Chapter 453

Aidan's smile froze. 'Was Oliver just messing with me? Getting my hopes up for nothing?'

Mia, worried Aidan might say something rude, quickly pinched him.

Oliver, sensing the tension, smoothly changed the subject. "Grandpa, can you teach me how to play chess?"

"You know how to play?"

"No, but you can teach me."

"Chess is tough; you can't learn it quickly."

"I'm your grandchild; I can definitely learn," Oliver said confidently.

Aidan felt proud and his mood lifted. "That's true."

Aidan had faith in his family's smarts, but Oliver's IQ still surprised him. She picked up chess in just twenty minutes.

"Oh my God! Our grandchild is a genius!" Mia clapped excitedly.

"Grandma, my IQ is 200."

"Caleb's IQ was only 180 when he was young. Our grandchild is even smarter." Mia was thrilled. This little grandchild was a gem.

"Yeah, I also have Mommy's genes."

Aidan frowned. "With her stubbornness, she's so dumb. Smart people should take the fifty million dollars and not dream of becoming Mrs. Eilish. Competing with me for the grandson? No chance."

"My mommy is not dumb, and she's very gentle."

"Grandpa, let's have a match."

"Little guy, I've been playing chess my whole life, and you've just learned. Dare to challenge me? You're too confident."

"How would you know if you don't try, Grandpa? Are you scared?"

"Me, scared? I won't go easy on you."

Oliver thought, 'Then I'll go easy on you.'

Oliver showed amazing talent in chess, and Aidan took her seriously. The first game took half an hour, and Aidan barely won. He relaxed and said proudly, "I told you, I'm still the best."

"Grandpa is amazing."

Oliver thought, 'Making Grandpa happy, it's okay to lose on purpose.'

The second game was a draw.

By the third game, Aidan was struggling, thinking hard about each move, but he still lost.

"Oliver won! My grandchild is so smart."

"Not really, Grandpa let me win," Oliver said sweetly.

Mia laughed and teased, "He didn't let you win, look, he's sweating."

"I am not," Aidan denied. "I just lost one game, I was too careless."

"Yes, Grandpa is the best."

At that moment, Caleb walked in.

"Finished the video conference?" Mia asked.

"Yes," Caleb nodded. "Playing chess?"

Mia beamed. "Yeah, my grandson is so smart. He learned chess in twenty minutes and even beat your dad."

"He didn't win, it was a draw," Aidan quickly corrected. Saving face was important.

Caleb smiled and exchanged a look with Oliver, who playfully winked at him.

He had no doubt his son could make his parents very happy.

"Are you going to the office?" Mia asked.

"Yes."

"Uncle, you go ahead, I'll keep Grandpa and Grandma company."

"Oliver, you call us Grandpa and Grandma, why do you call Daddy Uncle?" Mia asked.

"When Uncle can give Mommy and me a home, I'll call him Daddy," Oliver looked seriously at Caleb, eyes full of hope.

Caleb nodded, he wouldn't let her down.

In the car, Caleb called Susan.

"Oliver?"

"It's me."

Susan sighed, sounding exhausted. "I thought it was my son."

"Are you home?"

"Yeah, just woke up because of your call."

He could tell she wasn't doing well. "It's almost noon. Want to grab lunch?"

"Is Oliver coming?"

"He's with my parents."

Susan snapped, "I won't eat with a kidnapper. When can I see my son?"

"Tomorrow."

"I want to see him today."

"It's not the right time yet."

"I have to ask you to see my son and wait for your schedule? Caleb, don't push me."

"I know this is hard, but I promise I'll keep my word. Just a couple more days."

"I'm living a nightmare. I can't wait another second." Susan was frantic. "Do you know how scared I am that you'll take Oliver away?"

"No one will take him from you."

"Get lost." Susan hung up.

Caleb stared at the road, a glimmer of hope breaking through the gloom.

"Sorry, Susan. My selfishness has caused you so much pain, but I have to seize this chance. I'll make it up to you and our son."

"Here, have some steak."

"Eat more veggies."

"And mushrooms too, for a balanced diet."

Oliver's plate was piled high.

"Thanks, Grandma, but that's enough. My tummy's going to burst." Oliver smiled sweetly. "Grandpa and Grandma, you should eat more too."

"Are you in kindergarten?"

"Yes."

"Which one?"

"Harbor International Kindergarten."

"Never heard of it. I'll transfer you to the best one in the city."

"But I have many good friends at Harbor International."

"A bunch of commoners, not fit to be friends with my grandchild."

"Grandpa, people aren't divided by status. We're all lovely kids."

"Mhmm, Oliver is right," Mia said, starting to like Oliver more and more.

"Your mom taught you that, right?"

"Yes, Mommy taught me a lot of principles."

"Forget all that. Your status is different now. Listen to me; what I teach you is right."

"I know Grandpa means well, but I really agree with Mommy. Be kind, respect the elderly, love the young, help others. Money is just an external thing..."

"Wrong, only poor people say that. You'll inherit billions; you can't think like that. What your mom taught you is too limited."

"I don't know what limited means, but you must be a good person."

"Good people don't get good outcomes. You have to be ruthless when needed."

This was too much.

Mia put down her fork. "Aidan, stop."

"Am I wrong?"

"Oliver is still young. He should keep an innocent and kind heart."

"He needs to learn the Eilish family rules early."

"He'll understand in time. Don't force it." Mia smiled and asked, "Oliver, what do you like to do?"

"Read books at home, watch the Science Channel."

"Oliver is so well-behaved."

Oliver shrugged. "Mommy is very busy. She doesn't have time to take me out, so the nanny takes care of me."

Aidan got angry again. "What? She leaves you with a servant while she enjoys herself?"