The hidden billionaire heiress (Lyra Melvin)

"I..." Alistair wanted to say something, but as the words reached his lips, he sighed and swallowed his thoughts back. "Never mind, it doesn't matter what I want anyway. My Dad won't agree."

What he wanted was seen as a waste of time in Anthony's eyes and saying too much might even get him a beating. As an observer, the driver could only sigh and gently advise, "Alistair, Mr. Callahan has high expectations for you so it's natural that he demands strictness. Don't take it to heart. Fathers often express their love in different ways. Look at all the things he's done for you."

Alistair pouted and turned his head to look out the car window at the scenery passing by.

His father had done plenty of things like supervising his studies, personally correcting his math papers and punishing him if they weren't good enough. He had to learn piano, taekwondo... even if he held the tableware wrong, he would be scolded.

Even his diet was strictly controlled. If he got sick from eating something forbidden or sneaking food behind his father's back, then another scolding would ensue.

He rested both hands on cheeks while hanging his head dispiritedly. "Being me is just too hard! Just when I finally managed to get a day off, it gets ruined."

He still had homework waiting for him when they got home. His father would definitely check on it tonight.

Ugh! He tugged at strands of hair in frustration while the driver shook his head helplessly.

...

For several days straight now Anthony left early in the morning and came home late at night because there were many issues with Callahan Group recently. Projects that were supposed to be signed suddenly fell through on signing day due to sudden changes from other companies who took over instead. Someone died on one of their construction sites which attracted police attention, causing them have no choice but suspend work temporarily.

All these matters kept Anthony busy with worry but deep down inside knew someone was sabotaging Callahan Group and trying suppress its market share rights.

Meanwhile Alistair started attending a new elite kindergarten where drivers and bodyguards picked him up every morning and evening, so there wasn't much concern from Anthony about safety issues anymore...

*

One afternoon two weeks later...

Most of the children had already left kindergarten when Alistair sat outside, holding onto his small backpack and waiting patiently near entrance gate. He hoped Molly would come soon with some snacks Malcolm made especially for him since today was Friday. And Molly had weekends off.

The principal and teachers showed some concern towards Alistair before but found that although he was well-behaved, his overall attitude seemed somewhat distant towards others around him. Just as he was getting used to his new environment, he still wasn't familiar with the other kids. After waiting for almost ten minutes, he finally saw the luxury car belonging to his family parked on the side of the road.

"Momo!" Alistair was excited and ran over with his short legs.

The car door opened and a boy with a cold temperament walked out, wearing an icy expression. Alistair froze. "Spencer, why are you here? Where's Momo?"

Spencer lazily glanced at him and impatiently replied, "Molly has something going on at school and might be late picking you up. She asked me to bring you something." He took out a delicate box from the back seat of the car and handed it to him with a sneer on his lips.

"Is my dad's rabbit cookies really that good? Can't Anthony even make these small snacks?" Alistair grabbed Spencer's hand holding onto the cookie box while defending Anthony, "My Daddy is too busy working. He doesn't have time for this."

He opened up the box revealed fragrant milk cookies that made Alistair lick his lips unconsciously. They were sweet but not cloying - delicious! Spencer stuffed his hands in his pockets and spoke disdainfully, "He just doesn't care enough. My dad works for both NIB and White Corp., yet still manages to find time to spend with family while cooking gourmet meals. Being busy is just an excuse."

Alistair didn't want to argue anymore so continued sitting on steps, eating cookies obediently while being extremely cute.

"Alistair, how many times has your father personally picked you up from kindergarten in these past few years?" Spencer asked suddenly.

Alistair froze again mid-chew of cookie crumbs. His father rarely came unless there was trouble or someone had complained about him doing something wrong...

He couldn't remember more than five times when his father had come himself...

But in front of Spencer, he lifted his chin proudly, defending, "My Daddy comes all the time! So many times I can't even count them!"

Spencer scoffed lightly, "You're deluding yourself."

Alistair lowered his head silently, continuing eating little cookies without saying anything else.

Originally, it never occurred to him that his father not coming himself was such a big deal since he had drivers or bodyguards who could pick him up instead, but today when Spencer brought it up like this, it made him feel sad deep down inside.

Still unwilling give up hope completely though, he gathered courage, asking, "Spencer, did Uncle Malcolm often come pick you guys home often before?"

"Not often," Spencer said, his lips curling into a cold smile. "Every day."

Alistair blinked in surprise. Could Uncle Malcolm really manage to pick them up and drop them off almost every day despite being so busy? A jealous feeling rose in his throat, and even the taste of the cookie he had just eaten turned bitter.

Spencer stuffed his hands into his pockets and ignored the little boy's expression. His attention was focused on their surroundings at the kindergarten. Was someone following them from the corner? Were they Callahan family bodyguards or White family bodyguards?

His dark eyes deepened as he considered this for a moment before suggesting, "Alistair, it's Friday today and Molly and I are going to watch a football game at school later. Do you want to come with us?" "Sure! Where is it?" Alistair closed the cookie box and hugged it close to him as he ran up to Spencer.

"It's very close by, only about seven or eight hundred meters away. So, we can walk there," Spencer replied.

Alistair followed obediently as they left together but then suddenly stopped when Spencer turned around again.

"I told you not to follow us," Spencer said firmly towards Eleven and Twelve who were guarding Lyra before, turning back around without waiting for their response.

Eleven and Twelve exchanged an awkward look between themselves before saying hesitantly, "Spencer... Mr. White and Mrs. White are worried about your health. So, we have no choice but to follow." They had been instructed not leave him alone since leaving home in case something happened unexpectedly that could cause him harm or make him ill.

Spencer glared coldly at them before holding up his wrist, which showed readings from a monitoring device attached there. "This device clearly shows my blood pressure levels along with my heart rate. If anything happens, it will automatically notify my father without any need for your interference."

Feeling dismissed by this statement, Eleven and Twelve looked embarrassed but still managed weakly saying, "Please take care of yourself, and let us know if anything happens." With an impatient grunt from Spencer, they walked away without looking back, while Alistair happily skipped alongside him through an empty park area where few people passed by. After walking for ten minutes straight, Spencer couldn't even see the two luxury cars parked in front of the kindergarten anymore. But he kept on walking without any intention of stopping. Alistair scratched his head in confusion. "Spencer, where is the competition venue? This place should be bustling with people. Why does it seem like there's no one around?" Spencer's tall and thin figure continued to walk as he answered nonchalantly, "We're almost there."

"Spencer, can you slow down a bit..." Alistair didn't finish his sentence before someone covered his mouth from behind and sprayed something on his face that made him dizzy and itchy. When Spencer heard the commotion and turned around, he saw several tall men wearing masks standing nearby while carrying Alistair who was unconscious.

He sneered at them. "It's not even dark yet and you guys are already following us. Now you dare to snatch him directly? You're really bold."