Anna Summers woke up and realized she’d landed inside a book.

And not just any character—she was the pitiful extra who gets tossed out by her villain dad Jonathan Summers and freezes to death.

Lucky for her, she showed up right before the original made a mess of things. She hadn’t torn up that key document yet to get attention.

A genius hacker with a bright future, now downgraded to surviving by sweet-talking her way into her dad’s good graces.

Sniffling with resignation, Anna kept staring at the front gate of the Summers’ villa.

All she had to do was wait for her so-called dad to show up, then boom— DNA test results ready to roll!

And boom indeed—a CEO-standard Rolls-Royce pulled up to the gate. Next came a pair of long legs wrapped in sleek dress pants.

Showtime!

Anna pumped her arms and dashed forward, hugging that leg like a koala. Her twin ponytails bobbed as she squeaked out in her softest baby voice, “Daddy~”

Just when she was thinking she nailed the cuteness act—

A deep voice full of sarcasm came from behind.

"Nathan, since when did you become a dad?"

Anna looked up and froze.

She wasn’t hugging the icy, sharp-featured CEO at all. This guy? Just Nathan Collins, the awkward, plain-faced assistant from the novel.

No wonder those legs weren't all that.

She stuck her tongue out, quickly let go and spun around—straight toward the real Jonathan Summers, who was already watching like he’d tuned into a live sitcom.

"Daddy~" Her voice got even sweeter.

Too bad the man wasn’t buying it. He casually lifted her up like she was weightless.

Anna, trying to save face, rubbed her soft face against his hand, still milking the cutesy act. “Daddy, ouch~”

Her chubby cheeks were all puffed up in protest, big eyes shimmering with tears—adorable and pitiful all at once.

The soft feel of her hand against his made Jonathan’s brow twitch faintly as he gave a cold snort.

“Wow, scammers start this young now?”

“Anna’s not a scammer! Anna’s your baby girl! I’ve got proof!” She flailed her little arms, trying to show him the DNA results in her hand.

He barely glanced at it before tossing the little munchkin—yep, right into the nearby bushes.

“At least your props are prepared. Points for effort.”

“I’m not a liar! I really am your daughter!”

Anna struggled to stand back up, but in her rush, she tripped on some dry twigs and tumbled down again, little arms getting scratched in the process.

Her doll-like face crumpled in hurt, voice trembling as she looked up with tear-filled eyes.

Nathan’s heart ached just watching. He hurried over to help her up. “Mr. Summers, I-I really don’t think she’s lying…”

“Hmph. Pretty sly for a kid her age.”

Jonathan scoffed and tossed a look her way—but his eyes lingered on the scratches on her arms.

What a delicate little thing. He’d already gone easy, just tossed her into a bush, hadn’t he?

Seeing his expression loosen, Anna quickly added, “Daddy, remember the Empyrean Hotel in L City?”

A buried memory suddenly surfaced in Jonathan’s mind.

He stared at the tiny girl on the ground, voice unsteady. “That night… was it your mother?”

Anna nodded sweetly, thrilled inside that she’d remembered that blink-and-you-miss-it detail from the book. Better than the original version, who cried and kicked up enough drama to end up on the news, dragging Jonathan into taking her in.

“So where is she now?” he asked, a flicker of hope crossing his eyes.Five years ago, while bidding for a project in L City, he got drugged. When he woke up the next day, the woman who had left a lasting impression was gone without a trace.

And now, out of the blue, he had a daughter?

Like someone had poked her sore spot, the little girl pouted, then tears started rolling down her cheeks like beads on a broken string, one after another.

She sniffled and choked, “The doctor said Mommy became a fairy in the sky, but Anna knows he was lying..."

She... passed away?

Jonathan Summers lowered his head slightly, a rare hint of loss in his eyes, and frowned as he picked up the teary little dumpling from the ground.

His large hand awkwardly patted her back. “Stop crying. You’re so pitiful, I guess I’ll keep you around. Just one more pair of chopsticks at the table.”

“Really? You’re not lying to me?”

The little dumpling lifted her tear-streaked face, eyes wide, nose red, asking carefully.

“Yeah—only if you’re not lying to me either.”

Jonathan pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket, gently wiping away her tears.

Watching her bounce happily, he added with his usual cold face, “And keep out of my way unless it’s important.”

“Anna is super good~ I won’t bother Daddy at work! I can even help with chores~” Anna patted her chubby little chest and made a serious promise.

“Hmph. Just don’t make more of a mess. That’d already be a win,” Jonathan scoffed, giving her puffy cheek a light pinch.

So squishy and soft. Not completely useless, this little thing.

Totally clueless she was being treated like a pet, Anna eagerly leaned in and offered her other cheek like a reward.

Just as Jonathan was getting into the cheek-pinching, a rumble came from the little dumpling’s tummy.

Anna quickly peeked down at her belly, then shyly covered it with her chubby hands. “Anna walked forever trying to find Daddy, didn’t eat anything.”

She even looks embarrassed about being hungry.

The corner of Jonathan’s mouth twitched. “I’ll go make you some instant noodles.”

Nathan Collins, who was about to drive off, froze and rushed back out like he got hit with a jolt. “M-Mr. Summers! She’s still a kid—instant noodles are not okay!”

Jonathan frowned. “Ugh, what a hassle.”

“How about... I make little Miss a bowl of egg noodles instead?” Nathan volunteered carefully.

Truthfully, he just couldn’t bear to see this adorable little dumpling eating junk food.

“Thank you, Uncle~”

Anna grinned sweetly, her dimples popping out and completely winning him over.

In no time, Nathan whipped up a fragrant bowl of egg noodles and floated out of the kitchen, feeling light as a feather.

This kid was dangerously cute. He was afraid he’d start fighting the boss for custody.

“So yummy~”

Anna happily slurped a mouthful, cheeks puffing out like little buns as she let out a satisfied sigh.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full. You’re making a mess.”

Jonathan looked at her with a frown, though his eyes lingered on her plump, sauce-covered cheeks longer than he’d like to admit.

Seriously, acting like she’d never had food before. It’s just egg noodles.

Without looking up, Anna offered graciously, “Daddy, do you want a bite?”

Jonathan stared at the messy bowl she’d completely stirred into chaos. His throat involuntarily bobbed.

He meant to say he didn’t want it, but somehow, seeing her eat so happily stirred something in him—his long-buried appetite.

Instead, the words that came out were, “Just one bite—since you asked so nicely.”

Huh?

Anna blinked in confusion as he took the bowl and, without hesitation, slurped up a big mouthful.