Chapter 351

At that moment, a flicker of satisfaction danced in my heart.

What do they call this again?

Like father, like daughter?

"Yes!" Ethan's voice suddenly cut through the air in the playroom.

Lily's face lit up with excitement. "Will you help me put this together?"

"No." His reply was flat, leaving no room for argument.

Sophia stifled a laugh.

"You can keep calling me 'mean daddy' all you want. I won't assemble your toys for you." His tone was firm, unyielding.

Lily's enthusiasm deflated instantly. Her lower lip jutted out in a pout. "I don’t want to do it anymore! I don’t even want to play! There! Happy now? Ugh!"

At four years old, focus was a fleeting thing. Persistence wasn’t exactly her strong suit.

Back in Willowbrook County, Lily had often abandoned tasks halfway through.

But back then, Noah had always been there to indulge her. Whenever she struggled and turned to him with those big, pleading eyes, he’d swoop in with a gentle, "It’s okay, my little princess. You’re still small. Let Uncle Noah handle it."

Noah had showered her with endless affection, never once pushing her to tough it out.

So naturally, Lily expected the same tactic to work on Ethan.

She was wrong.

His expression darkened. "No. You will finish assembling this toy today. No bedtime until it’s done."

Lily’s eyes widened. "No! I want Mommy!"

"Request denied."

"Stinky meanie!"

"Call me whatever you want. The toy will be assembled." His voice left no room for negotiation.

Outside the door, Sophia felt an unexpected warmth bloom in her chest.

This was what real parenting looked like—love wrapped in discipline. He adored his child but refused to spoil her rotten.

Seeing her usual tricks fail, Lily’s defiance crumbled. "It’s too hard… I can’t do it…"

"It’s challenging," Ethan conceded, "but I’ll give you a hint for each step you complete. You have to do the work, though. No shortcuts."

His stern tone made Lily’s lower lip tremble, but she nodded, wiping her teary eyes. "O-okay."

With no other choice, she focused. And to her surprise, each correct piece clicked into place with a tiny thrill of accomplishment.

Guided by Ethan’s subtle hints, she assembled the entire robot in under ten minutes.

Clutching her creation, Lily bounced up, all earlier frustration forgotten. "Daddy! Look! I did it! All by myself!"

Sophia watched, mesmerized.

This was the difference between a mother’s nurturing and a father’s tough love.

Her daughter, who had been ready to quit moments ago, had just conquered her first challenge—without giving up.

The pride glowing in Lily’s eyes was priceless.

And it only fueled her determination.

"I wanna do another one!" she declared.

Ethan arched a brow. "This next one’s harder."

He didn’t expect her to succeed. She was still just a child, after all.

But Lily, ever the fighter, mirrored his expression. "Hmph! You’re underestimating me, Mean Daddy. Let’s bet—I can do it!"

Ethan scoffed.

In that moment, the ruthless businessman vanished. Here stood a man engaged in a playful battle of wills with his daughter.

Sophia held her breath.

Could Lily really pull it off?

This robot was more complex. Half an hour ago, she might’ve thrown in the towel. But now?

Ethan had unlocked something in her—a stubborn refusal to back down.

She tried. Failed. Tried again.

No complaints. No begging for help.

On her fourth attempt, something clicked—literally.

Lily discovered the toy could transform. Different configurations, endless possibilities.

Her gasp of delight filled the room.

"MEAN DADDY, YOU LOSE!" she shrieked, launching herself at him. Tiny fingers latched onto his nose, twisting it like a dial. "I WON! HA!"

Sophia couldn’t help it—she burst out laughing.

Lily whirled, still gripping Ethan’s nose. "Mommy! I won! I’m an inventor now! I didn’t need any help!"

Sophia’s laughter died when she got a proper look at Ethan’s face.

His sharp, aristocratic features were currently squished into something resembling a disgruntled pig’s snout.

She clapped a hand over her mouth.

Too late.

But instead of fury, Ethan hoisted Lily into the air, pride gleaming in his eyes. "Impressive. Worthy of a Blackwood."

Not an ounce of anger. Just pure, unadulterated fatherly pride.

Maybe this was what they called "like father, like daughter."