It all happened like magic. First, Erica took care of Ethan and gave him a home. Then, Gifford brought Chantel home and his parents took her in. But of course, no one expected the two would marry. After that, Erica and her sons took in a little boy named Kenney and got him off the streets. And now Boswell had come upon a little girl in his misadventures in the forest—Angelina.
Wesley felt a headache coming on. "Okay, you've figured it out, huh? You're like a kid magnet. Every time I turn around, you've found some poor child to take care of. You even have kids yourself, and yet you're still surrounded by other people's children. A few years ago, your mom and I helped you take care of Ethan. But what about this little girl?"
They had so many kids to watch over. What if Erica and Matthew wanted to have even more? Too many young ones would definitely be a pain to handle.
Yvette might have her own place, but she still lived close by. When she had to work or attend to other obligations, her daughter, Wendy, would live with Wesley and Blair. She was also the Li family's child, and they took good care of her. Although Gifford only had one kid, he confided in his mother that he wouldn't mind having more.
Matthew suggested, "Maybe we could consult with a welfare house. They should know what to do with her." ZL Group donated a lot of money to the welfare houses every year. After he had his own kids, he knew how expensive raising a child could be, so he doubled the amount he donated.
Although he also wanted a daughter, he didn't want to adopt Angelina without knowing who she was, who her family was. Were they good people? Would they want her back? But after he got her housed and settled, he could spend more money on this girl and ask people there to give her special treatment. That was not a problem.
Debbie agreed with her son. "That's a good idea, I think." When Ethan's biological father came to claim him, Wesley and Blair were very sad. He was still a powerful memory, and they often talked of him fondly. But they were too far away to visit him easily. Debbie was afraid the same thing might happen if she adopted this little girl.
Carlos stayed out of it. He let the young couple handle the matter.
But no one really wanted to take care of her. Terilynn, Joshua, Sheffield, and Evelyn were far too busy to take care of their own brood. And they didn't feel comfortable using a nanny. So, their kids spent most of their time at their grandparents' houses.
However, the four boys weren't so sure about that. When they heard Angelina would be sent away, they were a little reluctant.
"Dad, can you find her a place nearby?" Adkins asked. If she lived close, they could go visit her more often.
Boswell felt depressed. "Dad, why does she have to go?" After all, he brought her back here. But life, to a child, was quite simple. They had only been together two days, and they'd already become friends. Why would you want to see your friends go away?
Taking a look at Boswell, Colman asked Matthew, "Dad, don't you want a daughter?"
Of course, Damian agreed with his brother. "It's not like she's sick or anything! That has to count for something! Can't you adopt her?"
After listening to the children's opinions, Matthew came to a resolution. "I like Adkins' idea. We'll send Angelina to a welfare house nearby. This isn't a decision we need to make right away. Let's give it five years. If no one's come to claim her in that time and you still want her around, I'll adopt her. But if her parents find her first, then..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but the kids understood.
Wesley nodded and said, "You should listen to your father. He's a smart guy, and I like his plan." Angelina must have parents. But was she kidnapped? Did she get lost? Or did her parents abandon her?
Matthew had sent someone to look into this, but he wouldn't have answers overnight. After all, the bear that cared for her couldn't speak. There were no cameras nearby, no guards posted that far into the woods.
Boswell asked, "What if someone else adopts her before that?"
Carlos answered, "We'll ask the welfare house to do an extensive background check. If the adoptive family is rich, then at least they could provide a good home for her."
No matter how good the welfare house was, it could only provide food and shelter for the girl. If she was adopted and brought home as a daughter by someone, then she'd be loved and cared for.
"Being rich doesn't mean they're good people. What if they're bad? Would she be able to go back there?"
"Yes. Like your dad said—five years. If Angelina's still there, we'll take her home and you'll have a little sister!" Carlos liked girls too. It didn't matter if the Huo family had one more daughter.
He, too, was afraid this girl would be another Ethan. If Angelina's biological parents found her and took her away after they had gotten attached, the four children would be even sadder.
Although the kids didn't want to see her go, they had to listen to Matthew. After all, she was not a stray animal they found on the streets, but a person.
After discussing it with his children, Matthew ordered Owen to handle this matter in person.
In the welfare house
After filling out all the paperwork, Owen handed the little girl over to the director of the welfare house in person. She looked pretty in her light pink princess dress. "Mr. Liu, her name is Angelina. We want her to be given the best care. Remember that, and remember her name!"
Mr. Liu nodded, "I will, Owen."
"Take good care of her. Maybe one day she'll be the little princess of the Huo family." Although she wasn't related to the Huo family by blood, she'd have a good life if she could claim a connection to them.
Hearing his words, Mr. Liu immediately took custody of the child. "Don't worry, sir. I'll ask someone to take good care of little Angelina here."
"The four young masters of the Huo family will come and see her when they get some free time. You know what to do, right? I'm leaving now."
After seeing Owen off, Mr. Liu made special arrangements. Angelina had her own room, and the employees were under strict orders to treat her well.
After leaving the welfare house, Owen went to the suburb outside the city.
When he arrived, Matthew wasn't there yet. So, he asked his men to prepare everything first.
It was getting dark. Since Erica was being taken care of by the hospital staff, not to mention Blair and Yvette, Matthew took this opportunity to do something else.
That something else was rather sinister, if satisfying. He was going to give Noreen a taste of her own medicine.
He figured out she was responsible for his wife's injuries. For their own harrowing ordeal trapped inside a burning house.
Time to repay the favor. He doused the area with gasoline, and watched the flames rise higher. When the whole house was ablaze, Noreen's hoarse voice came from inside. "I was wrong. I know I was wrong! Please! Mr. Huo, please don't kill me!"
Sitting in the car outside the house, Matthew pretended not to hear her screams.
Ten minutes later, a bodyguard came over and reported, "Mr. Huo, I think she's had enough."
Matthew nodded, "Fine. Get her out of there."
"Yes, sir!"
The men forced their way into the blaze, wearing special protective suits and using crowbars and axes to clear a way in. Then they brought Noreen out. Most of her body was covered in burns, her once elegant looks ruined by a spiderweb of burnt and melted flesh. Then, the pitiful figure, half-wailing half-coughing, was thrown on the ground outside the house. Matthew was sitting on a chair.
In less than three days, Noreen had been brought down. Once she was a star, now she was barely alive. She lay on the ground and tried to open her eyes. Between coughs, she forced out the words, "You taught me... a painful lesson... I'll tell you everything I know about Michel. Just please, help me."
The man sneered, "You're in no position to make any bargains."
As she moved her fingers, she accidentally touched the blisters on them. She closed her eyes tightly, knowing that she would be tortured even more cruelly if she didn't talk. The pain was intense; it was like fire lived and danced inside her.
When the pain faded a bit, she said weakly, "Once a month. 3 A.M., on the 20th day. You can find him at the Teddy Bar of Parasol—"
Bang! Suddenly, a shot rang out.
"Ah!" Noreen's body convulsed, and her eyes widened. At last, she lay motionless. Blood pooled in her mouth, and a thick, red lake spread across the ground.