Even Camila got the jitters hearing the warning in his voice.

Joe shrank beside Camila, grabbing her clothes in an attempt to hide himself and fell silent.

Pulling the frightened boy into an embrace, Camila glared at Isaac.

As soon as they got home, Joe ran to his room and locked the door.

Bowen, on the other hand, was taken to the bedroom by Rowena.

Camila pulled Isaac to the study and chided him, "You didn't have to do that. Joe is upset that he doesn't have a playmate anymore. He's just a little boy and still learning to handle his emotions."

"But that doesn't mean he can talk back and disrespect his elders when he's upset about something," Isaac stated.

Camila's expression hardened. “Well, he got that attitude from you."

Isaac didn't know whether to laugh or cry at that.

“You're not that cranky now, but you were as short-tempered before. You liked being angry with me, remember?" Camila retorted with a raised brow.

Isaac cleared his throat, caught off guard. "That's in the past."

"So? I can't use it as an example now because it's in the past?"

Camila was relentless at castigating him.

"I was angry with you because you always gave me a reason to," Isaac retorted.

It was Camila's turn to be caught off guard.

"Unreasonable," she grunted, opening the door. “I'm going to the research institute. Aren't you going back to the company?"

Isaac adjusted his collar and, adopting a softer tone, remarked, "I understand we shouldn't be too strict with Joe, but we also shouldn't be too lenient. If we're not cautious, he might grow up spoiled and lacking in manners."

Camila paused at his words, knowing too well that he was right. "I know. I'm sorry."

The truth was her concern stemmed from guilt over her inability to dedicate enough time to Joe, causing him to form attachments to others and become upset when they left.

That was why she felt sorry for Joe when Isaac tried to reprimand him.