Alpha's Regret: The Seventh Time was Forever

Chapter 607: Chapter 607 – Espe & Bryan’s mischief

As soon as Espe and Bryan entered Athaliah’s majestic Haussmann-style Paris mansion, the little girl’s attention was captured entirely by the manicured gardens outside.

Her small face pressed against the window, eyes wide as she took in the reflecting pool and fountain glittering under the Paris skyline. The city stretched beyond in a breathtaking panorama, rooftops and chimneys, the distant gleam of the Eiffel Tower catching the afternoon light.

Inside, the interior was a different kind of splendor. She was used to the luxuries of the pack and her parents’ mansion, but this Parisian residence had a lavish interior that took her breath away.

Marble floors gleamed underfoot, reflecting the light from crystal chandeliers that hung like frozen waterfalls from the gilded ceilings. Sweeping staircases curved elegantly upward, their ironwork balustrades delicate as lace.

Grand salons opened off the main hallway, adorned with antique furniture, silk drapes cascading from tall windows, and art that exuded timeless French elegance—paintings that whispered of centuries past, sculptures that seemed to breathe with quiet life.

Espe loved it all, but her heart remained drawn to the outside, to the promise of gardens and fountains, to the freedom of open spaces.

She sought Bryan out after their father informed them they would only be staying for a few hours, a fact that had filled her with disappointment.

Six hours seemed like forever when you wanted to play, but not long enough when you wanted to explore.

Luckily, their father agreed to the game of hide and seek. But when the kids located the entrance hidden behind the painting, they only thought to explore a bit before finding their way outside. The discovery felt like a secret adventure, a treasure hunt of their own making.

The door behind the painting led them straight to the fountain, its waters dancing and sparkling in the sunlight. But what attracted them was the mud on the side—dark, rich, and utterly irresistible.

They had no idea it was a therapeutic beauty treatment, designed to nourish and revitalize the skin. To them, it was just glorious, messy fun.

Security didn’t stop them. The guards watched closely to ensure they were safe, their expressions relaxed and unconcerned. This was not the first time they had seen kids in the mud, and they assumed Athaliah was aware of the children’s presence. The estate was child-proofed, the mud was harmless, and the children were clearly enjoying themselves.

Not until the parents arrived.

"Espe! Bryan! What have you done?" Jasmine asked worriedly, her heart leaping into her throat. Her hands flew to her face as she took in the sight of them—two small figures completely coated in dark mud from head to toe, grinning like mischievous little monsters.

The kids giggled, their whole bodies covered in mud as they wiggled their mud-caked fingers at the horrified Jasmine. Espe’s white dress was now a uniform shade of brown, and Bryan’s hair stood up in muddy spikes.

Athaliah laughed from the side, her voice warm and amused. "It’s a mud therapy. I enjoy mud baths once a week." She winked at the children. "It’s good for the skin, you know. Makes it soft and glowing."

Seeing the adults weren’t convinced, their expressions still frozen in varying degrees of shock and concern, she went on to explain. "Let me shower for them, and you’ll see the difference in their skin texture. It works like magic. Their skin will be baby-soft by the time we’re done."

"Please show me to the shower room, and I’ll handle them." Jasmine’s voice was firm, already everchanging into nanny-mode.

Liah smiled and led her to a shower room near the pool, a sleek space with gleaming tiles and rainfall showerheads that looked more like a spa than a bathroom.

"Daddy, we won the game!" Espe giggled as Jasmine led her away, her muddy face splitting into a triumphant grin. She was still celebrating her victory even as mud dripped from her tiny fingers.

Seraphine laughed, shaking her head with affectionate exasperation. "I’ll go get some new clothes for you." She was already moving toward the guest suite where their bags had been placed. "Soon we’ll return and together, we shall all have a mud bath." Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

Everyone laughed at that, the tension dissolving into warmth and joy. The children were safe, the afternoon was beautiful, and they were together. That was all that mattered.

As soon as Jasmine and the kids returned, scrubbed clean and dressed in fresh clothes, they ate heartily. The dining table groaned under the weight of Liah’s creations.

Seraphine loved her soup, its rich flavors warming her from the inside out, but she also enjoyed the quiche, Salade Niçoise and Soupe à l’oignon Liah had made. Every bite was a revelation, the food prepared with love and care.

Liah had merely gone to pack her bags when Elodie arrived with a group of men and women—her managers and executives, their expressions professional and focused. They ushered them into Liah’s study without delay, their footsteps echoing across the marble floors.

That was when Voren understood her reason for asking for six hours. The meeting extended to over two hours, allowing Voren and Jasmine to tour the mansion with the kids.

Jasmine made a mental note to have a mud bath before leaving, especially after seeing how soft and radiant the kids’ skin looked after theirs. Even Voren was amazed by the transformation.

They wandered through galleries and sitting rooms, discovered hidden nooks and sun-drenched conservatories. The children’s laughter echoed through the corridors, their small feet pattering against the polished floors.

Meanwhile, Seraphine and Corvine had to help train Liah’s managers on the use of the fashion app, explaining its features and capabilities, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring everyone understood the platform’s potential. The hours passed quickly, filled with productivity and purpose.

After the meeting, Liah stepped out to see that her roommate had returned—a beautiful woman with sharp eyes and a warm smile. After a brief meeting, Liah returned to the sitting room to see Jasmine in tears.

"Jasmine, what’s the problem?" Liah asked worriedly, her brow furrowing with concern. But Jasmine only turned to look at Corvine, her eyes red-rimmed and glistening, before running out of the door.

Voren was descending the stairs at the same time, his steps slow as he came down from putting the kids to sleep. The nap had claimed them quickly, their small bodies exhausted from the day’s adventures.

When Corvine refused to speak, his jaw tight and his eyes fixed on the floor, Liah went after Jasmine.

Unfortunately, Jasmine bumped into Seraphine who was coming out from the kitchen, the two women colliding in the hallway. Seraphine’s hand shot out, steadying Jasmine, before she waved Liah off. "Don’t worry, Liah. I’ll take care of it."

Liah was torn, her gaze flickering between the departing Jasmine and Corvine’s angry expression.

She felt that Corvine was the reason for Jasmine’s tears, but she also knew that pushing him in this state would only make things worse. "Can I come too?" she asked, her voice uncertain.

Corvine looked furious—his hands clenched at his sides, his eyes dark with barely controlled emotion.

But Seraphine smiled at her, calm and reassuring. "Don’t worry. I got this."

Left with no choice, Liah turned to Corvine, her eyes searching his face. "What did you do to her?" There wasn’t anger in her tone, but it was obvious that she needed answers, that the uncertainty was eating at her.

Corvine’s gaze landed on Voren’s neutral ones, looking for support or escape. "I’ll discuss something with Voren first." His voice was flat, evasive.

Unfortunately for him, Voren did not give him the chance to escape. The Alpha’s expression remained impassive, but his words carried undeniable authority. "Whatever it is can wait." His gaze flicked between Corvine and Athaliah. "I think you two need to talk."

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