Chapter 652

　　Third person's POV 　　Derek reached out and gently patted Ayla on the head. 　　Over time, Ayla had grown increasingly close to him, their relationship indistinguishable from that of a father and daughter, except for the absence of the word "Dad." 　　"Here's a freshly baked cake. Enjoy," he said. 　　Tabitha shook her head with a hint of helplessness. "Don't spoil her too much. Too many sweets can lead to cavities." 　　"It's just a small piece," Derek replied, his tender demeanor a stark contrast to how he treated strangers. 　　Tabitha was puzzled, wondering if she was mistaken, feeling that Wilmot seemed different from when they first met. 　　But upon reflection, it made sense. Who would reveal their true self without reservation upon first meeting? 　　"Have all the arrangements outside been taken care of?" she asked. 　　"Yes, everything is handled," Derek responded. 　　He added, "By the way, here's the layout of the cruise ship. Take a look." 　　When Tabitha boarded, she thought the cruise ship