He wasn't naive. He didn't wish to anger his mother and miss out on more than just candy. She'd instructed him to stay put, wait here, and he wasn't about to disobey her so easily.

Simms' patience seemed to wane, impatience creeping into his demeanor.

His eyes darted toward Ariana conversing with his agent in the distance. With a derisive sneer, he tilted his chin toward her.

"Is that your mother?"

Melon nodded obediently.

With the money in his hand, Simms smiled and said, “She's meant to interview me later. Deny me that cup of coffee, and your mother's efforts will be in vain. Cooperation hinges on this, you know."

Melon's countenance morphed into one of seriousness, resembling that of a seasoned adult. Without missing a beat, he responded with a deadpan tone, "Sir, you're so bad. How could you frighten a child?"

Simms raised his eyebrows. Facing the boy, he said directly, "If you're skeptical, then wait and see. Should the interview falter, your mother will bear the consequences."

Though still tender in age, Melon comprehended the weight of accountability. Suddenly, silence enveloped him.

At this time, Simms persisted, "In the event of a failed interview, your mother shall face legal action, be taken to court, and subsequently arrested by the police.”

Even though Melon was only a_ five-year-old, he was still significantly smarter than other kids his age. When he heard about the term “legal action," he felt it was something really serious. He also heard that his mother would have to go to court and be under police custody for a while, which made him extremely anxious.

He didn't want Mommy to be detained by the police.

The little boy was on the verge of tears. However, he stubbornly gritted his teeth, refusing to cry. With his lips pursed, he stayed silent for a long time.

After a long while, the stylist next to Simms couldn't take it anymore and said, “Mr. Riley, he's just a little kid. Please stop teasing him."

The stylist's words made Simms' face darken at once. He sneered and said, "When did I tease him? I'm serious. If this brat doesn't go buy me coffee, I won't do the interview."

Simms then pinched Melon's face and said with a smirk, “Little brat, you better behave, or your mother will suffer."

With a deep frown on his face, Melon angrily swatted Simms' hand away and reluctantly agreed to do what Simms asked of him.

“I will buy you coffee, but you better not trouble my mom."

Chuckling, Simms leaned back in the chair and said with a leisurely tone, “Well, it will all depend on how you behave."

Hearing that, Melon tightly clenched his tiny fists. Although he was angry, there was nothing he could do. After all, this bad man threatened to harm his mother if he refused to do as the man said.