Ch. 356..360

Chapter 356

Right after the two little rascals came out of the shower, they saw their mother waiting for them.

“Mommy, why are you here?” Isabel ran over to her with her tiny legs; Liam followed. Sylvia said, “Daddy has to work late today, so let’s sleep in your room tonight. I’ll be here as

well.”

Isabel nodded obediently and hummed a reply while Liam did not say anything. As long as they could sleep with their mommy, the location did not matter.

Sylvia sighed a breath of relief at their calm reaction. Then, she got into bed with the two of them, and while she was sandwiched in between, she read them a bedtime story.

The two little rascals fell asleep after a while.

It was then that the door opened and Odell came in.

Looking at the two little rascals fast asleep on their bed, his eyes showed a hint of delight and then he looked at Sylvia. His gaze was practically telling her to go back to their room since the kids were asleep.

Sylvia had a glance at the two sleeping angels with their tiny hands on her. She turned to Odell and said in a small voice, “Odell, why don’t you go have a rest? I’ll stay here with them tonight.”

Unlike Isabel, Liam was a cautious person and was always alert to his surroundings. He might wake up the moment she tried to get up.

Besides, Sylvia could not just leave them all of a sudden. She should guide them properly and slowly and teach them to be independent on their own.

Odell’s expression turned grim. “Come down.”

Sylvia did not budge, so he strode over and wanted to pick her off the bed.

However, before he could even touch Sylvia, Liam opened his eyes. He clung to Sylvia’s sleeve and shot a begrudging gaze at Odell.

Odell frowned at the little boy’s fierce reaction.

The father and son confronted each other for almost a minute, and neither of them wanted to step down.

Sylvia had to intervene by saying, “Odell, just go take a rest first.”

Odell had a glance at her and decided to release her. “You have three more days. You know what you have to do.”

Leaving his final warning behind, he had once last glare at Liam before leaving.

Sylvia hugged the little boy in her arms and said, “Go to sleep, Liam. Mommy’s not leaving.”

Liam protruded his lips in silence and hugged her tightly. A while later, after he finally fell

asleep, Sylvia also shut her eyes.

The next night, Sylvia came to their room and slept with them again.

The bedtime story she chose today was about a child being independent and sleeping alone. She concentrated on delivering the story but Isabel fell asleep before the story even ended. Liam, on the other hand, listened to the end before he closed his eyes and hugged his mother to sleep. Sylvia kissed the two little angels on the cheeks before she, too, shut her eyes.

Three days went by in the blink of an eye, and today would be the deadline that Odell had set.

In the evening, Isabel and Liam came home as usual. Odell was only a few minutes later than them because he did not have to work late today.

The moment he entered the living room, he shot a profound gaze at Sylvia, but she averted it and continued playing with the kids. She got up halfway through the game and went to the bathroom.

When she came up, she was stopped by a towering figure in front of the door. He looked at her and asked, “Today is the last day. Have you spoken to them?” Sylvia tightened her lips. She looked like she had something to say but she just could not find the correct words.

Odell wore a grim look at her hesitant reaction.

“Odell, today I’ll — ” Before she could finish, Odell’s big hand already clutched both sides of her face.

Chapter 357

With her face in his clutches, Sylvia was forced to look into Odell’s eyes,

Odell narrowed his eyes at her and said, “I’m going on a business trip tomorrow afternoon. We are going to multiple locations this time, so it will take at least ten days for me to get back. If you are not in the room by 10 p.m. tonight, I’ll drag you in myself.” He then turned around and left.

Sylvia helplessly pursed her lips.

After dinner, Sylvia went to Isabel and Liam’s room again.

She picked a short bedtime storytoday and was finished even before Isabel started to feel sleepy.

She then hugged the two of them and said in a small voice, “Isabel, Liam, Mommy wants to talk to you guys about something.”

The two of them widened their eyes at her. Sylvia continued, “From today onwards, I might not be able to sleep with you guys anymore, but I’ll come by and read you a bedtime story every night.”

Isabel protruded her lips. “Why? Are you going to sleep with that big meanie!?”

Sylvia patted the little girl’s head and comforted her. “Isabel, Mommy and Daddy have married again. We are husband and wife now, so it’s only natural for us to sleep together. Besides, you and Liam should have your own private space as well. Mommy can’t be with you forever.”

Isabel’s lips remained protruded, but she did not say anything else. Sylvia then turned to Liam and asked him, “How about you, Liam?” Liam also protruded his lips. “Whatever you say, Mommy.”

Sylvia smiled and kissed his puffy cheek. She then said, “Hurry up and sleep. I’ll be here until the two of you are asleep.” The two of them were surprisingly obedient. After her words subsided, they lay down

beside her and tried to sleep. Isabel even hugged her leg like a bolster pillow, as if she was not ready to sleep without her mother.

Seconds turned into minutes, and the two little rascals soon fell asleep.

Sylvia got up and laid the blanket over them.

When she came out of the room, the time was not even 10 p.m. yet. She then went upstairs to the master bedroom and found out that the door was not fully closed, and there were no lights inside.

Odell should not be sleeping this early. Had he gone to the study to continue his work? Nevertheless, Sylvia was not overly bothered and went inside.

The moment she set foot inside, a towering shadow dwarfed her, and the door was slammed shut.

A strong arm lifted her up in the dark and pressed her against the wall. The man’s strong and scorching kiss ravaged her lips before she could even react. He did not give her any chance to resist at all

Then, his slender and warm fingers moved across her neck, inciting a sensual sensation and causing goosebumps all over her body.

“Mmhmm…”

She tried to push him away, and he also felt her struggle, but he responded by exerting more strength to pin her down. Sylvia was pinned on the wall like a pinata waiting to be cracked open. The rustling couple started to turn the heat up in the room. As he ravaged her body and unbuttoned her shirt, he carried her to the bed. While Odell’s towering figure was on top of her half-naked body, he was staring at her with a deep gaze overflowing with lust and power.

Sylvia’s lips were finally freed. Her face was as red as an apple as she said in a small voice,“ Odell, 1… I…”

He seemed to be in a good mood, so he patiently asked, “What is it?” Sylvia bit the bullet and said, “I am having my period!”

The pleasure on his face was instantly replaced by shock and bitterness. Feeling embarrassed, Sylvia elaborated, “It started earlier in the day, and I didn’t expect it as well.”

She wanted to tell him about it when he stopped her in front of the toilet earlier in the day, but he had not given her the chance.

Chapter 358

Odell shot her a grim look. Sylvia awkwardly chuckled and said, “Um, can you be a little more patient?”

He pressed his lips onto hers to silence her. The kiss felt more like a punishment because he only released her after her lips were swollen.

He got off from her and strode to the bathroom. The shower was turned on as soon as he slammed the door shut.

Sylvia sighed a breath of relief and sat herself up.

A while later, Odell came out of the bathroom in his robe. She stared at him shyly, but he simply replied with a frosty gaze.

Sylvia pursed her lips and went into the bathroom. To her surprise, the bathroom remained chilly even after Odell’s shower. There was not the slightest bit of warmth inside.

She frowned. ‘Did he shower in cold water just now?’

Sylvia turned on the heater and took a shower.

When she came out in her pajamas, she saw Odell reading a book on the bed.

Sylvia crawled into bed and lay down beside him. She then turned to him and softly said to him, “It’s getting late. You should get some rest.’

Odell gave her the cold shoulder. He must still be mad about not being able to have sex with her.

However, Sylvia could not help it as well. She lost count of her menstrual cycle and did not expect to get it today. She pursed her lips helplessly and turned to the other side to sleep.

In the next second, a warm presence embraced her from the back. The man’s long arms curled around her waist and hugged her into his chest tightly.

His gravelly voice then entered her ears, “Can’t you chat to me a little more?”

In other words, he wanted her to coddle him more.

Sylvia gulped nervously and said, “It’s late. Get some rest.”

He lowered his head to her neck and took a nibble.

Sylvia gasped in shock, but before she could react, he said, “Call me at 8 p.m. every night. If I don’t pick up because of work, text me. I want you to do it for as long as I am away for the business trip.”

Sylvia was afraid that he would bite her again, so she played along and said, “Okay, I will.” Only with her assurance, did he withdraw his strength from her.

After a dreamless night, the next day arrived.

Cliff came over around noon with his briefcase to pick Odell up.

Sylvia sent them off at the entrance. While Cliff helped put Odell’s luggage into the trunk, Odell turned around and hugged Sylvia in his arms. The two of them would not be seeing each other for at least ten days, and even she felt a little empty.

She returned his hug and said, “Odell, good luck with your work.”

Odell lowered himself to kiss her. The kiss lasted for a while before he released her. He then stared at her with the warmest gaze and said, “Thank you.”

Cliff watched from afar and chuckled at the scene.

Sylvia started to blush. She said, “Hurry up. Don’t be late.”

Odell smiled. “Wait for me.”

“I will.”

He turned around and hopped into the car. Sylvia watched as the car disappeared beyond the junction before she went back inside.

Chapter 359

Odell was the one who left for his business trip, but Sylvia felt like the house was empty. At night, after she accompanied her kids to bed, she went back to the master bedroom and slept alone there.

She had already told Isabel and Liam that she could no longer sleep with them at night, or else they would only cultivate a bad habit.

Two days went by in the blink of an eye.

That afternoon, Sylvia headed to the art association office to conclude the unfinished meeting from the other day.

She had originally refused to attend, but Christopher had called her twice and texted her a bunch of messages, asking her to judge the Westchester Art Competition which was hosted specifically for the students.

Sylvia eventually agreed, hence her attendance.

The atmosphere of the meeting was a lot better than last time. Other than Ariane and Renna who intentionally avoided her, the others were rather friendly and even greeted her with a smile. Some of them even took the initiative to apologize to her about the previous meeting.

The meeting progressed smoothly.

After the meeting, Sylvia went to the toilet and accidentally overheard Ariane and Renna’s conversation.

Renna asked, “Ariane, have you contacted Tara anyhow? I texted her, but she doesn’t even reply to any of my messages. Is it true that she broke up with Odell?”

Ariane answered with a sigh, “I heard that it’s true. Sylvia already remarried Odell, and since the romance has been reignited, Tara must have broken up with him. I bet she’s suffering a lot

now.”

“Do you think we should visit?” “I don’t think so. She doesn’t even want to talk to us. What makes you think she wants to see us?”

“I guess you’re right.” The gossip ended when the two of them left the toilet. Sylvia then came out shortly after. The last time she saw Tara was at the art academy where she had informed her about Edmund’s drunken situation at Lush Heaven. She had a feeling back then that Tara must be planning something malicious.

She even wondered if Tara still harbored feelings for Odell. However, judging from Tara’s outfit from that night and Odell not even laying a finger on her, even if Tara still had feelings for him, Odell would not be romantically related to her anymore. With the thought put aside, Sylvia washed her hands and left.

At Lake Victoria Villa, Tara was lying down on her newly bought cashmere couch in her branded silk pajamas. Her brows were tightly furrowed as she stared at the screen of her phone.

After being chased out of Carter Tower the other day, Odell had blacklisted her number. No matter how many times she tried, it just could not get through. Fortunately, Odell did not block her on WhatsApp, so she could still text him. However, despite texting him more than a hundred times since that day, she did not even get a single reply. He obviously was giving her the silent treatment.

Tara was frustrated. If he did not want to talk to her, why would he arrange a bodyguard to follow her around? Even if she was out shopping, the bodyguard would follow her, robbing her of any chances that she could use to accuse or frame Sylvia.

Just when she was about to smash her phone on the floor, the servant came in and said respectfully, “Ms. Avery, there’s a middle-aged woman at the door looking for you. She said she knows you and that she’s family. Her name, if I remember correctly, is Ms. Melanie Miriam.”

Tara’s expression changed. She bolted up and said, “Bring her in!”

A while later, a woman with curly hair, heavy makeup, and a crimson red dress came in. She twisted her robust waist as she walked around and sized up the room with gleaming eyes.

Tara raised a brow at her and then said to the servant, “You can go out now. Don’t come in if I don’t call for you.’

The servant nodded and left.

Tara then looked at the woman. “Mom, what brings you here? I thought I told you to stay away from this place.” Melanie glared at her daughter with a stern gaze. “If I continue to leave you be, you’ll be

chased out of Westchester by that little bitch.”

Tara was shocked. “H-How did you find out?”

Melanie’s eyes shifted. “Do I even need someone else to tell me? Everyone in Westchester knows that Odell remarried his ex-wife, Sylvia.”

The name reignited Tara’s frustration. She furrowed her brows and sat down on the couch.

“Odell and Sylvia might have gotten back together, but he still gives me the same sum of money. I’ll think of a way to snatch him back. You don’t have to worry. Go back. Don’t come here anymore.”

Melanie’s eyes gleamed. “He really gives you the same sum of money as before?”

“Yes, it’s even more than before actually.”

Tara felt slightly better thinking about the huge sum of money that Odell gave her as living expenses.

Melanie also wore a delighted look. She then said, “Don’t worry. If they ask who am I. l’ll say

I’m your aunt. I won’t let Odell know I’m your mnother.”

Chapter 360

“No. Odell is having a little misunderstanding about me. You can’t stay here,” Tara said with a frown.

If Odell found out that she had a mother, he would know that she had lied to him back then.

Once he found out the truth, her perfect life would disappear overnight. She did not even have to think about winning his heart back. Not only that, given his temper, she would probably pay a severe price for lying to him. Melanie understood her concern, so she said, “Tara, don’t worry. Just call me Aunt Melanie. I won’t let others find out about me and you. I’m not just here to visit. I’m here to help you deal with that little bitch Sylvia. I want her to give you back the title of Mrs. Carter!”

Tara wore a frustrated look. “I don’t know anything. I don’t know how to deal with her. Any bright ideas?”

Melanie was just an old woman whose glory days were behind her. She used to have several rich boyfriends, but she had failed miserably and lost every one of them. What could she possibly have to help Tara?

Odell was unlike the men she met in the past. He was young, handsome, capable, and considered the perfect man. Almost all the girls in the upper social circle were infatuated with him, not only because he was the eldest son of the Carter but also because of his personal charms. Melanie held her daughter’s hands and said, “Tara, I’m older and more experienced than you. As long as we can seize the chance, I assure you we can chase that little bitch away. Just trust me once.”

She came prepared this time because she had a ‘consultant’ behind her back. This ‘consultant seemed to have a conflict with Sylvia as well.

If she could just separate the little bitch from Odell, not only would she do her daughter a big favor, but she would also receive a huge sum of money from her ‘consultant’. She would never have to worry about

the rest of her life anymore. Tara felt reluctant, but looking at her mother’s confidence, she compromised because she was out of ideas.

Melanie then said, “I heard Odell went on a business trip abroad and will only be back in ten days. Let me stay here and help you.”

Tara’s eyes shifted. “Odell went on a business trip? Where did you get this news?” “I have my connections.” Melanie grinned confidently and wore a smug look on her face. Tara’s expression changed. “Can your connection be trusted?” “Of course! He’s able to get anything that I want to know,” Melanie answered immediately. “Who is this guy?”

“I don’t know his name either. I know him from my ex-boyfriend. I just know he has a vast network and has a certain influence.” Melanie had a sense of respect and fixation on her face that was covered in heavy makeup when she mentioned her mysterious contact.

Tara knew there were influential figures who decided to keep a low profile from the public, like Edmund who had retired from his gangster life but remained influential. Melanie must be referring to someone of his caliber, or else he would not have known that Odell went on a business trip abroad two days ago.

Tara’s eyes gleamed. She did not expect her mother to know someone this influential, but it would definitely help her snatch Odell back from the little bitch’s possession.

Later that night at the Carters’ residence, dinner ended before 8 p.m. Sylvia was playing with Isabel and Liam in their room. She set an alarm for 8 p.m. to remind her to call odell. After two nights, the two little rascals knew she had to call Odell at this time, so they put their toys down and stayed quiet. –

Sylvia was sandwiched between the two of them when she called him.

Two dial tones later, the call ended abruptly. Sylvia thought he was busy, but just when she was about to put her phone away, she received a text from him. “Video call me.” “Huh?”