A clumsy voice sounded in Sierra’s ear, “Don’t be too… don’t be too sad. I will definitely bring the brothers and find the child safely.”
Sierra looked up to see Jaden beside her. The man was wearing a black T-shirt, and a gust of wind from outside carried the scent of dust and sweat.
The sun was strong in Middle Evroya, and he had been running around, so he smelled of sweat.
Not dirty, not stinky.
It was the sweat shed to find her child.
It moved her and made her heart fill with hope.
“Jaden, thank you.”
Jaden wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled roughly, “Why say such polite words? We all work for Sylvia. Although you manage women’s affairs, our boss is the same, so we are family.”
Sierra was touched by Jaden’s words, even though he didn’t say anything particularly moving.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
She turned away to wipe them.
Then she heard Jaden ask, “How is the ransom coming along? A hundred million is no small amount. I’ve saved over a hundred million running around with Sylvia over the years. Why don’t I lend it to you first?”
Sierra immediately shook her head, “No, no, I can manage it myself. I’ve gathered tens of millions now. How could I use your money?”
Having someone help find the child was already a huge favor; using their money would be too shameful.
She knew some people who could lend her money and had taken some money from the Wilson family.
So by tomorrow, she should be able to gather a hundred million.
But she feared the future would be spent repaying debts.
Her salary was high, but it was a drop in the bucket compared to these debts.
All her savings and assets were gone…
But compared to the child’s life, what did money matter?
“If you need anything, be sure to ask me,” Jaden said as he stood up. “I need to go take a shower; it’s too hot today.”
He walked out, and Sierra followed to see him off, noticing his T-shirt soaked with sweat.
She felt another wave of emotion.
She instinctively said, “Jaden, why don’t I wash your dirty clothes for you? You can bring your brothers’ clothes too… after all…”
Jaden scratched his head awkwardly, “No woman has ever washed my clothes! I feel embarrassed. I’ll wash them myself.”
He left with big strides.
The man was tall and upright.
But that sweat-soaked T-shirt was deeply imprinted in Sierra’s mind.
In a dark room, a small shadow curled up in a corner.
With a click, the door opened.
A man in a wheelchair was pushed in.
Even sitting in a wheelchair, the man seemed superior. He looked down at the little boy curled up in the corner, a contemptuous smile on his lips.
The child had not cried or made a fuss since being captured; he was very quiet. Too quiet for a two-year-old who had just learned to speak.
This piqued his interest.
He didn’t mind coming to see him personally.
“Kid, what’s your name?”
Alex slowly opened his eyes, his long eyelashes trembling slightly. He quietly looked at the man in front of him for a while before speaking, “Why did you capture me? I’m just a child.”
“Ask Sylvia, your good godmother,” EMPEROR laughed smugly. “Your godmother caused my legs to be crippled. If I can’t find her, I’ll find you. A mother’s debt repaid by her child is reasonable, isn’t it? Guess how I’ll deal with you?”
Alex’s pupils shrank when he heard Sylvia’s name.
EMPEROR observed his expression; after all, he was just a child and couldn’t hide his emotions well.
He thought Alex would beg for mercy and cry for release. But… he never expected that after a brief flash of fear, the child’s face quickly calmed down. He said, “If you’re targeting my godmother, then fine. Do whatever you want with me. I’m willing to bear your revenge for her.”
Is this something a two-year-old could say?
EMPEROR looked at him in shock, surprised. He scrutinized the little boy again. Small in stature, only reaching above his knees, but standing straight as an arrow.
“What if I kill you now?”
“Do as you wish; I have no power to resist.” Alex returned to the corner after speaking.
He bit his not-yet-fully-grown teeth, not letting his fear show.
Aunt Sylvia, if I die… what is death? Does it mean I’ll never see Mommy and you again? It’s a pity I haven’t called you godmother yet.
Alex’s small head thought simple thoughts.
He couldn’t tell if EMPEROR was bluffing or serious.
He believed him.
He was very afraid of dying, but if his death meant Aunt Sylvia would be spared, then so be it.
Pretending to be calm, he said, “If you kill me, remember not to trouble my godmother anymore. She hasn’t had her own baby yet…”
The little boy’s face tightened; even now, he didn’t cry or scream.
He remained quiet and calm.
EMPEROR couldn’t help but look at him differently.
“Facing death and still worrying about Sylvia. Haha-so young yet playing hero? Ridiculous!”
“But-”
He looked up and down at the little boy curled in the corner. “If you had nothing to do with Sylvia, I’d want to take you as my son. What a pity-”
“Pity what?” Alex’s big black eyes stared at EMPEROR.
He thought this man looked scary; even though he was handsome, he looked evil!
His eyes were evil; his words were evil too.
“Pity you’re Sylvia’s godson. I can’t let you go or make you my child.” EMPEROR smiled wickedly. “How do you want to die? Fried in oil, steamed alive, or shot?”
Hearing these twisted ways of dying,
Alex’s delicate face turned pale instantly.
He bit his pink lips and finally said with a trembling voice, “As you wish.”
Mommy!
Aunt Sylvia!
Uncle Franklin!
I’m about to die!
I’m about to be killed by this bad guy!
Alex screamed in his heart.
He was just a child; saying he wasn’t scared would be a lie.
But no matter how scared he was, he wouldn’t let his tears fall.
He was a little man; he wouldn’t cry in front of this bad guy. Crying was showing weakness.
This bad guy wanted to kill him and Aunt Sylvia!
“Interesting, very interesting!” EMPEROR ordered his men to push him out of the room after speaking.
With a bang, the door locked again, and the room fell silent.
Alex’s tears finally flowed after the bad guy left.
He cried silently, letting tears cover his small face.
He wondered if Mommy was looking for him or if Aunt Sylvia knew he had been captured by bad guys.
He wanted to leave here…
Aettosa.
Queena was transferred from ICU to a regular ward after spending a day and night there.
The surgery was successful, so her recovery was as expected.
She regained consciousness near dusk.
Opening her eyes, she saw Sylvia and Austin by her bedside.
Looking around and not seeing her son and daughter-in-law,
She thought they might have gone home since her daughter-in-law was pregnant.
She thought silently.
Feeling her movement, Sylvia looked over at her. Their eyes met.
Sylvia couldn’t help but smile warmly, “Grandma, you’re awake? Does your wound hurt?”
Queena nodded weakly; she was still very frail and spoke softly, “Pain… dizzy… uncomfortable…”
“It’s okay. These are normal reactions. Is there any other discomfort? If so, tell me immediately.” Sylvia leaned on the bed concernedly looking at her.
Queena wanted to smile but it hurt her wound; she shook her head instead indicating no discomfort.
“Old lady, your surgery was very successful; we have double happiness.”
Austin quickly took out his phone and opened the photo album showing it to Queena. “Look who this is.”
“What?” Queena looked at his phone curiously and saw a small baby on the screen.
The baby’s features weren’t fully developed yet but already bore some resemblance to Clare.
She stared at the photo in shock as Austin happily flipped through several more photos of the baby.
“This… could it be Mollie gave birth? When did this happen?” Queena reacted quickly; seeing Austin’s joyful expression confirmed her guess immediately.
“Haha! The baby was born during your surgery. Isn’t it double happiness? The baby is healthy.” Austin continued happily. “When Mollie is discharged from the hospital we’ll bring the baby for you to see.”
“Discharged? Was it a C-section?” Queena thought her daughter-in-law suffered during childbirth feeling distressed. “C-section recovery takes a long time!”
Sylvia quickly explained to Queena, “No grandma; it was water birth. Postpartum observation in hospital for two days.”
“That’s good then. As long as both baby and Mollie are safe.” Queena said as her eyelids grew heavy again.