After Elaine had calmed down for a while, she didn't dare to wake him anymore.
She carefully observed his features, stretching out her fingers to trace them across the air.
Only the man's steady breathing could be heard in this silent room.
Elaine gradually became sleepy and finally fell asleep with her head lolling.
Darnell slowly opened his eyes and looked at the little girl lying next to him, completely helpless.
At this time, his phone rang.
He glanced at Elaine to make sure she hadn't been woken up, then walked out.
"Franklin had left home ten minutes ago for Switzerland, so he should have received the news that
Miss James hadn't returned yet. The James family have also sent someone over."
Darnell answered and went into Elaine's room, taking her cell phone, on which there were a dozen
missed calls from Franklin.
"Stop Franklin. I'll send her to Switzerland now."
His men answered.
Darnell asked the maid to pack up Elaine's things and put them in the car. He returned to pick up the
sleeping Elaine.
Elaine seemed to have gotten used to his embrace. She skillfully rubbed against his chest, the look on
her face revealing her contentment.
Darnell gazed at her with mixed feelings.
...
Elaine woke up and found herself being placed in the car.
She snapped her eyes open, "Where are you taking me?"
Darnell paused slightly, "It's time for you to go back."
Elaine pulled his arms with both hands and shook her head vigorously, "No! You said I could stay as
long as I wanted."
Darnell looked at her without expression and pulled his hand out, "Elaine, stop it. I don't have time to
mess around with you."
Elaine lost her words, and tears instantly welled up, hovering in her eyes, not falling.
Even though she had always been afraid of him, as far as she could remember, he had never spoken
to her in such a tone, cold and detached, with impatience.
Her hand hanging in mid-air withdrew, and she opened her mouth for a long time before making a
sound. "I'm sorry. Did I upset you by drinking too much last night? I'll never do that again. I'll be good.
Don't drive me away, okay?"
Darnell didn't look at her, closed the car door and instructed, "Go."
Elaine wanted to get out while the car door was locked.
She could only tap helplessly on the window, her tears blurring her vision and falling in bunches.
Outside, the man turned around at the sound of her cries.
The car ignored Elaine's cries and slowly drove away.
Darnell finally lost control while watching the car drive out of sight and covered his lips with one hand,
coughing violently.
"Mater, I'll have Archer come over and take a look."
Darnell shook his head and stopped coughing, "Has Franklin been headed off?"
"Yes, Elaine will arrive in Switzerland before he does."
Darnell didn't say anything else but felt a bit sorry for her.
It would have been better if she had woken up later.
He would have wanted to see her off on the plane.
Elaine cried all the way to the tarmac before she realized that it was useless, for the end was
predetermined.
No matter what she did, he would not like her and even think she was unreasonable.
Elaine went completely quiet and got on the plane in silence.
She was going back to that place full of strangers.
These few days were as unreal as a dream.
A dream that she could only have once in a lifetime.
Especially this morning.
She would treasure it in her heart and not let anyone know about it.
It was her own secret.
Darnell's men dropped Elaine off when they arrived in Switzerland and quickly left.
As soon as Elaine threw her suitcase away, she fell into bed.
She didn't know how long she had slept when she heard a knock in a daze.
Elaine struggled to get up, lost in thought, and walked to the foyer, pulling open the door.
Franklin was furious seeing this outside and froze before frowning, "When did you come back?"
Although Elaine was weak, the good thing is that she reacted quickly. "I've been here all the time."
Franklin said in a deep voice. "Tell me the truth. Teachers and classmates couldn't contact you since
you didn't go to school. I called you, and you didn't answer. What were you doing?"
Elaine looked at him and suddenly pouted and angrily flung herself into his arms, "Daddy, I'm sick. I
don't feel well. I don't want to go anywhere."
Franklin was not as angry as before when he saw her in Switzerland, and his anger dissipated when he
heard her cry. He patted her back. "Why are you sick? You should not be out of touch even if you are
sick. Do you know how worried we are about you?"
Elaine choked, "I came back from my sister's wedding and realized how much I missed home, but you
wouldn't let me go back, so I couldn't eat or drink and finally got sick."
Franklin sighed, "It's my fault. I should have come to see you."
"Can I go home with you?"
Franklin stroked her head and replied kindly, "No."
Elaine cried even louder.
"Okay, okay. Don't cry. How about this? I will stay here with you for a few days."
"No."
Elaine got out of his arms without hesitation and sat on the sofa.
Franklin sat down next to her, "I promise you that I will come to see you more often, so be good and
don't disappear again."
"When can I go back to Riverside City?"
"When you finish your studies here, okay?"
Elaine was quiet, obviously not willing.
Franklin said helplessly, " Riverside City is not at peace now, so you won't do any good if you go back.
Just listen to me and stay here. I will take you back when everything settles."
Elaine looked at him, "How?"
"You're a little girl. You wouldn't understand even if I told you."
Elaine spoke tentatively, "Can I go back to Darnell at that time?"
Franklin was instantly irritating. "So you just want to find him?"
Elaine pouted and didn't retort.
"How often have I told you that he's not fit for you? You didn't like him before. Why are you so
obsessed now?"
"Who forced me to marry him at first? You guys urged, and now I really like him, but you disagree. Am I
your daughter, or did you actually adopt me?"
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