True Fated Marriage (Grace and Heinz)
Chapter 1164

That was definitely a domineering statement. It was so domineering that even Maria was surprised. When had her mother become so domineering?

She widened her eyes and looked at Yvonne, then at Zachary. Her eyes were full of astonishment, "Dad, did you hear her? She said that I'm hers, and so are you." Zachary was also slightly surprised that Yvonne would say something like that. What was trying to imply by saying such words in front of their child?

Zachary was considered a reserved man. He was used to handling things his way; he rarely made such a declaration.

Zachary felt that she should not have done so, especially in front of their child.

He frowned but didn't speak.

"See." Maria immediately began to gloat, "Dad didn't say anything at all. You're only flattering yourself."

Yvonne pursed her lips and looked at Zachary pitifully.

She wasn't trying to compete with her daughter for his love, but this was all she could do as she wanted to be part of her daughter's life whenever possible.

Her method was slightly aggressive, but there was no better way.

"I am flattering." Yvonne said, "Such a handsome man like your dad belongs to me, so of course I'm flattered."

"Dad is mine." Maria immediately retorted.

"You're right. I didn't say he isn't yours." Yvonne corrected her, "But he's just your father. It wouldn't take long, probably another fifteen or sixteen years, or even less, for you to have a boyfriend. When that time comes, the most important man to you will be your boyfriend or husband, while the most important man to me would be your dad."

Maria was dumbfounded; she adorkably stared at Yvonne.

The most important man in her life?

A hint of joy flashed across Zachary's eyes.

He faced away from Yvonne, but he could not help but curve his lips into a smile, and he seemed delighted.

When she saw Zachary facing away from her, she grew worried as she did not see his smile nor the joy in his eyes.

She was afraid her tease had gone too far, so she just shut up.

Maria pouted and complained, "Humph, my dad may not even marry you. There must be a lot of women who like my dad since he's so outstanding."

Yvonne had already decided to stop her teasing, but when she heard Maria's words, she immediately nodded her head and said, "You're right. There are a lot of people who like your dad."

It was only her first day at work that day, and Yvonne already saw how the other women in the company gossiped. They were more curious about Zachary's private life than anything else. "Huh?" Maria panicked when she heard that. She looked at Yvonne and asked, "How many people? How many people are there?"

"A truck full." Yvonne thought about it carefully. There were already a few women on her floor who admitted to liking Zachary publically. Her estimation could be considered conservative. "So many?" Maria was also stunned. She immediately looked at the expressionless Zachary and found him frowning with his eyes filled with discontent.

Maria was puzzled as she hurriedly asked, "Dad, are there really so many women who like you?"

"Of course." Yvonne answered for Zachary, "And all of them want to be your stepmother."

"Yvonne," Zachary spoke displeasingly.

She should not have said such words in front of their child.

If Zachary liked another woman, he would not have waited until now. It was because he had not liked anyone else that he remained single all this while. Now that she had finally returned, she was actually intimidating their daughter.

Zachary naturally wouldn't allow it.

Seeing that Zachary was angry, Yvonne reflected on herself. What did she say wrong to make him so unhappy?

She took a deep breath and forced a smile, saying to Zachary, "Maria's dad, why did you call me?"

The phrase "Maria's dad" made Zachary's hardened heart collapse in an instant.

He looked at Yvonne and was unable to keep his face straight any longer. He turned his head over and said, "Keep up!"

Yvonne was stunned for a moment before she relaxed instantly.

"Oh, coming." She said with a brisk tone.

Maria stared at her father with wide eyes as if something was amiss.

It took Maria a long time to finally realize that Yvonne was following them.

And the family of three played together for more than twenty minutes.

Although Maria and Yvonne basically only bickered and said nothing else, they still spent such a long time together.

That was something that had never happened before.

Yvonne had unnoticeably entered Zachary and Maria's world.

What was even more surprising to her was that Zachary was the one who initiatively let her in.

She was grateful to Zachary as she knew that she could not have talked to her daughter for such a long time without him.

When they were about to leave, Maria was still holding onto Zachary's neck and refused to let go.

"Dad, I don't want you to go." Maria whispered in Zachary's ear.

Zachary replied in a low voice as well, "Maria, be good. I'm busy today. I can't pick you up later, but I'll do it tomorrow. Now go back to class. It's time for me to go back to work." Although Maria was reluctant, she still nodded,

"Alright, Dad, you can go back."

The little girl stiffened her neck so as not to look in Yvonne's direction. But her stiff movement had exposed the fact that she really wanted to take a look at her mommy. Zachary naturally saw through Maria's thoughts. So he shifted his gaze towards Yvonne.

Since the child couldn't take the initiative to do so, Yvonne should take the lead and give a full play of her shamelessness.

Yvonne remained unmoved. She stood still and looked at Zachary with a weird expression.

In truth, she understood completely.

She had already seen through her daughter's thoughts long ago.

But she didn't want to move at all and just wanted to tease her.

The little girl was not angry, yet her father was already furious.

"Yvonne," Zachary called her name again.

Yvonne had the urge to roll her eyes. She said, "What?"

Zachary frowned and glanced at Yvonne, then at Maria. The message he wanted to convey was evident.

Yvonne knew that she couldn't act dumb anymore, so she smiled and said, "Oh Maria, I'm going to attend a banquet with your dad tonight, so we can't pick you up today. We'll do it tomorrow!" Maria immediately glared at Yvonne, "You're going to a banquet with Dad?"

"Why?"

"Your dad is single, so there will be a lot of women at the banquet who want to steal his heart. I'm there to help you keep an eye."

"What can you help me keep an eye on?"

"I'll help you pick a good stepmother."

"I don't want a stepmother." Maria immediately blurted out.

Yvonne immediately laughed, "My dear daughter. Great minds think alike. I think so too. Your father is mine. I won't agree if other women want to be with him."

Maria was baffled.

She roared angrily when she finally came to her senses, "My dad won't want to be with you, nor will he marry you."

Yvonne shrugged her shoulders, "It's alright, I can marry him."

"Dad!" Maria was about to cry.

Zachary picked up Maria and sent the child back to her teacher. When he returned to her, Yvonne remained where she stood. She watched as he strode over to her, grabbed her wrist, and dragged her towards the car.

"What are you doing?"

"We're going to the apartment!"