Ch. 451..455

Chapter 451Tara's eyes flickered. She gritted her teeth and agreed before saying softly, "I'll go now, Odell. Rest early."

"Mm."

With that, she clenched her fists and walked out.

Odell looked at Isabel.

When Tara went out, Isabel's little face suddenly eased up. She plopped back on the bed and lay beside Madam Carter, hugging her arm as if she wanted to sleep there.

Odell glanced at Violet. "Call me when she falls asleep later."

Violet replied, "Yes, sir."

He turned and went out.

Isabel saw him leave and instantly muttered to Madam Carter, " Great-grandma, I chased away that ugly woman. You can go to sleep now. I'll accompany you..."

Violet watched this scene and could not help but smile.

'Isabel is the cutest little girl I've ever met. Although she has a huge temper, she only directs it at Odell and Tara. She's never lost her temper with us and is sometimes so well-behaved that it's heartbreaking. It's clear that Sylvia brought her up well.

'As for Tara...If not for my good friend who worked in Lake Victoria Villa as her housekeeper and told me many things, I would probably have been fooled by Tara's hypocritical act.

'Anyway, she can't even compare to Sylvia. Unfortunately, Sylvia is gone.'

Violet looked at Isabel on the bed and sighed.

'I just hope her father will never marry Tara and she ends up as her stepmother.'

On the other side, Tara left the residence and got into her car. Then, she cursed at the child several times.

However, when she thought about how Sylvia was as dead as a doornail, she soon felt happy again.

At that moment, her phone rang. It was Melanie.

Tara brought the phone to her ear.

On the phone, Melanie asked bluntly, "Tara, has that bitch's body been found?"

"Not yet. She has probably been washed away to someplace else."

Melanie asked in a small voice, "Could she have been rescued?"

Tara smiled coldly and said, "Impossible. There's no way she's still alive."

Sylvia had been administered a drug before falling into the water, and her leg had been broken as well. She did not even have the strength to shout for help. How could she still be alive?

Furthermore, Odell had called for search and rescue not long after she had fallen into the water.

At that time, Tara had been worried that Odell would save her, but more than a month had passed now. The rescue team had finished combing Cloudy Heart Lake and the nearby river several times but still did not find Sylvia.

Thus, Tara was sure that Sylvia had been swept away by the current that night.

Odell had even issued a huge reward for anyone who found her, dead or alive. The reward surpassed more than an ordinary person could imagine. If Sylvia really was alive, she would have been sent back by the person who saved her.

Melanie heard Tara's firm tone, and her uneasy heart calmed down considerably. She then said, "Since that little bitch is gone, when will you and Odell get together?"

Tara could not help but think of the two damned eyesores, Isabel and Liam. She had gone to the Carters' residence a few times before, but they always chased her out.

Tonight, she came here before Odell returned because she wanted him to witness her being bullied by Isabel. She wanted him to see how rude Isabel was.

Unexpectedly, he told her to leave!

Chapter 452

On the phone, Melanie sensed Tara's hesitation and asked, "Why aren't you saying anything, Tara? Did you encounter some kind of difficulty?"

Tara said with annoyance, "It's those two runts that Sylvia left behind. They won't let me get close to them at all. They won't even let me approach that old hag."

"Those damned children... They must have been taught that way by their bitch of a mother," Melanie cussed. Then, she said, " There's no rush. Sylvia isn't around anymore, so you can coax them patiently. When you and Odell get married, you can find a way to get rid of them then."

'Yes, since that bitch is gone, as long as I get married to Odell, I have plenty of time to torment them later."

Tara looked much better. "I know."

In the Carters' residence, Odell had not been standing outside for long when Violet came up to him and said, "Master Carter, the Young Miss is asleep."

Odell stepped into the room and reached out to pick up Isabel from Madam Carter's side. He carried the little girl upstairs to the bedroom where Sylvia used to stay before.

There was only a warm wall lamp lit in the bedroom.

Liam was sitting on the floor next to the bed, his hands fiddling with the Rubik's cube that Sylvia personally made for him. His small figure was very quiet, and his large eyes were trained on the cube.

It was like he had reverted back to the days before Sylvia brought Isabel back.

Odell placed Isabel on the bed, then went to Liam and said to him, " Bedtime."

Liam ignored him and continued to fiddle with the toy. It was obvious that his attention was completely focused on the cube. He did not hear Odell's words.

Odell simply picked him up from the floor to the bed and took away the Rubik's cube in his hands.

Liam frowned at him.

Odell said in a low voice, "Sleep. I'll return the cube to you tomorrow morning."

His expression was cold and serious, filled with the sternness of a father.

Liam pursed his lips and turned around to lay down next to his sister. He wrapped his little arms around her and closed his eyes.

Odell stood there for a long time. After they fell asleep, he turned off the lights and walked out.

Several days later, Tara came again in the evening.

Isabel and Liam were not home, and neither was Odell was not around either. When she arrived, only Sebastian was in the living room.

She smiled and said to him, "Sebastian, I've come to see Grandma and the kids."

Sebastian did not feel anything for Tara because Madam Carter did not like her, but knowing that Odell cared about her, he replied politely, "Ms. Avery, the doctor is examining the Madam at this moment, so it's not convenient for you to see her. The Young Master and Young Miss haven't returned from school either. Why don't you come back another day?"

"It seems like I've come at a bad time." Tara showed a regretful look and handed over the things that she was carrying. "These are the gifts I bought for Isabel and Liam. I hope they'll like it."

Sebastian took them and said politely, "You shouldn’t have gone through the trouble."

"Sylvia isn't around anymore, and Odell is very busy, so it's only right that I take care of them."

Sebastian's expression flickered as he said nothing.

Tara suddenly looked toward the kitchen. "They should be back from school soon. I'll go cook dinner for them."

He suddenly said, "No need, Ms. Avery. Dinner will be prepared by someone else."

"It's better if I cook. I remember that they love Sylvia's home- cooked food. Sylvia and I used to be good friends, so I know how to cook basically everything she does."

Then, she went into the kitchen before he could say anything.

Sebastian frowned and quickly shot a look at a maid to follow him.

Chapter 453After nearly an hour, Isabel and Liam came back by car.

Aunt Tonya was worried about them and had been taking them to and fro school with the bodyguard during this period of time.

After the car stopped, she got out of the car with them and led them to the gate.

Just as they arrived at the living room, Tara suddenly walked out of the kitchen with an apron, holding a plate of freshly cooked appetizer in her hand.

When she saw Isabel and Liam return, she instantly smiled warmly and gently. "Isabel and Liam, go and sit down. Dinner will be ready soon."

However, Isabel and Liam looked at her coldly.

Aunt Tonya's expression turned frigid, and she shouted, "Who told you to come? Get out!"

Tara's face stiffened, but she forced a kind smile and said to Aunt Tonya, "I informed Odell before I came. I just want to cook dinner for the children. Don't misunderstand."

Aunt Tonya knew what kind of person Tara was. However, she could not swear in front of the children, so she simply looked at Tara coldly. "Tara Avery, you don't have to keep up an act here.

Just leave!"

Tara instantly appeared hurt. "I was going to leave after cooking. Don't be angry, Aunt Tonya. I'll leave after I finish the last dish."

Nevertheless, Aunt Tonya did not take the bait and yelled, "No need. Get out right now!"

Tara's eyes turned icy for an instant. She cursed the old woman in her heart before saying, "Okay, I'll leave."

Then, she untied her apron and jogged out with one hand covering her face. She looked like she had been bullied into leaving.

Aunt Tonya snorted coldly. "What a hypocrite. All she knows is to act!"

"Ahem." Sebastian cleared his throat.

Aunt Tonya instantly came back to her senses and said gently to Liam and Isabel, "You guys go play first. I'll cook some noodles for you to eat."

"Okay," Isabel answered, "Aunt Tonya, don't be angry. I'll help you drive away that ugly woman next time she comes."

Aunt Tonya smiled and stroked her head. "Yes, I know. Go on, go and play with your brother."

"Okay."

Isabel obediently took her brother's hand.

Liam went along and followed her to Madam Carter's bedroom.

Meanwhile, Tara also walked out of the Carters' residence.

However, she did not leave. Instead, she squatted in the doorway and buried her face in her hands.

When it was dark, Odell's car came back.

He got out of the car and saw her squatting in the doorway, and could not help but ask, "Tara, what are you doing here?"

Tara lifted her face.

A pair of eyes red from crying appeared in front of him.

Odell knitted his brows. "What happened?"

Tara quickly stood up. "Nothing. Something got into my eyes."

Odell's expression sank. "Tell me the truth."

She pursed her lips and said, "Sylvia isn't around anymore, and you're busy too. I was worried about Isabel and Liam, so I wanted to make dinner for them, but Aunt Tonya seems to think that I want to harm them..."

She choked up as she spoke.

Odell asked, "Did Aunt Tonya kick you out?"

Tara let out a low hum.

The air was silent for a few seconds.

Odell looked in the direction of the living room and said, "Go back first."

Chapter 454Tara could not help but be shocked.

Nonetheless, Odell's expression was indifferent without much emotion. It was clear he did not intend on kicking up a fuss with Aunt Tonya because of her.

Tara swallowed her anger and choked out, Okay."

She walked to her car with her head bowed while her slim figure looked aggrieved and hurt.

Odell watched her get into the car and stepped into the front door. If it were in the past, he would have warned Aunt Tonya to be more polite to Tara.

However, now... he was not in the mood at all.

Another month passed in the blink of an eye.

During this period, although Isabel and Liam disliked Tara, she still came over every now and then. However, she usually came when they were away at school.

Every time she came, she brought a gift and then went to Madam Carter's room for a while before leaving.

It was the same today, but she came over a little later than usual. That was because she learned that Odell was nearby and would probably be back by noon.

She brought the toys she bought for the two children and went to Madam Carter's room.

When she saw the old woman sleeping on the bed, she endured her discomfort and sat there until it was almost noon.

Soon, through the window, she saw the man walking through the front door.

Her eyes flickered, and she immediately moved the chair over to Madam Carter's side. Then, she said gently and respectfully, " Grandma, if you can hear me, get well soon. Odell has been in a bad mood lately, and Isabel and Liam need you very much. They'll be very happy if you wake up."

Odell had just arrived outside the door.

He stopped in his tracks when he heard her words, and the look in his eyes softened slightly.

Then, he walked in.

Upon hearing his footsteps, Tara turned back to look at him and instantly revealed a surprised expression. Then, she smiled at him. "Odell, you're back."

"Mm." Odell asked her, "How long have you been here?"

"Not long. It's only a little while."

"It's been hard on you."

Tara quickly said, "No, I just want to help you share the burden."

Odell did not say anything else and sat down at Madam Carter's bedside.

Tara's gaze flickered, and she got up and said, "Since you're back, I'll leave now."

"Have lunch before you go."

Her eyes instantly lit up, but she said hesitantly, "Um... Isabel and Liam don't like me, so I'd better go."

"They won't be back at noon."

"Okay, then." She secretly curled her lips up.

Odell's face was cold without any emotion as he merely looked at Madam Carter quietly.

Not long after that, Violet walked in. She brought clean warm water to wipe the old lady's hands and feet.

Tara's eyes flickered, and she immediately went forward to take the cloth, saying, "I'll do it."

Violet was shocked. Then, when she saw Odell by the bed, she pursed her lips and retreated to the side.

Tara rolled up her sleeves and moved diligently to wipe Madam Carter's hands and feet. After wiping, she said to Odell, "Why don't I come and help take care of Grandma in the future?"

Odell replied, "No need. She has specialists to take care of her."

"I see." She showed a disappointed look, but her heart sighed in relief.

Odell's tone softened as he said to her, "Come and have lunch."

She smiled and answered, "Okay."

Then, she followed him out of the bedroom and into the living room.

Two meals were set on the dining table.

Not long after Odell sat down, he received a call. It seemed to be an urgent matter. After he finished answering the call, he got up and walked out.

Chapter 455

When Tara saw him leave, she instantly lost interest in staying.

She soon made an excuse to Sebastian, saying that she was leaving. Then, she instructed Violet to take care of Madam Carter and walked out.

Her car was parked right outside. When she got back to the car, she immediately took wet paper towels and wiped her hands vigorously.

However, she felt that it was not enough. She swiftly returned to Lake Victoria Villa, went to the bathroom, and took a shower. Just the thought that her hands washed the old hag's hands and legs and touched her skin made her feel sick.

She took the hand sanitizer and doused her hands several times before putting on a new dress and walking out of the bedroom.

She reclined on the sofa and ordered the maid, "Hurry up and massage my hands."

The maid quickly replied, "Yes, Ms. Avery."

Then, she hurriedly took the tools and supplies for the massage and squatted beside Tara. The maid's movements were very careful.

Tara felt the disgust in her heart dissipate, and her body relaxed.

It had been more than two months, but the man's mood was still very cold. He never smiled at anyone, but he had smiled at her today.

It was obvious that he cared about her. That was why he did not want her to take care of Madam Carter.

Thus, her efforts over this period of time were not in vain. It would probably be soon before she could return to his side.

That night, the Carters' residence was shrouded in darkness.

Violet finished her day's work and walked out, strolling along the sidewalk.

About five minutes later, just as she was about to reach the house she lived in, a figure suddenly stepped out of the shadows. Her eyes flickered, and she stepped back as if she had seen a ghost.

Soon, a slender hand grabbed her. "It's me, Violet. I'm not dead."

Early the next morning, Violet returned to the mansion.

Sebastian saw her and asked curiously, "Violet, why are you here so early?"

Violet replied, "There's nothing to do at home, so I thought of coming early."

Sebastian nodded and did not ask anything more.

She went to the living room.

Isabel and Liam were downstairs with Aunt Tonya. It was clear that they had just woken up as their faces still looked slightly sleepy.

Violet smiled at them. "Good morning, Young Master and Young Miss."

Liam politely replied, "Good morning."

Isabel also said sweetly, "Good morning, Ms. Violet."

Violet smiled and stood to the side as Aunt Tonya led them to the dining table.

With Odell away, the atmosphere of the meal was a little more relaxed than usual. Isabel, in particular, only picked up what she loved to eat. She did not touch the carrots and vegetables.

After a few bites, she remembered her mother and opened her mouth to ask Aunt Tonya, "Aunt Tonya, do you know where Mommy went?"

Aunt Tonya blinked and said, "I'm not sure. I think she went away to do some still-life drawings."

"Where did she go? Why isn't she back yet?" Isabel pouted. "Does Mommy not want Liam and me anymore?"

Aunt Tonya hurriedly said, "No, your Mommy loves your brother and you the most. There's no way she wouldn't want you anymore, ii

Isabel continued to pout.

Violet frowned and could not help but say, "Young Miss, Aunt Tonya is right. Mrs. Carter loves you the most. She'll definitely come back."

Isabel had heard such words many times over this period of time. She simply hummed with an expressionless face.

However, Liam looked at Violet. His wide eyes were quiet and belied his age.