Chapter 7

Darius sat on the sofa facing Diana and her mom. He elegantly took a sip of his tea as his mom made conversation.

"You see dear, my son Darius really isn't looking for a relationship now," his mom said with the politest smile she could muster," I finally came to acknowledge it, he'll find one on his own you see."

"Oh but Mrs. Woodchester," Mrs. Hawthorne exclaimed," it's time for him to settle down and my Diana has taken a great interest in him! Won't you consider it?"

"There's nothing to consider," Darius said," You see Mrs. Hawthorne, in the most respectful way possible, I just don't feel the connection with Miss Diana."

Mrs. Hawthorne frowned but replied pleasantly," You don't know that yet sweetie, you just went on one blind date, surely..."

"She's just not my type," Darius said abruptly.

Putting an end to the conversation," She's a nice young lady, and I'm sure that there will be many other people for her."

"Darius, won't you give me a chance?" Diana asked pleasantly but with a sad undertone, like she was wronged," I really do admire you a lot."

"I did give you a chance Miss Diana," Darius said," But it made me affirm that I just didn't connect with you."

There was not much that could be said after that. Darius was too heavy-handed about the entire thing and the Hawthorne's left. But the Hawthornes were shameless and continued pestering them until they agreed to see them a week later just to confirm.

Mrs. Hawthorne didn't forget to say," We'll be back in a week. Don't forget to call us if you change your mind sooner, sweety!"

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"Diana darling, I don't think he likes you one bit!" Mrs. Hathorne said as they sat in their car.

"Mom, it's because he doesn't know me yet! And he's still too occupied with all the work and that stupid child!" Diana said unhappily.

Darius had been her dream alpha ever since she laid eyes on him at a charity event. He became a sort of obsession of hers. A tall, handsome, young, rich, and dashing young man was what she wanted as a husband and there one was standing right in front of her.

She finally convinced her mom and dad that he was the one and her father agreed since he wanted to partner with the Woodchesters for business.

But Darius was only concerned about the kid. During their blind date, he stressed that he didn't want children and that he would raise Lucas as the heir! How could she let the man she liked prioritize a stinky brat over her? She even bribed the nanny with the help of her father to abuse that wretched nephew of his since she wanted the inheritance to go to their own kid.

The plan was going well.

But yesterday, Nanny Wei called at night anxiously, apparently, Darius's childhood friend, an omega came over and the brat was super clingy! He even started talking again and refused to go near Nanny Wei. Nanny Wei was scared that he would say something since she couldn't be around him all the time.

Diana gritted her teeth, she ordered Nanny Wei to talk sense into that brat and use force if required. She also despised that lousy omega, she was thinking about what to do with him when Nanny Wei informed her that it was Adrien Hayes.

The omega son of the Hayes family. He was a well-known, powerful dominant omega in the circle. He wasn't easy to mess with. Although he looked cute and harmless, Adrien was a well-known businessman and a world-renowned chef. He was the sole owner of a huge restaurant franchise and was super influential in the circle, not only that but he was also backed by the Hayes family, a well-known and deep-rooted family with many connections and a lot of power.

He was not someone Diana could mess with or someone her family could offend.

Even then, so were the Woodchesters, which was why she worked so carefully to make sure that no one would find her traces. She even hired Nanny Wei's son as a driver and deposited money to him so that she wouldn't be caught. She'll just have to tread carefully for now.

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The cameras were all set up. Darius decided not to tell anybody besides Adrien. Darius sighed, the day had taken a toll on him, and it wasn't even 3 o'clock yet. Looking at the clock, Darius guessed that Adrien was probably playing with Lucas.

When he walked in he saw Adrien in a giant panda onesie. He was laying on the bed reading a stories book to Lucas who was cuddled up in his arms.

He chuckled, his junior was still so cute.

Adrien looked up and blushed when he saw him he quickly covered himself with the bedsheet," What are you doing here senior!?" he exclaimed.

Lucas peeked out from under the covers curiously.

Darius laughed and strode over to sit next to them," I came over to tell you that the cams have been set up."

He squished the fluffy panda ears," No need to be embarrassed, it's cute."

That just made Adrien more embarrassed.

Darius smiled," I remember that when you were little, you really liked to walk around in your little yellow duck costume."

Darius sighed with nostalgia, and squeezed his cheeks teasingly," Those were the days."

"Senior brother!" Adrien said embarrassed, "Don't tell that to Lucas!"

"But your little duck bottom was so cute."

"Argh!!!" Adrien exclaimed as he hid inside the covers once again, he pulled Lucas closer and huddled against the confused baby.

Honestly, Adrien wasn't that mad, Darius was always quite mischievous when they were kids, it was only now that he was so serious. It felt good to reminiscence old memories.

But he was still extremely embarrassed.

"Have the Hawthornes left?" he asked removing the panda hood.

Darius nodded," They left a while ago."

Adrien nodded," How did it go? What did they say?"

Darius rolled his eyes," They said that they would come back next week if I changed my mind."

Adrien laughed," Why am I not surprised?"

Darius smiled and shifted so that Lucas was sitting in between them. Adrien also moved a little bit so Darius could lay on the bed.

"How is our favorite nephew Lucas today?"

Lucas pouted and clung to Adrien. He glanced at Darius through the corner of his eyes.

Darius smiled sadly," Lucas... your uncle Adrien told me what Nanny Wei did to you... Will you tell uncle yourself?"

Lucas looked away and buried his head in Adrien's side.

Darius didn't pursue it," Your uncle Darius was really shocked," he said and held his little hand.

"Uncle Darius is sorry."

"I should have paid more attention."

Lucas turned to look at him hesitantly," Really?"

"Really," Darius said a little overwhelmed, this was the first time Lucas talked to him in months," Your uncle will make sure that Nanny Wei is kicked out of the house."

Lucas nodded and struck out his hand, "Promise?"

Darius looked surprised but he hooked Lucas's little finger with his own," Promise."

Lucas smiled and let Darius hug him. Adrien sighed, this was good.

"I'm going to need Lucas's help to kick nanny Wei out though," Darius said seriously once they separated.

Lucas looked at him intently.

"I want you to stay with nanny Wei ok? Uncle will give you a necklace, it has a secret button. It needs to be a secret so that we get to make the bad guy go to jail, okay?"

Adrien scrunched his brows," Senior brother-"

Darius gave him a look, which made Adrien quiet down.

"Your uncle Adrien and I will come running ok? And we'll fire her. But if you want her to be really punished, we need evidence that she did all those horrible things to you."

Lucas listened intently," Can't we just tell the police?"

"We need evidence to get her in jail ok? Lucas's little button will have a voice recorder and uncle will set up cameras so we catch her. Does Lucas understand?"

Lucas nodded seriously.

Adrien frowned.

Darius pulled out a little panda necklace and put it on Lucus," The nose is the button, ok?"

Lucas nodded.

"Press it."

Lucas pressed it and suddenly Darius's phone started ringing," See? Uncle Adrien and I will come running when we hear this, so don't be afraid. We'll send the bad guy to jail quickly."

"Okay!"

"Good boy!" Darius praised.

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"Senior brother," Adrien said as he finished serving cute animal macarons to Lucas and dragged Darius to a corner," how can you ask Lucas to do something so dangerous!?"

Adrien was really upset," Lucas is only five and he was severely withdrawn. This is just pushing him into the tiger's den again!"

"He needs this," Darius said trying to calm him down, he tried to smooth his hair out but Adrien slapped his hand away.

Adrien was not going to back down, how could he let this happen?

Darius sighed," I know you're worried, but right now, the child needs to understand that he can fight against people that hurt him."

"He knows now that we love him and that we'll fight for him, but he also needs to know that he himself can do things to protect himself."

"He's a child!"

"He's a Woodchester! There are people lining up to kidnap him or threaten or mentally, physically, and verbally abuse him. If he learns this lesson now, it's for the best!" Darius said severely.

"It also gives him a chance to fight against his abuser, this is giving him power," Darius said solemnly," I and my elder brother have gone through similar circumstances, even you aren't foreign to this!"

Adrien wilted," But he's only five..." he won't deny that living in high society wasn't difficult, but the child just went through something traumatic.

Darius brought him closer and put his hands on his shoulders," I know you care about Lucas a lot, and I love that, but he can get through this, he'll have to one day or the other."

Adrien sighed but finally nodded, accepting what Darius said, after all, Darius knew what was better for his own nephew. At the end of the day, Darius was Lucas's legal guardian, and he didn't have the right to make decisions regarding Lucas.

Even then, he had also gone through a lot as a kid, being in a house of power was not easy. It was especially dangerous for children, and it makes them grow fast.

If it was some other kid, Adrien probably would have agreed. The society they live in was cruel, and letting a child understand that he was protected and that he could stand up for himself in a safe way, with bodyguards all around would be for the best.

Darius smiled and patted his hair, Adrien didn't refuse," Besides," Darius said," He has us doesn't he?"

"I do!" Lucas said, he had jumped down from the high chair and grabbed after listening to the conversation secretly Adrien's apron," I can do it, uncle Adrien!"

"Okay, okay," Adrien said giving a helpless smile," Who just became a big man so suddenly?"

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