the two-faced Adopted Girl Who Melted CEO's Ice-Cold Heart

Chapter 737: Courting Favor with Ignatius Leclair

Ignatius Leclair quickly finished preparing dinner. The two little ones sat obediently at the table, heads down, eating ravenously. Delphine had eaten earlier outside and dared not even mention having a second meal.

So full.

The man calmly poured a glass of clear water and handed it over, his expression still icy.

Delphine silently drank the water. She then planned to wash the dishes that evening as a gesture of goodwill. However, as soon as her hand touched the plates, the man’s long, strong fingers pinned hers down, his deep voice saying, "No need, I’ll do it."

Ignatius Leclair rolled up his sleeves and elegantly began washing the dishes, his movements dignified and composed.

Delphine took the two little ones to bathe and get ready for bed.

By the time she returned to the bedroom, the man had showered. He was now sitting at the head of the bed in only a bathrobe, his eyes lowered, quietly flipping through a book. His slender, jade-like fingers, his alluring chest, his handsome yet somber brows—every inch of him radiated an indefinable, almost intoxicating allure.

Delphine climbed into bed. As the weight of the blanket lightly pressed down, she opened her eyes—deep and dark as polished onyx. She reached out to tug softly at Ignatius Leclair’s bathrobe sleeve, her voice slightly ingratiating as she asked, "Are you upset?"

She wasn’t adept at currying favor, but her tone was softer than usual, a rare gesture of initiative and goodwill on her part.

A flicker of something dark passed through Ignatius Leclair’s phoenix eyes. Such a stubborn yet adorable woman—this wasn’t how you coax someone.

The man turned another page of his book, responding indifferently with a low "Hmm." When he noticed her moving closer, her scent now free of the faint trace of tobacco, his expression softened slightly. He had originally intended to stay cold toward her, but he found himself unable to fully suppress his emotions. In a low voice, he said, "If you’re tired of the meals I make and don’t want to eat at home, at least let me know in advance."

The grievance lingered in his tone.

Delphine tugged on his sleeve again and explained earnestly, "Your cooking is delicious. Today, I just went to see Isaac."

Ignatius Leclair raised his eyes to take in her delicate face, tinged faintly pink. Setting the book aside, he leaned toward her and asked, "Why did you go see Isaac all of a sudden?"

"He got into a fight at school with a classmate. I was thinking of bringing him here to stay for a while. What do you think?" Over the years, Isaac’s personality had grown hardened following Stone Leclair, and she couldn’t bear to leave him in that environment any longer. If he stayed with Stone, this child’s future might be ruined.

Ignatius Leclair’s lips thinned into a taut line. His aversion to disruptions and his intense sense of cleanliness were well-known. While Delphine appeared outwardly indifferent, her heart was soft, while he, on the other hand, was genuinely indifferent. It wasn’t just that Isaac was his half-brother, burdened with a complicated and disgraceful family history. The very thought of Isaac staying here—especially since Ignatius and Delphine were not related by blood—elicited an unmistakable wave of rejection from him.

"I need to take care of Nicholas and Benjamin, and you still need to act to support the family. If he doesn’t want to attend boarding school, he could either move back to the Leclair Residence or study abroad. Either way works," Ignatius Leclair said dispassionately.

Delphine instantly caught on to his unwillingness, and a trace of disappointment flitted across her face. She lowered her voice and said softly, "What he needs isn’t money or opportunities. He needs care and love."

"I, too, need care and love." His deep voice was tinged with chill. She could think of Isaac’s needs so easily—why couldn’t she consider her husband’s, hmm?

"He’s just a child," Delphine retorted with a huff, seeing that he was twisting logic to suit himself.

The man reached out and pulled her into his arms, his expression dim and inscrutable. Back then, she had also been just a child yet had borne countless trials of hardship. How could Isaac—a boy—be any less resilient?

"Leave this matter to me. Focus more on Nicholas and Benjamin." Ignatius Leclair’s eyes darkened as they roamed over her fair skin and delicate lips. In one swift motion, he flipped her beneath him.