“Grandpa, what’s wrong?” Taylor’s voice carried confusion.

Ruben released a sharp snort.

“A bunch of brats! Crowding around my great-granddaughter this entire time—how am I supposed to catch even a glimpse of her?”

Understanding dawned on everyone at once—Ruben’s impatience stemmed purely from wanting to see Beatrice. They scattered quickly, opening a clear path before him.

With an unobstructed view of Beatrice at last, Ruben’s harsh expression melted into something softer. He cleared his throat, gripped his cane, and began moving forward.

But Jeff shot past Ruben before he’d taken three steps.

The earlier chaos of pushing bodies had worked against Jeff. Too small to muscle through the packed crowd, he had waited on the periphery, frustration mounting with each passing second. Now, seizing the opening Ruben had carved, he launched himself toward the baby.

In one fluid movement, Jeff swept Beatrice from Elliana’s arms.

The instant he glimpsed her face, a gasp escaped him.

“Wow, Beatrice!”

Jealousy rippled through everyone watching. They had all hovered near Elliana, desperate for a peek at the baby, yet none had possessed the courage to actually hold her, worried Elliana might take offense. Yet Jeff had just scooped Beatrice right up.

Why did Jeff have the guts to do so? The answer was simple—his bond with Elliana ran deeper than anyone else’s.

Dismissing the envious stares burning into his back, Jeff cradled Beatrice as though she were spun from glass and starlight, murmuring about her beauty and pressing kiss after gentle kiss to her tiny face.

Words tumbled from him in an eager stream.

“Beatrice, you need to grow up fast! I’ll play with you and buy you mountains of fun toys and all the candy you could ever want. And if anyone even thinks about bullying you, I’ll knock their block off!”

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The eight-year-old had transformed into a little guardian, holding the baby with surprisingly practiced confidence. He had clearly been rehearsing this moment in secret. His profound admiration for Elliana extended seamlessly to her child.

He was prepared to surrender his entire heart to Beatrice. Elliana watched the scene with a fond smile, happy to let him have his moment.

Then came Ruben’s turn to fume. His brows knitted, and his voice rumbled.

“You cheeky boy! It’s my turn now—how could you just snatch my great-granddaughter away?”

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