why?" he asked, confused.

Now that his precious daughter was here, he had no intention of ever letting her leave his side again. He didn’t want to be apart from her for even a second. ’In just this short time,’ he thought, ’she’s already become my whole world.’

Cheryl Nash clearly didn’t want to leave her dad either. Her little face wrinkled in a frown. "I can’t let Mommy find out I came looking for you, or she’ll be really mad. Dylan brought me here in secret. He’s practicing at the taekwondo studio. If you drop me off there, I can sneak back with him. That way, Auntie Naomi and the others won’t find out!"