Chapter 1 Divorce

“Byron Lawrence, I’ve been married to you for 3 years. We’ve been husband and wife these 3 years only on paper. I’ll allow you to be with your dream woman, I give up on this marriage! You can go chase her after tonight! For now, just take it as compensation for my feelings toward you all these years, alright…”

After saying this, Rosalie leaned in and kissed the man in front of her. Her kiss carried a passionate madness akin to a moth to a flame and… despair.

She knew that her methods were despicable.

She had been in love for too long, however, it was too hard!

She was begging for just this consolation for now.

"Rosalie Jacobs, how dare you!!!"

Byron gritted his teeth. His delicate face that was handsome till the point of enchantment was filled with anger.

He wanted to push this audacious woman away but was powerless.

"There is nothing that I don't dare do..."

There was a tear in the corner of Rosalie's eyes and her kiss became increasingly urgent.

She just wanted to have all of him just once!

Byron was beside himself with anger.

However, the current situation was already out of his control.

…

The next day, Rosalie awoke just as the sky began to brighten.

Enduring the discomfort, she took out the divorce agreement that had been prepared a long time ago from the drawer and put it on the bedside table. Finally, she took a deep look at the man on the bed.

"Byron, I'll set you free. We'll have nothing to do with each other from now on!"

Murmuring these words, Rosalie then retracted her gaze and turned away.

Her heart was filled with bitterness and sadness as she left the Lawrence household.

She had loved Byron for seven years!

The period from her teenage years to college was constantly pictured in her mind.

Her greatest wish was to be able to marry him!

However, Byron hated her…

The old master of the Lawrence family had been seriously ill at the time, and they needed to do something to cheer him up. Given her birth chart was compatible with his, she was selected.

Her father and stepmother, who regarded money as their life packed her up and sent her away without saying a word.

She had been on cloud nine then as she looked forward to the night of the wedding.

When Byron appeared, however, he had said with disgust on his face, "You need to know that the person I want to marry is Wendy Fuller, not you! She is qualified to be my wife while you are not!"

Rosalie knew that Byron had no obligation to like much less love her.

Yet, she was still naive with the hope that she could warm the man's heart one day.

She had worked hard to be a good wife in their three years of marriage.

She would personally cook just for him every night so that he would have a hot meal when he came back from work.

No matter how late it was, she would only be at ease when he came home each day.

When he got drunk networking, she would take good care of him and would delegate the responsibility to someone else.

If he were ill or slightly injured, she would worry more than anyone else.

Every winter, she would turn on the heating and prepare hot water for him ahead of time. She would get up early in the morning and help warm his clothes in hopes that he would get cold…

However, his lack of love remained unchanged.

She finally understood the day before yesterday, when Byron had accompanied Wendy Fuller at the hospital despite it being her birthday.

Her dream was nothing more than wishful thinking!

She would not be able to warm the man’s heart even if she spent her entire life trying.

He belonged to another woman!

Rosalie had given up completely!

…

When Byron woke up, it was already ten o'clock in the morning.

His first thought was to strangle Rosalie!

He was the president of the Lawrence Corporation; he had always been known for his shrewdness and was invincible in the business world. No one had ever plotted against him or had him suffer losses.

He never thought he would fall into that woman's hands the first time!

Infuriated, he glanced around the room. Instead of seeing the woman, he noticed the documents on the bedside table.

"What is this?"

Byron frowned deeply and grabbed it over for a look.

The words "divorce agreement" jumped into his vision instantly.

His pupils contracted and his expression suddenly turned gloomy.

This woman really had a never-ending line of tricks up her sleeve!

Byron did not believe for one second that Rosalie would divorce him.

Expression dark, he went downstairs, an evil miasma surrounding his body and he asked the housekeeper, “Have you seen Rosalie?"

The housekeeper, Mr. Lee, was stunned and immediately replied, "Sir, the young lady left before dawn with her luggage."

Byron was completely stunned.

…

Six years later.

Y Nation, VR Medical Research Institute.

The moment Rosalie exited the research room, she heard her assistant Linda say, "Dr. Jacobs, Professor Luke is looking for you, he requested you head over to his office."

Rosalie had pulled an all-nighter. She had been feeling a little drowsy but instantly woke up when she heard this.

"Did he say anything what for? Could it be that...my two little rascals have once again destroyed the research and development output?"

"Obviously."

Linda replied with a little sympathy in her eyes.

Her superior had always been highly efficient and competent and had reached the ceiling of the medical profession at a young age. She was Quentin Luke's proud disciple, was well-known within the medical profession and had never been reprimanded for her work.

Yet every time, she had to take the fall for her two cute, troublemaking kids!

Linda subconsciously comforted her, "You hadn't come out of the research room for three days straight this time and they have been worried about your health day in and day out. That's why they were floundering about in Professor Luke’s office every day… I noticed that a few more white hairs have appeared on Professor Luke’s head."

Rosalie had a headache when she heard this, she also found it a little funny.

She had gone abroad after leaving the Lawrence family six years ago!

She had planned to further her studies but unexpectedly, had gotten pregnant.

She had struggled with whether to get an abortion at the time but when she arrived at the hospital, she retreated and was reluctant to undergo the procedure.

She chose to keep the children in the end.

They were triplets, two sons, and a daughter.

The daughter had died due to the lack of oxygen during childbirth, leaving only two precious sons, who were nicknamed dawn and dusk.

Rosalie was happy when she thought about the two highly intelligent kids.

However, thinking about how she would be scolded because of them, she instantly withered.

Chapter 2 Ditching the Wife and Children

Rosalie made her way to Quentin’s office quickly.

The moment she entered; she saw her two little boys sitting on the sofa as they swung their calves.

Their eyes lit up when they saw her come in. They immediately slid off the sofa and ran over. "Mommy, you're finally out! Here I thought you were going to live in the research room in the future!"

"Mommy, are you tired? Sit down quickly, I’ll give you a shoulder massage..."

They both sat on either side of Rosalie on the sofa.

Looking at the two sweet little lads, Rosalie suddenly felt that it was worth the impending lecture she was about to receive!

"Aren’t you two being so obedient now? And why weren’t you two like this when you hacked into my computer?"

Looking at the scene from behind his desk, Quentin puffed and glared.

Lucian said confidently, "Isn’t that your fault, old master! You always ask Mommy to work overtime. Look, she's borderline malnourished!"

"Exactly... Mommy is but a mortal. How can you have her work overtime all day every day?"

Nox seconded as he squeezed Rosalie's shoulder with his small hand as if he was meant to do so.

Quentin smiled angrily, "You two are the only ones protecting her! Just who hadn’t made their way to this institute like this?"

With that, he shook his head and looked at Rosalie. "What’s the progress of this research?"

Rosalie answered with a smile, "It's going well. I will send the data to your computer later."

Speaking up till this point, she paused and asked, "Has the computer been recovered?"

Quentin gripped his hair and said anxiously, "It’s been an hour and it still hasn’t finished recovering.”

Rosalie was amused as she patted Nox’s small, tender, and pale hand. "Go and restore the old master's computer to its original state. No nonsense. What if we really lost important data?"

The moment Nox heard this, he immediately responded in a childish voice, a "No, it won’t. I back it up all the time, and I added multiple fail-safes. How can we possibly lose it!"

That was what he said but he still moved toward Quentin’s side obediently and began restoring the computer.

The little one’s fingers flew as he typed a series of codes.

After a few minutes, the computer screen flashed and immediately returned to its original state.

Quentin could not help but marvel at the IQ of his apprentice’s two sons.

Lucian had mastered the treatment skills at such a young age and could identify thousands of herbs, revealing his unique talent in medicine.

Nox was very interested in programming and was very gifted with numbers. Now he was a little hacker.

Both brothers were very interested in investment!

Moreover, these two were very good-looking, calm, and lively.

Because of this, Quentin was reluctant to lecture them every time they caused trouble and resorted to scolding Rosalie!

Rosalie seemed to sense it and immediately took the initiative to apologize. "I apologize, sir. The young ones have caused you trouble again. Don't be too harsh."

‘And do not scold me!

‘You always make me take the fall!’

Quentin could not help laughing when he noticed her expression. “Don't worry, I’m not going to give you a lecture this time, but I have a task for you! I'm going to return to my home country to set up a research institute to focus on holistic medicine. However, I still have a lot of work on my hands, and I can't leave for the time being. So, I thought about it and decided to send you home!"

Rosalie did not expect it to be this. She was stunned and a little hesitant.

Return home?

She had never thought about returning after having left that place six years ago.

This was considering she had no home and had no one that mattered to her!

Not to mention, she had some feelings about that place.

“Sir, I…”

Rosalie was thinking of refusing.

Quentin immediately interrupted, "Rosalie, I know you don't want to go back, but I still hope you will consider it carefully... You have studied medicine with me over the years. You should know the breadth and depth of holistic medicine! There are not enough herbs for you to study abroad, but it’s different back in our home country... There are a large number of herbs for you to use. The most important thing is that there are many hidden generational families of medical experts back home, all of whom are capable people, and they have also inherited the ancient medical arts... Aren't you interested in this aspect? So, I suggest you go back!

“With your abilities, you are sure to accomplish great things in the future. You’ve already undergone a great transformation now. Even if you encounter something or someone again, you can deal with it well, can't you?”

When Rosalie heard this, she was speechless.

That was indeed true!

She has undergone great changes over the years. She stays calm when problems arise and solves them pragmatically. She was no longer afraid of any danger or adversity.

Not to mention, six years had passed, and that man might have already gotten married to his dream woman.

What was there for her to be afraid of?

Thinking of this, Rosalie took a breath and nodded. "Sir, I’ll satisfy your wish, I’ll go back home."

Quentin was a little happy. "It’s great that you could figure it out so quickly! Don't worry, I'll have Linda go along with you this time, and I'll send a professional team to help you."

"Alright, thank you, sir!"

Rosalie nodded.

As the two were conversing, the two cute little kids, Lucian and Nox met each other’s gazes and saw the excitement in each other’s eyes.

Mommy finally wanted to go back home!

They had long wished to return!

That was because…Daddy was back home, and they had wanted to meet him for a long time!

Of course, they also wanted to teach him a lesson in passing.

He was the one who abandoned his wife and children!

…

Two days later.

Coast City, International Airport.

Rosalie brought her precious children along as they once again reentered the land that she had been away from for six years.

As soon as they came out of the passageway, Nox pressed his legs together and tugged at Rosalie's skirt. "Mommy, I really feel like peeing, so I need to go to the bathroom."

When Rosalie and Lucian saw this, they could not help laughing. "Okay, I'll take you there..."

She could not help caressing the little one's head as she said this.

The little one was shocked. "Mommy, don't pat me, I'm really going to pee my pants!"

Rosalie could hardly suppress her smile and hurriedly took him there.

After arriving in the bathroom, Lucian followed his younger brother in. Rosalie looked over the luggage where she stood while sending a message to her teacher to report that they had safely touched down.

A slightly familiar voice suddenly sounded in her ears at this moment.

"Trash! There are so many of you, yet you can't even look after a child. What's the use of having all of you?"

The speaker's tone contained anger, but there was also a unique coldness and deepness, which was very pleasant to the ears.

Rosalie could not help but freeze in the middle of tapping her phone.

Hearing this timbre six years later, she still felt a familiar tingling in her bones.

Rosalie could not help but look up, and she immediately noticed the man's tall figure.

He was standing not too far away. With a slender body, wrapped in a black suit, his long legs look slender and ascetic. He had a noble temperament, which was extremely conspicuous in the crowd.

Rosalie could see his side profile from her angle.

Its outline was a masterpiece carefully carved by God. It was without any flaws and so good looking that even the sun and moon paled.

Byron Lawrence!

Rosalie's heart suddenly recoiled!

She never would have thought that she would meet the man the first day upon returning to the country.

Her emotions that had been stowed away for years suddenly flickered, but they returned to silence soon after.

Her eyes were pale and cold.

She could finally keep her expression blank when facing this man!

The little ones finally came out then and they said to Rosalie cutely, "Mummy, we're done!"

Rosalie suddenly returned to her senses. Her heart almost stopped beating from the fright.

One thought appeared in her mind and that was: Hurry and leave. You cannot let Lucian and Nox bump into that man.

Both their faces were incredibly similar to his.

Their relation would be undeniably clear the moment they came face to face.

She did not want to have anything to do with that man at all!

Rosalie was so flustered that she quickly responded, "Done? Then, let's go quickly, let's not leave godmother waiting too long."

After saying this, she did not wait for the two little ones to respond before hurriedly dragging their luggage and leaving.

On this side, Byron was halfway through a phone call when he suddenly heard a familiar voice. He could not help but look over.

He only had time to catch a glimpse a beautiful figure reminiscent of one from the past out of the corner of his eye.

Rosalie Jacobs!

Was that her?

Had she returned???

Byron immediately ran after her with long legs, but the figure had already merged into the crowd and disappeared.

His eyes darkened and the anger on his face became increasingly obvious.

That woman, she had left so resolutely back then and cruelly abandoned her child… How could she possibly come back?

Chapter 3 A Non-Speaking Little Cutie

Rosalie only felt worried on their way out of the airport and had turned back from time to time to make sure if the man had followed them.

Fortunately, they did not see the figure again by the time they walked out of the gates of the airport.

Rosalie was relieved.

The two little ones she was leading found it strange that their mommy turned back almost every three steps along the way.

However, noting her nervous appearance, they knew this was not a good time to ask her questions. They just followed her as they walked out.

"Rosalie! Lucian, Nox!"

A female voice sounded from a distance.

The three of them looked up and saw a woman across the road who was dressed smartly. She was waving as she smiled and walked quickly toward them.

Looking at the individual, Rosalie slowly relaxed and a smile appeared on her face. "Mary, long time no see!"

Mary Wilson was her best friend when she was in college. She was now also a doctor and worked in her own hospital.

Mary quickly walked up to the three of them and hugged her. Her tone was full of intimacy. "You guys are finally here! I’ve been waiting so long. I missed you all so much!"

Rosalie answered softly with a smile, "Me too."

They had kept in touch over the years, but it was online most of the time and they rarely had the opportunity to meet.

Mary hugged her tightly, then crouched down again and pulled the two little ones into her arms one by one. "Babies, do you guys miss your godmother?"

Lucian and Nox laughed softly and cutely and replied in unison, "Of course! We even dream about meeting you each night! You’re still so beautiful!"

"Such sweet talkers!"

Flattered by two cute kids, Mary’s eyes formed crescent moons from her smiles.

Rosalie still felt a sense of crisis. She glanced at the gates of the airport and unassumingly urged. "Let’s not stay here. Let's go back before talking about anything."

Mary kissed the two little boys on the face before getting up contentedly. She helped Rosalie put away her luggage and then hurried away with the three.

At the same time, Byron's tall figure appeared at the gate of the airport.

"Put off all international matters."

The man coldly instructed Luther Klein, his assistant.

Luther nodded and replied, "Master, we have sent people to expand the search area for the little lady. She is small enough that she couldn’t have gone far. There is no need to worry too much."

The little lady of the family had always been the apple of her father’s eye. Those jobs abroad were nothing compared to searching for the little lady.

Byron's deep eyes were dark, and without a word, he strode toward the Maybach on the roadside.

Soon, the car sped away.

…

One hour later, Mary’s car appeared in a villa area called the "Emperor's Mansion" that was located in the urban district.

Rosalie had asked her to look for this place the day before yesterday.

The four of them got out of the car and carried their luggage into their new home.

"The environment is good. I like it."

Rosalie was delighted. She turned to her best friend and said, "I didn’t think you would be so efficient."

Mary raised her eyebrow noncommittally. "My house is just next door. The owner and his family moved to Hino. I just happen to chance upon the rented house. We can visit each other every day in the future if we have nothing to do."

Rosalie nodded with a smile.

By the time they were done unpacking, it was dinner time.

Mary drove the three of them out to dinner.

As the car was driving into the parking lot of the restaurant, a little girl suddenly ran out from the shadows.

Seeing that she was about to hit her, Mary quickly stepped on the brakes and looked at the shell-shocked little girl who had fallen to the ground outside.

After her momentary fear, Rosalie turned around and looked at the two little boys in the back seat. Seeing that they were all right, she immediately opened the door and got out.

A step away from the front of the car, a little girl who was about four or five years old sat on the ground with a stunned expression. She had obviously been scared stupid.

Rosalie softened slightly and crouched down carefully beside the little girl, asking softly, "Are you hurt, little one?"

The little girl had fair skin, her eyes were bright, and she had an upturned nose. She looked very delicate and was dressed in a pink princess dress with her hair in two pigtails. She seemed to be hugging a doll which at first sight, one could tell was precious. No one knew which family the little princess escaped from.

Hearing Rosalie's voice, the little girl slowly regained her senses. She shook her head timidly with some vigilance in her eyes.

Seeing her appearance, Rosalie became even softer. After looking around carefully, she noted that she did not seem hurt and heaved a long sigh of relief. She reached her hand out help her up.

The little girl seemed scared and pulled away. Her eyes were filled with nervousness.

Rosalie paused, her outstretched hand hanging mid-air. She smiled reassuringly at the little girl. "Don't be afraid, I just want to help you up."

Saying that, she looked up and around, asking bewilderedly, "Where are your parents? Why are you alone?"

The little girl held the doll tightly in her arms and did not speak. She just shook her head at her.

Rosalie could not help frowning. She did not know how to communicate with her for a moment.

Mary and two little ones got off the vehicle.

Noting that the little girl had not uttered a single word after a long time, Lucian and Nox looked at each other strangely with confusion in their eyes.

The little girl was so cute, but, if she had not said anything even after a long time, could it be that she was mute?

Chapter 4 Best If You Died Out There

A guess flashed through Rosalie's mind. This little girl, she could not be hard of speaking, could she?

Thinking of this possibility, she felt pity for the little girl and whispered, "Give me your hand, will you?"

Then, she offered her hand forward.

The little girl looked at her timidly, but her expression softened when she heard her voice.

Rosalie was not in a hurry. She waited patiently for her as she slowly accepted her.

The little girl hesitated for a long time before trying to reach out to Rosalie.

Seeing this, Rosalie immediately grasped her hand gently. She smiled and helped the little girl up before checking her again.

The distance between them narrowed because of this action.

The little girl's body was soft and smelled of milk.

Rosalie's heart was soft, but she could not help thinking of her child who had died young.

If she had grown up well, she would be about this big now!

Thinking of this, Rosalie could not help the traces of heartache and regret in her eyes.

The little girl seemed to have sensed her emotions and obediently kept still. However, her big eyes had been staring at her face all this while.

Although she knew she should not approach strangers, this lady was really beautiful…

Not to mention, there was something about her that made her want to be close to her.

When Mary saw this, she could not help but exclaim, "This little girl is so delicate. She doesn't look half as bad as our two big babies!"

After checking her and hearing that, Rosalie nodded. "I think she got separated from her family. Let's take her to the police station to see if we can contact her family."

When she said this, the little girl beside her suddenly tugged her.

Rosalie looked down with bewilderment.

Only to see the little girl shaking her head. Her watery eyes were slightly red as if she was anxious and was about to cry the next second.

The little girl was obviously really against the proposal.

Looking at the little girl's pitiful appearance, Rosalie felt her heart about to break.

There was no other way, however. The little girl was so young. If she did not send her to the police station in time, she was afraid she would be forced to bear the crime of abduction.

Rosalie felt herself having a headache.

"It's alright even if we don't go to the police station."

She squatted down to negotiate with the little girl. "Do you know your parents' mobile phone number? I can have them pick you up."

Hearing this, the little girl stopped shaking her head, but her pretty eyes dimmed.

Rosalie did not get a response from her after a while. Thinking that she did not know it, she was about to send her to the police station when the little girl moved again.

Rosalie watched her as she took out a pen and a small post-it note from her pocket. She wrote down a string of numbers, followed by "daddy" behind it, and handed her the note.

Rosalie accepted it and keyed in the little girl's father's number according to the figures on it.

"So, she really can't talk."

Lucian and Nox murmured.

Rosalie paused. She glanced at her two sons and warned, "Don't say that about the little girl."

The two little boys immediately stood upright and smiled at the little girl guiltily.

The little girl looked at them and subconsciously leaned into Rosalie's side, her little hand was even gripping the corner of Rosalie's skirt.

Rosalie did not pay attention to this. She confirmed the number and then clicked the dial button...

Lawrence Manor.

Byron walked through the gates of the villa with a serious expression, "Is Estie back?"

The housekeeper greeted him with worry on his face, and said, "No, I haven't seen the little lady."

The moment he said that, he felt a low pressure emanating from his master's body.

Byron's lips pursed into a cold frown and his brows were tightly furrowed.

They had looked everywhere that made sense.

Where else could that little girl have gone?

Could something have really happened?

The moment he thought of this possibility, a vicious aura gathered between his brows, he looked as if he were about to destroy everything in the world.

At that moment, a woman wearing gorgeous makeup rushed in from the outside. In a very anxious tone, she asked, "Byron, I heard Estie has gone missing? Is it true? Have you found her?"

The arrived was Wendy Fuller!

The person who Byron had wanted to marry!

Seeing her at that moment, however, Byron's non-anger radiated power. "I haven't found her! You came at the right time. I wanted to ask about what you said to Estie this afternoon? Why did she run away from home when everything had been fine?"

Wendy was stunned by his question. She then looked at him in astonishment, "Byron, what do you mean by this? Do you suspect that I did something to Estie?"

She looked a little hurt. "I didn't do anything! Others might not be aware but are you still unaware? I've treated Estie as if she were my own these past few years. Even if Estie is indifferent to me, I will treat her well as always. I'm not willing to even say harsh words to her, how could I have made her run away from home?"

She looked a little wronged when she said this. Her eyes were red, and she looked very innocent.

No one could tell however that deep down, she hated that little nonverbal, she wished that she would never return!

She had indeed imparted some unkind words to her that afternoon. She even told her that once she and Byron married, she would give birth to even cuter little brothers and sisters.

When the time comes, Byron would not like her anymore.

And since that little wilding could not speak, she was not worried that she would complain to Byron.

She just did not expect her to actually run away from home!

Which was great!

It would be best if she died outside, out of sight, out of mind.

Chapter 5 So You’ve Actually Returned

Byron looked at her coldly for a few seconds.

Wendy pinched the palm of her hand placidly, afraid that she might give herself away.

“You better be telling the truth.”

Byron looked away after a moment to look toward Luther who was waiting at the side. “Have we heard anything from the police?”

Luther’s tone was heavy, “Not yet for now.”

Saying that, he carefully glanced at Byron and added worryingly, “Could the little lady have been kidnapped?”

The little lady was his master’s sweetheart, she held a valued position within the Lawrence household, and everyone watched over her through the years.

She had almost been kidnapped before in the past.

Now nobody could find her and even the police had no news which compelled Luther to wonder if she had been kidnapped.

Hearing this, Byron's gaze darkened suddenly, and he said in a fierce voice, "Send out more people and expand the area. We must find her today!"

"Yes!"

The master’s anger was practically solidifying. There was a chill in Luther’s heart before he answered.

Just as he was about to turn around and head out, Byron's mobile phone rang.

He did not have the mood to answer the phone at present and fished out his phone impatiently. Just as he was about to hang up the call, he noticed it was a stranger’s number.

Recalling what Luther had just said, Byron’s veins jumped and his complexion chilled as he answered the call.

The moment the call connected, a woman’s light and soft voice sounded from the other side, “Hello.”

Hearing this voice, Byron’s eyes narrowed slightly, and a trace of suspicion flashed across his eyes.

This voice…was practically the same as that woman’s!

It had flashed through his mind when he saw that silhouette in the airport that afternoon…

“Hello? Is someone there?”

Having not heard a response after a while, Rosalie asked again, puzzled.

Byron slowly collected his thoughts and simply answered, “Yes.”

That one syllable was obviously not enough for Rosalie to recognize anything.

Hearing a response from someone at the other end, Rosalie was relieved. "Hello, so it's like this, I found a little girl here and she gave me this phone number. I suppose you are her father? Do you have time to come down now and pick her up?"

The woman’s voice sounded clearly in Byron’s ear, echoing.

The more she spoke, the colder his eyes became.

A layer of frost had formed over the man’s eyes after she finished speaking.

So it was actually her!

Although many years had passed, he would never mistake this voice!

Rosalie Jacobs!

So she had actually returned!

Byron gritted his molars. Lowering his voice, he asked, "Where are you?"

Rosalie subconsciously answered, "We are at Drunken Divine’s Dwelling. We are waiting here with the little girl. Will you be coming directly to the restaurant to pick her up?"

"Alright, I'll be right there."

After he said that, Byron hung up the call immediately and said to Luther, "Prepare the car, we are going to Drunken Divine’s Dwelling."

Not knowing where his master’s anger stemmed from, he quickly agreed.

Looking at the darkened screen of her mobile phone, Rosaline felt her heart constrict inexplicably.

The voice of that man just now, it sounded a little hoarse.

And there was an inexplicable familiarity…

However, Rosalie just could not put her finger on it so she let it go.

“Are you guys hungry?”

After standing outside for a long time, Mary was frustrated. "I'm going to starve to death. Let's go get dinner first. We can send the little girl out when they arrive."

Rosalie smiled at her, "Alright, let's go in first."

With that, she crouched down again and looked into the little girl's eyes, while asking for her thoughts, "Are you hungry? Why don’t I bring you in for something to eat? Your father should already be on his way. I’ll send you out again when your father arrives, is that alright?"

The little girl met her gaze for a few seconds, her big eyes shone and there was some hesitation.

“If you don’t want to, I’ll just wait here with you,” Rosalie pacified patiently.

Hearing this, Lucian and Nox who were at the side simultaneously said, “We’ll wait here with Mommy!”

Mary cradled her forehead. “Am I the only one who is hungry? Little girl, we really aren’t bad people. Would bad people take you to such a good restaurant? Aren’t you hungry, too? There’s no need to be brave, why don't you come in with her?”

For a moment, everyone's gazes fell on the little girl.

Lucian and Nox were also hungry. They looked at the little girl expectantly.

The little girl bit her lip and took two steps toward Rosalie. She reached out and gripped her sleeve and nodded toward her.

“There’s no need to force yourself.”

Rosalie understood what she was thinking, and her heart softened.

The little girl shook her head again.

Seeing this, Rosalie caressed her head with a smile. She held the little girl's hand on her sleeve and got up to lead her to the restaurant.

Mary held onto Lucian and Nox’s hands. Looking at the little girl as she trotted along with her best friend, she could not help joking, "This little girl suddenly became so intimate with you considering she was just against us."

Saying that, she then lamented, “Good-looking people truly have it easy in this world.”

Teased by her best friend, Rosalie laughed as she held onto the little girl’s small, soft hand tight but gave no reply.

Chapter 6 You're....Byron's Daughter

The Drunken Divine's Dwelling was the largest private restaurant in Coast City. Their service was excellent, and their dishes were full of color and flavor. It was only open to exclusive customers and reservations needed to be made a month in advance.

Mary had managed to pull a few strings to get their number yesterday.

The layout of the restaurant was also very elegant. Each seat was separated by a screen and a small wooden door had been constructed in the front. The top was not sealed so that when dinner was underway, the chandelier at the top would create a full atmosphere. The imagery was quite like when people of the olden days partook in drinking under the moon.

They pushed opened the door and entered before taking a seat at once at the round table.

The waiter soon arrived with the menu.

Rosalie was afraid that the little girl beside her would not be able to relax and completely focused her attention on her. She would give her some food from time to time and wipe her mouth.

Sitting on the other side, Lucian and Nox watched the little girl eating with bulging cheeks and found her incredibly adorable. They graciously deshelled shrimps for her.

The little girl could not stop chewing as they fed her nonstop. She was absorbed in getting through the little hill that was piling higher and higher in front of her.

"Have you heard that the little princess of the Lawrence family has gone missing? The Lawrences have sent a large group of people to search through Coast City, but they haven't found her yet!"

A faint voice of discussion sounded from the seat next door just then.

Then another voice which was a little more cautious, "Is it possible that she has been kidnapped? The perpetrator sure is bold. The little princess of the Lawrence family is Byron Lawrence’s pearl, he had always adored her to death, yet they dared make a move on her. They’re really asking for it..."

Hearing Byron's name, Rosalie’s movement slowed down unconsciously, and she was distracted.

The discussion next door continued, "Don’t I know it. Although the little princess is nonverbal and hasn't spoken ever despite her age, you can't deny her luck, she was still born into such a good life!"

Nonverbal?

There was a touch of surprise in Rosalie’s eyes, and she stopped completely.

Byron’s pearl of a little princess was nonverbal.

The little girl she found had not said anything at all the entire time.

The way she was dressed, and her temperament was really fitting of that of the Lawrences’ status.

And, just now on the phone, the man's voice…

Thinking of this, Rosalie forcefully suppressed their shock and looked at the child sitting on her left.

The little girl seemed to have sensed something and she raised her gaze to look at her. Her big eyes were full of doubts.

Their gazes met and Rosalie felt like a bolt from the blue had hit her on the head.

"This little girl... Isn't she Byron Lawrence's daughter?"

Mary’s cutleries also paused midair, and she stared at the little girl for a few seconds. Her heart sank, hoping it was a fluke, she asked, "Could things really be that coincidental?"

As Rosalie's closest friend, Mary knew intimately what had transpired six years ago.

The little girl looked only five or six years old and was about the same age as Lucian and Nox.

If she was really Byron's daughter, it would only mean that after her best friend had divorced him, the man had turned around and sired a daughter with his dream woman!

Had he been that impatient?

Mary really felt the unfairness on behalf of her best friend.

Rosalie did not know what to think. However, after mulling over everything that happened after she found the little girl, the more she was convinced that she was Byron's daughter.

Her expression turned ugly for a moment. "I think, things have been just that coincidental."

Seeing that she was so sure, Mary's heart sank all the way to the bottom. She glanced at the confused little girl and asked Rosalie in a lowered voice, "What should we do now? Byron would be on his way."

Rosalie looked frightened.

After a moment, she fished out her mobile phone and pushed it into Mary’s hand. "Take my phone and say it's you. I'll take Lucian and Nox and wait for you in the parking lot first."

Mary nodded clearly.

Looked at the little girl beside her who has not responded to her, Rosalie still could not help but feel soft, "I’ll leave the little girl to you."

Saying that, she turned to look at her two little boys and said, "Let’s go."

Lucian and Nox did not ask any questions, they got up obediently and followed her.

When passing by the little girl, a small hand grabbed Rosalie's clothes.

Rosalie looked back at her with a complicated gaze.

The little girl tugged at the corners of her clothes stubbornly, her big eyes filled with confusion.

Seeing her pitiful appearance, Rosalie was not able to be so blatantly heartless.

Regardless of what happened between her and Byron, the child was innocent.

Finally, Rosalie reassured her, "I need to leave first to handle something. This lady will take care of you. Just wait here like a good girl, your father will be here in a minute."

Saying this, she pried the little girl’s hand off her somewhat cruelly and left the box seat. She dared not look back while doing so.

At the same time, Mary hurriedly had someone take away the three sets of dishes and cutleries.

Not long after the waiter removed the dishes and chopsticks, the wooden door was pushed open.

A group of well-dressed bodyguards in black were lined up in two rows, leaving a pathway in the middle.

Seeing this display, Mary unconsciously straightened herself and looked at the door calmly.

Only to see Byron and his cold visage striding in from the outside on long legs.

Chapter 7 Hate That She Sullied His Gaze

There were only two people in the booth.

Byron scanned the booth once before his gaze finally landed on his daughter.

The little girl was feeling wronged after Rosalie upped and left all of a sudden just now but seeing her own daddy now, not only was she fearful, she even sunk her head grumpily.

Byron’s gaze sunk slightly.

"Little lady, are you all right?"

Both father and daughter were sullen, and this was where Luther, the assistant came in handy.

The little girl glanced at him and turned away angrily, ignoring him.

Luther scrutinized her carefully. Noting that she was safe and sound, he was relieved and turned back to report to Byron.

Byron nodded and his eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the woman sitting next to his daughter.

When their gazes met, Mary’s heart constricted and pinched the palm of her hand, only then did she manage to keep her expression steady.

"Where is Rosalie?"

Byron glanced over Mary’s face. Seeing her clearly, his expression sank slightly.

He recognized Rosalie!

Mary was shocked on behalf of her best friend and was glad that she got away in time.

The man was so imposing that she found it a little tough to breathe.

If Rosalie had been here, who knows what would have happened!

"I don't know what you're talking about! Who are you people? Why didn't you knock before you enter?"

Mary collected her thoughts and put on her best acting skills to use. She hugged the girl into her arms and looked at the people in front of her with vigilance.

Byron frowned. "The one in your arms is my daughter. Were you the one who called me just now?"

Mary was stunned for a moment, steeling herself, she said, "That's me."

Byron stared at her expressionlessly and his eyes slowly swept through every detail in the compartment.

The voice of the woman in front of him was similar to the voice on the phone.

It did not fool him, however.

Moreover, the compartment’s camouflage had obviously been hastily put together.

There were indeed two sets of dishes and cutleries on the table but the third seat next to them was slightly askew.

A waiter of the Drunken Divine’s Dwelling would not make such a mistake, only someone else would have done it.

The table was filled with dishes that were not equivalent to the portion that would be taken by a woman and a child.

Byron’s eyes circled around the compartment and then landed on Mary again.

Mary's heart sank inexplicably at his gaze.

In the next second, the man asked his assistant for his mobile phone. His bony fingers swiped twice on the screen, and then he looked up at her.

On the table, the mobile phone that Rosalie had left her just now rang.

Mary was unprepared and she almost trembled at the sound. She lowered her head and pretended to look at the caller ID. After a few seconds, she raised her hand to hang up the call before meeting the man’s gaze as if nothing had happened. "Since you are the father of the child, take her away."

With that, she caressed the little girl's head and helped her to the ground before nudging her in Byron's direction.

Byron’s brow raised slightly, and he took two steps to the table.

Mary thought he was coming to pick up the little girl. Just as she was about to breathe a sigh of relief, she heard a suspicious voice from the man in her ear.

"Miss, you have quite the appetite. You ordered a tableful of dishes for yourself and a little girl."

Byron seemed to stop at the table casually and his tone was implying.

Mary, “...”

Breathing out halfway, her breath caught. Mary lifted her eyes and held back a smile. "Whether my appetite is big or not is of no concern to you. I ordered so many dishes because I have an appointment with friends. They just haven't arrived yet."

Byron’s brow raised slightly. “You were so ready to dig in before your friends even arrive?"

Saying this, the man scanned several of the dishes that have been touched one by one.

Mary almost suffocated.

After a long period of silence, she adjusted her expression and gave him an alienating smile, "The friends I’ve invited are people who I have a very good relationship with. They are used to this kind of little thing."

With that, before Byron could ask further questions, Mary took a deep breath. "Sir, I found your daughter and kindly called you. I sheltered your daughter and brought her to have a meal. I’m fine if you do not thank me but you’re treating me like a criminal. Just what did I do to offend you?"

Her tone was filled with dissatisfaction from being offended but internally, she was crying from the tension.

Could he stop asking questions?

She was about the blurt the truth if he continued…

Just who could stand such imposition!

Parking Lot.

Rosalie held onto her boys with each hand. She glanced at the time occasionally, her heart filled with unease.

She could not understand Byron’s character any more than she did. If there were any telltale signs, it was enough for the man to spot an abnormality.

She did not know how long Mary could last.

If she were to be exposed…

If she were to be exposed, what would happen?

After contemplating a long time, she still could come up with an answer.

After a while, she smiled mockingly.

What the hell was she afraid of?

After the way she treated Byron that year, it was likely that the man would never want to see her again in this lifetime.

Even if they did meet, he might just pretend he did not know her and or hate her for sullying his vision.

On the other hand, she had already scared herself like this even when they have not met…

Chapter 8 Haven’t Given Up on Her Yet

“Mommy, who is that person Byron Lawrence? Why are we hiding from him?”

When Lucian and Nox saw their Mommy in a trance, they shook her hand and asked.

Rosalie slowly came back to her senses. She caressed their heads and smiled as if nothing had happened. "He’s no one important, he just has a little bit of a grudge with mommy since last time. If you two hear this name in the future, you must stay away, understand?"

The two nodded obediently. “We got it, Mommy.”

After their mommy looked away, the two met gazes and their big eyes were full of curiosity.

Whatever happened between their mommy and daddy back then, it looked like it was not some small misunderstanding!

Rosalie bowed her head slightly; she was still wondering about the situation at Mary’s side when the two little boys’ voices sounded again.

“Mommy, with how hurriedly we ran away just now, if that person suspects us, it will be easy for them to find us by checking the surveillance cameras,” Lucian informed kindly.

Panic flashed through Rosalie’s eyes. "Oh no, I forgot about this. What should we do?"

She had just run away, forgetting that the restaurant was monitored. Maybe Byron was already hurrying over with his people now…

Thinking about this possibility, Rosalie felt a greater urge to rush home immediately with the boys.

Seeing their mommy’s flustered appearance, the two little boys turned away with a smile. After suppressing their smiles, they turned back to comfort her.

“Don’t panic, Mommy. I’ll handle this.”

Saying this, Nox grabbed the computer he left in the car and his little hand began flying across the keyboard.

Not long after, he hacked into the restaurant’s surveillance system and wiped all relevant footage without a trace.

“It’s settled!”

After wiping the surveillance, Nox looked up, his eyes shining as he looked toward his mommy. His expression yearning for praise.

Rosalie let out a long sigh of relief. She hugged the two little ones into her arms. “Luckily I have you guys to settle this big problem.”

The little ones knew that she was still panicky and obediently let her hug them for a while.

When their mommy finally let them go, Lucian said, “Mommy, should we leave now? Or do we still wait for godmother to come out?”

Rosalie had calmed down. Looking at the empty entrance to the parking lot, she said, “Let’s wait a bit more.”

The two nodded obediently.

Meanwhile, in the dining booth.

Noting that he would not be able to get any other answers from her despite pressing her further, Byron could only suppress his anger. He replied indifferently, "I had been presumptuous... Thank you for helping me find my daughter. Since there’s nothing else, we'll take our leave first. I won't disturb your dinner with your friends."

With that, he turned to look at the little girl at the table. "Estelle, come here."

The little girl pouted reluctantly. She turned back and bowed politely to Mary before striding past her father.

Byron’s brows raised slightly but he did not say anything as he followed the little girl with the others.

On their way out of the restaurant, Byron reached out, wanting to carry the girl into the car but the little girl avoided him angrily.

Seeing this, Luther hurried forward and pick the little lady up into the car.

The car slowly started.

Byron was seated at the back. Reaching his long arm out, he carried his daughter over onto his lap.

The little girl could not hide away anymore and could only let herself be hugged by him like a doll. She lowered her head out of spite and did not look at him.

“Tell me, was there another lady with you two apart from the one from just now?”

Byron asked warmly.

The little girl looked at him and thought of the beautiful lady who had left because of him and was even angrier.

Seeing that she was pouting so hard that one could soon hang an oil can from her lower lip, Byron smiled and pinched her small face. "You ran away from home and daddy didn’t settle accounts with you about that, on the contrary, you’re mad at me? Did you know how worried daddy was? Tell daddy, why did you run away from home?"

The little girl dodged his big hand and looked away, ignoring him.

From the looks of things, she was rather furious.

Byron parted his lips helplessly, wondering if there was nothing he could do for his daughter. "It's alright if you don't want to say it. Daddy won't force you but promise daddy that you won't run away from home next time!"

With that, he looked up at Luther who was sitting in front of him, and said in a low voice, "Go and check the restaurant’s surveillance."

It looked like he still had not given up on her!

Luther was helpless and could only heed his orders. “As you wish, master!”

Chapter 9 The First Time She Dared Resist Her

Twenty minutes later.

The car came to a slow halt afront the Lawrence Manor.

Estie did not let anyone carry her down. She propped against the seat, got out of the car slowly, and walked ahead without saying a word.

Byron followed her silently.

The moment father and daughter entered through the doors; they heard a call…

“Estie!”

Wendy was in the living area swiping on her mobile phone leisurely. She had looked up for a glance when she heard someone come in.

Seeing that it was Estie, she immediately ran over pretentiously and hugged the little girl enthusiastically. "You're finally back! Why did you run away without saying anything? I was scared! Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

She even looked over the little girl's body nervously as she said this.

Caught off guard by her hug, Estie was stunned for a moment.

Wendy's hypocritical voice sounded in her ear and the little girl gradually recovered the coldness in her eyes.

Did this woman really not know, why she ran away from home?

If she had not told her that morning that daddy would dislike her in the future, even scaring her, she would not have secretly run away.

Thinking of the disingenuous face of the person in front of her, she then recalled the beautiful lady she had met today…

Comparing the two, that lady had been more concerned about her.

However, Wendy who was in front of her was pretending and the little girl immediately felt disgusted.

She could not help but began struggling.

“What’s wrong, Estie? Don’t move, let me see if you’re hurt.”

Wendy sensed that the little girl was resisting her and quietly exerted more strength whilst letting her voice sound helpless.

Estie felt the pain from being pinched by her and struggled harder and harder. Her resistance was becoming more and more obvious.

An undetectable impatience flashed across Wendy’s gaze.

When she used to lecture this little nonverbal privately in the past, she would shrink back entirely and say nothing.

This was the first time she dared resist her!

If Bryon was not present, Wendy would not have allowed her impudence!

Afraid of Byron noticing, a light flashed through Wendy’s eyes, and she released the force in her hand before falling to the ground.

She looked at Estie flabbergasted and said, “Estie…I know, you’ve never really liked me, but I was really worried about you, how could you…”

Saying that, her voice choked up a little and her eyes went red.

Byron took off his coat and looked back at the scene. His brows furrowed and he pulled the little girl to his side. "Estie, daddy knows you're unhappy and it’s alright for you to vent on daddy, but you can't do this to other people because it's very impolite, you know?"

Hearing this, Estie was stubborn and felt wronged.

Daddy always spoke for this bad woman!

She was so angry that she shook off his big hand. She grabbed the doll in her arms tightly and ran upstairs.

Seeing that the little nonverbal had left, Wendy got up from the ground slowly and said softly, "We have just found Estie, she must have been scared outside. Don't blame her..."

Byron interrupted her carelessly, "Why don’t you head home, Estie is still angry. I don't think she wants to see you."

The expression on Wendy’s face went stiff but she smiled sheepishly after a while. "Alright, I'll come over another day to see her."

With that, she lowered her head and left quickly.

Exiting the Lawrence Manor, Wendy’s expression abruptly changed.

The little b*tch had actually been found and brought back! And she dared give her an attitude!

Why did she not just die out there!

What a pity!

…

At Drunken Divine’s Dwelling.

After Byron had left, Mary deliberately stayed for a bit.

She only left after some time.

She fast walked to the car.

“Are you alright?”

Seeing her arrive, Rosalie immediately opened the door for her. “They left?”

Mary got into the car and let out a sigh of relief. “They left. You didn’t see the kind of look he gave me, it’s like he could see through me… I almost buckled at the pressure and sold you out.”

Rosalie laughed gratuitously. “Sorry to trouble you. Let’s go somewhere else to eat. My treat.”

Mary waved her hand. “No need, I packed the remaining to go. Since we got to dine in a restaurant like this with reservations that are so hard to get, we ought to savor it properly.”

Chapter 10 He Might Have Recognized You

The four of them returned to the villa immediately.

Rosalie and the two little ones were still hungry and plowed through the food that Mary had taken away.

After eating, the two boys went upstairs and showered.

Mary looked at her best friend meaningfully. "I don't quite understand why you’re hiding from Byron. Didn't you two agree to divorce that time? Why are you so afraid of him now? Besides, what was the reason for your divorce? You didn't actually tell me what happened a few years ago."

Meeting her gaze, Rosalie subconsciously lowered hers. She hesitated for a while before reluctantly describing the situation back then to her.

“Rosalie, you sure are ballsy!”

Mary did not actually expect her best friend to drug Byron and then get pregnant with his child secretly.

No wonder she wanted to run after hearing Byron’s name today!

Rosalie bit her lower lip bitterly. "I don't want him to know about Lucian and Nox. Moreover, when I gave him the drug, I was afraid that he still had a grudge, and considering who he was, it would be so easy for him to exact revenge on me. If I were alone, I wouldn’t be afraid of him, but I have two children with me now."

With that, she laughed at herself. "Maybe I thought too much. Maybe he doesn’t care about this at all. I'm not an important person after all."

“That’s not a certainty!”

Mary frowned. “I think, he might have recognized your voice. When he came in just now, he asked where you were. The way he looked was as if he was looking for you to settle things!”

Hearing this, Rosalie was stunned before she felt a prickle in her heart.

Sure enough, to him, she had only left animosity that night…

Mary saw her best friend’s downcast gaze and bitter expression and comforted her stiltedly, “You don’t have to worry too much. Coast City is huge, and you guys don’t have any connections in your work, so you definitely won’t bump into each other.”

Rosalie bowed her head slightly and she held onto that same luck in her heart.

“Mommy!”

Lucian and Nox’s voices sounded in her ear all of a sudden.

Rosalie and Mary immediately stopped their discussion and looked up toward the staircase.

The little ones had already showered, their hair was still wet, and their fair skin glowed with water vapor. They were each wearing cow pajamas and were coming down the stairs.

They came in front of them. Raising their heads, they looked at them. "What are you talking about?"

Mary looked at how cute they were and had no other thoughts in her head. She immediately crouched down and hugged them both to her with each arm. “You two are so cute! Why don’t you come back with your godmother, eh? I like you both too much!”

Lucian and Nox could not utter a word with how she was rubbing their cheeks.

Rosalie watched with amusement.

She hurriedly rescued her two boys from her best friend’s claws. Then, she thought about something else.

“I almost forgot. Our return home had been too hasty this time and I’ll be very busy with the follow-up work. I can't bring Lucian and Nox with me and wanted to ask you if there is a suitable kindergarten nearby that they can attend? Also, I’ll have to look for a nanny. "

The two went silent when they heard what their mommy said.

Considering their intelligence, they would not need to go to kindergarten at all.

However, their mommy was indeed very busy and so they could only cooperate.

When Mary heard this, she pondered silently for a moment. "There is a good kindergarten place!"

Rosalie looked at her best friend and said, "Tell me about it."

"There is a kindergarten for the upper class near here and it’s pretty good. It’s famous in Coast City and their teaching is also very extensive, they can learn the languages of many countries. The teachers are well-known, and many rich families would kill trying to get their children in. So, there is no need to worry about the little ones being bullied in it."

Mary introduced.

Hearing this, Rosalie immediately replied, “That so? I’ll look it up online. If there’s no issue, I’ll send them there.”

Chapter 11 The Nonverbal Is Also Here

Lawrence Manor.

Late night.

Byron walked light-footed into Estie's room and tucked the quilt around her.

The little girl was sleeping soundly. After watching her deeply for a while, he then turned to leave.

The moment he came out, he saw Luther coming up to him to report, "Master, I went to that restaurant to look through their surveillance, but it was broken, and we found nothing."

Hearing this, Byron frowned. "That coincidental?"

The restaurant's surveillance was broken just as he was having suspicions?

Luther looked a little troubled and added hesitatingly, "Maybe it is a coincidence, after all, the lady... No, Miss Jacobs has been gone for so long. We haven't heard from her for years and it's unlikely that she will suddenly appear in the country."

Saying that, he looked at his master's expression, and it instantly sank.

Luther felt his heart tighten. He lowered his head and said nothing.

"I understand."

Uttered Byron mysteriously before he turned around and went into his room.

Morning the next day.

After Rosalie had her breakfast, she brought the little ones to the upper-class kindergarten that Mary had recommended.

She had always been rather efficient. After confirming her choice of kindergarten the night before, she worked out the relevant matters overnight.

Today, she brought the two over to go through the admission formalities.

As Mary had said, the threshold of this kindergarten in Coast City was very high. All the students in it were young masters and young ladies of the rich or noble.

The kindergarten was also strict when it came to screening the parents.

Rosalie had just arrived at the director’s office when she was asked to specify her occupation and net worth, as well as provide the relevant supporting documents.

Fortunately, Mary had warned her in advance, and Rosalie had been prepared.

Although she was not a chief executive or director, she had made a lot of money over the years with her top-notch medical skills, which was a lot more than the net assets required by the director.

After checking through all her documents, the director became a little more respectful. “Miss Jacobs, I’ll now go through the admission procedures for your children, please sign here.”

Rosalie cooperated and left her signature.

Soon, the principal called forth a gentle-looking preschool teacher and asked her to take two little boys to the classroom to get familiar with the environment and their classmates.

The two waved at Rosalie. They neither cried nor made a fuss as they followed the teacher away.

Watching their silhouettes disappear around the corner, Rosalie got up and bade the director farewell.

Unlike other parents, she was very reassured about her two little ones.

She had brought them to the research institute ever since they were young and had always grown up amongst people. They were not afraid of strangers at all and have a strong ability to adapt to the environment.

As for the kindergarten courses, there were no difficulties for the two young talents.

Rather than being bullied in kindergarten, Rosalie was more worried that they would bully other children.

After all, all the top talents in the institute had been victimized by them.

On the other side, the two little boys were being escorted by the teacher and they looked around curiously the entire journey.

And then they entered the classroom.

The moment they went in, the teacher kindly introduced them to everyone, "Children, these two are our new classmates. Would you like to welcome them?"

The children at the bottom looked at the two curiously.

The two little boys felt slightly comfortable and introduced themselves to the students in a dignified manner.

They were cute and cheerful. After their introduction, the children at the bottom applauded them one after another.

Nox looked around. Suddenly, his eyes fell on a certain point in the crowd. He seemed to have noticed something. He gently tugged at his brother's clothes and whispered, "Brother, look, isn't that our half-sister? She's also in this class!"

Chapter 12 Estie Has Been Bullied

Lucian followed his gaze and saw the little girl they had met the night before.

The little guy's good-looking brows twisted slightly.

Estie was watching them at this moment as she clapped along with the other children.

Noticing that they were looking at her, an imperceptible excitement flashed through her big, watery eyes.

She did not expect to meet the two brothers here.

While they had only met once, she had unconsciously taken a liking to the two, she was not sure why either.

However, Lucian and Nox had already looked away when she looked at them.

"Well, you two go and sit down first. There are two empty seats there. Would you like to sit together?"

The teacher pointed to the two empty seats beside Estie.

Lucian and Nox were stunned. They did not say a thing, they just nodded and went to sit down.

Looking that the two little brothers walking toward her, Estie’s eyes lit up as she watched them longingly.

They were obviously sitting beside her, yet they did not look like they recognized her. They did not even greet her.

Seeing this, Estie looked down quietly again and played with her fingers.

The two had actually been paying attention to Estie’s reaction.

Seeing how disappointed she was, they felt a bit sorry.

"Daddy didn't want us. He had a child with another, and even bullied Mommy. She is bad daddy's child. We can't talk to her, or we would let Mommy down!"

Lucian clenched his fist. He did not know whether he was persuading himself his younger brother.

Listening to his elder brother’s words, Nox nodded seriously. “You’re right, we cannot bother ourselves with her!”

That said, the two little ones sat prim and proper the entire class, their eyes never once straying toward Estie.

Having been left out by them, Estie did not dare sneak a look at them either.

During recess, no less of the little girls came over to play with two of them. They praised them for their good looks and gave them toys.

Nox was lively and cheerful, laughing as he fell into a heap with everyone.

Lucian was polite, steady, but also friendly.

To one side, Estie watched the two brothers as they smiled. Mustering up her courage again, she wanted to go over and greet them.

However, the other kids had formed a circle, pushing her from her seat.

One of the little girls had even shoved her and said with a sour expression, “Go away you little mute! What are you pushing around for! You don't even know how to talk; can you not try to join in on the fun?”

Blindsided, Estie lost her balance after getting shoved and staggered backward.

The people behind her dodged and no one reached out a hand to support her.

Amidst the chaos, Estie wanted to support herself on a table, but she failed and inevitably fell down. Her small, pale hand smacked into the corner of the table forcefully.

It really hurt…

Estie fell to the floor and her eyes turned red as her brows furrowed.

The students at the side just watched from the side. There were some little girls who snickered with their hands covering their mouths at her misfortune.

Estie would always be very alone usually. Not to mention, she could not talk so few people would befriend her.

However, she looked like a doll and while the little girls did not like her, no fewer boys liked to tease her. They all cared for her quite a bit and would treat her like a little princess.

Usually, the boys who were jumping up and down would become obedient in her presence, and the girls naturally disliked her.

Especially JoJo, who had pushed Estie just now. She practically took every opportunity to bully her.

Chapter 13 Are You Guys Siblings

Estie took a painful fall, she also felt really wronged and subconsciously rubbed her little hand, her eyes red.

She sniffled and got up from the ground. Then she grabbed a small notebook from the table and began writing stroke by stroke.

The kids saw this and found it weird.

The little nonverbal child could not speak and would usually write in the notebook to communicate with them.

However, since not many people played with her, the little notebook made sparse appearances.

Soon, Estie was done writing and she flipped the small notebook over to show JoJo what she had written. [Apologize.]

Seeing the word on it, JoJo scoffed. Hand on her waist, she asked, "You dare ask me to apologize? Estelle Lawrence, you're getting bold. You looking to get beat up!?"

Saying this, she walked toward Estie angrily with her arms out to push her.

Estie did not expect JoJo to make a move and had no time to react at all, frozen in place.

Lucian and Nox had been observing this scene.

JoJo pushing Estie day just now had been very sudden, and no one noticed until Estie had fallen. Only the two of them did.

Seeing that the little girl was going to do something, the two could not stand it anymore.

"That's enough, how can you bully people like this?"

Lucian was sullen as he shielded Estie behind him. He looked at JoJo with a heavy expression.

Seeing that he was suddenly shielding Estie, JoJo could not help being stunned.

With a stern expression, Lucian said, "Did your mother never teach you manners? You have to apologize when you do something wrong, you pushed her so you should have had to apologize to begin with!"

Although he was young, he possessed a kind of imposition akin to nature when he looked serious.

JoJo panicked and looked around, wanting the other children to say something for her.

After not seeing anyone stand up for her in a long while, she could only defend herself diffidently, "I, I…"

She stuttered over her words for a long time, somehow just unable to continue.

Seeing that her face was turning red, Nox walked over helplessly, "You, you’re not in trouble, but you can't hit others, it's bad behavior! Kids shouldn't fight! So, you should apologize to this little girl who can't speak!"

Compared to Lucian, Nox's tone was much gentler but there was also a sternness to it.

JoJo glanced at him, and her eyes slowly turned red. She looked like she was going to cry.

Seeing this, Nox blinked and dragged his voice, "Don't cry, you won't look pretty anymore when you cry. You also won't be pretty when you're bad. If you don't wish to be a bad child, just apologize to this little nonspeaking sister. You'll be a good child when she forgives you!"

Hearing this, JoJo took a deep breath through her nose and forced her tears back.

She definitely did not want to be an ugly girl!

Although, bad kids would also become ugly…

Struggling for a moment, JoJo turned her nose up to Estie and apologized. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you; can you forgive me?"

Estie looked at her for a while before nodding.

"That's how it is!"

Nox grinned. "We're all classmates, we should be friendly with one another!"

Noting that Estie had forgiven her, JoJo reluctantly nodded.

Everyone was talking to Nox, but Lucian had turned around to look at Estie. "How are you? Did you get hurt just now?"

Estie hid her injured hand behind her quietly and shook her head at Lucian.

Nox had at some moment made his way over. Noting that she was stubborn, he looked doubtful. "I clearly saw you hit something; how can you be fine? Let me see!"

With that, without giving Estie the time to respond, he grabbed that hand of Estie's.

Estie cowered a little, wanting to take her hand back.

However, her skin was fair and tender and there was a red patch on the back of her hand that looked rather obvious.

Seeing the red patch, Lucian confirmed with her again, "You sure it doesn't hurt?"

Estie nodded seriously, although her eyes were a little red.

Seeing this, Lucian and Nox frowned in unison.

It was so red, how could it possibly not hurt? It was a little swollen now and might bruise later!

"We'll take you to the teacher and let the doctor have a look at it."

Lucian decided without hesitation.

Estie still thought about retracting her hand, but Nox gripped it and pulled her along as they followed his brother to the teacher's office.

Seeing the wound on Estie's hand, the teacher asked what happened and then hurriedly brought them to the school doctor's office.

After that, they saw the two little boys who had been waiting for a long time and could not help but praise them. "Are these two little ones new? Why haven't I seen them before? They look so cute; they'll definitely bring disaster to the country and the people in the future. Also… this little girl, they look quite similar, could they be siblings?"

When Lucian and Nox heard this, they could not help but look at each other, before glancing at Estie beside them tacitly.

They were not surprised, given Estie had the same father as them.

They were siblings from the same father but different mother. They looked alike; it was nothing unusual.

People had typically pointed out that their features were not like their mommy's.

Estelle also glanced at the two and wondered, was it so?

The school doctor patched up Estie's wound and then the teacher brought them and left.

Reaching the classroom, Estie followed them step by step, like a little tail.

When they got their seats, the three of them sat down one by one.

Lucian and Nox had initially thought that this would be the end of their task, but they did not expect that in the time following, the little nonverbal would follow them wherever they went as long as they were having class activities.

It was a tail they could not shake off!

Not to mention, the little nonverbal would always sneak glances at them during class.

After a few more times, Lucian could not stand it any longer. Frowning, he met her gaze, “Why are you following us?”

His tone was not exactly bad, but it did not have much emotion to it. It was even somewhat cold.

Estie was shocked and dodged his gaze for a moment. After a few seconds, she looked over again.

Lucian frowned.

He really did like this little girl. She was good-looking and it made one want to adore her.

If he were to change his identity, he and Nox would protect her like she was a little princess.

However, this little nonverbal was daddy's daughter!

If they treat her well, they will have disappointed mommy!

He wanted to be ruthless and ignore her but this little nonverbal was looking at him all pitifully!

He wanted to distance himself from her a little but then he saw Estie starting to scribble in her notebook again.

[I wish you be friends with you guys.]

Estie lifted up the board a little while later. It covered the lower half of her face, only her big bright eyes were showing.

Chapter 14 Adore Her

Rosalie knew nothing of what had happened at the kindergarten.

She went to the research institute her teacher had set up in Somerland to report herself after leaving the kindergarten.

She saw a handsome and elegant man dressed in a pressed shirt and pants coming toward her the moment she entered the research institute.

"Rosalie, welcome back. I'm glad to be able to work with you again from now on."

Yves Graham stood in front of her and extended his hand toward her in a gentlemanly fashion.

Rosalie nodded slightly as she reached out to shake his hand before quickly pulling away.

Yves had also worked with Quentin's team back then to execute R&D matters abroad.

During that time, Yves had worked as her assistant. Since he graduated from a famous school, his ability had been commonly recognized by her and Quentin.

Rosalie's attitude was neither hot nor cold and Yves did not mind it either. He smiled and said, "I'll bring you to your office."

With that, he turned to lead the way while introducing her to the structure of the research institute as well as its key personnel along the way.

Yves smiled and looked at Rosalie when they reach the office. “I had someone decorate this space for you based on your preferences back then. Linda’s workstation is outside."

Rosalie looked around and nodded with satisfaction. "How thoughtful of you, I appreciate the trouble."

Yves was stunned for a moment. The smile on her face looked a little gentle and her voice was as warm as jade. "It's all right. No need to be so courteous with me."

He was unable to hide the fondness he felt for Rosalie in his gaze as he said this.

He felt no less adoration toward her even when he knew that she was the mother of two.

After all, Rosalie was a truly excellent woman in every aspect, so much so that it covered all her shortcomings.

Rosalie did not notice the way he looked at her.

After giving the office a once-over, she said to Yves, "I came here today to learn about the institute's particular operation. Could I trouble you to bring me around?"

Yves smiled as usual, "Sure."

Rosalie nodded calmly and motioned him to lead the way.

Yves turned around and walked in front, there was a slight bitterness in the smile on his face.

He liked Rosalie, but she only regarded him as an ordinary subordinate.

It really…gave him a headache.

The two left the office area and went straight to the core area of the research institute.

When they arrived at the experimental area, they saw the researchers who were dressed in experimental garb and masks busying themselves on their various test benches.

Rosalie did not bother them, but asked Yves to briefly introduce the various projects along with their progress.

When afternoon came, Rosalie had more or less a complete understanding of the situation in the research institute.

At the same time, she noted a crucial problem.

When they were touring the experiment are previously, there had been a basic work area, but it was not in operation.

Rosalie had questioned the experimenters and learned that they had run out of drugs and were still waiting for the research institute to distribute them.

This was the case for the following few.

Since the drug supply had not been timely, several research projects had to be put on hold for the time being, and the time cost of these projects had greatly increased.

Before they knew it, it would also lead to great losses for the research institute.

Exiting the test area, Rosalie frowned and looked at Yves seriously, "What is the issue with research being shelved due to the slow supply of drugs? Did you not try to solve it?

Chapter 15 Reunion

Hearing her question again, Yves Weatherby put away his smile and said sternly, "I'm already trying to solve this problem."

Rosalie Jacobs frowned and looked at him, waiting for the following sentence.

"Recently, I contacted a medicinal material supplier, and we have already discussed long-term cooperation. All that’s left is to sign the contract. The appointment to sign the contract has also been agreed upon which will be tomorrow afternoon.

“The reason why it has not been smooth before is that the research institute has been in the early construction stage. Many complicated and trivial matters need to be dealt with, plus the manpower was unstable. It was only during this period that all things finally went on the right track.

“In addition, the medicinal materials in Coast City are monopolized by the large medicinal materials merchants, which resulted in a shortage of supply. Moreover, we are newcomers to the industry, hence these merchants maliciously raise prices. As a result, we have spent a lot of time bargaining for lower prices until now," Yves explained the situation.

Yves' explanation sounded simplistic, but he is a scientific researcher, not a businessperson. During his work, he endured a lot from negotiating with those cunning people.

He didn't need to elaborate on these things, Rosalie could easily picture the situation.

As the person in charge of the research institute, it is natural to manage the affairs of the research institute, and it is common to encounter difficulties. She had her fair share of experiences when she was abroad.

After listening to Yves' explanation, Rosalie's expression softened, "It's been a tough time for you."

Yves' lips curled slightly, "It's not hard, that's my job."

"Which merchant is this latest medicine supplier from?"

Rosalie turned to business again, "If possible, I will go with you when signing the contract tomorrow, then I will take over the related matters of the institute in the future. For this, I should go and say hello to them."

Yves took what she said lightly, "Sure, I'll call you tomorrow."

Rosalie nodded.

The two went back to Rosalie's office. Seeing that the person behind her hadn't left, Rosalie was a little puzzled, "Is there anything else?"

Yves smiled gently, "Do you have some spare time today? It’s your first day reporting to work, I organized a dinner party to welcome you. At the same time let you and the people in the office get to know each other.”

Hearing this, Rosalie’s eyebrows relaxed, “Thank you, it will be my treat this evening. Everyone will work together in the future, and as the person in charge, I want to express my gratitude."

As she agreed to attend, Yves didn't fuss about the details, smiled, and nodded, "Okay, see you after work."

He turned to leave after he finished speaking.

Rosalie stopped him, "Send me the documents that I need to deal with later, I’ll just take a look first since I have some free time anyway."

“Sure, I'll go get it now."

Yves quickly got the file for her.

After it was delivered, he exited politely and closed the door for her.

She was the only one left in the office.

Rosalie took out her mobile phone and called Mary Wilson, "Mae, are you free this evening? Help me pick up Lucian and Nox. I have something to do, so I may have to go back later."

Mary didn't ask anything further, just replied promptly with ‘Alright’.

After making arrangements for the twins, Rosalie dug right into the documents. It wasn't until Yves knocked on the door that she pulled away from work. Work hours have ended.

"Time flies pretty fast..." Rosalie got up and grabbed her jacket to go out.

Yves smiled, "It's normal that you don't notice when you're deeply focused on work." The two chatted as they walked, leaving the research institute. Rosalie got into Yves' car and went to the restaurant.

After more than ten minutes, Yves motioned her to look ahead, "There it is."

Rosalie raised her eyes only to see a quaint building next to the river. From where they stood, the intricate carvings on the wall could be seen from a distance, adding to its natural charm.

This restaurant is called River View Lodge. Yves parked the car and the two walked toward the gate of the restaurant in tandem.

Just as they entered the door, a Rolls-Royce slowly came to a halt on the side of the road in the dark. Luther Klein got out of the car and opened the rear passenger door.

Byron Lawrence’s tall and slender figure appeared, his dark, inky eyes narrowed slightly, as he stared at the gate. Inside the car earlier, he saw a figure resembling Rosalie.