Chapter 1707
Evan stealthily returned to his residence. As soon as he entered the room, he saw Tarquin.
Tarquin was sitting on the living room sofa, looking at his phone. Sensing
movement, he looked up toward the door p>
A small, soot-stained figure shuffled into the room, looking more like a homeless urchin than a billionaire’s son.
The little guy looked as if he had just wandered back from a slum, or like a kid who’d been playing in a mud puddle p>
His face was dirty, his body was dirty, his hair was dirty, and his shoes were dirty.
His handsome little face was completely obscured by grime, showing no trace of its original appearance.
His clean and fluffy medium-length hair now looked no different from a bird’s nest.
The white sneakers he wore when he left yesterday had turned a dirt-gray color, accented with splashes of red, yellow, blue, green, and black.
His designer tracksuit was a tattered mess, riddled with countless rips and tears. From head to toe, he looked nothing like the young master of a wealthy family.
He looked more like a little wanderer from a gang of street urchins.
Even if Elysia Thorne were here right now, she probably wouldn’t recognize him as her son.
The difference was like night and day.
Tarquin studied his precious son, sighed softly to himself, and beckoned him over.
“Come here p>
Evan scratched his head and shuffled over, greeting him in a small, sheepish voice. “Hey, Dad p>
Tarquin first carefully checked his body to make sure he wasn’t injured, then asked, “Are you hungry p>
Evan nodded quickly. “Hungry p>
Tarquin said, “There’s food for you in the kitchen. Go take a shower and change into clean clothes first, then come down to eat p>
Evan, with his big, bright eyes, looked at Tarquin suspiciously.
“Dad, are you… are you mad?” Evan asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Tarquin narrowed his eyes. “Why would I be mad at you p>
Evan stammered, “I… I went to Mariana Land without telling you beforehand, and it was a risky thing to do. I thought you’d be angry p>
Tarquin’s tone was neutral. “You knew I’d be angry, yet you still dared to act first and report later. You’re not afraid I’ll spank you at all p>
Evan replied very seriously, “Of course I’m scared. After all, if you me, I can’t hit back. I just
have it
take the pain. Who isn’t afraid of
pain?” n
Tarquin narrowed his eyes. If I hit you, why can’t you hit back p>
Evan looked up with his grimy little face and said, “Because you’re my real dad! I make a mistake and you punish me, it’s only right and propèr. If I dared to hit back, that would be disrespectful dont want to be. disrespectful son! I still have to be Mommy’s pride and joy p>
Tarquin was speechless. The father’s heart softened instantly.
When he first heard that his son had run off to Mariana Land alone, he had been truly terrified.
Even Axel had spent years preparing before he stormed in.
Although Evan was skilled and had only gone to the border region, the risk was still very high, given how chaotic the place was.
Even with Elliot’s detailed plan, he was uneasy. He hadn’t dared to sleep at all last night.
If anything had happened to Evan, what would he and Elysia do?
He had genuinely thought about giving the little rascal a good talking-to when he got back.
He would teach him a lesson he wouldn’t forget, to make him remember that not all risks are worth taking.
But as soon as he saw him, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
After a moment of silence, Tarquin sighed inwardly again and ruffled Evan’s hair.
“Wanting to punish bad people isn’t wrong, but you shouldn’t have acted
without telling me. You shou
have p>
told me about something sodisky beforehand p>
Evan thought to himself: *If I told you, there’s no way you would’ve let me go p>
But he said aloud, “You’re right, absolutely right! I’ll be more careful next time p>
He was putting on a great show of admitting his mistake.
Before Tarquin could speak, he added, “So… Dad, are we still good buddies? No! Are we still on good terms as father and son p>
Tarquin was speechless.
Evan said sheepishly, “If we’re still on good terms, then you’ll keep this a secret for me, okay? Don’t tell Mommy p>
Tarquin asked, “And what if I say we’re not p>