Chapter 441 - 444: Initiating the Ultimate Plan

Wren Sutton returned to the Sutton family home. As soon as she stepped inside, a wave of warmth washed over her, chasing away the chill from the winter wind.

She took off her down jacket, changed into comfortable pajamas, and chatted with her parents in the living room for a bit. Then, she went into her bedroom, lay on the bed, and picked up her phone to video call Adrian Lancaster.

It rang twice before he picked up. The warm, bright living room of the Lancaster family residence appeared on the screen.

Adrian Lancaster had just settled Owen and Nina into a spacious stroller.

The two little ones sat there obediently, each holding a stuffed toy their mother had bought for them. They swung them back and forth, letting out soft, sweet gurgles from time to time, completely absorbed in their play.

Adrian propped up the phone and leaned into the camera, his expression softening as he looked at Wren Sutton on the screen.

"Honey, it was snowing today. Was it cold waiting for a cab on the side of the road? You didn’t freeze, did you?"

Looking at his gentle face and listening to his concerned words, Wren felt a warmth spread through her chest. A soft smile touched her lips.

"I was wearing my down jacket, so I wasn’t cold at all. The taxi was warm, too. I’m fine, I didn’t freeze."

"That’s good." Only then did Adrian relax.

They then spent some time telling each other how much they missed one another, expressing their love through the screen. They were as sweet and affectionate as a couple still in the throes of a new romance.

Wren even started to feel a little bashful.

"Honey, don’t just keep the camera on yourself. Point it at the kids so I can see Owen and Nina. I miss them so much."

"I didn’t even get to hold Owen at the hospital earlier, and I couldn’t hold Nina for very long."

Adrian did as she asked, adjusting the phone’s angle to frame the entire stroller in the shot.

Seeing her children through the screen, Wren’s expression softened, but she also felt a pang of guilt.

She cooed, her heart aching a little. "Owen, Nina, my babies, look here. Mommy’s here."

"I’m so sorry, sweethearts. Mommy hasn’t been home lately, so I can’t play with you. Are you mad at me?"

"Be good for Daddy at home, okay? It won’t be long before Mommy comes back. When I do, I’ll make it all up to you. I won’t leave your side for a single second."

She patiently cooed at her children through the screen.

"Getting your shots today really hurt, didn’t it? It’s Mommy and Daddy’s fault. Because we were putting on an act, we couldn’t hold you tight and comfort you. We’re sorry you had to go through that."

Owen seemed to understand his mother’s voice. His big, dark eyes stared at the screen, and he gave his little head a slight bob. He pursed his lips and let out a faint, soft coo.

Nina kicked her little feet and pawed gently at the air, as if trying to touch the mother on the screen. It was an adorable, innocent gesture.

Wren felt her heart melt at the sight.

"Owen, Nina, Mommy loves you."

Adrian stood to the side, quietly watching his wife coo at the babies. He waited until she was finished before speaking.

"Don’t worry, honey. I’m here taking care of Owen and Nina. I won’t let them feel neglected."

"After their shots, when we got in the car to head home, Owen was fine, but Nina was a little fussy. It took the whole ride, but I finally managed to calm her down."

"She’s happily playing with her brother now. I’ve been keeping track of the time. In about half an hour, I’ll go make them some formula."

Wren smiled, relieved. "Honey, thank you for all your hard work taking care of the kids these past few days."

"Taking care of the kids isn’t hard work," Adrian blurted out with a perfectly straight face. "Missing you is the hard work."

Wren’s heart fluttered. She felt a little shy, but also incredibly sweet.

Outside the window, snow drifted down softly. Inside, the video call was filled with warmth and affection.

Though the family of four was apart, their hearts were still tightly bound together.

They chatted for a little while longer.

Suddenly, Adrian’s tone shifted. "Honey, there’s something I need to discuss with you."

Hearing this, the smile on Wren’s face faded slightly. "What is it?"

Adrian looked at the screen and said in a serious tone, "The public opinion online has reached a fever pitch. Claire Bennett should now believe the illusion we’ve created—that our relationship has fractured and we’ve become strangers."

He paused for a moment. "I think the time is right. We can launch the final phase of the plan tomorrow."

Wren pursed her lips, hesitating.

"So soon? Shouldn’t we wait a little longer? I’m worried Claire Bennett isn’t completely convinced by the online narrative yet."

Her voice was filled with genuine apprehension. After all, their opponent was sharp and adept at seeing through deception. One wrong move, and they would lose everything.

Adrian understood his wife’s concerns. He remained calm and assured, his voice soft and soothing as he spoke to her through the screen.

"From our coldness at the banquet, to you leaving for your parents’ house with your suitcase, to taking the kids for their shots today—every step was carefully calculated. That includes all the photos and comments released online."

"This is the perfect time to strike while the iron is hot and sow confusion. If we delay too long, the buzz will die down, and it won’t be enough to provoke Claire."

His gaze was deep, radiating the calm confidence of a master strategist.

"My people are all in position. We have a foolproof plan for every stage of tomorrow’s events. There are no loopholes."

"No matter how arrogant someone is, once they’re blinded by an illusion and convinced they have an opportunity, that’s when they’re most likely to expose their weaknesses."

"Trust me." Adrian’s voice was both gentle and firm.

"This round, victory is assured. We will win."

Seeing Adrian’s utter confidence and hearing his steady, sure-footed promise, the anxiety that had been weighing on Wren’s heart finally began to subside.

She trusted his abilities.

Wren took a deep breath, a smile returning to her face. She stopped voicing her doubts.

"Honey, I trust you. I’m counting on you for tomorrow."

Adrian was brimming with confidence.

"Honey, I need to tell you ahead of time: no matter what I say to Claire Bennett tomorrow, it’s all part of the act. You can’t get angry, okay?"

Wren smiled and nodded. "I know. I won’t get angry."

Adrian was relieved and touched. "I love you, honey. As soon as this is over tomorrow, I’ll come and get you."