Please Take Me Home, Daddy - Chapter 355: Chapter 355

Carol's laboratory was swiftly taken by Joshua's operatives.
The children, originally destined for the orphanage by Joshua's intentions, cried and shouted to stay by Carol's side, resisting separation as if it were a matter of life or death. Reasoning with them was futile. It was like tearing mother and children apart. Carol had greatly influenced their minds.
With no alternative, Joshua let them depart with Carol.
Once everything settled down, Laura returned to enjoying herself on the luxurious cruise.
Upon hearing the news, Albert breathed a sigh of relief, "Laura is remarkable."
Joshua nodded in agreement, "She's always been remarkable." He stood on the ship, gazing into the distance, "It is precisely because of her strength that I started to realize how capable Lilian used to be."
Lilian was a natural-born sharpshooter and she was also the leading captain, effortlessly performing complex routines.
Despite her efforts to be noticed by them, Joshua never favored her because she was naive, trusting Carol's fabrications implicitly.
In time, as explanations proved futile and became increasingly unconvincing, Joshua disliked her.
Lighting a cigarette, Joshua's mood turned somber, "Laura is outstanding, and Lilian was outstanding too. But during her lifetime, I never watched any of her performances."
Looking off into the horizon, he continued, "I missed her. If Lilian wasn't the one who harmed Winnie, what should we do? I never even visited her when she was alive. I didn't attend her funeral. What am I supposed to do now?"
Albert's expression grew darker, "I will investigate the past events thoroughly. Even though the evidence today is concrete, I will look for any traces that might remain."
Albert handed over a check for 200 thousand dollars, "This is a gift for Lilian's child, Laura. I'll uncover the truth as soon as possible and then return."
After a pause, Albert added, "If you find yourselves unable to properly care for the child, let me take her. I don't want to raise another Lilian."
Joshua's determination was firm. "That won't happen."
His fists clenched tight, "I am not as foolish as I was in my youth. I won't let Carol sway me anymore, and I can support and nurture someone. I will make sure she grows up safely and happily."
Seated on the top deck, Laura, feeling the sea breeze, logged onto a hacker site using Joshua's laptop, to express gratitude to Knot.
[Thank you so much, Knot. You came through for me big time. If there ever comes a time that you need a favor in return, I'm here for you." Laura wrote with heartfelt gratitude.]
Tyson read the message and a small smile crept across his face. He knew well enough that she had already assisted him once.
Laura looked towards Zayn with a contented grin, "Finally, I've conquered Carol, that big baddie. Now I can work with a peaceful heart. No more worrying about being kidnapped."
But Zayn, with a knowing look, wasn't convinced things were that simple. Carol's tenacity was not something to underestimate. He couldn't let his guard down, yet he decided to enjoy the moment before anything else happened.
"Will you be working all summer vacation?" Zayn queried.
With a nod, Laura glanced at her schedule She was jam-packed with work and tutorial class. First on the list was the variety show with Robert. The show had been postponed until the summer break due to its filming schedule clashing with the school times.
This time she was thrilled to be on the travel variety show. Laura trailed off, slightly disappointed, "Due to the delay, it clashes with Uncle Robert's schedule, so he won't be with me on the show and he was replaced by someone else."
Zayn perked up, defensive already, "Is there anything wrong?" Memories of Laura's accident triggered by a past guest lingered as an unpleasant reminder. Even her irresponsible mother had never let harm come to her in such a way.
Laura shook her head, "It seems like it's going to be with a super popular guy, Evan, who's good-looking. We shouldn't have any issues this time."
Soon enough, the news that Laura was paired with the pop sensation Evan for the variety show hit the top of the entertainment trending.
Evan, a popular actor who had become an internet sensation overnight with his web series based on a blockbuster novel, was now a force to be reckoned with. His fans were famously fierce and protective.
Evan stepping in for Robert to become Laura's trainee daddy for the show instantly set the internet ablaze.
Evan became so quickly that attracted quite several detractors, and his delicate features often drew criticism for a lack of masculinity. This new role as a trainee daddy only heightened the attention on him. Here are the comments of some internet users.
[What bad luck for Laura, to be paired up with this guy. Is there anyone who doesn't know Evan is a total loser? Seems like the production team has a vendetta against her, giving her partners who act like they've got a screw loose.]
[Are you stupid? Our dear Evan has always said he likes girls that he'd cherish and not hinder. Some actors can't even take care of kids. remember the joke about The Useless Best Actor and His Wonder Kid? Evan will only be an upgrade from that.]
[Just based on Evan's fans, Laura is the only kid who wouldn't get bashed by them—unless, of course, Laura slips up, which would spell disaster.]
[Not all of Evan's fans are unreasonable, okay? Stop throwing mud at us, thank you.]
[We don't mind who Lala's with, but we just hope none of that unpleasant stuff happens. She is sensible and won't cause trouble even if life's dropout Robert became her dad, she'd handle it. As long as Evan takes care of her like a normal person, that's fine. I have confidence in her.]
[I agree. He just needs to act normal that's all we ask for.]
[Let's look forward to seeing some new chemistry between Evan and Laura. Anyway, my daughter is super adaptable and she can get along with anyone.]
Evan scrolled through the online comments with a dismissive roll of his eyes, "Laura's just a kid, and everyone's treating her like some sort of treasure. She has no works to her name and she's pretty average-looking. What's so great about her?"
His agent glanced at him with a blend of resignation and impatience, "Laura is the flavor of the moment, Evan. Do you have any idea how many people want to work with her? Even landing this variety show spot with her cost me a lot. You need to seize this opportunity and take good care of Laura, got it?"
Evan smacked his lips in exasperation, "Yes. I get it."
His agent handed him the script for the variety show, "I've crafted you a character to play—a gentle and good father. Stick to this script, and you will be successful. Right now, most of the internet labels you as effeminate. We're going to flip it with a different persona. You'll go into this variety show with your delicate charm, show some grit, be soft-spoken, and embody a soldier—coming off as if military training. It's the perfect chance for you."