Win My Husband Over to Find My Child
Chapter 521: The Countdown Began

Chapter 521: The Countdown Began

"Boss, Mr. N is approaching. 50 meters."

After a faint buzz, Kenneth’s voice resounded in Calix’s ear. The Team B’s leader reported Nicholas’ recent movement when Calix carried Calliope to the display counter.

"Yes."

Calix whispered ever so quietly. His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly but, his composure remained sturdy. His focus returned to Calliope.

"Which one do you want, Poppy?"

Nicholas wouldn’t dare to do anything in a public space like this. Calix wouldn’t let the man ruin his precious time spent with his wife and daughter.

"Oh~ Poppy wants~ Hurm..."

Calliope admired the colorful assortment of ice creams, her eyes sparkling with delight. She wanted to press her tiny hands on the glass but, Calix quickly stopped her.

The ice cream shop staff patiently waited for the little dumpling to choose from the huge variety of ice cream.

"Papa, that rainbow one! Please~"

Calliope pointed to a rectangular tub displaying rainbow sherbet, her voice bubbling with excitement.

Calix’s lips melted into a warm smile, his attention fully on Calliope, "A rainbow sherbet is it. Okay, Papa will get that for you."

Calix ordered a rainbow sherbet ice cream for Calliope, adding sprinkles as its topping. He also got himself a strawberry ice cream and a hazelnut chocolate one for Leslie.

"Boss, Mr. N is here."

Once again Kenneth’s voice echoed from the earbud. Calix continued chatting with Calliope after finalizing the payment with the cashier.

A man’s footsteps resounded from behind. Calix knew they belonged to Nicholas yet, his attention was still on Calliope. The little one chatted about eating ice cream with her friends in the kindergarten.

Soon, a familiar yet unpleasant voice broke through the ambient noise of the shop, calling Calix.

"Excuse me, CEO Xu?"

Calix turned slowly, his posture relaxed and the sharpness of his eyes receded as his sight settled on Nicholas. The latter stood a few feet away from him.

"Mr. Wu," Calix’s lips curved into a polite smile, nodding once to acknowledge Nicholas’ presence, "I didn’t expect to see you here. Are you on a date with Belle?"

Calix threw his eyes behind Nicholas, pretending to look for Belinda despite knowing she was in another country currently. Xander informed him that the young lady and her mother might stay abroad until the end of this month.

"Oh... You knew about us," Nicholas chuckled, smiling sheepishly in front of the calm Calix, "Sadly, Belle isn’t in the country. She’s on a spontaneous trip with her mother."

"My friend Xander told me about you two. Congratulations, Mr. Wu. Belle is a good young lady."

Calix deliberately mentioned Xander’s name, implying they had patched their strained friendship. He noticed Nicholas’ smile stiffened for a moment.

Letting out faint chuckles, Nicholas said, "I feel so undeserving of her but, I’ll do my best for her. Ah, I thought I saw you so I came here. Seems like you’re on an outing with your family, CEO Xu."

Nicholas smiled at Calliope before his gaze shifted subtly to where Leslie was by pretending to look around the store. He quickly returned his eyes to the man carrying the child.

Calix smiled seeing it because it was clear Nicholas had learned of his wife and daughter’s identities.

"Yes. I was busy this week so, trying to compensate since it’s the weekend," Calix replied calmly. With a tilt of his chin, he gestured at where Leslie sat, "My wife is there. Waiting for us."

"Oh..."

Nicholas now openly looked at Leslie. He smiled when the lady nodded at him, not realizing she was seething inside for how hypocritical he was.

"Papa, the ice cream here," Calliope patted Calix’s arm once she saw the tray for their ice creams was brought out, "Hurry before the ice cream melt ah."

The three ice creams were put into crisp waffle cones, supported by circular stands. They stood horizontally on the tray.

Nicholas glanced at Calliope, more chuckles slipping out of his lips. The little dumpling eyed him back, seemingly being quite wary, such a different from her usual outgoing self.

"I better go now. I shouldn’t impose on your family time, CEO Xu. I hope I’ll get to meet you more often soon. I wish to hear about your experience handling Xu International at a young age."

Nicholas held out a hand, offering his palm to Calix. The man accepted the gesture, shaking hands with the former.

Calix’s grip was firm but, not overly so. He took his hand away after a few seconds, not without squeezing Nicholas’ hand.

"I believe we’ll see each other soon. I’ve heard about you from your partner. Mr. Yan seems to hold you in high regard."

"Daniel is my best friend. He can be biased toward me. Anyway, see you again, CEO Xu."

"Yes. Likewise, Mr. Wu."

Nicholas nodded once at Calix before turning to do the same at Leslie. The smile on his lips remained, only he knew what was in his mind.

Calix stared at Nicholas’ disappearing figure before finally putting Calliope to the floor. Holding the tray, he gestured at the little dumpling to go to their table.

"He didn’t do much," was Leslie’s remark once Calix returned with the tray of ice creams.

"He wouldn’t dare," Calix chuckled, his lips curling into a sneer, "This is a public place after all."

Grabbing the hazelnut chocolate ice cream, Leslie muttered, her voice low, "He’s just too arrogant. He came to show himself. He thinks that we do not know who he is."

Calix simply shook his head in helplessness. He sensed the frustration in Leslie’s voice. Scooping a little of the strawberry ice cream in his hand, he brought it to her lips.

"It won’t be for too long, sweetheart," Calix raised his brows, sounding more relaxed than before, "For now, let’s enjoy the ice cream."

Leslie shot Calix a look. Parting her lips, she ate the ice cream from the spoon. The sweet and tart tastes of the frozen dessert spread in her mouth.

Yes. The countdown began.