Chapter 1384 The Truth
“No, that’s mine!”
While they continued with their argument, the adults looked at each other. Nicole then scooped Joy into her arms and uttered, “That’s enough, Joy. I’ll comb your hair first and prepare a set of clothes for you to change. All right?”
To her surprise, Joy shook her head. “No! That drawing board is mine! I will tidy myself up only after this matter is settled!”
“How can we make things clear when you’re both claiming that the drawing board is yours?” Maya asked.
“Of course we can. Is the receipt still with you, Juan?” Joy was full of resoluteness when she spoke.
“Yes, it’s in my pocket.”
She then went on with a question to Zayden, “When Juan was paying for the drawing boards, he paid for mine first. Am I right?”
Zayden pondered for a while and nodded.
Like Zayden, Juan also nodded. “Joy’s right. She was the first to finish choosing the drawing board, so she was walking in front of Zayden.”
“Take a look at the receipt then, Juan. Compare the model and the color of both drawing boards.”
After checking the receipt, Juan said no color indication was on it, but he could still verify the drawing boards using their serial number labels.
Following a quick verification of both drawing boards, it was without a doubt that Joy was indeed the person who had chosen the green one. On the other hand, Zayden had picked the red one.
“See? The green drawing board is mine, Zayden! You’re the one who is trying to take away what’s rightfully mine!” Joy accused confidently.
Zayden widened his eyes while staring at the drawing board in disbelief. What? I clearly remember that I picked the green one! How did it become Joy’s? Could it be that I’ve gotten it wrong? But…
As they knew the truth of the matter, Davin and Sheila exchanged glances, feeling pretty embarrassed.
Sheila then consoled Joy by saying, “Zayden is at fault this time, Joy. I’ll ask him to apologize to you. Okay?”
In response, Joy cast a glance at Zayden without uttering a word.
“I’ll take you to the shopping mall to buy toys later as compensation from Zayden. You can choose whatever you like,” Davin said.
With a serious expression, Joy responded, “The person who is in the wrong should apologize and compensate on his own, Uncle Davin. Only then will he learn his lesson.”
Davin contemplated for a moment and thought Joy’s words made perfect sense. “All right. I’ll let Zayden compensate and apologize to you on his own. His drawing board will belong to you. Sounds great?”
“What? Why? That drawing board is mine! Why should I give it to Joy?” Zayden protested with a displeased countenance.
“You not only snatched the thing that belongs to Joy but also hit her. For those reasons, you have to receive punishment.”
As soon as Davin finished his words, Sheila bent down and looked at Zayden. “I’ve told you many times that it is important to admit and learn from your mistakes. Since you’re at fault this time, you have to correct that mistake of yours. That’s the archetype of a good child. Am I right?”
Zayden mused over those words of wisdom and nodded at Sheila.
Immediately after that, he shifted his gaze toward Joy and apologized, “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t take away the things that belong to Joy next time. Understood?” Sheila reminded Zayden.
Hanging his head low and fidgeting with his tiny hands, Zayden answered in a low voice, “Understood.”
Subsequently, Nicole took both drawing boards and handed them to Joy. “Can you play together with Zayden?”
Joy discerned what Nicole meant instantly and thought it was meaningless to use two drawing boards alone. Therefore, she handed one of the drawing boards to Zayden generously. “I forgive you! This drawing board is for you!”
“Express your gratitude to Joy, Zayden,” Davin urged.
Zayden looked at Joy and received the drawing board timidly before telling her, “Thank you!”
“Don’t ever snatch my things away from me in the future!”
“Got it. I’ll snatch your stuff away after figuring things out next time.”
“What are you saying, Zayden? You should have fun with Joy harmoniously. Snatching and fighting are strictly prohibited. Do you understand?”
When he heard those words, Zayden looked at Davin while scratching his head in confusion. Daddy has educated me not to become a coward or a man-pleaser. I can’t be intimidated by other kids as well, including Joy. Even if I need to be physical, I have to be dauntless and protect my rights. Why is he forbidding me to fight now?
“Are you genuinely forbidding me to fight with Joy from now on, Daddy?” Once Zayden had finished asking that question, everyone stared in the direction of Davin in concert.
