Falling into Her Trap: Don't Cross the Line, Mr. President-Chapter 6: Warmth in the Palm

Claire Shaw heard Ethan Blackwood’s flippant words and clenched her fists, wishing she could pull his mouth to the back of his head to tie a bow, then stuff his mouth full of whole wheat bread.

The imagination is rich, but reality is harsher.

Claire maintained a calm expression, lightly coughing into her hand as she said, "My preferences aren’t important, Mr. Blackwood. I want to talk to you about Mason."

"Mason is a sensitive and reclusive child. Lately, he’s been down and lost his appetite. I’ve noticed he has sleep disturbances even during school naps. Even if he falls asleep, he frequently wakes up. After an evaluation by our school’s psychologist, this child..."

Claire paused and added, "He shows signs of depression."

Ethan Blackwood’s expression returned to somberness. "When did this start?"

"He’s always been a little withdrawn, but he’s become even gloomier since this term began. His emotional instability started about two months ago."

Claire could vaguely guess that the main factor affecting the child was the family.

"Mr. Blackwood, if the child’s condition doesn’t improve, our school’s recommendation is for him to rest at home."

In fact, the principal had long suggested that Mason Blackwood be sent home, as the school couldn’t bear the responsibility if something happened to such a child.

But Claire believed that only those who tied the bell could untie it. If the root cause was within the family, sending him home would make things worse. That’s why she would always be especially partial to Mason Blackwood and Dustin Lawrence, who both had psychological issues, while they were at school.

Ethan Blackwood’s gaze was fixed on her, no longer carrying the earlier flirtatious tone.

His slender fingers lit a cigarette, and white smoke shrouded his face, making it hard for Claire to discern his expression.

"So Ms. Shaw, you mean..."

"I hope Mr. Blackwood can pay more attention to the child. Children are fragile, and wild lessons like the one you just gave aren’t going to work."

She paused and added, "If possible, try to ensure the child’s mother accompanies him. He deeply craves maternal love, and having a mother around would improve the situation to some extent."

"Ms. Shaw, that’s not possible anymore."

Ethan Blackwood pressed his index finger, letting the ashes fall into the ashtray with ease and grace.

Claire’s expression turned serious, leaning forward with her hands on the table, appearing anxious, "Why?"

"Because his biological mother is no longer with us."

Ethan Blackwood pressed the cigarette butt out, mimicking Claire’s posture with his hands on the table, closing the distance between them.

"If you’re so concerned about Mason Blackwood, why not consider my proposal? Mason really likes you. If you could be his stepmother, he’d definitely be happy."

"Bang——"

The sound of shattering porcelain came from the second floor.

"Mason!"

Thinking about Mason Blackwood’s psychological state, even though it had improved a lot under her care recently, Claire was still afraid something might happen to him.

Upon hearing the noise, Claire reacted quickly, rushing out without a second thought.

She had forgotten she was wearing slippers, and in her panic, she kicked the foot of the sofa, falling heavily as one of her slippers flew off.

With a "bang," her knees slammed into the ground.

The floor tiles on the first floor were hard, and the fall was severe.

"Are you okay?" Ethan Blackwood extended his hand toward her.

Distressing pain radiated from her knees throughout her body, causing cold sweat to form on Claire’s forehead. Thinking of Mason Blackwood, she couldn’t afford to catch her breath.

At this moment, Claire wasn’t being pretentious. She extended her small hand to Ethan Blackwood, and the man gently pulled her up without using much force.

Once standing, her knees hurt even more, but she couldn’t pay much attention to it. "I’m fine."

With that, she limped up the stairs.

Ethan Blackwood’s brow furrowed slightly.

The second floor was luxuriously decorated, with many famous paintings hanging in the hallway and some precious porcelain pieces displayed on an antique shelf.

Claire immediately saw a little girl standing beside the antique shelf, looking very much like Mason Blackwood.

She was wearing a complex princess dress and a crown on her head but stared coldly at Claire.

Before Claire could figure out her identity, Mason Blackwood came downstairs, and Claire quickly stepped forward, pulling Mason into her arms, "Mason."

"Ms. Shaw, what’s wrong?" Mason had just showered, his hair was wet, and he smelled like sweet fruit.

Seeing his soft and cute appearance, Claire finally breathed a sigh of relief, "I just heard something break, so I came up to see. Is she..."

Ethan Blackwood pulled the little girl away from the shards, ensuring she wasn’t hurt before explaining, "She’s Mason’s sister, Chloe Blackwood."

"Are they fraternal twins?"

Claire was a bit surprised. The two children seemed to be about the same age, so why weren’t they attending the same school?

Moreover, Mason had never mentioned this sister at school. Claire wouldn’t have known of her existence if she hadn’t seen her with her own eyes.

As if reading her mind, Ethan Blackwood explained, "For personal reasons, she’s always been kept at home."

All the while, Chloe Blackwood kept staring at Claire with a gaze verging on hostility. Such a sullen look was hard to imagine from a little girl.

Feeling the inexplicable hostility from the little girl, Claire guessed the reason. Maybe it was because of what Ethan Blackwood had just said that made the little girl resent her.

She understood that no matter whether the child’s mother was around or not, who would want another outsider in their home?

Claire took the initiative to leave, "Mr. Blackwood, I hope you will consider what I’ve just discussed with you. It’s getting late, so I’ll take my leave. Please take good care of both children."

Though she deliberately reminded him, Ethan Blackwood still followed her out before she got in the car.

The night wind was cool on her skin, and the streetlight rendered his already tall figure even longer as he approached...

"Ms. Shaw." Ethan Blackwood’s voice was steady and cold in the night breeze.

Claire reached for the car handle, but a large hand covered hers, stopping her from opening the door.

The man’s palms were warm, and she could distinctly feel the rough calluses on his smooth skin.

The night wind blew, and Ethan Blackwood stepped forward, pressing Claire against the car, his dark eyes watching her with a hint of depth, "Ms. Shaw, tonight I want to..."