From Forgotten Wife To Fierce Queen - Chapter 263: Chapter 263

Paisley quickly searched her memory for Elijah. "Weren't you working in Brightmoor before?"
She remembered Elijah had worked in Brightmoor's criminal investigation unit. She had helped Brightmoor's police solve a few cases before.
"Yeah, that's right. I got transferred to Montera a year ago," Elijah explained, and then mentioned someone else. "Your little apprentice, Ethan, came with me."
Paisley raised an eyebrow, picturing a tender-skinned, baby-faced young man. "Since Ethan is already here, what do you need me for?"
Although Ethan Mercer was young, he was highly skilled and considered a leading expert in the industry.
"I just can't do it, so I have no choice but to ask for your help." Elijah sounded a bit troubled, but his tone was firm.
"Ms. Sutton, I know you have to take care of your child, and with the year-end approaching, asking you to come from Brightmoor to Montera isn't ideal. But it's urgent—thirty thousand dollars and a life is at stake. You—"
"Alright, I got it." Paisley agreed without hesitation.
"Really?" Elijah was overjoyed, not expecting Paisley to agree so readily. "In that case, I'll arrange everything right away and book you the earliest flight. Once you arrive in Montera, I'll cover all your accommodations and transportation."
"No need," Paisley said casually. "I'm already in Montera. Just give me the address, and I can be there tomorrow."
"That's such a coincidence!" Elijah was beyond excited and immediately said, "I've already troubled you enough—I can't just let you come by yourself. Give me your address, and I'll arrange for someone to pick you up tomorrow."
"Alright." Paisley didn't bother being polite and directly gave Elijah the address of the Godard estate. At the same time, she added a condition. "I'll be bringing my daughter along. Is that okay?"
Although they were at the Godard estate, and Cole had arranged for a professional named Lily to take care of Serena, other than Maria, Lucy, and Linna, she still didn't feel comfortable leaving Serena here alone.
Of course, if Tyson or Max were around, it would be a different story. Paisley trusted those two. But they were the busiest people in the entire Godard family, especially this close to the year-end, so there was no way they could always be around Serena.
The only solution was to bring Serena along with her.
Elijah hesitated for just a moment before agreeing immediately, "Alright, no problem."
As long as Paisley agreed to help, bringing a child along was no big deal.
Since Elijah had agreed so readily, Paisley didn't drag the conversation any further. After confirming the time, she ended the call.
The next morning, Paisley woke up early. She hadn't slept well the entire night and didn't feel fully rested.
First, she knew she had something important to do the next day, so her mind kept dwelling on it. Second, she was in a new place, sleeping in a different bed, and still hadn't fully adjusted to Montera's temperature and climate.
In this regard, she had to admire Serena.
Serena had an incredible ability to adapt—whether it was the climate, temperature, or diet, none of it seemed to affect her. She slept soundly through the night, so deeply that even when Paisley got up twice, she didn't notice.
In the morning, Serena was full of energy and immediately asked Paisley if she could go out to play. She had heard that Montera had many fun places to visit, including an ancient royal palace.
That was a place where real emperors and princesses had lived. So, she really wanted to see it.
"Mom, let's go after breakfast. I want to see the big palace!" Serena said eagerly, drinking her milk while looking at Paisley with bright, hopeful eyes.
"Not today," Paisley refused decisively.
"What?" Serena pouted, and then looked pitifully at Tyson and Max. "Grandpa, Uncle, can you take me?"
Tyson really wanted to take Serena, especially when he saw her big, sad eyes—it felt like his heart was about to break.
"Paisy, what's the harm in taking the child? If you're worried about the cold, just dress her warmly," Tyson persuaded.
"Yeah, Paisy," Max chimed in, unable to bear rejecting Serena either.
Paisley took a bite of an exquisite pastry. "Don't you both have work today? Not busy?"
The two Max and Tyson instantly choked on their words, staring at each other in silence. They thought, 'How can we not be busy?'
Their schedules were arranged in advance by assistants and secretaries, packed with commitments all the way until Christmas Eve morning. But if necessary, they could always make time.
Tyson immediately turned to Ocean and said, "Tell the secretary to check which appointments aren't that important. Reschedule what can be pushed back, and cancel anything that can't."
Max also looked at Leo. "You do the same."
This time, Ocean and Leo exchanged silent, wide-eyed looks. Every meeting scheduled at this time was important. But they didn't dare say that. They couldn't say that. Besides, deep down, they also wanted to take Serena out to have fun.
Paisley shook her head speechlessly. She felt like she needed to set some ground rules for these men. They couldn't keep indulging Serena without limits, or she'd grow up spoiled.
Suddenly, Paisley thought of Grayson. She couldn't even remember how long it had been since she last saw that child.
The last time they met was in the hospital. Back then, Grayson had fainted from the sight of blood. After that, she never saw the child again.
"I said no, and that's final." Paisley firmly refused once again, looking seriously at Tyson and Max. "I know you both adore Rena, but I must remind you—there are limits to how much you can indulge her.
"You can't let her believe that just by acting cute and sweet, she can get anything she wants. Even more so, you can't let her think that as long as she wants something, others will always compromise unconditionally for her."
Paisley stared unwaveringly at the two men, but her words were meant for everyone present, including Ocean, Leo and even the old butler who happened to be passing by. "Over time, this will only harm her growth, not help it."
Tyson and Max knew Paisley was right, but looking at such an adorable, delicate child, they couldn't bear to refuse to Serena's request.
Paisley saw their hesitation and reluctance. "The more you refuse, the easier it becomes. And don't underestimate a child's ability to handle rejection. When they make a request, they've already considered two possible outcomes—either they get what they want, or they don't. As adults, we're simply revealing one of those outcomes to them."
After saying that, she turned to Serena. "Rena, sweetheart, I have something important to do today, so I can't take you to see the Grand Palace. Grandpa and Uncle are also very busy; we can't delay their work just for you. Can you understand that?"
Serena's big, watery eyes glanced back and forth between Paisley, Tyson, and Max.
Paisley remained composed, but Tyson felt like his heart was breaking. He knew Paisley was teaching Serena an important lesson, and as the grandpa, he couldn't undermine her authority at this moment. So, he had no choice but to endure his heartbreak in silence.
"Okay, I understand. I'll be good and won't disturb Mommy, Uncle, or Grandpa at work. I can still play with my big castle." Serena quickly comforted herself and broke into a cheerful smile.
Tyson kept a neutral expression, but inside, he was deeply moved. His precious Rena was so obedient, so sweet, and so heart-wrenchingly lovable.
For the first time, Tyson shot Paisley an annoyed glare.
Paisley went speechless.