Shadow One nodded in agreement, affirming, "I'll reach out to the main judges, ensuring fairness in selecting the best pieces, and personally deliver them to you."

"Excellent."

Bradley acknowledged, his attention shifting to Shadow One, "You're free to go now; I'll wait here."

"But…"

Shadow One hesitated, wanting to voice further thoughts but was dissuaded by her stern gaze.

Eventually, she respectfully nodded, "I'll take my leave then."

Afterwards, she exited the car, closed the door, and walked away.

The atmosphere in the car was silent again.

Bradley intended to text Freya, but a call interrupted him.

Answering it, he said in a deep voice greeted, "Senior Brother."

"Felix, I've responded to the future mother-in-law. She mentioned bringing a beautiful girl to the island tomorrow."

A girl?

Is it Freya?

He furrowed his brow, "Very well, arrange it. I'll return to Leiton Island tomorrow."

"Felix, you were reluctant to come before. Now, at the mention of a beautiful girl, you're eager. If your little sister sees this, she'll feel jealous."

"The person she wants to see is me!"

Bradley didn't elaborate further, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips.

He is the one who controls both sides. No matter who Freya chooses in the end, she cannot escape from his control.

Initially, he wasn't inclined to return, but since Freya had agreed, he might as well accompany them for an enjoyable time.

He was curious to see how Queen Sally would arrange Felix and Freya.

…

Inside the villa.

The doorbell rang.

At that moment, none of the fathers were home; the servants were occupied in the kitchen, and the nanny was preparing tomorrow's school clothes for Matthew.

Meanwhile, Matthew was engrossed with building blocks.

Upon hearing the incessant ringing, he abandoned his blocks and went to answer the door.

"Grandma, you're visiting so late, are you here to see Dad?"

Queen Sally didn't reply; instead, she scooped him up, stating, "No, I'm here for you. Come with me."

With that, she whisked him away from the villa.

After the nanny sorted out the clothes, she went to peel some fruit and brought it over. When she didn't see Matthew anymore, she was so scared that she dropped the plate in her hand.

With a "clang," the plate shattered all over the floor.

She saw the open door again and shouted anxiously, "Oh no, the young master is missing."

This shout startled everyone.

The nanny quickly muttered, "I'll call Mr. Bradley; you go and search for him."

Given Bradley's high regard for Matthew, everyone knew losing him was akin to losing a biological son. His absence needed immediate explanation.

Matthew didn't understand where Queen Sally was taking him, and asked in confusion, "Grandma, it's so late, where are you taking me?"

"Come with me to the hotel; you'll stay with me tonight."

Matthew shook his head, "No, I want to sleep with Mom and Dad."

Queen Sally's gaze lingered on his innocent face. Despite his young age, he already exuded a sense of bravery.

However, he didn't resemble Bradley.

It seemed the boy was right; Matthew wasn't his biological son.

Nevertheless, he was still his adopted son. When Freya married into the family, she would become a stepmother.

With this in mind, Queen Sally became even more determined. She couldn't allow Freya to marry Bradley and suffer.

She couldn't wait to meet Felix now. She had heard that he was exceptionally handsome and talented, as well as Warren's favorite disciple. With this in mind, she was determined to match him with Freya.

As for Bradley, his reputation had been tarnished anyway, so be it.

The reason why she went to such great lengths to kidnap Matthew tonight was to contain Freya.

That tricky little girl, who knew if she would show up for their appointment tomorrow.

But with Matthew in her hands, she was confident that Freya would definitely appear.

"Your mommy will definitely show up before nine o'clock tomorrow. Today, you're with Grandma. I will play with you and give you delicious treats as long as you behave."

Perhaps she wouldn't even have to wait until tomorrow; Freya would probably receive the news soon and rush over immediately.

But well, she had no intention of releasing Matthew before nine o'clock tomorrow.

"I don't want to, I just want Mommy."

Matthew's complaints echoed in her ears; his pouting face looked less amiable.

"Even if you don't want to, you have to. If you don't behave tonight, I will lock you up in a dark room with lots and lots of mice. Do you want to play nicely with me, or with the mice?"

Matthew hmphed twice, "I'm not afraid of mice, and I'd rather play with the mice than with mean Grandma."

"Oh my!"

Queen Sally hadn't expected that the adorable and obedient little kid would have such a temper.

She tried to coax him gently, "In Grandma's hotel, there's a very fun big brother who can do magic tricks. Would you like him to perform magic tricks for you?"

Matthew's eyes suddenly lit up at this, and even his gaze towards Queen Sally changed.

After a moment, he said, "Grandma, you're already quite old, and you're still seducing young men?"

"Pfft!"

Queen Sally was about to take a sip of water, but upon hearing his words, she sprayed it out in surprise.

She looked at Matthew incredulously, pinching his chubby cheeks, "Child, who taught you that?"

"Hmph, it was my fourth dad."

Matthew's fourth dad was Patrick Perry, who had instilled a lot of knowledge in Matthew since he was young. Though Matthew was still young, he had learned quite a bit.

Queen Sally furrowed her brow even more tightly, her impression of Bradley deteriorating further. "To have taught a child like this, what kind of person could he be?"

"You're not allowed to talk about my dads; my four dads are the best dads in the world."

Matthew glared at her angrily, gritting his teeth. "And as for you, grandma, you're in your fifties, yet you're still seducing young men. That's just too much."

"…"

Queen Sally touched her own face.

She was indeed in her fifties, but how did this child manage to deduce her age?

Could she truly appear so mature that her age was readily discernible to everyone?

"Child, do you think I look old?"

Matthew pondered for a moment before shaking his head, "Not at all."

"So, how did you come to know my age?"

"My mom told me. She mentioned that grandma is aging, hitting fifty, and going through menopause, so I should give her less trouble."

"…"

A shadow fell across Queen Sally's face.

What kind of apprentice had she acquired? Spreading gossip about her age and even discussing menopause?

"Grandma, younger men aren't suitable for you. Besides, those men are all swindlers. Once they get what they want, they'll leave. So, Grandma, you should end things with them swiftly."

Queen Sally found herself momentarily at a loss for words.

She suppressed a sigh, gently tousled Matthew's hair, and responded, "Don't put too much faith in your mom's words. I'm not involved with younger men. That young man happens to be my new disciple."

"Hmm, a master-apprentice relationship, huh."