Ch. 1276..1280

Chapter 1276

Sylvia stepped in front of Odell and greeted the young lady with a polite smile, “Hi there, is your name Shermaine Cole by any chance?” 1

Shermaine eyed the two visitors with a curious and intimidating look. She was a very reserved person and was not used to meeting strangers. The fact that Odell looked like a supermodel seen on television made her more flustered than usual. Her cheeks glowed red as she turned to Sylvia. “Yeah, are you here for the old lady?”

“Yes, this is her grandson and I’m her granddaughter—in law.”

“She just woke up, come on in.”

Shermaine opened the door and welcomed them inside.

She led Sylvia and Odell into a cozy bedroom.

The silver-haired old lady was sitting on the edge of the bed with a dazed look on her face.

Sylvia was relieved to see her. She was just about to step forward when Madam Carter suddenly tugged at

Shermaine and asked, “Syl, what time is it? Is Odell

coming back?”

Sylvia froze.

Odell was similarly taken aback by this.

Shermaine hurriedly explained to her, “Ma’am, I’m not Sylvia. My name is Shermaine. Your family is here to pick you up.” She gestured at Sylvia and Odell as she said this.

The old lady looked at the direction Shermaine pointed at.

Sylvia greeted her with a warm smile and spoke to her tenderly, “Grandma, it’s me, Sylvia. I’m here to pick you up with Odell.” Madam Carter quickly smiled. “Sylvia? Odell? What brought the two of you here?”

She turned to Shermaine immediately after that with a perplexed look on her face and expressed, “Huh? Why is there another Sylvia here? Why are there two of you?”

Sylvia did not know what to say.

She darted a look at Shermaine.

Upon closer inspection, she realized that she and Shermaine shared similar features. 1 However, it would not exactly be accurate to say that they could pass as twins.

Madam Carter must have only gotten this impression because she was old and her eyes were slowly failing her. Sylvia walked up to her with a smile and held a hand out.”

Grandma, her name is Shermaine. She’s the one who took you in last night. I’m Sylvia.”

The old lady seemed to finally understand and muttered, ”

Oh".

Sylvia added, “Grandma, let’s go home. Liam, Isabel, and Flint are all waiting for you.”

Upon hearing the names of her three darling

grandchildren, she lit up with a smile and promptly stood up. “Okay, let’s go home. Home it is.” Sylvia held her hands and walked outside.

As she approached Odell, she gave him a look to signal for him to help her resolve things here.

Odell nodded with an understanding look.

With that, Sylvia led Madam Carter out of the apartment.

Odell went to the living room and turned to Shermaine. ” Miss Cole, I'd like to thank you for helping my grandmother.” He turned to look at Cliff who was with them.

Cliff immediately extracted a check signed for twenty million dollars and handed it to Shermaine.

Shermaine’s eyes widened into two giant balls as she was awestruck by this vast sum.

Odell added, “Miss Cole, this is a gesture of appreciation,

please take it. Feel free to let me know if you need anything else.”

Shermaine snapped back to her senses. Not only did she refuse to accept the check, she also stumbled several steps backward away from it as if it oozed lethal toxic fumes.

She waved her hands from side to side and expressed, No, that’s too much money, | can’t possibly take it! | just happened to see the old lady on the way home after work and was worried about her so | took her home with me. It’s no trouble at all for me so please, there’s no need for this at all!”

“|

Cliff was slightly startled by this. Who would turn down such a life-changing amount of money? He turned to look at Odell to seek advice on how to proceed.

Odell was just as surprised. Not only did the young girl’s appearance resemble Sylvia, but she even shared the same demeanor and personality as her.

Still, she certainly deserved something in return for her kind gesture in helping Madam Carter in her time of need.

Chapter 1277 After a brief silence, Odell asked, “Is the money too little for you?” Shermaine hastily explained , “No, I've never seen this much money in my entire life! It's just that | simply don't need the money.”

Odell frowned. Cliff was still hovering the check over her eyes.

Shermaine sighed and said, “If you want to show appreciation, why don’t you set me up with a job? I... I'm not satisfied with my current job, but | don't have the connections to find a better job.”

Cliff turned to Odell. “Master Carter?” “Make the proper arrangements,” Odell ordered and left without another word.

Cliff smiled and turned to Shermaine. “You're an artist, aren't you? The madam is part of the Westchester Art Academy and is a renowned painter. She has plenty of connections and I’m sure she can find a suitable position for you.”

Shermaine smiled. “Drawing is just a passion for me. My profession is in administration . |...I'd like to find a new administrative position with growth potential. | want to

stop working for a small company.” Cliff's eyes glowed up. “That will be easy.”

He extracted a business card from his pocket as he said this and handed it to her, “This is my business card. Why don't you give me your phone number as well? I'll check with the department at our company first thing tomorrow morning. I'm sure we'll be able to arrange something suitable for someone of your skillset.”

Shermaine took the business card and her eyes widened upon reading it. She expressed with awe, “You're the personal assistant of the CEO of Carter Corporation? That means that the gentleman earlier is...”

Cliff smiled and remarked, “He's the man behind Carter Corporation.” Shermaine was floored by this revelation.

Cliff briefly exchanged some information with her before bidding her farewell. After he left, Shermaine took the business card and walked to the balcony.

She could see several expensive cars parked in the parking lot of her apartment complex. Sylvia and Odell were accompanying the previous old lady into one of the cars. Shermaine smiled as she looked at their tiny figures

below. She rubbed his fingers over the word “president”. printed on the business card and muttered to herself, “ Aunt Ruth, he’s even more handsome than what you've described to me.” 4

Ablack car accelerated down the highway. Sylvia was seated in the backseat with Madam Carter. After getting in the car, Madam Carter chatted about the children for a while and fell asleep shortly after that.

Now that Madam Carter was safe and sound, Sylvia could finally heave a sigh of relief. She took her phone and sent a message to Sherry.

That was when she saw several unread messages. They were all from Ben.

“Ma‘am, Master Stockton barged into the confinement center and took away Miss Sherry‘s daughter. “It looks like Miss Sherry managed to slip away. They searched the entire confinement center and still couldn't find her.

“We just saw Miss Sherry outside the building. Master Stockton went after her but he came back sometime after with a very dark look on his face. It looks like he couldn't catch up to her. They took away her daughter after that and it seems like they're headed toward you and Master

Carter.”

The last unread message was sent only a few minutes ago.

Sylvia called him immediately.

The call was connected at the first ring. Sylvia bypassed any form of greetings and went straight to the point.” Ben, what's the current situation? You said John took Caprice from the confinement center?”

“Yes, ma‘am. He also took Aunt Wanda with him. | believe he’s coming to see you now.”

“Alright, | got it.”

Sylvia quickly hung up and dialed Sherry‘s number next.

The call would not connect. Her phone must have been switched off.

Sylvia grimaced and sent her a text message instead.“ Sherry, call me immediately after you see this message.”

Sherry‘s daughter was taken away and she was too powerless to do anything to rescue her daughter. She must be feeling horrible now. Sylvia took a deep breath and put her phone away.

Chapter 1278 Just as Ben predicted, John had come for Sylvia and Odell.

He was already parked outside their house and stepped out of his car with Caprice as soon as he saw Odell and Sylvia‘s car arriving at the entrance. Sylvia asked Aunt Tonya and Sebastian to help Madam Carter into the house. Then she stepped toward John and confronted him.

Caprice was sound asleep in his arms.

Sylvia immediately demanded, “Give me the baby.”

John smiled and said, “Mrs. Carter, don't you think there‘s something twisted about you demanding my child from me?” Sylvia looked at him icily. “She‘s Sherry‘s daughter.”

“Sherry‘s and mine.” John corrected her with a mocking smile.

Sylvia frowned and resisted the urge to cast a glare at him.

An idea suddenly came to her. She decidedly informed John, “I'm trying to get in touch with Sherry as well. I'll tell her to come here once she responds to my messages. It's hot out here, you should come inside with Caprice.”

The house was her domain. Once John was there, he would be at her mercy. That way, she could strip Caprice

away from his hands without any fear of resistance. After that, she would kick him out of the house and return Caprice to her mother.

John smirked and saw through her ploys. “No, | specifically took my daughter here to bid farewell to you two.” He turned to Odell. as he said this.

Odell approached Sylvia and cast a glance at Caprice. He did not utter a word.

Sylvia strained a smile and asked, “Why are you leaving in such a hurry? Caprice is only a month old and has never left her mother's side this entire time. You can't take care of her by yourself. She needs her mother to care for her as well.”

“Mrs. Carter, | understand your concerns. How about this? You can entrust Wanda to me. I've spoken to her on the way here and I'm more than willing to provide her the proper accommodation and pay,” John stated with a smile, “But she said that she‘d only leave with your blessings.” Sylvia grimaced. Aunt Wanda stood a distance behind John with a conflicted expression.

She was the one who had been taking care of Sherry during the entire course of her pregnancy.

Sylvia understood how conflicted Aunt Wanda must be feeling. On one hand, it would be a great relief to have her care for Caprice. Besides, she did not doubt that John would treat Aunt Wanda fairly.

On the other hand, she could not simply let John take away Caprice like this.

She hesitated in giving a response.

John pressed her. “Mrs. Carter, would you let Wanda come to Glanchester with me to take care of my daughter?”

Sylvia glared at him, then turned to Aunt Wanda. “Aunt Wanda, please keep in touch with me while you're in Glanchester.”

Aunt Wanda understood what Sylvia was trying to tell her and immediately reassured her. “I understand , ma‘am. I'll be sure to keep you updated on how Caprice is doing.”

Having closed the deal, John concluded with a smile.“ Thank you very much, Mrs. Carter.”

With that, he turned around with Caprice in his arms.

After only taking two steps, he suddenly came to a halt and remarked candidly, “By the way, if you ever see Sherry, please tell her that I'll give her another week to reconsider her position. If she comes back to Glanchester and returns to my side, I'll write off all the past debts she

owed me. If she doesn't come back, she can say goodbye to her daughter.”

There was a certain sharpness in his voice as he said this. After delivering these terms, he stepped into the car.

Aunt Wanda bid a hurried farewell to Sylvia and Odell before entering the car.

Shortly after that, the car swerved out of the house and was out of sight.

Sylvia frowned and spoke in a dejected voice, “How did he know that she was in the confinement center?” 1

Odell took her hand and comforted her, “What's done is done, let's go inside first.”

They've done their best to help Sherry. What happened next was entirely in the hands of Sherry and John.

Sylvia frowned sadly and walked inside with Odell.

Once inside, she took her phone and called Sherry.

Her number was still inaccessible.

Sylvia considered for a moment, then she sent a text message to Sherry detailing everything John had just told her.

She would have to make a decision herself once she read the message.

Chapter 1279

Several days later.

Glanchester, Stockton‘s villa.

After returning from Westchester, John had been cooped up at home with his daughter and never once left the house.

The child alternated between eating and sleeping. Every few hours she would wake up and cry for milk, even if it was in the middle of the night.

Even though he had employed Aunt Wanda, he took special care to hire additional certified matron nurses to take turns caring for Caprice. Most of the time, he would keep Caprice by his side so long as he was not busy.

This afternoon, he had to deal with an important situation at work. He stayed inside the study for two hours.

As soon as he emerged from the study, he was greeted by the sound of Caprice crying again. He knew that this meant she was hungry. He quickened his footsteps and arrived at the living room in no time. The baby was lying in a cot in the living room, surrounded by Madam Stockton , Aunt Wanda, Queenie,

and Julie. Aunt Wanda held a bottle of milk to her lips. She only continued crying and refused to drink from the bottle.

This only made Madam Stockton distressed and anxious as she asked in a worried voice, “Little baby, aren't you hungry? Why won't you drink your milk? Are you feeling unwell?”

John frowned and immediately walked toward the cot, and swiftly took her into his arms.

Caprice stopped crying in an instant. She was still pouting with tears pooled in her eyes but she had stopped bawling. She only stared blankly at John.

John smiled at her, then he took the bottle from Aunt Wanda‘s hand and let Caprice drink from it.

Caprice suckled on the bottle and drank away.

Madam Stockton heaved a sigh of relief and expressed, “| thought something was wrong with her, turns out she was just missing you.”

John smiled and looked down at his adorable daughter as he wore a look of uncharacteristic warmth.

The situation had been dealt with.

Madam Stockton approached John and looked at her

granddaughter.

Queenie approached as well and gazed at Caprice‘s chubby cheeks. She could not resist the urge to gently poke at her cheeks. John cast her a hostile glare.

Madam Stockton seemed upset as well. “Why are you poking her in the face?”

Queenie was just as bothered by their reaction and expressed, “I just wanted to touch her because she looked cute.” “You didn't have to poke her.”

“It was just a gentle poke.” Madam Stockton glared at her again.

Queenie wanted to say something but decided against it.

Caprice was completely oblivious to the conversation going on around her. It was important to note that her name had been changed from Caprice Fowler to Caprice Stockton.

Her jet black pupils spun around wildly as she looked at the adults. She was still stubbornly chewing on the bottle. Her adorable behavior melted the hearts of Madam Stockton and Queenie.

Madam Stockton exclaimed joyously, “Oh, | think the baby recognizes us now.”

Queenie smiled just as tenderly and spoke to Caprice,” Hey little Caprice, I'm your aunt, that's a-u—n-t.”

Madam Stockton gave her a sideways look. “She‘s just over a month old, it's too early for her to speak yet.”

Queenie made a look. “Okay.”

Aunt Wanda and the others were highly amused by this interaction and had a good laugh.

John wore a smile on his face amid all of it as well.

He thought that he would like Caprice’s first word to be daddy.

After a while, Caprice began to get tired and fell asleep.

John continued to coddle her in his arms for a while longer before putting her into the cot.

Chapter 1280 Coincidentally, the phone in his pocket rang as soon as he put down Caprice.

He pried the phone out of his pocket and a look of irritation immediately flashed across his eyebrows as soon as he saw who was calling. He picked up and asked without any form of formal greeting, “Is it not taken care of yet?”

It was Peter calling. He answered anxiously and cautiously , “Sir, I'm afraid you'll have to come over in person to deal with the situation.”

“Alright, tell them to get everything ready. I'll be there right away.” He hung up and turned to Caprice who was now soundly asleep. Madam Stockton read his mood and quickly put his concerns at ease. “John, go ahead. We'll take care of Caprice over here.”

“Yeah, Brother, | can help out too,” Queenie chimed in. John looked at them.

Julie spoke up as well, “There‘s nothing to worry about. Even if we don‘t have that much experience with childcare , there are so many of us here that you can be sure Caprice will never be left unattended. Besides, Aunt

Wanda knows what to do.”

John considered for a moment, then he turned to Aunt Wanda and informed her decisively, “Wanda, please pack everything you need immediately. You're going to the office with me and Caprice.”

Aunt Wanda was taken aback by the suddenness of this decision. She quickly collected herself and answered," Alright, I'm on it.”

John proceeded to carry Caprice into his arms.

Madam Stockton, Queenie, and Julie were collectively baffled by this decision.

Madam Stockton stammered, “John, you... Are you taking Caprice to work with you?”

“Well, that way | can work without worrying about her since she's by my side.”

Madam Stockton tried to persuade him. “But don't you have to work? You'll get distracted with her in the office with you.” John ignored her advice and headed outside with Caprice in his arms.

Aunt Wanda had just finished packing everything inside a backpack. She hurriedly followed John outside.

Madam Stockton followed them to the door and could only watch helplessly as John went inside the car and

drove off.

Queenie followed after her and muttered discreetly, “I think Brother is being overprotective. There are so many of us here, how could something bad ever happen to Caprice?”

“It's his only child. It's normal for him to be overprotective.”

Madam Stockton was similarly dumbstruck by John‘s behavior. Though she had to admit she was not fond of the child's mother, she was still enamored with the child at first sight. She wondered how spoiled the child would grow up to be if John would not let her leave his side even if he was working. “Let's go, forget about him.” Madam Stockton sighed and went inside the house.

Queenie followed her.

Julie was the last to follow. She stole one last glance at the car that was on the horizon. She clenched her fist, her eyes were filled with equal parts rage and jealousy.

That wretched woman must have been born under a lucky star. Not only did she manage to escape with her life, but she even got to give birth to a daughter!

It did not matter.

So long as she never returned, Julie still had a claim to being the lady of the household.

Sooner or later, she would find a way to get John to divert his focus to her! Stockton Corporation Headquarters.

By the time everything was settled , it was already past midnight.

Aunt Wanda had fallen asleep on the sofa.

Caprice was sleeping soundly as well.

John gently brushed her cheeks. He gazed quietly at her face for a long time as if deep in thought, then he turned to look at the view of the city at nighttime. It had been four days.

There was still no sign of her.

Was she truly not coming back to him?

Did Sylvia not relay the message to her at all? Three days later, Westchester.

The weather was not ideal. It had been trickling non-stop from the morning until evening.