Chapter 39
Summer called Sanford several times in a row, but it was indicated that he was currently on a call. She instantly got anxious. Having no time to think about other things, she called Bill right away.
He had just finished dealing with Joan’s matter when he received this call, so he informed Alick right away.
“How could Sanford disappear for no reason when he’s perfectly fine?” Alick said, roaring on the phone. “Is this how you take care of him? Summer, do you have any sense of responsibility?”
He thought, “How many more troubles does this woman want to stir up today before she stops?”
“Why are you shouting?” Summer said. “I’m just as worried about Sanford’s safety!”
She was taken aback by the shouting, so she began to speak more bluntly, saying, “If you weren’t so focused on dealing with Joan’s issues, you wouldn’t have ignored Ms. Fryer’s call!”
“I haven’t even had the chance to settle the score with you, and you have the audacity to bring this up?” Alick said, gritting his teeth in anger.
“I don’t want to waste time, Summer said as she thought, I have no reason to not have the audacity. I’m not the one at fault.”
Summer was solely focused on finding Sanford. After she hung up the phone, she drove out of the underground
garage.
Suddenly, she remembered what Sanford had said in the morning. It then dawned on her that he never intended to go to the kindergarten from that moment and that he purposely tricked her into leaving with an excuse.
Summer pulled up by the roadside, intending to call Ballard and ask him to check Sanford’s whereabouts. Surprisingly, she found that Ballard was on a call as well, so she tried calling Sanford again, but the result was the same as before.
Two mischievous rascals!’ she cursed inwardly before making a U-turn and angrily heading toward Fay’s house.
At the Hill family’s home, Ballard said, “Mom just called me. She must have found out.”
There was a hint of unease in his eyes. Knowing his mom well, he reckoned that she might be on her way over now, so he said, “Have you figured out what you’re going to say later?”
Sanford looked calm and composed. “Fret not,” he said.
Earlier, he overheard Clark making a call. “By now, Alick should know that I’m at Great Grandpa’s place, he thought. ‘Now, all I need to do is get Mommy to come over. But if I had known she would be so worried, I would have told her in advance’
“You didn’t go to ki
go to kindergarten, so the that guy must be very angry,” Ballard said. “Maybe he’ll bully Mommy again.” He then worriedly reminded, “You know what to do later, right?”
“I will protect Mom well,” Sanford,replied.
It was only upon hearing Sanford’s assurance that Ballard hung up the phone, but he still felt a little uneasy.
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Chapter 39
“Don’t worry.” Abby said with a lollipop in her mouth. “Sanford will definitely protect Mommy well. You have to believe in our brother.”
This left Ballard totally speechless as he could not understand why Abby trusted Sanford so much.
He thought. That guy is just a little fool who can’t even protect himself. Otherwise, why would he have kept quiet when he was bullied by that wicked woman? But now that I’m here, no one can bully my brother.
“Mommy should be arriving soon, Ballard said. “If you don’t want to get scolded later, quickly tell her that Sanford ivat the Hill family’s old residence.”
Abby pursed her lips. Every time at moments like this, Ballard would get her to take the blame. Despite feeling helpless, she obliged and called Summer.
She thought, ‘Okay. Okay. After all, I’m the elder sister. Elder sisters are supposed to take care of their younger brothers.
“Why did you get so angry with the kid?” Jonathan said. “It’s no big deal if he doesn’t want to go to kindergarten.”
“Grandpa, you can’t spoil him like this,” Alick said in a cold tone. “He left without even informing, so he is at fault.”
“It’s my fault!” Jonathan retorted. “It’s my fault for not notifying you right away and causing you unnecessary anxiety. I apologize to you, okay?”
Alick thought, ‘Grandpa has never liked spoiling children, but he keeps defending Sanford today. There’s obviously
another reason.
Alick frowned. He was worried that saying more might anger his grandfather and worsen his health, so he did not say anything more. He thought of criticizing Sanford a bit after bringing him back.
“Mr. Jonathan, Ms. White has arrived.”
Jonathan instructed the servan t s to bring Summer in, his expression one of ease.
As Summer saw Sanford in one piece, her anxiety was finally eased. However, she soon sensed that the atmosphere of the hall was amiss, so she sounded out the people in the hall by asking, “What’s going on here?”
“It’s all because of the trouble you caused,” Alick said in an icy tone as he rolled his eyes at her.
‘What does it have to do with me? Summer thought, blinking in puzzlement.
Joan
“Alick, can you please shut up?” Jonathan said as he glared at him. “If it weren’t for you insisting on bringing. here yesterday, all these controversies wouldn’t have happened. It’s all your fault, so how can you still have the audacity to blame Summer?”
Jonathan might be ill, but he was not deaf or blind. No one could hide anything that he wanted to know. Today, the news about yesterday’s birthday party flooded the internet, making it impossible for him to remain unaware even if he wanted to.
Alick’s face was dark with rage. Within the entire Hill family, Jonathan was the only one who dared to scold him so harshly.
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However, he was also concerned about Jonathan’s health, so he did not dare to retort at all.
I found it strange yesterday, and it wasn’t until today when I saw the news that I understood the ins and outs of the incident, Jonathan said softly as he looked at Summer apologetically. “I’m sorry, Summer. I nearly made you swallow a bitter pill again.”
“Please don’t say that, Jonathan,” Summer said as she forced a smile, feeling a bit emotional for no reason. “Nothing happened at all. Don’t worry. I can take care of myself now.” She held Jonathan’s hand.
Jonathan nodded in gratification, but he did not let go of Summer’s hand.
“Don’t let that woman appear in front of Summer again,” he said in a firm tone as he looked at Alick. “Don’t forget what you promised me.”
Alick had promised him that he would treat Summer well, and the best way to do that was to drive Joan out of her
life.
After going through a day that was filled with trouble, Jonathan was tired. Clark took him back to his room. Then, he immediately called the family doctor to monitor Jonathan’s physical condition. Fortunately, the condition was relatively stable.
“Mr. Alick, don’t be angry with Mr. Jonathan,” Clark said as he glanced at Summer, who was sitting by Jonathan’s bedside. He then continued worriedly, “You know that his health got worse day by day back then due to Ms. White’s passing. Now that Ms. White has finally returned…
Alick’s gaze showed that he had conflicted feelings. He knew that Jonathan felt guilty toward Summer because of the incident that happened back then, but he did not expect Jonathan’s emotional burden to be so severe.
He thought. If any more news that is harmful to that woman reaches Grandpa’s ears, I don’t know what the consequences may be.
“I know how I should handle things,” he said in a slightly serious tone. “Clark, take care of Grandpa.”
This was the first time Summer observed Jonathan’s physical condition up close. She stayed in his room and talked with the doctor for quite a while before leaving.
“Mommy, how is Great Grandpa doing?” Sanford asked, looking somewhat uneasy. He wanted Jonathan to protect Summer, but he did not expect Jonathan to get so angry because of that wicked woman.
He thought, “What if Great Grandpa’s illness gets more serious? Sanford’s voice was a little choked up as he said, “Mommy, I didn’t mean to do that.”
This was the first time Sanford had showed such a vulnerable expression in front of Summer, causing her-to feel sofi-hearted. She hugged him and comforted him for quite a while.
“The doctor is here,” she said as she stroked Sanford’s head. “Great Grandpa will be fine. But don’t do this again. We’re really worried, you know?”
Sanford nodded. Summer walked out of the main door, and they saw Alick waiting for them outside. Sanford willingly got out of Sammer’s arms and said, “I was afraid that you would bully Mommy again because of that wicked woman, so I came to Great Grandpa and asked him to protect Mommy.”
Sanford walked up to Alick and apologized, “I know I was wrong. I won’t do this again, but if you ever bully Mommy again, I’ll make you regret it.”
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Alick thought, ‘So, as the father, I’m considered an outsider, huh? He tried his best to hold back his anger.
After instructing Bill to drive Summer and Sanford home, Alick left in his own car. He had a lot of pent-up frustration, and on top of that, he was scolded by both Jonathan and Sanford. He had to find a place to let off
steam.
The next day, Summer got up early to prepare breakfast. After dropping off Sanford at kindergarten, she had to go through the enrollment procedures for her other two children.
Abby and Ballard’s enrollment had been postponed repeatedly. Summer eventually decided to switch them to at different kindergarten.
Sanford’s kindergarten was in the cast of the city, while the new kindergarten she found for her two other children was in the west. The two kindergartens were quite a distance away from each other but considered safe.
“How about waiting for the right moment to go abroad? You can’t go on keeping the children hiding like this.”
Fay pulled an all-nighter performing surgery last night. With dark circles under her eyes, she watched as Summer packed the school bags for her two children.
“I can’t do that,” Summer said.
Previously, Summer had considered going abroad, but at that time, she did not know about Sanford’s existence. Now that she knew, she was even less likely to abandon him and leave.
“Go to court then. Fay said. “Seize custody of the kid.”
Fay was aware that this suggestion was impractical, but she could not bear to see Abby and Ballard live in fear. “I will help you find the best lawyer,” she said. “If you don’t try, how would you know if it works?”
Summer forced a smile as she shook her head, thinking, ‘If I were to go to court with Alick to openly fight for custody, I would have little chance of success and end up in a tough situation.”
“The chances of winning in court are slim, she said. “I’ll think of another way.
Fay knew she was telling the truth, so she did not say anything more. As she yawned, she went back to her room to sleep. Summer, on the other hand, set off with her two little ones to the new kindergarten.
The new kindergarten was good in all aspects, but it was quite far from Fay’s house. Considering that Fay was usually busy working at the hospital, Summer intended to find another house and bring the two children there.
