Ch. 1331..1335
Chapter 1331
Chapter 1331 The call was hung up within seconds.
A dark look wiped across Odell's face. He clicked “call” again and this time, it was an automated electronic voice that answered him, “The number you called is unavailable.”
She must have blocked Cliff's number as well.
Was she completely done with him?
Clack.
He threw the phone on the table, picked up his jacket, and stepped out. Cliff grimaced feebly and retrieved his phone.
Outside the door, Shermaine was at her station attending to her tasks. When she saw Odell marching out with a sullen look on his face, she hurriedly got up and asked with concern, “Master Carter, the dinner you ordered is on the way. Where are you going?” Odell ignored her and went straight into the elevator. Shermaine frowned.
After a while, Cliff emerged from the office. She quickly turned to Cliff and asked, “Cliff, why did Master Carter leave so suddenly? Is he in a bad mood?”
“Family problems.” Cliff glanced at the time and turned to her. “I don't think there‘s much left to do for the day. Why don't you go home?”
With that, he walked toward the elevator. Shermaine hurriedly grabbed her bag and chased after him.
After slipping into the elevator with him, she asked in a hushed voice as if afraid somebody would overhear them, “Is it related to Mrs. Carter again?”
Cliff nodded and grunted, “Yeah.”
Something glimmered in Shermaine’s eyes as she tried to pry for more information . “What is it about? | thought she went out of town? Did she come back already?”
“No.” Cliff did not suspect that Shermaine had any ulterior motives and figured she was only asking out of curiosity. “I think it's because Mrs. Carter blocked his number on all platforms. He tried to use my phone to call her just now but she didn't pick up either and had my number blocked too.”
Shermaine's eyes widened as if she had been told a life altering tale. She expressed instinctively, “How could she behave like this?”
Cliff frowned and eyed her. Shermaine immediately realized that she had accidentally
LED
blurted out something profane. She quickly changed her tone and corrected herself. “I mean, if she has his number blocked, what happens if she gets into some kind of accident out there and Master Carter has no way of ever finding out what happened to her?” Cliff considered this and stated, “She went with her colleagues at the academy so | think she should be fine for the most part.” Shermaine pretended to be relieved upon hearing this.” Oh, that's good to know.” Deep down, she mocked and ridiculed Sylvia.
As if running from home was not bad enough, she even went and cut off contact with Master Carter. Why would she intentionally cut him out from her life?
She reflected that she would never do something so immature.
Still, she could use this situation to her advantage. Now that the woman was out of the picture, she had a chance to get closer to Master Carter without any intrusion. Perhaps something could happen between them while the missus was gone.
Meanwhile, at a hotel located at the foot of the mountain.
After Sylvia blocked Cliff's number, she dropped the phone on the bed.
She shared a room with another female teacher.
Noticing that Sylvia did not answer the call, she became curious and asked, “Miss Sylvia, why did you hang up the
call?”
Sylvia answered blankly as if stating a simple, indisputable fact, “Just a telemarketer.” LLLL AL
The teacher had nothing to add to this and merely acknowledged it with a soft nod. After that, she got up and said, “Take your time, I'm going to take a quick shower.”
“Okay.” The teacher went to the bathroom. Sylvia continued packing her luggage.
Cliff would not call her for no reason. It must be Odell using his phone to call her. What happened last night was still fresh in her mind as if it just happened moments ago. She could still hear Odell shouting at her, his cry echoed in the canals of her ears.
She was in no mood to talk to him right now.
Since he would be so defensive of his dear little secretary Shermaine, she saw no reason that she should be the one to make peace with him.
She would rather not talk to him at all instead of wasting time bickering with him.
Chapter 1332
Chapter 1332 Odell returned home shortly after leaving the office.
By this hour, the madam and the children must have already had dinner. It was only Aunt Tonya and Sebastian chatting in the living room.
Odell went upstairs.
LL
He could hear Flint and Isabel's piercing shrieks and laughter coming from the game room.
It did not seem like they were upset with their mother's sudden absence.
There could only be one reason that they would not become upset. Sylvia must have informed them about her departure. He shoved the door open.
Inside the room, Isabel and Flint, whose faces were covered with tiny slips of paper, suddenly fell silent. The two kids looked up at their father silently.
Liam, who was toying with a robot in his hand nearby, turned to him as well.
Odell asked abruptly, “Did Mommy call you kids?”
They stared at him without answering, their eyes like shining jewels.
It seemed like they were caught off guard by his question and could not form an answer for several seconds. It was Flint who turned the question around on him,” Daddy, did Mommy call you?*|
Odell‘s face darkened. He put his hand out and ordered,” Give me your phones.”
Flint quietly removed the toy watch on his wrist and handed it to Odell obediently.
Odell gave him a short, quiet look, then he turned to Liam and Isabel. “Liam, Isabel, give me your phones.” Liam only remarked disinterestedly, “My phone’‘s battery is dead.”
Isabel said the same thing, “Mine‘s dead too.”
Odell grimaced. His voice took on a sharper tone. “If you two don't give me your phones, don't even think about stepping inside this room for playtime from here on.”
Liam frowned. He lowered his head and turned his attention back to the toy robot! Such an idle threat was not going to work on him.
Odell turned to Isabel. Isabel frowned, and she seemed very conflicted and reluctant. She hesitantly retrieved her phone from her pocket.
Odell nearly snatched the phone away from her palms. He opened the messaging app and immediately found a chat group with four members. It was Sylvia and the three children.
The admin of the group was none other than Isabel.
Asharp scowl flashed across his face. He palmed the phone in his hands and stormed outside. After he left, Isabel folded her arms around her chest and became very disgruntled.
2
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She asked Liam, “Liam, do you think he’s going to use my phone to call Mommy?” Liam made a look and remarked, “Seems like it.”
Isabel was very upset. “He suddenly realizes his mistake after Mommy leaves. It's a little bit too late don't you think?” Flint nodded. “Yeah, yeah.” Meanwhile , Odell went to the patio and began to scroll
through the conversation inside the group.
He felt a sense of relief when he read Sylvia informing. them that she had safely landed.
i]
UL
It took him some time to go through the entire chat history. After he was done, he went to the contacts and found Sylvia‘s number.
His finger hovered on top of the display for a moment, then he decided against calling.
She must still be very angry and would only hang up on him the moment she answered the call and heard his voice. It was better to not call her just yet.
Two days passed.
Meadow Hills.
The sun had barely kissed the edge of the horizon but Sylvia and the other teachers were already awake. They took their drawing boards and went to the second floor of the hotel where there was a spacious hall. The hall was surrounded by floor—to— ceiling windows that offered a clear view outside.
The entire landscape was captured from this fantastic vantage point. When the first rays of sunlight spilled across the nearby highway and the trees lined along it, they took it as their signal to pick up their pens and begin picturing this .
wonderful scenery. After she was finished with her painting, Sylvia went back to her room to catch up on some rest.
Around the afternoon, she went out and spent the day with her colleagues again. It was almost nine o‘clock by the time she returned to the hotel.
Next Chapter
Chapter 1333
Upon returning to the room, Sylvia figured that the children were probably still awake. She sent pictures of the painting she drew today as well as some of the scenery she had taken on her phone to the group chat.
Ding! Liam's picture popped up on her phone’s notification. She played the audio message, “Wow- It’s so pretty ~*
>>
Judging by the soft, enthusiastic cry, it must be Flint on Liam’s phone.
It was quickly followed by Isabel's curious voice, “Mom, why is there so much snow everywhere?”
Sylvia grinned and replied, “It’s winter here all year
round so there’s snow all the time. It hardly has time to melt before a new pile of snow falls on top.”
Isabel gasped, “Oh~”
She suddenly asked, “Mom, didn’t you take pictures of
yourself?”
“Mommy, | miss you.” It was Flint on Liam's phone again.
Sylvia smiled and answered, “Mommy forgot to take pictures today. Why don’t | take one for you kids right now?” Flint continued hogging Liam’s phone. “Okay!”
Sylvia approached the window and took a selfie, making sure to frame the snow-covered terrain outside that was illuminated by the streetlights. She sent it to the group.
Meanwhile, at Westchester which was thousands of miles
away from where she was.
At Carter’s Residence.
Isabel, Liam, and Flint were all huddled together in the
playroom.
Isabel was staring intently at her phone.
Flint sat next to Liam and peeked intently at the phone in
Liam’s hand as well.
The moment they received the picture and saw their
mother’s face appear on the phone’s display, the closed door was suddenly flung open. Atall and overpowering figure sucked the air out of the
room.
The three children immediately tensed up. Isabel and Liam quickly stuffed their phones into their pockets without skipping a beat.
Odell stood at the doorway and swept an inquisitive look over the childcare’s faces. “Why aren’t you guys back in your room yet?”
Isabel spoke up, “We'll go right now.”
Flint chanted, “Room, room.
i)
Odell eyed them suspiciously. “I'll be in your rooms in
ten minutes to check up on you. If | see you kids still
awake, I'll have this room locked up so none of you can
ever come in here again.”
Isabel scowled, “Okay.”
Flint murmured something indiscernible.
Liam remained silent.
Odell turned and walked out.
Liam stood up and carried Flint in his arms.
Isabel did not continue to dawdle around either. She
made sure her phone was with her and quickly went back to her room.
After they returned to their respective rooms, they continued chatting with Sylvia on their phones.
Meanwhile, Odell, who had just returned to the bedroom he once shared with Sylvia, picked up his phone that had been blaring with messages all day.
Sylvia waited for quite some time after sending the selfie before she finally saw replies inside the group. She wondered if it was an issue with the internet connection.
Flint hogged Liam’s phone for himself and was busy texting Sylvia, “Mommy is so pretty, pretty Mommy.” Isabel complained, “Flint, could you stop talking like a
little baby? Be a man.”
Flint retorted, “I’m a baby! I'll be a man when | grow up.” Isabel quipped, “Yikes, I’m going to throw up my dinner if you keep saying that.” Flint seemed to not understand that it was a joke. “Sister, does your tummy hurt? I’ll bring you medicine.”
Isabel answered sharply, “Don’t you dare come,
you out if you come.”
Flint whined, “Yikes... Sister is angry at me...”
Isabel, “...
ll
Pil kick
Sylvia chuckled at their interaction and replied, “Alright kids, go to bed and catch some rest. Since it’s the weekend tomorrow, Mommy will video call you guys around the evening, so we can talk all we want tomorrow.”
Isabel, “Okay, get some rest too, Mommy.”
Flint, “Okay okay, nighty nighty Mommy, I’m going to
bed with Liam.”
Isabel, “Shut up and sleep already! Liam, take his phone away.”
Flint, “Are you angry? | can sleep with you if you want, don’t be sad.” Isabel, “I’m going to beat you up!”
Liam, “I got my phone back, goodnight everyone.” Sylvia could not stop laughing.
Next Chapter
Chapter 1334
Several days passed.
Over the last few days, Odell had been coming home earlier than usual. Sometimes, he would be home before the sun even went down.
Perhaps he did not have much to do at work.
It was also partly because Aunt Tonya and Sebastian had their hands full taking care of the three kids. With Sylvia absent and Madam Carter in her usual sickly state, Isabel and Flint demanded more attention than usual which meant Odell had to head home earlier. Fortunately, Liam was disciplined and independent as usual.
It was barely evening today and Odell’s car was already parked in the driveway.
He had only walked into the yard when he heard sharp shrieks coming from inside the living room. It was Flint running around and screaming.
Isabel was chasing after him and screaming for him to
stop running.
Behind them were Aunt Tonya and Sebastian, imploring
them to stop running around.
Odell quickly armed into the living room and was greeted
by the sight of Flint running around with a tiny wooden
bench held over his head. He was running around
frantically like a headless chicken.
Isabel was chasing after him, and she was carrying two
balls as she ran.
Despite Aunt Tonya and Sebastian's incessant pleas, the
kids refused to listen and continued their chase.
They knocked over many things all across the living
room, including several tableware and glasses. It looked
like a hurricane had torn through the living room.
Odell wrenched his face in fury and yelled, “Stop right
there!”
His imposing roar seemed to be effective as a wave of
silence swept over the living room in an instant.
Isabel screeched to a stop.
Flint noticed that his sister had stopped chasing him and stopped as well. Aunt Tonya and Sebastian heaved a sigh of relief. Finally, their salvation was here. Odell glared at Isabel and Flint and asked sharply, “What are you two doing?”
Flint pouted and put on his most innocent look. “I don’t know why Sister wants to hit me. | accidentally touched her bag, then she got angry and started chasing me.”
The sweet, tender way in which he spoke would evoke sympathy in just about anyone.
Isabel was furious upon hearing this. She raised the ball in her palms and took aim at Flint. “You fatso Flint, are you sure it was an accident?”
Flint acted squeamish and fended himself. “I tried to stuff a toy inside your bag to make you happy.”
Isabel shouted, “A toy! Are you sure it was a toy?!”
Flint continued to whimper squeamishly. His eyes were round and cartoonish. “Yeah, it’s fluffy and cute, it’s a toy.”
Isabel was speechless.
She turned around and went to the trash can. She
grimaced as she reached into the trash can and pulled something out of it. She quickly tossed it in Flint’s direction, refusing to hold it for even more than a second.
Flint dodged out of the way.
The so-called toy fell in front of Odell.
He grimaced, and a dark look flashed across his eyes.
It was not just a simple toy. It was a miniature toy mouse that seemed just like the real thing.
Isabel was deeply terrified of mice. Sometimes she would even fling her phone across the room if the video she was watching happened to have a mouse show up.
One could only imagine her fright the moment Flint shoved such a terrible, trauma—evoking toy into her bag. The brat must have done it on purpose.
To make matters worse, he was trying to play it off like it was unintentional and act like he was the victim. Odell took a deep breath and turned to one of the housemaids. “Throw it out.”
The housemaid quickly picked up the toy mouse and paddled out.
Isabel seemed relieved to see the threat eliminated. Still, she was very upset at Flint.
Flint must have realized that he was in big trouble now, so he quickly avoided his sister and father’s gaze and played it off as if nothing had happened.
Odell looked at him and rebuked him sternly, “No more games for you today. Go back to your room, you're grounded.”
Flint whined, “But Daddy...”
‘t
Odell refused to hear excuses. “Are you going to head up there yourself or do you want me to carry you?” Flint looked at Isabel.
Isabel seemed to soften up for a brief instant, but she quickly turned away from Flint and refused to acknowledge him.
“I'll go up by myself.” Flint whimpered, he kept his eyes on the ground and slowly walked up the stairs. His soft whimper evoked so much pity, the poor boy
seemed devastated.
Even though Aunt Tonya and Sebastian knew that Flint was merely exaggerating to gain their sympathy, they had to admit that it nearly worked. Their heart ached to
see Flint in such a state.
Next Chapter
Chapter 1335
Chapter 1335 Aunt Tonya came this close to going up to Flint but was held back by Sebastian. Isabel scoffed with disdain, “Yeah, keep acting.
She sighed softly and followed it up with, “Forget it. I'll forgive you since you're my brother, I'll let you off the hook this time.”
Flint, who had reached the top of the stairway, suddenly turned around with a wide grin on his face. “Thank you Sister, you're the best~”
It looked like he was going to run down the stairs to give Isabel a big hug.
Odell stopped him with a dry cough.
Flint immediately scratched the idea and stared at Odell with a blank look on his face.
Odell furrowed his brows and looked as fierce as always. “( Go back to your room right now.” selen
Flint complained sheepishly, “But... Sister already forgave me.”
Odell would not be easily persuaded. “That has nothing to do with me, go to your room.”
Flint made a big show of sighing exasperatedly before dragging his feet back to his room.
Odell’s tense expression suddenly softened significantly. He went up to Isabel and gently patted her head. “Don't be scared. It’s just a toy mouse, it’s not going to bite you.”
Isabel suddenly cried out proudly, “I’m not scared! I’m just mad that he’d try to scare me like this.”
“Alright.” Odell smiled faintly and did not expose the fact that she was only embarrassed to admit that she was scared. “Where’s your brother Liam?”
Isabel answered, “He’s in his room playing on the computer.”
Odell nodded and went upstairs to Liam’s room.
He shared his room with Flint.
Odell gently pushed open the door and saw Flint’s tiny little figure facing the wall. He looked like a little gremlin from this angle. He did not pay much attention to Flint and turned to Liam instead.
The desktop computer was positioned next to the window. He was seated on the chair and his nimble fingers were typing away on the keyboard.
The rhythmical clack of his fingers tapping against his keyboard was the only sound in the room. With every stroke, the computer obeyed his commands and conjured a new word on the screen. Odell slowly approached him and watched the screen.
After a while, he asked, “What are you doing?”
Liam answered, “Learning.”
Odell seemed curious. “What are you learning?”
Liam answered curtly, “You wouldn’t know.”
Odell did not respond to this.
Meanwhile, Flint began to make some strange noises.
Odell glanced at him.
The boy immediately turned around and went back to face the wall with a strange look on his face.
Odell turned and left the room.
The moment he stepped outside, Flint turned around and scuttled to Liam’s side. He stared at the computer screen with a transfixed look in his eyes and asked curiously, Brother, what are you doing? How come | don’t
understand at all?”
Liam said, “You'll understand when you grow up.”
“Oh,” Flint mumbled, “Is this a game?”
“No.”
“What is it then?”
1
“You wouldn't understand.”
“How can | understand if you don’t explain?”
“Go away.” There was a tint of annoyance in Liam’s voice now.
Flint frowned and sighed. “Sister wants to punish me, Brother ignores me, Daddy also wants to punish me, and Mommy left because she’s angry with Daddy. Oh, poor me.”
Liam did not know what to say.