Ch. 716..720

Chapter 716

Madam Springsteen said in shock, “What? She’s just a five -year-old child. How dare she question her father in public like that? How rude of her!”

Lily also felt that Isabel was quite an unruly child too. However, there was nothing she could do about it. “Young Master Carter dotes on her a lot.” “Hmph. She really has been spoiled rotten!” Madam Springsteen was furious. She said, “This isn’t going to work. She’s only five years old, yet she’s already controlling him and not letting him interact with you. Due to Young Master Carter pandering so much to her, when she grows older, it'll be harder for you to spend time with him.”

Lily frowned. There was an annoyed expression on her face. “You're right, but | can’t think of a good solution for that now.”

She was the eldest young lady of the Springsteen family. The line of men who wanted to woo her could stretch across the whole of Westchester City. There was no way she would even try to please a rude five-year-old child.

Madam Springsteen pondered this matter for a moment before a thought suddenly came to her mind. She smiled and said, “By the way, Ramona even asked about you and Young Master Carter today. She has a lot of ideas. | can

ask her about it.” “Is that Madam Carter’s sister, Ramona Decker?”

“Yes. Young Master Carter greatly respects her. She'll definitely be able to think of something.” Lily's gaze brightened. “Then you should call her to ask about it.”

Madam Springsteen immediately picked up the handset of the landline phone that was on the coffee table. Two days later, in the morning. It was a weekend.

Perhaps it was because they had been under strict control in the past two days. Isabel, who would usually rush to climb into the car to follow him to the company, now hid inside Madam Carter's room right after breakfast.

On the other hand, Liam calmly sat and read his book.

Odell glanced at him. “Be good and stay at home with your sister. Call me if there are any problems.” Liam said, “Okay.” Odell turned around and walked out.

When he got into his car and left, a classy white car drove from the opposite end of the road and parked just outside the door. Sebastian heard the sound and walked out.

Adriver opened the car door. Ramona got down from the car with an emerald necklace around her neck.

Sebastian smiled and greeted her. Ramona offered her hand to him. Sebastian quickly held it and helped her walk inside. As she walked , Ramona asked, “How’s my sister doing lately?” Sebastian replied, “Madam Carter’s health is the same as before. Everything is normal.”

“What about Odell?”

“Young Master Carter is doing fine too.”

“What about Izzy and Liam?” “The young miss and young master are doing well.” “The children are at home, right?” Ramona asked

Sebastian thought that she was here to visit Madam Carter and the children so he quickly replied , “They’re here. They’re accompanying Madam Carter in her room.”

Ramona lifted her chin and said, “Okay.”

Half an hour later.

The car that Odell had sat in arrived at the entrance to Carter Tower. He got down from the car and walked in.

The people that he passed stopped and greeted him.

Odell walked past the crowd. Cliff, who had just arrived at work, quickly greeted Odell at the elevator. Walking alongside Odell, he reported , ” Young Master Carter, the private investigator you instructed to investigate Mrs. Carter has returned with some information.”

Chapter 717

Chapter 717 Odell immediately halted his steps and looked at Cliff.“ Tell me.”

“Two months ago, Mrs. Carter boarded a plane at Glanchester Airport with Second Master Carter. The plane was headed to Galston’s capital, Woodville.”

Odelle’s gaze darkened. “Is she still in Woodville?”

“The private investigator said he used all his connections in Woodville but couldn't find any traces of Mrs. Carter. She’s probably not in Woodsville any longer, but she’s definitely still somewhere in Galston.”

Galston was a developed coastal country. It was not very big, but it was not that small either. It was made up of more than ten cities of different sizes, and every city had a large population of locals and immigrants. There are even a few cities where criminal gangs are common. It’s quite a mixture of people.” Odell frowned. “Contact the local private investigators in Galston and continue the investigation.”

“Okay,” Cliff replied.”By the way, Young Master Carter, there’s some information that the private investigator discovered about Second Master Carter as well.”

Odell’s expression turned cold instantly.

Cliff said in a low voice, “Second Master Carter seems to be the leader of an organization with unknown motives. It has been operating underground and also with the government. The organization has handled many illegal businesses and is related to several famous underground organizations overseas.”

Odell snorted. “He’s really not that simple of a person.”

To think that he had thought that Thomas was just a naive fool whose only interest was playing the piano in the past. He had not expected him to turn out to be such a cunning fox.

Suddenly, the phone in Odell’s pocket rang. He took his phone out. It was Sebastian who had called. He placed the phone to his ear. “What’s wrong, Sebastian?”

“Young Master Carter, you have to come back now,” Sebastian said urgently. “Madam Carter’s sister came right after you left. | thought she was here to visit Madam Carter, as well as the young miss, and young master. | didn’t expect her to tell the young miss and young master about Mrs. Carter and Second Master Carter. She even said that you and Mrs. Carter had already gotten a divorce long ago. The young miss is throwing a tantrum and demanding to leave home to look for her mom. The young master isn’t able to hold her back either.” Odell’s expression darkened. He immediately turned

around and walked outside. At the same time, he said, “Ask Ben and Jacob to keep an eye on them. I'm heading back now.” Cliff quickly went up to Odell and asked, “Did something happen, Young Master Carter?”

“It's a family matter. Continue contacting the private investigators in Galston and offer them a high commission. Ask them to find that woman's location as soon as possible!”

Cliff replied, “Okay. I'll do it right now.”

The black MPV was speeding on the road.

Odell reached his place within 20 minutes.

He pushed the car door open and got out of the car.

Before he had even entered the door, he could hear Isabel wailing

Her throat had become hoarse and she sounded extfemely sad.

Odell’s brows knitted into a tight frown. He quickened his steps and went into the living room.

Sebastian, a few maids, Ben, and Jacob were standing together, forming a human barrier as they encircled Isabel and Liam. Isabel was sitting on the floor with a backpack full of stuff on her back. Her favorite pink bag had been slung across her body

She hugged her pink bag, not allowing anyone to touch her. She was all choked up as she sobbed, “Izzy wants to find Mommy... You are all bad people. Let me go out now

Her little face had turned red from crying, and her eyes were swollen. Sebastian had tears in his eyes from witnessing the heartbreaking scene before him. Ben, Jacob, and other people around Isabel were looking at her worriedly.

However, they had already tried everything in their efforts to try and coax her. They had completely run out of ideas on how to coax her any further.

Luckily, Isabel was still willing to talk to Liam and let him wipe her tears.

As Odell quickly walked over, he saw Liam wiping Isabel’s tears with a wet wipe.

The girl was sniffing and sobbing. She looked utterly pitiful.

Odell immediately became anxious. He quickly moved forward to take Isabel into his arms. When Isabel saw him, she pouted and started crying more

pitifully. “Boo hoo... Baddie, please take me to find Mommy now. Izzy wants Mommy...” Odell pressed her face to his chest as he moved to carry her upstairs.

After taking two steps, he turned toward Liam, who was still sitting on the floor. “You come along too.’

Liam did not say a word. He stood up obediently and followed Odell.

Chapter 718

Odell took them to his study upstairs.

The study was facing the sun, so the sunlight shone through the windows and the temperature was comfortable as well. Odell sat down on the sofa with Isabel in his arms. At the same time, he looked over at Liam.

Liam then climbed up to sit beside Odell. The little girl was still sobbing, but her cries had become softer than it had been downstairs.

Odell wiped her tears. Then, he asked, “What did Grand Aunt Ramona tell you?”

Liam replied, “She said that you and Mommy had gotten divorced a long time ago and that she had not left us because she fought with you. Instead, she has run away with Uncle Thomas to go abroad. She also said that Mommy didn’t want us anymore and told us not to meddle in your private life.”

Odell frowned.

Seeing that he had not said a word, Isabel asked, “Baddie, what she said was false, right? She was just lying to brother and me, right?”

“There are both truths and lies in her words.” Isabel frowned and asked, “Which of them is true and which one is false?”

“It's true that your mommy and | have gotten divorced. She then developed feelings for Uncle Thomas after we got divorced. She didn’t run away with him. They're actually together in a proper way.” Odell suppressed his anger as he said this. He said while stroking Isabel's head lightly, “Mommy wouldn’t abandon you guys. She might’ve been delayed by some issues and could not get in touch with you two in time. Daddy will find her as soon as possible and ask her to return a message to you.”

Isabel's eyes widened. There was surprise and confusion in her eyes.

Mommy had really divorced Baddie.

Mommy had even got together with Uncle Thomas.

Was that not a plot that would only appear in TV dramas?

However, why had Mommy not given her and her brother a call? Had she been delayed by some problems? After a short while, she looked at him with her reddened eyes and bashfully asked, “Baddie, is everything you said true?”

Odell said, “Yes. It’s the truth.”

“But Great-Aunt Ramona said Mommy doesn’t want Izzy

and brother anymore.”

“She lied to you.”

“Really?” Isabel looked toward Odell with teary eyes.

Odell’s chest tightened. He wiped her tears with his fingertips and replied softly, “Yes.”

Isabel's tears stopped flowing.

She sniffled and then she huffed, “Izzy hates Great-Aunt Ramona.”

Odell sensed that something was not right. He asked, “ Did she say anything else about you?”

Isabel pouted.

Before she spoke, Liam said, “Great -Aunt Ramona said Isabel has bad manners and that she'll become an unwanted, naughty kid if she keeps meddling in your private life.”

Odell’s expression went cold instantly.

Had he been giving Great-Aunt Ramona too much respect? She had actually dared to enter his house and speak in that way to his children!

He took a moment to suppress his anger before saying to Isabel, “Great-Aunt Ramona is indeed hateful. Daddy won't allow her to come over anymore.”

Isabel's big eyes blinked. Then, she rested against his

chest and replied, “Mm.”

Her baby voice was cute and sweet as she became well — behaved again.

Odell’s gaze relaxed. He spoke to Liam. “Call me immediately if anyone mentions Mommy to you, okay?”

Liam said, “Okay.”

After some time had passed.

Once Isabel's emotions had stabilized and she was sleeping soundly in his arms, he finally carried Isabel back downstairs again. Liam was beside him.

When the father and children came downstairs, Sebastian and the others looked at them at the same time.

Odell looked at Sebastian and said in a low voice,“ Sebastian, please inform Great-Aunt Ramona that it will not be necessary for her to come here to visit Grandmother anymore. If she comes again, I'll revoke her monthly living expenses.” Sebastian quickly replied, “Yes, sir. I'll give her a call immediately.”

He was also quite angry that a lady of such an advanced age would come to pick a fight with a five-year-old child.

He would call her immediately after Young Master Carter went out and relay Young Master Carter’s exact words to her. He would see if she still dared to come in the future!

That same evening.

While Odell was sitting in the office and handling some matters, Lily gave him a call. He glanced at Isabel, who had dozed off on his desk, and placed the phone next to his ear.

Lily said apologetically through the phone, “Young Master Carter, | heard from my grandmother that Aunt Ramona went to look for the young master and young miss this morning because of me. Is that true?”

Odell’s expression darkened. He had intended on talking to her about it, but he had not expected her to call him first.

Lily seemed to sense his mood from the other side of the call. She said hastily, “Please don’t misunderstand, Young Master Carter. | didn’t tell my grandmother anything. Grandmother and Aunt Ramona have always wanted to bring us together. Since we're working on a collaboration together now, my grandmother likes to ask if anything else has happened between us. Having no other choice, | used the excuse of saying that the children didn’t want you to have a girlfriend. Both she and Great

Aunt Ramona are close friends. | guess she mentioned it to her, and Great-Aunt Ramona went to look for the young master and young miss.”

After explaining, she said guiltily, “I’m really sorry to have caused trouble to you, the young master and young miss.”

Her tone was sincere.

Chapter 719

Odell’s expression softened, but his voice remained cold.“ It’s okay. You didn’t do it intentionally, Ms. Springsteen. However, I’m not a good match for you. If Madam Springsteen asks about us again, you can just tell her that I’m not interested in women at the moment.”

For a few moments, Lily was at a loss for words but then she recovered and said, “Okay, | understand. I’m truly sorry about this incident.”

Odell did not say anything else and hung up the phone. He glanced at Isabel, who was still sleeping soundly, and the cold expression on his face eased.

At the Springsteen family’s home. Lily stared at the phone screen that had gone dark and frowned unhappily. That man truly did not know how to treat a woman with tenderness.

Madam Springsteen had been sitting by Lily’s side throughout the call. Seeing that Lily had put away her phone, she asked, “Lily, how was it? What did Young Master Carter say? Did he believe you?”

“He most probably did, but the tone of his voice was not very nice so he must've been quite angry.” “It's okay. He’s angry at Ramona for going to his home and making that rude little girl cry, not you.”

She had a point there. Lily had already given an explanation and pushed the responsibility off herself. Odell would surely not be mad at her.

Besides, his two kids already knew that he and his ex wife had gotten a divorce. Her goal had been achieved. Lily's expression changed, but a smirk soon appeared on her face again. Having received Odell’s warning , Ramona did not come back to look for the children for some time afterward.

The two children had become quieter than before. Odell did not feel at ease leaving them at home so he would take them to the company from time to time. When the summer break ended and school started again, he sent the children to preschool.

The contract for the joint project with Springsteen Corporation had also been signed and preparations were underway to start the project.

There was a regular pattern to Odell’s everyday life. First, he would send the two children to preschool before going

to the company. He would then keep busy until late at night. Occasionally, he would pick the kids up from preschool when he got off work early. He would also make an effort to keep his weekends free for them.

The days passed quickly and soon, three months went by in the blink of an eye. The temperature dropped, and the weather turned cold. Winter arrived in Westchester City. There was still no news about that woman.

Knock knock The sound of someone knocking on the door could be heard coming from outside the office.

Standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, the man concealed the darkness in his gaze. He extinguished the cigarette and threw it inside the ashtray.

“Come in.” The door was pushed open and Cliff entered with a document. “Young Master Carter, this is the document that you wanted.”

“Leave it there.” Odell sat down behind the office table after speaking. Cliff placed the document in front of him. After seeing Odell’s expression, Cliff said softly, “Young Master

Carter, there’s still an hour until the start of the event held by Westchester Business Association.” Odell frowned. “Remind me in half an hour's time.” “Okay.” Cliff turned around and exited the room.

The Westchester Business Association would hold a few events every year. The event that would be held that night was a business networking event. Large and small businesses that were members of the business association had been invited.

The venue for the event would be the Westchester Hotel. Even before the event had started, the hotel’s parking lot was already filled with all sorts of luxury cars. Young and talented youths, as well as mature and experienced business tycoons , had arrived beforehand.

Men wore suits, while women wore exquisite evening gowns. They were greeting each other and chatting in small groups with wine glasses in their hand.

Just as the event was about to start, Lily entered wearing an exquisitely made haute couture dress.

The venue instantly fell silent and everyone turned their heads at the sound.

Even the business association’s president went up to

welcome her with a smile.

Lily smiled and shook hands with the president before entering the venue.

As she was entering, she would sweep her eyes over the crowd from time to time.

A frown was just about to appear on her face because she could not find a certain person, the crowd suddenly became agitated.

The people who had just been staring at her a moment ago suddenly rushed to the entrance. There was someone velling in the crowd, “It looks like Young Master Carter is here!

Lily's gaze changed and she immediately turned to look at the entrance. Soon, a towering figure entered while being surrounded by people

The man was wearing an haute couture suit that was simple but expensive. He looked strong and handsome under the lights, but he seemed so cold to the extent that no one dared to go too near to him.

Lily stood at the same spot. Within a short time, Odell came to stand by her side.

Lily smiled at him. “Good evening. Young Master Carter.” “Good evening, ” Odell replied, before walking right past

Chapter 720

The expression on Lily’s face froze.

However, it was only for a moment before she quickly turned to follow him.

She felt that she understood his personality pretty well due to the time she had spent interacting with him on the joint project. He just had a standoffish personality and did not like to talk much.

He was also the head of the Carter Corporation and the wealthiest person in Westchester City. He was young and handsome too. It was normal for such a person to have some attitude.

Lily followed him to the seating area. Odell sat down on a sofa.

Lily stood still without moving from her spot. Once the single — seat sofas on both sides of Odell had been filled, she smiled and said, “Young Master Carter , would you mind if | sat beside you?”

Odell looked around, then replied, “Please feel free to do so, Ms. Springsteen.” Lily smiled and sat beside him at a distance of ten centimeters away.

When she sat down, many people’s gazes focused on them, including the president of the business association sitting on the single-seated sofa that was on Odell’s right. The president of the business association was an old man. Upon seeing the situation, he smiled and said, “Oh, it seems that Young Master and Ms. Springsteen seem to know each other well.”

Just like today, Odell had never brought a female companion whenever he attended the business association's events in the past. He would never sit with any other people, whether it was anyone of the same gender, much less any member of the opposite sex. No one dared to sit next to him.

Odell frowned.

Lily noticed his expression and quickly said to the president, “Please don’t misunderstand , Mr. Crawford. Springsteen Corporation and Carter Corporation have been working on a project together lately, so I've met Young Master Carter many times during this period of time. We're quite familiar with each other, but we're just good friends.”

Mr. Crawford smiled and said, “Oh no, no, | didn’t misunderstand anything.” However, he continued to look at them in a teasing manner.

Lily and Odell were a perfect match. Even their family backgrounds were similar. In the eyes of other people , they looked like a match made in heaven.

Lily noticed the look the president was giving them but did not correct him further. Soon, Mr. Crawford started talking to them regarding topics on business.

He asked for their opinions on some things that had occurred lately. Lily immediately expressed her opinions. There was logic and key points in her words, all of which she expressed very eloquently

From time to time, Mr. Crawford would look at her very appreciatively.

Odell sipped from the wine glass that he held in his hand. He would only give a reply when a question was directly addressed to him.

They chatted like that for a while but Mr. Crawford sensed that Odell was not interested in those topics at all. He quickly switched the topic by saying, “Let's not talk about these matters anymore. You guys were called here to have fun today. The dancing has already started. Young Master Carter and Ms. Springsteen , why don’t you both have a dance together?”

Lily's expression changed and she looked toward Odell.

Looking indifferent, Odell pressed his lips together. It seemed as if he had no intention of replying. The atmosphere fell silent for a few seconds.

Lily smiled and said, “Young Master Carter, could | invite you to dance?”

Odell frowned.

Lily maintained her smile and said gracefully, “Young Master Carter, seeing that our companies will be working together, please just do me the honor of dancing with

me. After she spoke, not only did Mr. Crawford stare at Odell, but a few people around them looked over too.

They were mostly prominent figures of Westchester City.

Odell sighed.

Forget it. He could not reject a woman in front of so many people.

“You're too modest, Ms. Springsteen. Being able to dance with you would be my honor,” Odell stood up as he answered politely. Lily immediately smiled sweetly at him.

Odell returned her smile and walked to the dance floor with her.

Several people with sharp eyes dancing on the dance floor

spotted them and made way for them. The brightly — lit dance floor was emptied very quickly. Odell and Lily walked to the middle of the dance floor.

He extended a hand to her in a gentlemanly manner. Lily placed her hand on his while smiling bashfully.

After that, both of them danced along to the romantic music.