His One True Love

Chapter 6---Go to Mars for Mom

A black Maybach glided beneath the shade of two rows of tall plane trees, winding its way into the Fields estate.

The Fields Villa, cloaked in night, loomed even more solemn and imposing.

Chase Fields strode in from outside. Spotting Brandon Fields seated on the living room sofa, he offered a polite greeting: "Dad."

Brandon gripped the lion-shaped knob of his cane and snorted coldly, "If you truly consider me your father, then find yourself a wife and bring a mother back for Candy! Don't wait until I'm on my deathbed to see you still unmarried!"

For the past three years, Brandon's greatest complaint had been Chase's refusal to date or marry—and lately, the old man's demands had grown more frequent and urgent.

Chase replied with calm composure, "The daughters from the famous families you've introduced—I have no objections. Marrying any of them is the same to me. But as you know, Candy doesn't like any of those aunts."

The elder slammed his cane against the floor, seething. "Don't think I can't see through you, Chase Fields! You're using Candy as an excuse!"

Chase stood with one hand in his pocket, his expression cool and collected. "If there's nothing else, I'll go upstairs to see Candy now."

"Stop right there!"

Brandon rose, gripping his cane as he stepped forward. "Since Candy dislikes those women, then bring back her real mother! Don't think you can fool me! How can you remain unmarried while raising a three-year-old child? As Candy grows, the world will inevitably learn of her. Do you want people to believe my granddaughter, your daughter, is a child without a name?"

Chase stared at the stairs beneath his feet. His sharp black eyes darkened, shadows flickering in their depths.

"I'll bring you a qualified daughter-in-law within this month."

Brandon tightened his grip on the cane's knob and said coldly, "You'd better not disappoint me."

…

Chase ascended the stairs and pushed open the children's room nearest his bedroom. Under warm amber light, Candy—a plump, delicate little girl—sat on the bed, a picture book cradled in her tiny hands. The frost in the man's eyes melted, replaced by warmth and adoration. "Candy, still awake?"

At the sound of her father's voice, Candy dropped her book, kicked off her Snoopy-patterned yellow blanket, and scrambled barefoot toward him. Worried she might fall, Chase strode over and caught her mid-leap, lifting her into his arms and settling her on his forearm.

Beaming with tiny white teeth, her big eyes crinkling, she asked in a soft, childish voice, "Daddy, I was waiting for you. I haven't seen you in five whole days. Don't you miss Candy?"

Chase kissed her pale little cheek, replying in a gentle, husky tone, "Of course Daddy misses you. But Daddy has to work to earn money for Candy. Otherwise, how would I buy you snacks and milk?"

Candy pouted her pink lips and frowned. "Candy can skip meals, snacks, and milk. Can Daddy spend more time with me? The little ones at kindergarten all have Mommy and Daddy with them, but only Grandpa takes me to school. I'm not happy."

Chase sat on the edge of the bed, cradling her in his lap, stroking her head. "If Candy doesn't eat or drink milk, how will she grow tall? Be good. Daddy will take you to the zoo this weekend, okay?"

Candy's big, bright eyes curved into tiny crescents. She wrapped her small arms around Chase's neck, bouncing excitedly. "Daddy, no breaking promises!"

Her little feet danced on his thighs as she stretched out her tiny hand. "Pinky swear, cross my heart, a hundred years won't change!"

Chase chuckled, hooking his long finger with her chubby one. "Alright. If Daddy breaks his promise, he's a puppy."

Her pajama sleeve slipped up, revealing a noticeable red bruise on her arm. Chase's brow furrowed as he took her small hand. "Who hurt Candy?"

At this, Candy's smile faded. Her lips trembled, and she nestled into his chest, unhappy. "Grandpa takes me to school every day. The kids at kindergarten have never seen my Mommy or Daddy. Little Rose said I was lying—that I don't have parents at all!"

Chase's brows softened slightly. "So, did Candy fight with Little Rose?"

Candy nuzzled closer, murmuring, "Daddy, is Mommy really on Mars? When can Candy go find her?"

Daddy said Mars was too hot, and she was still too small. When she grows up, she can go. But how big and tall must she be to go?

Chase's dark eyes deepened. "Does Candy really want her Mommy?"

Candy nodded seriously, her voice soft and innocent. "Today, the teacher asked us to draw Mommy, Daddy, and ourselves. I only drew Daddy holding Candy's hand, and the teacher scolded me. Daddy, will you go to Mars and bring Mommy home?"

Chase gazed into his daughter's dewy, doe-like eyes. He fell silent—and suddenly, Wendy Moore's eyes flashed into his mind. To his surprise, the woman who had approached him bore a striking resemblance to Candy's eyes.

Seeing her father silent, Candy hugged his neck and shook it gently. "Daddy, please go get Mommy!"

Chase, who doted on his daughter, glanced at his watch, then tucked her into bed and pulled the covers up. In a soft, tender voice, he said, "It's late. Time to sleep. Daddy will take you to kindergarten tomorrow."

Candy's soft little hand grasped his. "Daddy, I'll take that as a yes—you'll go to Mars and bring Mommy home!"

Chase leaned down and kissed her pale forehead. "Goodnight, Candy."

Candy smiled sweetly and blinked her big eyes. "Daddy, night-night~"

…

Chase stepped out of the children's room and called his assistant, Kevin Hart.

"Find out who the surrogate mother from three years ago really was."

On the other end, Kevin paused, surprised. Three years ago, confidentiality measures had been strictly enforced to avoid complications. Why would the Boss suddenly want to track down that woman?

"Yes, Boss. I'll look into it right away."