"Yes," Joshua agreed and nodded. However, they wouldn't use their conflict with Ted to coerce Stacy. Instead, they would respect Stacy's choice.
"You think too much." Stacy looked at them helplessly and said lightly, "Let bygones be bygones. There's no turning back. I just want to watch Randy grow up every day and be with you guys. I'm very happy now."
Hazel and Joshua exchanged glances and then nodded. "Okay."
Stacy had recovered, and her spirits stabilized gradually. If she had made a decision, they would support her. Moreover, she was a decisive and independent woman. Hence, they didn't have to persuade her.
Anyway, when Stacy said that Ted had really changed, they were relieved. At least now they didn't have to be on guard against him all the time.
Ted had worked hard for many years. Yet, neither Joshua nor Simon could say firmly that they had fully controlled Ted's foundation and forces.
As Harry and Rachel liked the house to be lively, they invited Simon and Stacy to join them in living in the villa. Simon and Stacy also liked Randy very much, so they agreed.
When Ted came to the gate the next day, he heard the familiar laughter of the family.
Suddenly, a burst of thunder sounded, and it rained. Ted had never imagined that he would have such a miserable day. He would like to go into the villa, but he really didn't have the face to get close to them.
Harry was about to run inside when he saw Ted waiting at the gate.
He hesitated and then walked to Ted with an umbrella in his hand.
"Mr. King, it's raining. Would you like to go there?" Harry asked.
Ted was surprised to see Harry. He would definitely look down upon such ordinary people like Harry in the past, but now he felt he seemed to be inferior in every way to the ordinary man in front of him.
Harry was more generous and happier than he was. Besides, Simon liked him very much, but Simon could hardly treat Ted friendly.
"No, no need," Ted said awkwardly. "I'm here for something... I know a senior dietitian experienced in caring for pregnant women during their post-natal recovery. I've hired her. Maybe you can use her."
"All right, invite her in. I'll tell Joshua," Harry said.
"Are you sure you won't come in?" Harry asked.
There was a warm feeling in Ted's heart. Maybe because her parents were very kind-hearted, Hazel was also kind.
"Don't bother..." Ted said with regret. After being scolded by them, he was too ashamed to see them now.
Harry didn't force him and turned to leave.
"Sir, Mr. Crowe!" Ted stopped him.
"Huh?" Harry looked at him calmly.
"I want to ask you a question." He hesitated and finally said, "What do you think a good father should be like?"
"Mr. King," said Harry, puzzled, "I don't know how to answer that question for a moment. If you search the Internet, there will probably be numerous comprehensive answers. But I think you should respect your sons and let them go."
Ted was thoughtful. "Respect? Let them go?"
"Yes, respect means you should see a child as a person. Even your sons aren't your personal belongings. Your relationship is only in the blood, and you never belong to each other." Harry continued, "As for 'letting them go,' your sons are grown up. They have their own thoughts and their own decisions, so you should have the right state of mind and never try to discipline them too much."
"But... aren't you afraid they'll make mistakes?" Ted asked, puzzled.
"Even if they make mistakes, it's their choice. It's their life. We can make suggestions, but we can't decide for them. Are you sure you're making the right choice for them?" Harry said.
Ted felt bitter in his heart. He could retort that Harry's words were wrong. The decisions he had made for Joshua were, in fact, all wrong, which led to the bad relationship between them.
"You should go home and think about it," Harry said and went straight back to the villa.
He walked into the living room and found Simon checking the dietitian's credentials.
"You don't have to check," said Joshua lightly. "I've heard of the dietitian."
Simon was taken aback. "Is the old man enlightened this time?"
Joshua raised his eyebrows slightly. "Maybe."
"What do you think of him?" Simon asked curiously. "Let me start with my opinion. Every time I see him hanging around outside, I feel horrified. For some reason, I think he is about to do something bad again."
"What, will you give him another chance?!" Simon said with the grievance. "Just think how many times we've given him a chance before. But what has he done? He has let us down again and again! Are you going to put your wife and baby in danger?"
"I've told him before that it's up to him whether he wants to change, but it's up to us whether we want to forgive him..." Joshua spoke and frowned slightly, and his eyes fell on Harry, who had just entered the living room.
"Joshua, don't need to care about my thoughts," Harry said, "I can see that Ted is really different now, but as you say, you are the victims of these incidents. You are the ones who were in danger. It's up to you to forgive him or not. No one can force you to be generous."
"Uncle Harry, you're a good man!" Simon couldn't help but sigh with emotions. "If the old man were half as wise as you, we wouldn't have ended up with such a bad relationship! Come on, let's play chess!"
"Okay! Let's go!" Harry was immediately interested.
A tender smiled played on Joshua's lips as he watched the two men go to play chess. He thought he should end everything here now.
Ted, who hadn't recovered, was caught in the rain. Plus, he had been very upset recently, so he got a fever when he returned to the manor, and he stayed in bed for several days.
When he was well enough to go to Joshua's villa, he suddenly found that his family members were no longer at the villa.