Chapter 2 Get Her Out Of Here

• Hugh had a rule: phones should be turned off during morning meetings.
• Gilbert quickly grabbed his phone and was about to end the call.
• Hugh scolded, "Answer it!"
• Gilbert coughed. "Dad, it was an unknown number, I…"
• Hugh set his teacup aside and commanded, "Answer the call and put it on speaker!"
• Bryson and Jonas looked at Gilbert with pity.
• Gilbert had no choice but to answer the call and put it on speaker.
• They were taken aback when they heard a small voice.
• "Hello... is this uncle? I'm Lilly Hatcher... My mommy is Jean Crawford... Are you my Uncle Gilbert?"
• The little girl's voice was weak and monotonous, like a small robot, devoid of any discernible emotions.
• The expressions of the Crawford family changed drastically.
• Clack... Hugh's pen cap slipped from his hand.
• They were speechless, as if their throats were constricted.
• The child's tender voice came through the phone again.
• "Uncle... I'm so cold and hungry... I didn't push my stepmother, but they don't believe me... Daddy dragged me to the gate to kneel... but I'm cold... Uncle, will you help me..."
• As she spoke, her voice grew weaker.
• The sound of the snowstorm could still be heard in the background, but her voice abruptly stopped.
• Gilbert finally snapped back to reality and grabbed his phone, holding it close to his mouth as he yelled frantically,
• "Hey, Li-Lilly? Where are you? Tell me your location now!"
• However, there was no response.
• Hugh, panicked, stood up. His previously stern expression had vanished, replaced by a look of instant aging.
• "Quick! Quickly! Investigate the number and location now!"
• **
• Lilly passed out before finishing the call and dropped the phone in the snow.
• Stephen returned to search for his phone and saw Lilly lying there motionless.
• He kicked her and snarled, "It would be better if she's dead!"
• Four years ago, he found a poorly dressed and disheveled woman on the street. Out of kindness, he took her back to his apartment.
• After the woman cleaned up, he discovered that she was stunningly beautiful.
• She had amnesia and seemed confused. Stephen, infatuated with her cuteness, took care of her.
• Like a foolish lover, he doted on her, telling her not to force herself to do anything as he cared for her...
• Now, Stephen found it repulsive when he thought about it.
• Who knows if a destitute woman like her was taken advantage of while wandering the streets?
• Otherwise, why doesn't Lilly resemble me at all?
• Although suspicious, Stephen never wanted to do a paternity test because if it turned out that he was not the father, he would be the most foolish man in South City!
• Stephen grabbed his phone and walked away. He made continuous calls in his warm study room.
• "Hello... Mr. Burton, it's me, Stephen! Do you know the Crawford family from Clodston?"
• "Greetings, Mr. Ledger! Happy new year! Are you familiar with the Crawford family? Oh, my company is just dealing with a minor issue..."
• **
• The snowstorm outside the study room was fierce, and Lilly lay in the snow. It wouldn't be long before darkness fell.
• She was slightly conscious but couldn't force her eyes to open.
• She had never cried since her mother died. Even when her father abused her, she never shed a tear.
• Yet, at that moment, she wanted to cry.
• When she called her uncle, there was no response from the other end.
• Do they hate me too? Does no one like me at all?
• What about mommy? If I die and mommy sees me, will she hate me too?
• Lilly's lips, turning purple from the cold, pressed together as she pondered.
• Mommy... I won't cry... Lilly is a good girl...
• Suddenly, she heard a loud noise.
• About seven cars arrived at the Hatcher mansion, and a man wearing a black down coat got out of the first car and opened the mansion's gate!
• Due to the heavy snowstorm, the snow had already covered Lilly's small figure.
• Gilbert anxiously looked around. On the phone, Lilly said she was kneeling at the gate!
• His face turned pale as he noticed a small pile of snow at the gate.
• He rushed over and cleared the snow, causing his hands to redden from the cold. Finally, he found a small figure buried under the snow!
• "Lilly?!"
• Gilbert hurriedly picked up the young girl, and the moment he saw Lilly's face, he knew that this was their Lilly - she looked exactly like their sister when she was young...
• Their most beloved and cherished sister's child - Lilly!
• Lilly felt as if she had fallen into a warm embrace, and the person had even taken off their coat to wrap her up.
• Numb from being frozen for too long, she still felt bone-chillingly cold, causing her to shiver uncontrollably.
• Lilly struggled to open her eyes and finally saw the man before her - he looked somewhat like her mother but also different.
• Lilly's lips twitched as she weakly asked, "Are you... uncle... I didn't push anyone... uncle..."
• At that moment, Lilly lost consciousness and murmured.
• She was like a cold, emotionless robot compared to Gilbert, who was filled with agitation.
• Gilbert was on the verge of tears.
• The young child in his arms was only wearing thin sleepwear - pure cotton autumn clothing - with no insulation at all.
• Her small face had already turned purple from the cold, and her lips were cracked and darkening.
• Like a frozen sculpture, her tiny figure couldn't move, making Gilbert afraid that he would break her with a single touch.
• "Lilly... Uncle's here, and I'm taking you home."
• Gilbert choked up. He couldn't imagine how Lilly managed to survive on her own in her condition.
• He was even scared to think that she might have died if they had arrived any later.
• Gilbert carefully held Lilly, focusing solely on her. He rushed back to the car.
• "Lilly, stay with me." Gilbert's voice turned hoarse as he urged, "Don't fall asleep... Lilly, can you say something to uncle? Lilly..."
• Lilly had already lost consciousness.
• Hugh rushed over, staggering slightly. Seeing Gilbert's scattered clothes, he anxiously inquired, "How is she?"
• Gilbert was already in a panic. "Hurry, we need to go to the hospital right away!"
• The Crawford family's hearts were pounding as they immediately made their way to the hospital.
• Meanwhile, Stephen, who had just received news of their arrival, hurriedly descended the stairs with a mix of excitement and joy on his face.
• As the Crawford family rushed into the mansion, they were stopped by a security guard. Once Anthony revealed his name, the guard quickly went to inform Stephen.
• Stephen was taken aback by the news as he racked his brain for a way to become acquainted with the Crawford family.
• Although he didn't know why the Crawford family had suddenly appeared at the mansion, he knew he had a chance as long as they were there.
• There's still hope for the Hatcher family, after all!
• Suddenly, Stephen remembered something and swiftly turned to a servant, saying, "Is that troublemaker still lying in the yard? Remove her immediately!"
• That jinx had cursed her mother to death, and now her curse will bankrupt my company too.
• Stephen wouldn't allow her to ruin this opportunity to meet the Crawford family.