The CEO Gets What He Wants

Chapter 672 Daddy

Claire's decision did not surprise William.

Even if she did not bring it up, he was planning to find the right time to discuss it with her. The matter of acknowledging kinship had to be addressed immediately.

William sighed and responded, “I really hope we can acknowledge our daughter sooner. A few days ago, I met Avery in Horbah. My daughter was right in front of me, but I couldn't acknowledge her. That feeling was really awful. I'm her father, so seeing her thin and haggard appearance broke my heart.”

Claire put down the brush, washed her hands at the faucet next to the drawing board, and then sat down on the rattan chair. She rubbed her neck casually and said, “Will, I can't wait any longer. Let's go to the Moore family this weekend and tell them the truth. We must claim our daughter back!”

Claire suffered from a rather severe cervical spondylosis. If she lowered her head for an extended period, she would experience a piercing pain in her neck.

Upon noticing his wife's subtle gesture, William hung his jacket on a nearby coat rack and then proceeded to massage her neck and shoulders with both hands.

In order to alleviate his wife's pain, William took it upon himself to find a skilled physiotherapist. Without Claire's knowledge, he devoted time to learn various physiotherapy techniques from the expert. His actions at the time were truly surprising. No one could have imagined the esteemed William would go to such lengths for his wife.

Claire knew her husband loved her deeply. Over the years, she had reciprocated with equal affection and care.

Hence, the couple had been through thick and thin for many years and had never had a fallout. Their love remained as strong as it was in the early days when they started their relationship.

As William massaged his wife, he said, “You should cut back on painting oil portraits in the future. It might help alleviate your neck pain. Besides, your skin is so delicate, many of the chemicals in oil paints can cause you allergies. Don't you remember that one year when you were so engrossed in your painting that you forgot to eat and sleep, and that caused you to suffer an allergic reaction? You had to be rushed to the hospital for an IV drip the next day.”

He could not help but give her a piece of his mind.

Thinking back on that embarrassing incident, Claire just laughed it off. “That incident happened in my younger days. Why bring them up now? Besides, the quality of oil paints has improved, so all the harmful substances to the human body have been significantly reduced. Painting is my greatest passion, so I can't give it up. Even if I were to give up business, I would never give up painting.”

When Claire was studying, she majored in oil painting. William knew how much his wife was obsessed with oil painting. When they first met, it was because he saw her in a white dress, painting amidst the flowers. Her gentle and charming demeanor, along with her captivating artworks, made him fall in love at first sight.

Although she switched to business after completing her studies, she never stopped painting. Many of her works have been showcased in major exhibitions in the country and abroad, winning quite several gold awards. As time went by, many art institutions and private collectors, both domestically and internationally, also collected her masterpieces.

Claire, renowned both domestically and internationally, was a highly influential artist in Ackleton.

Yet, such honor brought Claire endless troubles. Many people sought her paintings, willing to spend a fortune. Some even tried to bribe her under the guise of requesting artwork. Nonetheless, she outright rejected them. She even declared that anyone who attempts to engage in dirty deals under the pretext of seeking her paintings would be severely punished.

William had also been decisive and swift in seizing the opportunity to deal with a few of the individuals who attempted to bribe her, demonstrating his determination to weed them out. Seeing the incorruptible demeanor of William and his wife, those with ulterior motives finally gave up.

William gently kneaded Claire's shoulders. “You have a talent for painting, and our daughter has inherited it from you. Although I've never seen her paint, I have seen the architectural designs she drew for her father. Many famous architects have designed houses for that picky old man, but he was never satisfied. Only Avery's design caught his eye. Claire, our daughter indeed has talent in design.”

Claire nodded proudly. “Of course. Even if our daughter is not the best, she's definitely not far from it. Do you know why I suddenly thought of visiting the Moore family to claim back our daughter?”

William took a wild guess. “Is it because she lost her husband and no longer receives support from the Moores? Are you afraid that she might be bullied? You want to acknowledge her so that the Lambert family can support her, right?”

Claire held William's hand, turned to her husband, and gently shook her head. “That's just one of the reasons. Allie has always been arrogant, domineering, and mean. She has always looked down on Avery because of me, even though she was her daughter-in-law. Not only did she treat her with hostility, but she also blamed our daughter for Cayden's accidental death, calling her a jinx. If it weren't for Jeffrey, Allie would have definitely kicked Avery out of the Moore family without hesitation.”

William narrowed his eyes and momentarily halted his massage. “How dare she? My daughter should walk out with her head held high even if she leaves the Moore family, not be driven out by them. As long as I'm here, I'd like to see who dares to throw my daughter out!”

Claire let out a light chuckle, gently patting William's hand, signaling him to stop.

She rose from her chair, walked over to the nearby cabinet, pulled out a file from within, and handed it to her husband.

With a puzzled look, William took the file, carefully flipping through the pages. The more he read, the more shocked and thrilled he became.