Miracle Cutie Chapter 20: The Last Chance

Right.

That had to be it.

Whenever Nina was involved, Daniel always put her first.

The moment Zoe convinced herself of that, she bit her lip in anger.

"That little jinx… the second she shows up, everything goes wrong for me."

She silently swore she would make Daniel send that brat away as soon as possible.

Zoe still had no idea that Daniel was already thoroughly disgusted with her.

After cursing Nina in her mind, she rushed forward to help Alistair up from the floor.

"Alistair, how are you feeling? I'll take you to the hospital right now!"

Neither of them mentioned calling the police.

Even Alistair—beaten half to death—didn't dare bring it up.

He didn't have the guts to provoke Daniel openly, but the bitterness burned deep.

Just you wait.

He swallowed the metallic taste of blood, eyes filled with pure, festering hatred.

"Daniel," he rasped hoarsely, "I'll make you regret this…"

He didn't call the police, didn't call an ambulance.

Dragging his injured body, he rested a long moment before limping down the stairs toward the quieter back exit, then slipped into a car and headed to the hospital.

He had a massive fanbase, and he couldn't let them find out about today.

His fans defended him blindly.

If they learned Daniel had beaten him, they would swarm the internet, attacking Daniel nonstop.

And Daniel—maybe he wouldn't care about the dumb fans, but he would absolutely take his anger out on the source.

On him.

So while Alistair and Zoe quietly rushed to the hospital, Nina—already taken back to the restaurant by Daniel—had finished eating.

And her chubby little face was absolutely filthy.

Nina hadn't noticed at all.

She puckered her lips, ready to plant a big grateful kiss on Daniel's cheek.

Seeing her messy face inch closer, Daniel hesitated for a few seconds… then decisively grabbed a napkin.

"Hold up. Let's clean your face first."

Only after wiping her clean did he let her continue.

"Muah! Muah! Muah!"

Nina's soft little kisses landed loudly on Daniel's handsome cheek.

"Un-coo Dan'el, Nina wuv you!"

Her big bright eyes looked up at him, her milky voice sweet enough to melt steel.

Daniel had been feeling pretty low.

The memories of the young Zoe were still the most beautiful in his mind.

But now the truth was clear—Zoe had changed.

She wasn't that quiet, innocent little mute girl anymore.

He had been clinging so hard to the past, to the version of her that no longer existed, that it took him this long to finally see it:

The Zoe shining in the entertainment industry was nothing like the girl he once loved.

The Zoe he loved… wasn't this one.

But before those heavy thoughts could settle in, Nina tugged his attention right back.

She wasn't satisfied with just confessing her love; she tilted her head and asked sweetly,

"Un-coo Dan'el, wuv Nina?"

Daniel answered without hesitation.

"Yes, I do. I love you."

A real smile tugged at his lips. "I love you the most."

After that little exchange, Nina giggled happily.

Then, out of nowhere, she twisted around—clearly planning to give Nelson a kiss too.

She liked playing with him!

Daniel reacted instantly, covering her mouth before she could reach him.

"No kissing!" he said firmly. "Nina, from now on, besides your mommy, grandpa, and me, you can't kiss anyone else.

"You're a little girl. Little girls need to protect themselves."

Daniel launched into a serious lecture.

Nina didn't listen at first… until he added that if he caught her kissing anyone else again, he wouldn't take her out to play.

Her eyes widened in panic.

"No kiss! Nina no kiss!" she promised urgently, nodding hard.

Beside her, Nelson dropped his gaze silently, saying nothing.

After eating, Daniel carried Nina out, ready to take her home for her nap.

But Nina had zero intention of going home.

Her eyelids were already drooping, but she still pretended to be full of energy, insisting she wanted to go play at the "big castle."

"Nelson… go! Pway!" she demanded, her tiny voice growing weaker.

Under Nelson's watchful eyes, her half-opened eyelids fluttered… and finally closed completely.

"Nelson, I'm taking Nina home. Call your family and have them pick you up—" Daniel started, but Nelson had already turned around and walked off.

Daniel frowned.

It really didn't feel safe for Nelson to wander around by himself all the time.

But Daniel wasn't his family, and the two of them weren't close.

He had no right to interfere.

“Fine. If I see him again next time… I'll deal with it then," Daniel thought as he shifted his gaze away.

He carried the sleeping Nina home.

When he arrived, Amelia was out.

And William—despite an impossibly busy schedule—had still rushed home specifically to see his precious granddaughter.