The next morning.
Howard couldn't sleep at all. When he woke up, he looked into the mirror and saw his dull face.
Hastily, he washed his face with cold water to refresh himself before he went out for breakfast, which was provided by the hotel.
As he ate, he called Stanley, to which he picked up immediately, "Yes? Anything?"
"It's getting late. Come down and have breakfast." After a pause, he added, "Take Elaine with you."
Stanley muttered 'got it' and hung up the phone.
Then, Howard waited for a while before the family of five finally came to the restaurant.
Sharon was holding Simon while Stanley was holding the pair of adorable twins.
Needless to say, it was a head- turning appearance.
Many people in the restaurant turned to look at them.
"Oh, this family is so lovely."
"They are all so good-looking!" "Look at the kids! They are so adorable, especially the boy. Look at him holding his sister's hand and protecting her. Aw, they are so cute..."
When they came to Howard's table, Stanley asked for a baby chair and put Simon in it. Then, he heard Howard's resentful whine, "It's just breakfast. Can you keep a low profile?"
As Stanley prepared utensils for Sharon and the children, he teased without looking at Howard, "What's with the tone? Are you jealous that we steal your limelight, Dr. Perkins?"
Sharon giggled.
Earlier, she also noticed how people were looking at them. Every time she brought her children out, it would always attract others' attention.
It wasn't that they wanted to attract attention on purpose, but whenever Stanley was around, he would attract unwanted attention from the ladies.
The children were adding on the attention factor. Over time, she started to get used to it.
Ignoring Stanley, Howard pinched Simon's face and casually asked, "Where's Elaine? Why hasn't she come down yet?"
After he said this, he looked at Stanley, to which he gestured him to look at Sharon.
Curious, Howard turned to look at Sharon.
Taking a sip of milk, Sharon said slowly, "Oh,
Elaine." "Yes. Well?"
"Uh, she's not here anymore."
"What?" Howard was taken aback.
Sharon acted as if she was more surprised than him. "You don't know? She went back early this morning. I thought she told you before she left."
Upon hearing that, Howard glared at Sharon, grimacing in great dismay.
She did it on purpose!
She must be!
If Elaine had left early in the morning, she might not tell him but she would definitely have told her!
Yet, here she was, putting on an act in front of him.
Furiously, Howard slammed his spoon onto the table so hard that he startled Seamus and Sadie.
Sadie blinked in surprise and asked, "Uncle Howard, are you okay?"
Displeased by his action, Stanley furrowed slightly and glared at him. "Hey, what's with the attitude? Calm the hell down!"
Howard didn't dare to get mad at Sharon in front of Stanley, so he took a deep breath to calm himself down before saying, "I'm okay, Sadie darling. Hurry, have your breakfast."
With that, Sadie hummed an 'oh' and started eating, but she kept looking at the adults with her big dark eyes.
Looking at Howard's depressed expression, Sharon sighed, "She went back with Ariah. Lacie was not feeling well, so Jimmy wanted to leave, and she asked them for a ride to town. I couldn't stop her, so I let her go with them."
Losing his appetite entirely, Howard pushed his chair and stood up. "I'll make a call. You guys go ahead."
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