Chapter 21
288 Vouchers
Chapter 21
Veins throbbing on Charles’s forehead, he spoke through gritted teeth, slow and sharp like grinding steel: “If the child’s with you, then who’s in my arms?”
“S–sorry, Charles, I’ll be right back!”
Hearing Charles’s murderous tone, she panicked and explained: “I got caught in an avalanche yesterday, suffered mi- nor injuries, and now I’m at the hospital… I’ll rush back immediately.“.
Had he not seen the photos his men sent, Charles might have believed her lies.
Half an hour later, Barbara hurried in, her coat hastily thrown over her ski suit.
Teary–eyed and limping toward Charles, she looked utterly remorseful: “Charles, I’m sorry. Even with my injury, I shouldn’t have left little Jin alone at the hotel… I…”
Charles caught the faint scent of tobacco clinging to her and couldn’t help but find it amusing.
Seeing that this was the first love he had cherished in his heart for years, he curled his lips into a bitter smile.
“Get up. I know it’s been hard for you taking care of little Jin alone.”
The next day, Jin finally recovered from his sadness.
During breakfast, the ski resort manager called to ask if he wanted to come over for an inspection.
Charles looked at the face beside him that was eighty percent similar to Margaret’s, hesitated for a moment, then nod- ded: “Okay, make the arrangements. I’ll be there around ten.”
Seeing he was busy, Barbara took the initiative to take on the responsibility of caring for Jin: “Go ahead, don’t worry. Little Jin and I will be good at home.”
Charles packed up and left, but as he was getting into the car, he received surveillance footage from the hotel.
As soon as she entered, Barbara’s low voice cut through the air: “You little brat, what did I tell you before I left? Don’t cause trouble for no reason, are you deaf?”
“Did you snitch to your dad? Got some nerve!”
Margaret instinctively hunched her shoulders at the slamming door.
Hiding in the corner, her trembling voice choked with tears: “I… I’m sorry, Barbara… It wasn’t on purpose.”
Barbara ignored the explanation, digging her nails into Margaret’s arm until an angry red mark bloomed.
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Chapter 21
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“Don’t even think about tattling to Charles. Or you’ll see what happens.”
Barbara narrowed her eyes, her voice dripping with cold, terrifying fury.
“No… I won’t, Aunt Barbara. I won’t tell anyone.”
Jin Rivera crouched in the corner like a frightened rabbit, trembling uncontrollably.
Through the phone, Charles felt his blood run cold. That was his son. If she disliked the child, she could’ve spoken to him, kept her distance, or even ignored him. But how could she lay a hand on him!
His image of his first love crumbled instantly.
Had he not instructed the hotel to activate surveillance before his trip, how long would this have been hidden from him?
He dreaded to imagine what hardships Jin had endured under Barbara’s care.
The hotel door crashed open with a thunderous bang.
Barbara darted from the bathroom, only to find Charles holding the child and glaring at her with burning fury.
“Charles…”
Her face instantly drained of color as she stammered, “Wh…what’s wrong?”
But Charles had no interest in explanations. An icy glare cut through the air as he snapped, “Teach her a lesson.”
Four bodyguards surged through the doorway before his words faded. They lifted Barbara off her feet, punch after punch landing brutally on her abdomen.
“I had no idea this was your idea of proper care.”
“He’s my son,” Charles hissed, each word sharp as shattered glass. “Don’t mistake tolerance for permission to lay hands on him.”
“Get out.” His boot slammed into her shin. Barbara gasped in pain, tears welling as his final command echoed: “Nev- er show your face near me again.”
Barbara dabbed the blood at her mouth corner and scrambled to Charles‘ feet. “Charles,” she pleaded urgently, “I just love you too much. Every time I see him, I start thinking of… thinking of… those years you spent with Margaret. I’m jealous! How dare she bear your child when you belong to me alone!”
“Jealous?”
Charles gave a cold laugh. “So that’s your justification for torturing a six–year–old?”
He tightened his arms around Victor clutching his neck, making the boy wail. The sound wrenched Charles‘ heart.
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What had he done these past months to plunge his son into such despair?
“Daddy.”
Margaret clung to Charles’s neck, crying out in terror: “No, Daddy, don’t abandon me. I was wrong. I’ll be good from now on.”
