“What are you here for?”
Although Charlotte knew why Quentin and the others had come, she still pretended to be puzzled, her tone cold.
“We’re here to discuss the custody of the children,” Quentin responded indifferently.
“What?”
Quentin’s words shocked Charlotte’s family.
“Quentin, I’ll say it again, it’s impossible for you to have the children! There’s no need to discuss this with me anymore!”
“The children will either stay with me or with my family. You have no say in this!”
“You think you deserve the children? Have you ever fulfilled your responsibilities as a father?” Charlotte shouted angrily at Quentin, her emotions running high.
“I can agree to any condition you want, as long as Janessa and Theo stay with me.”
“No matter what, I won’t hand the children over to someone with ulterior motives.”
Quentin looked at Nash, their eyes met, and Nash’s guilty gaze avoided his.
“No conditions will work. I’ve been with Janessa and Theo for five years. I won’t agree to anything!”
Charlotte was resolute, refusing to make any concessions regarding the children.
“In that case, Mr. Holland will compete with Miss Pittman for custody in court tomorrow,” Eileen added from the side.
“Fine! See you in court then!” Charlotte was fearless when it came to her children.
“Court?” Emma was stunned. No matter what, they couldn’t let this go to court. If everyone knew about it, it would be a disaster. Family scandals shouldn’t be aired in public!
“Quentin, haven’t you done enough harm to our family? Now you want to fight for the children and take it to court? You’re such an ungrateful wretch!” Emma pointed at Quentin and cursed, her chest heaving with anger.
“Yes, Quentin, is there some misunderstanding between you and Charlotte?”
“Quentin, if there’s a misunderstanding, talk it out with your sister. Don’t do this!”
Emery and Rashad were puzzled. They didn’t know what had happened between Quentin and Charlotte that led to this sudden fight for custody.
“Quentin, don’t make things difficult for Charlotte. If it weren’t for you, how would she have suffered so much these past five years?”
“Not only did you not treat her well, but now you’re making things worse. This is breaking her heart!”
Nash pretended to persuade Quentin with a pained expression, his insincerity infuriating Quentin.
“Shut up! This is between Charlotte and me. It’s none of your business! If you say another word, don’t blame me for being rude!”
Quentin’s eyes were cold as ice, filled with menace, scaring Nash into silence.
“Daddy and Mommy, please stop fighting. We don’t want to leave either of you.”
The two children walked over to Charlotte, their eyes filled with tears, pleading pitifully.
It seemed like the first time they had seen their parents argue so fiercely. Janessa’s face was as pale as paper.
Seeing the children like this broke both Charlotte’s and Quentin’s hearts.
“Janessa and Theo, don’t worry. Mommy won’t leave you.”
Charlotte held Janessa and Theo in her arms, gently comforting them with red-rimmed eyes.
“Then don’t make Daddy leave. Janessa doesn’t want to lose Daddy.”
“Theo too. Theo doesn’t want classmates to call us bastards and say we don’t have a daddy. Daddy is our hero.”
Hearing the children speak like this made Quentin’s heart ache. He wanted nothing more than to give them a complete family, but things had escalated beyond his control.
For the past five years, Janessa and Theo had suffered so much with them. The guilt made Charlotte’s family sigh helplessly.
“Alright, Mommy won’t,” Charlotte forced a smile.
“Then promise Janessa you won’t make Daddy leave.”
“Daddy too, promise Janessa.”
Hearing Charlotte agree not to drive Quentin away made Janessa smile through her tears and extend her pinky for a promise.
To make the children happy and not overthink, both Charlotte and Quentin made a pinky promise with Janessa. Her innocence and understanding were heart-wrenching.
As soon as Janessa smiled, blood suddenly flowed from her nose and mouth, and she collapsed.
“Janessa?!” Everyone present was terrified.
“Janessa, what’s wrong?! Janessa, wake up! Don’t scare Mommy!” Charlotte was at a loss, tears streaming down her face.
Quentin scooped Janessa up and rushed out.
“Eileen, contact the director of Springfield Hospital immediately and arrange for medical staff!”
“Yes, sir!”
The two got into the car with Janessa and sped towards Springfield Hospital.
Charlotte’s family and Nash quickly followed.