Larissa split up with her assistant manager at the elevator doors. Her assistant manager followed her instructions and went to the lobby on the first floor, while she returned to her office on the topmost floor.Aster was probably tired from playing because he had fallen asleep on the sofa. Her office did not have any blankets prepared. Afraid that he might catch a cold, Larissa woke him up by patting his cheek."Let's go home."She saved all her documents before shutting her computer down. Then, she went downstairs again while holding Aster's hand. She had called the driver beforehand, so when they left the hotel, the car was already parked at the main entrance.Larissa got into the car and was just about to shut the door when a hand shot out from nowhere and gripped the frame of the car firmly."Wait." Kevan used his other hand to pull open the door, letting out a faint, apologetic smile under Larissa's surprised stare. "I drank some alcohol and am unable to drive. If it's conve
Aster answered the call very quickly."Uncle Dylan!" he called out very sweetly.Kevan's heart was a little bitter. "Aster, it's me." His normally cool voice had a little warmth in it, which was rare. His fixed gaze on Aster's profile picture was gentle, like he could see the actual person through the picture."Ah!" Aster panicked for a moment before changing tack quickly. "Hi, Uncle Kevan!"The address of "Uncle Kevan" did not satisfy the man in question, but … he supposed that was as much as he could expect for now."Aster, could you please tell me in detail how you and your mom nearly got hit? For example, when and where?" Kevan patiently lured him to give him the answers that he wanted.Aster's memory was quite good. He was able to tell when and where at once. Kevan gave his own phone to Dylan, who understood what he wanted immediately and called the president of the corporation under which the mall was. A few minutes later, he hung up and gave Kevan the "okay" hand gesture.
"Don't panic." She calmed herself down and comforted the assistant instead. "This isn't your fault. I don't blame you. Go around and ask if anyone has seen Aster. I will call the security department. Bye."She walked toward the main entrance even as she called security.There were only two places where one could enter and exit the hotel—a main entrance, and an emergency back exit. Under normal circumstances, the back exit was not open.If Aster had really been kidnapped, the kidnapper had to go through either one of those doors with Aster. She got security to retrieve the surveillance footage from the floor that the restaurant was on before getting them to send people to guard both exits."The moment you have anything, call me immediately," she said.Larissa kept her eyes fixed on the main entrance. There were a lot of people moving in and out. She stared at every child that passed her by—but none of them were her Aster. Nothing came from security either.The feeling of unease La
The hotel's security happened to arrive at this moment. The sounds of chaotic footsteps could be heard at the door."Ms. Seymour!"A group of people rushed in."Take my son out first!" Larissa pointed at Aster, who was still curled up under the study table. A guard went over and picked him up at once, while the rest surrounded Larissa and helped her to pin down the woman beneath her.That woman resisted strongly, nearly shoving Larissa off and causing her to fall. It was thanks to the guards that Larissa did not crash onto the floor. Getting off the bed with that momentum, she pulled out her phone and called the police.Hearing her making a phone call, the woman screamed, "Don't call the police!"That voice …Even if it was largely different from how it usually sounded, Larissa could still keenly tell that it was—"Ruby Cole?"She moved over to the head of the bed and told one guard to take off the woman's cap. Ruby's face was exposed."It's really you!" Larissa should have k
Ruby's vehement kicks to his body were still fresh in her mind. Larissa kissed Aster's tears, asking him softly, "Does it hurt bad?"Aster shook his head minutely. She was not sure if he really was not in pain, or if he was only doing that to comfort her.When they got to the first floor, Larissa raced out of the hotel as fast as she could and hailed a cab. They went to the closest hospital, which was the military hospital. Aster was heavily bruised from Ruby's kicks, but the fortunate thing was that he did not suffer any grievous injuries.The doctor asked Larissa, "How did this happen?" His stare was filled with condemnation and suspicion. Larissa did not say much—for the truth was too complicated to explain in just a couple of sentences.When they left, the doctor said pointedly, "Child abuse—even if it's your own biological child, is illegal."Larissa halted for a moment, but she still made no arguments to defend herself.…The image of Larissa rushing out of the hotel with
This was the best excuse Kevan could think of. It gave him a justifiable reason to be concerned about them as well as removing the risk of the people watching over them getting exposed.It only took Larissa a few seconds to figure out the reason why they came."You've bailed her out?" Her heart felt like it was being choked from fear.She knew that she had no right to demand him to do anything, and she also knew his relationship with Ruby. Bailing her out was totally a normal thing, but she could not help but blame him for that. If Ruby could come out of this unscathed without needing to bear any legal responsibility, Larissa would definitely request headquarters to transfer her back to Westonia at once—no part of her career or future was worth her son's life."No." Kevan's answer gave Larissa reason to feel relieved. "I will not interfere in this matter," he promised her. "The police will have full power over this matter."If he left it alone, the chances of Ruby getting convicte
Larissa found it a little difficult to carry him in her arms.Kevan hurriedly got up from the sofa and took the child from her."Aster …" He looked down at the boy, his heart aching greatly for him, and his voice unconsciously became hoarse too."Uncle Kevan." Aster greeted him politely, like the good boy he was, though the nasal twang in his voice was rather noticeable.Kevan gritted his teeth, doing everything he could to conceal the harsh anger in his eyes. How dare Ruby touch his son? She must have been having it too good these few years.Sitting down again, Kevan got Aster to sit on his lap."Does it still hurt?" He wiped Aster's tears away as he asked gently.Dylan pursed his lips discreetly as he thought to himself, "Jeez, father and son have great rapport for sure." Only Aster could get Kevan to get over his extreme clean freakishness by making him willingly touch something that was absolutely disgusting in his eyes.Aster nodded once.Because of this simple act, the t
Larissa invited Kevan and Dylan to stay for dinner, but they surprisingly rejected her offer."We still have work to do. Maybe next time," Kevan said, before bending down to ruffle Aster's hair with a faint smile on his face. His eyes were filled with gentleness too."Goodbye, Aster." His deep voice was light and unexpectedly energizing.Larissa's heart felt like something had slammed right into it. She hurriedly looked down to hide the panic on her face.Dylan noticed her actions and tilted his head slightly to one side in pensive thought as he looked at her.Aster waved at Kevan and said reluctantly, "Goodbye, Uncle Kevan!"…Aster had no appetite, and he only ate a little bit of pasta before putting his spoon down."Mommy, I'm full." He watched Larissa timidly and emphasized, "Really, really full."Although Larissa and Wendy treated him generously, they never allowed him to waste food. He always did well usually, so Larissa naturally did not blame him for today's exception—