Chapter 1 Chapter 1

“She’s Mr. Bradley’s wife, whom he personally sent into prison for five years?”“Mr. Thomas was so nice to her, yet she removed his oxygen mask back then. What a venomous woman she is…”“I wonder if Mr. Thomas regretted giving 1/3 of his shares to her in his last moment!?”“What do you expect from a homewrecker’s daughter? The Warners helped her, and she bit the hand that fed her. I really don’t know how she has the cheek to attend Mr. Thomas’ funeral!” It was cold in spring, but Esther Quill, who had just come out of prison, appeared at the funeral of Thomas Warner, the Warners' patriarch, in just a sleeveless dress. Bouquets of flowers were thrown at the thin and frail woman. Even then, she walked toward the coffin in determination. ‘Grandpa Thomas, I’m here to send you off…’ Before Esther could go to Thomas’ coffin, Bradley Warner’s flawless face appeared before her. “Bradley,” she could not help but murmur. “Esther Quill, who allowed you out of prison? “Who allowed you here!?” Fury colored Bradley’s face. Esther shook in fear and turned pale. “I… I… want to send off Grandpa Thomas personally.” Bradley smirked cruelly and scoffed. “You think you’re in a position to do it?” Esther took a deep breath and fell to her knees in front of all the mourners to beg Bradley. “Please, let me send Grandpa Thomas one last time.” Bradley was brimming with iciness as he gnashed his teeth. His beautiful eyes were now glaring murderously. Before everyone could react to it, he grabbed Esther by her hair and dragged her out of the funeral without a care for her struggle and the mourners’ whispers. This was his grandfather’s funeral. He forbade this heinous woman from tainting his grandfather’s way to the light. The icy floor was piercingly cold. Esther’s delicate skin was immediately rubbed red by the uneven surface. Bradley opened the car door and violently threw her to the back of the limited-edition Rolls-Royce Phantom. Like a bloodthirsty wolf, he pounced at her with burning killing intent. “Esther Quill…” He choked her neck with one hand and tore her dress off with the other. “Bradley Warner, this is Grandpa Thomas’ funeral. What are you doing?” Esther had never seen Bradley like this. She was both afraid and anxious as she struggled to get up. Bradley suddenly swooped down and bit her shoulder blade upon seeing how much she struggled. The coppery scent of blood filled his mouth, and he felt nauseated. He let a cold sneer, his eyes impassive and mocking. “Esther Quill, you wanted a child with me, right? I’ll give it to you!” Bradley pulled and yanked her dress…

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

Esther had never seen Bradley like this. She struggled, shaking and crying. “Bradley Warner, let go of me! “Let me go!” As Esther thought she would be devoured by the wolf that was Bradley, the window was knocked in haste. Bradley, overwhelmed by anger, calmed down and got up from Esther in disdain. He opened the car door and got out. “What is it?” Cole Johnston held a phone and told him anxiously, “Mr. Bradley, Mr. Felix’s condition has worsened. Ms. Anstey says that the hospital just gave her the notice of critical condition…” When Bradley heard that, he pulled the car door open and told Cole, “Keep an eye on the funeral.” Bradley’s full attention was on his son in the hospital. Ten minutes or so later, he stopped the car at a Warner private hospital. He opened the car door and dragged Esther, who was barely dressed. Esther staggered before Bradley tossed her to the doctor and nurses. “Check if she’s a match right now!” In unison, the doctor and nurses answered, “Yes, Mr. Warner.” The clueless Esther was pushed into the lab department. … “Brad!” As soon as Bradley appeared at the door of the emergency ward, Liliane Anstey threw herself into his arms tearfully. “Felix was fine in the morning, and he coughed blood just now! “Why am I so useless? I’m his mother, yet I’m not a match…” Bradley put an arm around Liliane’s waist and comforted her. “Liliane, Felix will be fine.” Five years ago, Esther had goaded Thomas to drug Bradley just to get in his bed. Somehow, he had slept with Lilian instead, and they had Felix. It was unexpected that Felix had been diagnosed with leukemia shortly after his birth. He was named Felix because they hoped he would be lucky and win this battle. It was just that despite how large in scale the Warners were, they had not been able to find a matching bone marrow for their son. Liliane stayed in Bradley’s arms as she sobbed. Bradley patted her back, and a gleam of cruelty shone on his icy face. “I found Esther to test as a match. She might have higher chances.”“My sister?” Liliane asked in alarm. “Brad, you met my sister?”“She’s got out of prison. Liliane, she’s your younger sister. Maybe she can be a match.” Liliane hesitated. “But will she be willing even if she is a match? Didn’t Grandpa Thomas specifically mention in his will that only you and her child can inherit the Warner Group? Will she…” Bradley answered coldly, “If she refuses, I’ll tie her up in the operation theater if I have to.” Liliane took a deep breath and said, “As long as she is a match, I’ll beg her on my knees! She can ask me to do anything as long as she’s willing to save Felix.” Half a day passed by, and the expedited results of the lab tests came out. The doctor said, thrilled, as he held the lab's report, “Mr. Warner, the preliminary tests show that Ms. Esther Quill and Mr. Felix match. We can move on to the next test.” Liliane asked in delight when she heard that, “Really? Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go on!” The doctor hesitated for a few seconds before he said, “Ms. Quill’s asking to see Mr. Warner. She refuses to proceed with the next test if Mr. Warner doesn’t meet her.” Liliane rushed to the doctor and asked anxiously, “Where’s she?”“The doctor’s office at the lab department.” Liliane ran off without waiting for Bradley’s reaction. The doctor and Bradley followed her. Liliane pushed the door open to see Esther, who was weak and barely surviving. The latter was malnourished, and she looked like she was dead now that so much of her blood had been taken for the tests. Glee flashed in Liliane’s heart as she saw Esther like this. However, she adjusted her expression swiftly and fell to her knees before Esther, begging her meekly, “Sis, please, be Felix’s donor. I can do anything for you as long as you’re willing to do it.” Esther turned in resentment and mocked Liliane when she heard her voice. “Liliane Anstey, you did this to me and want me to save your son? I won’t!” Liliane pinched her thigh as hard as she could, and tears welled in her eyes. With those reddened eyes, she sobbed. “Esther, I know you hate, begrudge, and blame me. But Felix’s innocent! He’s just a poor child. He doesn’t know anything.” Esther looked at Bradley, who rushed over, and sneered. “Having a heinous mother like you is his original sin…” Liliane cried hard, but she cackled deep down. ‘Esther, one day… I hope you remain this resolute after finding out about Felix’s true birth!’ Liliane lowered her head at Esther in front of Bradley. As Esther watched the pitiful and lowly Liliane and thought of how arrogant and smug she used to be, she could not help the emotions she felt when the latter could give up on everything for the sake of her child. Esther thought she would be willing to do anything for her child if her child was still alive. A hint of sympathy had just surfaced, but she steeled herself and shook her head in the next moment, inwardly reminding herself not to be a saint. She had Liliane to thank for ending up like that today. She reminded herself of her children who had never gotten to see this world… Esther mocked Liliane viciously. “Liliane, do you know why your child’s ill? It’s your karma! This is all your karma.” Liliane sobbed hard. “Whatever you say, Esther. I beg you to just please save my son.” Esther gripped Liliane’s jaw and asked, “And if I ask you to leave Bradley?”“As long as you’re willing to save my son, I’ll take him and leave. I won’t appear before you and Bradley again, I promise…” Esther was slightly dazed. At that moment, Bradley pushed Esther away and carefully helped Liliane, who was on the floor, and passed her to the nurse. Liliane clutched Bradley’s hand and pleaded, “Brad…” Bradley nodded lightly. She then passed out in the nurse’s arms in relief. Esther scoffed, looking at Liliane. Bradley pulled a chair over to sit down in front of Esther. When his thin lips parted, his cold and aloof words felt like poisoned arrows that shot through Esther’s dejected heart. “Esther, I’ve underestimated your viciousness!” Esther pushed some stray hair off her face and chuckled. “Bradley, I’m not even the least bit up to Liliane in that regard.” Liliane had pulled off Thomas’ oxygen mask, yet everyone thought Esther had done it. Bradley had even sent her to prison because of it and branded her as a wicked woman to the public. “Esther, other than the position of Mrs. Warner, I can offer you a deal!” Esther smiled. “Do you think I still yearn for you to this day, Bradley? I’m disgusted once I think of my name being put next to yours…” She gnashed her teeth. Her initially bright eyes were like a cold, bottomless abyss now. Bradley interrupted her. “If you refuse to save Felix, I’ll match him with your kids…” Esther was stunned as she questioned in disbelief, “Kids? What kids!?”

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Bradley looked at Esther’s pale face with interest and reminded, “Esther, the kids you spent ten months carrying, they’re still alive!” Esther rose to her feet in shock. “That’s impossible!” She had gone to prison being pregnant, but her children had been announced dead once they were delivered, having suffocated in her womb for too long. “How’s that impossible?” Bradley leaned back on the chair confidently. “It’s easy for the Warners to take a pair of babies out of prison. Don’t forget you’re still my wife legally. You think I had no right to handle the b*stards you carry?” Bradley’s words overwhelmed Esther. She looked at him as if she was trying to determine how true what he said was. “Work with me obediently, and I might be kind enough to tell you where those b*stards are.” Esther stood up shakily and looked up at the ruthless man, asking seriously, “Are my kids really alive?”“Do I have to lie to you?” Esther shook her head. She dared not trust him, yet she hoped that everything Bradley said was true. “Bradley, I don’t believe you.” Bradley’s long fingers clenched Esther’s jaw, and he mocked her cruelly. “Do you have another choice other than believing me?” Esther looked at Bradley. His resentment felt like thin needles that stabbed deep into her heart. This man had lit up her entire youth, yet he was now her biggest nightmare. The memorable love had transformed into searing hatred. She hated him so much that she wanted to rip into him and drink his blood… There was no telling where Esther got her courage from; she opened her mouth and bit between Bradley’s thumb and index finger while he did not pay attention. Bradley grabbed her hair with the other hand immediately. The taste of blood spread in Esther’s mouth, and a discreet sense of elation filled her heart. Bradley tossed her aside as blood dripped from his finger to the floor. Esther wiped the blood on the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand and sneered. “Bradley Warner, you’ll regret this.”“Regret’s not a word in my dictionary.” There was a sinister look in Bradley’s eyes. “If there’s something I should regret in my life, it’s that I shouldn’t have married you.” Bradley then turned to tell the nurse at the door, “Continue with the next check-up and give me a shot for rabies.” Esther stood frozen on the spot as she watched Bradley slowly disappear from her sight. She had wanted to take revenge no matter the price after she attended Thomas’ funeral. After seeking revenge against Liliane for framing her, she would leave the place and have nothing to do with Bradley. However, what Bradley just said injected Esther with an unprecedented motivation to stay alive when she had considered death. She was going to keep living. Yes, she had to keep living. She wanted to personally watch Bradley discover that Liliane, whom he had always protected and doted on, was the culprit who caused Thomas’ death. “Bradley Warner…” Esther stopped him when he was about to leave with a hoarse voice and asked hesitantly, “Where are my children?” Bradley stopped and told the hopeful woman, “You’ll see them after you come out of the operation theater.”“You swear?” Esther asked emotionally with clenched fists. Bradley trained an icy gaze on her as his thin lips curled into a smirk. He looked at her like an ant he could easily squash. He did not give Esther the promise she wanted. He was more certain than anyone that Esther would not dare risk this. She would definitely do as he said. It was ironic that a savage woman like this had such a loving heart. “When can she go for the surgery?” Bradley asked the doctor outside the door. The doctor took a glance at Esther inside the room. As a doctor, even if he sympathized with Esther, he knew that she would be able to redeem her sin if she could save Felix. “Mr. Warner, from the check-ups we ran on Ms. Quill, she’s been malnourished all year long. It’ll be dangerous for her to go for surgery right now. My suggestion is to give her one to two weeks to recuperate.” Bradley’s dark eyes flashed with cruelty. “A week later. Schedule the surgery.” After Bradley left the room, Esther went to the door and asked the nurse keeping an eye on her, “Miss, could I borrow your phone?” The nurse hesitated but passed her phone to Esther. Esther took it over and dialed the number she had burned into her brain. “Jasper, it’s me, Esther. I’m in the hospital now. Can you come over?” Jasper Searle was stunned when he received Esther’s call. She was out of prison? When? “I’ll be right there.” After hanging up, Jasper tapped the bouncing icon on his phone screen and only then realized that the group chat was filled with video clips of Esther being mocked at the funeral. He instructed his secretary, “Get me a few size S outfits and size 36 shoes.” The secretary was inwardly surprised but replied respectfully on the outside, “Yes, Mr. Searle.” After that, he called the number he had saved as “Y” on his contacts, but the call remained unanswered. - The nurse had already dressed the wound on Liliane’s head in the hospital. There was a small piece of gauze on her forehead, but it did not affect her beauty at all. Felix looked at Liliane in worry and asked in concern, “Mommy, does it hurt?” Liliane looked at Felix, who was cute like an angel, and replied softly, “My dear boy, it won’t hurt anymore after you blow it for me.” Felix remembered that the nanny who took care of him previously would blow on his wound carefully each time he fell, so he copied what she did and blew on Liliane’s wound. Given how long Liliane had kept the image of a loving mother, there was no way she would expose herself at this critical juncture. “My boy’s so amazing. Mommy doesn’t hurt anymore.” This was the loving scene that Bradley saw when he entered. He did not love Liliane, but he was the one who ended up sleeping with her back then and had a cute child, Felix. Just for the son, he should give Liliane the official title of Mrs. Warner. “Daddy!” Felix called out happily when he saw Bradley. Bradley hugged him and told Liliane, “Felix will have the surgery one week later.” Liliane asked in surprise, “She… She agreed?” Bradley did not tell her about his deal with Esther. He did not want his son to come across such a dark reality too young. “Yes.” Liliane put her hands together and exclaimed in delight, “Thank goodness!” Bradley looked at Liliane, who was genuinely happy for Felix, and softly told her, “Felix’s surgery will be successful.” Liliane held Felix’s face, which looked so much like Bradley, in her hands and gave him a loud kiss, telling him gently, “Felix, this is mommy’s happiest day.” Felix did not know why Liliane was happy, but he replied either way, “I’m happy too if Mommy’s happy!” Because he was always ill, he looked thinner and weaker than his peers. His small face was sickly pale. Bradley felt bad for him. He did not understand what he had done wrong that God had to punish him like this. He would rather be the one who was ill and had to go through the treatment than for an innocent child like Felix to shoulder all these. “Liliane, I’ll leave Felix under your care.” Liliane nodded understandingly. “Sorry, Brad. It’s Grandpa Thomas’ funeral today, and I still called you over. Go back to it. Felix, say bye-bye to Daddy.” Felix waved at Bradley. “Bye, Daddy.” Bradley rubbed Felix’s hair and told him, “Listen to Mommy well and call Daddy if anything happens, okay?”“Yes, Daddy. I’ll be good.” Bradley had just left the ward when Cole stepped up and greeted him, “Mr. Warner.” Bradley looked at him coldly and indifferently asked, “All done?” Cole was his assistant for a long time, and they had a certain degree of tacit understanding. “The bodyguards are protecting Mrs. Warner.”“Mrs. Warner?” Bradley asked icily. “Ms. Quill… I have people stationed 24 hours to keep her safe.”“Keep a close eye on her. I’ll hold you responsible if anything happens.” Bradley had just stepped into the lobby with Cole when he ran into Jasper, who was coming in haste. Jasper was not alone. His assistant and secretary behind him were pulling along two suitcases. What was kept in there were the clothes, shoes, and daily necessities that he had asked them to buy for Esther earlier. “Jasper.” Bradley looked at the man before him and sneered. “Five years, and you’re still hung up on the woman I don’t want.”

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

Jasper was in a navy suit, and his hair was slightly long and curled. He smirked and asked indifferently, “I’d also love to know when you will divorce Esther, Mr. Warner.” Bradley snickered. “Jasper, as your business rival, consider this a kind word of advice from me. There are plenty of fish in the ocean. Why waste your time on a murderer?” ‘Murderer?’ Jasper shook his head in his mind. He could not fathom why the sharp and ruthless Bradley in the business world was this stupid about women. “Bradley, you must be blind not to see Esther’s worth.” Jasper and Bradley stood at loggerheads. Their commanding presence put their assistants and secretaries in distress. “If you divorce Esther right now, I’ll marry her right off the bat.” Bradley smirked cruelly and went straight to the point. “Your family won’t agree.” Jasper shrugged, saying, “I graduated from Stanford. Even without the Searle family’s background as support, I won’t starve my wife. You, however, shouldn’t you give a title to the woman who has given birth to your child?” There was a dark glint in Bradley’s eyes. It was like Jasper did not see it as he uttered nonchalantly, “See you.” He walked past Bradley and entered the elevator. As the elevator’s doors were closing, Bradley suddenly turned around and stared at the closing doors, meeting Jasper’s challenging gaze. It suddenly felt like it was a cold winter. Cole stepped away discreetly and carefully avoided being hit by Bradley’s frosty aura. The elevator doors opened. Jasper found the hospital ward Esther was in. An ache swept past his heart as he saw her like this out of the blue. In the past five years, Jasper had wanted to visit Esther in prison numerous times, but she refused to see him. This was their first meeting after what had happened five years ago. Esther was no longer the bright and sunny girl she used to be. She was all skin and bones, like a walking skeleton. Her empty eyes had lost their sparkle. Jasper took a deep breath and greeted her hoarsely. “Esther, it’s been a while.” Esther cracked a smile when she turned around to look at Jasper. “You look more and more like a boss now, Jasper.” Jasper gestured for his assistant and secretary to drop the suitcases and entered the ward alone. “You didn’t want to see me or accept what I sent these five years. Are you punishing yourself, Esther? Or are you blaming me for not saving you?” Esther paused before she shook her head lightly. She said in exhaustion, “I’ve never blamed you. After what happened, those people I used to know avoided me like the plague, but you were the only one who believed my innocence. I’m grateful for that.” There was no doubt that Jasper believed in Esther. Thomas had been treating her like family and was the one who had contributed to her marriage. There was no reason for her to kill him. He even suspected that the video Bradley had shown in court had been edited, but the evaluation of the professional computer expert confirmed that it was original. Whatever it was, Jasper would not believe that Esther would do anything to harm Thomas. “Mr. Thomas seemed to have woken up once after you were sent to prison, but the Warners had blocked the news. As such, I can’t be sure how true it is. “Not too long ago, though, the lawyer announced his will after Mr. Thomas passed. You get to inherit 1/3 of his shares in the Warner Group. “Esther, I’ll help you if you want to prove your innocence.” Esther asked self-deprecatingly, “My innocence is no longer important. The truth of the incident doesn’t matter anymore, either. Because even if the evidence is placed before Bradley, he won’t believe it. He’ll only believe what he thinks.” Jasper then asked, “Will you get a divorce?”“Divorce? That’s for sure.” There was an unprecedented certainty in Esther’s tone. She used to see marrying Bradley as her biggest dream in life. To fulfill it, she had given up on her career and thrown her pride away to become Bradley’s wife. She used to naively think that she would be the happiest woman marrying Bradley, only to find that the marriage was the start of her life to hell. Jasper was quiet for a moment before looking up gently. “I can introduce a professional divorce lawyer to you if you want to do that.” Esther was sincerely thankful. “Thank you, Jasper. But I have something I need your help with.”“What is it?” Jasper straightened up. “Please find my kids for me.” Esther had thought that her children were really dead, so the time she had spent in jail was muddled and agonized. Now, Bradley had actually told her that they were still alive. She knew him well; he would be too disdained to trick her into the surgery with a lie like this. Since Bradley had said that her kids were alive, that meant they really were. “Your kids?” Jasper looked at her in shock and asked in disbelief, “Didn’t you have a premature delivery in prison and they passed?” At the thought of that, her heart ached so much that it was hard to breathe. Her eyes were reddened as she answered hesitantly, “I’ve always thought the same, but just a few hours ago, Bradley told me that as long as I go through with the surgery, he’ll tell me where the kids are. Do you think he’ll trick me with it, Jasper?” Jasper stroked his chin and replied after pondering, “No. He doesn’t have to tell a weak lie like this. If he said that the kids were still alive, they must still be around. It’s just that I’ve never heard of there being other kids around him. Besides, your kids are probably an insult to him.” Esther had been overjoyed when she found out she was pregnant. Even Thomas had been elated. He had even gifted her an expensive lake-view mansion in the city center that was $90,000,000 in value. However,, an indecent video of Esther had been exposed on the Internet, and Bradley was immediately teased for being a cuckold. Thomas had not believed that Esther was someone like that and had wanted to find the culprit behind it. On the way to meet the lawyer, the Bentley he had been in coincidentally had a busted tire, and the accident put him on the verge of death. Bradley had spent a fortune hiring the best experts from overseas to treat Thomas, but Esther removed his oxygen mask just when the latter turned better. Even though Esther insisted that she had never done it in court, she was sentenced due to the solid evidence. This also meant that Bradley had sent the pregnant Esther to prison himself five years ago. “Jasper, the kids I carried are Bradley’s.” Esther corrected him and said disappointedly, “I didn’t apply for a paternity test back then because I was told they died from the difficult labor. I regret it so much now. Why wasn’t I determined to do it?”

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

Esther took over the slightly fragranced handkerchief and wiped the tears on her face, interrupting Jasper. “It’s not important now. I just want to find my kids.” Esther thought that she would never stay a second longer by Bradley’s side once she found her children. She would leave with them forever and never meet him again. Jasper looked at how thin Esther had gotten and comforted her, “You’re too weak now. Take care of yourself so that you can take good care of your kids when you find them.” His phone rang, and only a “Y” appeared on the screen as the caller. “Esther, I have something to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first. There are daily necessities you’ll need in these suitcases, and I’ve prepared a phone for you with my contact information added there. Just text me if you need me.” It was expected that Jasper was busy since he was running the Searle Group. Their friendship was thus precious since he could still make time for her despite his busy schedule. “Jasper, please find out about my children for me.” Jasper promised, “Look forward to good news from me.” Esther opened the suitcases after he left. Jasper was a considerate and gentle man. Not only were there clothes that Esther would need, but there was also a bank card with her ID number marked as the password on the back of it in consideration. Before Jasper came, Esther had been watching television, trying to process what had transpired in the last five years through the programs. With the phone that Jasper had given her now, she searched for the Warner Group, the Ansteys, the Searles, and everything else that she wanted to know. A few hours flew by, and she took a shower and got changed. As she opened the door of her hospital ward, she saw a female bodyguard in a black suit standing outside. “Ms. Quill, what can I help you with?” Esther looked at the bodyguard and told her, “I’d like to visit my mother’s grave.” The bodyguard replied politely, “The order I’ve received is that you can’t leave the ward. Please return now. I’ll do my best to fulfill your other requests if there are any.” Esther fell silent and pulled out her phone to press a series of digits she had memorized. “Bradley Warner, you’re locking me up like a criminal?” Bradley sneered on the other end of the line. “The law can take your crime away, but you’re unpardonable to me.”“Unpardonable” felt like a blow to Esther. It was as if an invisible hand had clutched her heart, and she saw black. “Ms. Quill! “Doctor, Ms. Quill fainted.” The doctor was worried that Esther’s condition would affect the surgery a week later, so he gave her an IV drip on the spot. Esther was groggy in fever and wanted to just die, but the will to live filled her up once she thought of her children she had never seen since birth. Groggily, she saw a thin boy in black pajamas with dinosaur prints standing by her bed while hugging a husky plushie. “Son?” She extended a hand weakly to touch the boy’s face. “Are you my son?” Felix, who heard Esther’s sleeptalking, thought she was talking to him and answered cutely, “I’m not…” When she heard it, despair and pain could be seen on Esther’s flushed face from her fever. He was not? Then where were her children? “Bradley, Bradley. “Bradley Warner, where did you hide my kids? “Bradley, give them back to me! “Give them back to me!” Felix looked at the sleep-talking Esther curiously and placed the husky plushie by her side after a while. He left but sneaked back soon. Pulling a fever-cooling patch for children out of his cartoon pajama's pocket, he easily opened the packet and stuck it on Esther’s forehead softly. As his hand smoothed the patch over, he said, “You’ll be okay after this…” He then pulled out a milk candy from his pocket and carefully opened the wrapper to pop it into Esther’s mouth. Esther, who felt parched and tasted bitterness from her fever, was greeted with a sweet milk flavor. It slowly cleared up her mind, and she asked in surprise when she saw the face that looked so much like Bradley, “What… What’s your name?” How did this child look so much like Bradley? Was he their son? “I’m Felix Warner.” Felix saw Esther had woken up and looked delighted. “You’re awake?” Esther struggled to sit up. She had a high fever and sweated profusely, so she was uncomfortably drenched right now. Her gaze on Felix, however, was fervent and dangerous. She was so feverish that she saw the cutie before her as her son, whom she had been forced to part with since birth. She wanted to hug Felix as if to hug the gem in front of her into her arms. Before she could touch Felix, Liliane barged into the room, grabbed the boy, and kept him in her arms. Liliane looked at Esther in shock and accused her first. “Esther, I can understand if you hate me and resent me. But why are you hurting my son!?” Liliane scowled and passed Felix to the nanny, who rushed over. They left the ward before she stabbed Esther’s broken heart with her vicious words. “Your kids are dead. Don’t think about abducting mine!” Esther jolted from Liliane’s words. She looked back in disbelief and asked semi-consciously, “He’s your son. Then where are mine?” Liliane looked at the weak and delirious Esther in alert as she barked, “Stay away from my son!” What Liliane said completely woke Esther up from her daze. Once she thought about how close she had been to Liliane’s son just now, she could not help being disgusted. “Liliane, do you know why your son’s sick? It’s your karma for doing evil things!” Liliane got angry upon hearing it and wanted to slap Esther, but the latter avoided it and grabbed her hair instead. A slap then landed on Liliane’s supple cheek. The loud sound echoed in the room.

Chapter 6 Chapter 6

“Liliane, this slap is for Grandpa Thomas! “This slap is for my—” Esther slapped Liliane several times, but soon a furious Bradley came due to the ruckus in the hospital ward. “Esther, what are you up to again!?” Bradley grabbed Esther and threw her to the bedside cabinet. Blood streamed from her forehead because of the blow, which looked frightening. Liliane put a hand over her swollen cheek and explained weakly, “Brad, her kids died in prison. She must miss them too much while she’s sick. I can understand it.” Esther retorted harshly, “My kids aren’t dead! They’re still alive. You can’t curse them!”“Enough!” Bradley glanced at Esther, his gaze filled with resentment and hatred. Esther felt like a thousand arrows pierced through her heart then. Her beloved now looked at her like she was poison. Although she had decided to stop loving him, her heart still ached so badly that she could barely breathe. “Esther, you’ll get to see them after the surgery.” Bradley fixed his cold gaze on the weak Esther and warned her with cruelty. “But if you dare play tricks before that, I’ll ensure you never see them.” From the corner of her eye, Esther saw Liliane look at her with a sympathetic and sad gaze. A scary and absurd thought bubbled within her. Why did she believe what Bradley said so much? What if Bradley and Liliane lied to her so that she would willingly donate her bone marrow to Felix? What if her kids being alive was just a huge lie? The moment Bradley turned around, Esther grabbed a glass from the table and crashed it into the wall, shattering it. Bradley looked back in extreme impatience and annoyance. Esther picked up a shard from the floor and grabbed Liliane by her hair. The latter was shocked as Esther held the shard against her neck. “Brad!” Liliane was taken aback. Bradley’s cold gaze brimmed with abhorrence. Esther’s beautiful eyes welled up with tears while the reddened corners of her eyes spoke of a sense of fragility. Her hand holding the glass shard could not stop shaking. “Bradley, I don’t trust you. I don’t believe that my kids are still alive unless…” A tear slid down Esther’s eye. “Unless you prove it to me.”“Do you think you have the right to negotiate with me?” Bradley mocked. Esther pressed the shard harder against Liliane’s skin, and the sharpness that pierced the latter made her frown. “I’ll kill Liliane right now if you don’t prove it.” Liliane trembled in fear. She knew that Esther would totally do what she said now that she was forced into a corner. There was a strong killing intent in Bradley’s eyes. He questioned icily, “You’re still this vile after five years in prison…” Esther snorted, looked at Bradley in mockery, and retorted hoarsely, “You’re the one who has no right to negotiate with me, Bradley. You have two choices. Either you prove that my kids are still alive, or I’ll die with Liliane!” Despite Esther’s thin arms, she was somehow so strong that she locked Liliane in her hands and took her to the balcony. “Bradley, the countdown begins. Ten, nine, eight, seven…” Bradley had never imagined the bright and dazzling Esther to turn into the complete lunatic she currently was. “Let go now, and I’ll forget it. Otherwise…” The night breeze blew on Esther’s hair, and her gaze was resolute and ruthless. “Brad, save Felix,” Liliane pleaded tearfully. Bradley was furious as he said to Cole. “Cole, give me the b*stards’ photo.” Cole quickly handed him a photo. The thin photo was clamped between Bradley’s long fingers as he said coldly, “They’ll be buried with Felix if anything happens to him.” Esther’s gaze landed on the twin girls in the photo. She scrutinized them, realizing that their eyes looked so much like hers. She finally believed that her children were still alive—her children with Bradley were still alive. Bradley looked coldly at the delighted Esther and said sternly, “Sign these two contracts if you want the photo.”“I’ll sign them!” Esther shoved Liliane away without hesitation. Cole passed the divorce paper and agreement to give up on the shares to Esther courteously, but she did not even browse the content. She took the pen and signed her name where she should. “Can you give me the photo now?” Bradley spoke aloofly. “I can, but I want you to swear.”“I swear,” Esther hurried to say after seeing the photo. “If you break our deal, you’ll never see your kids.” Esther put up three fingers by her temple and swore. “If I, Esther Quill, don’t give Felix my bone marrow, I’ll never meet my kids again.” Bradley threw the photo onto the floor and took Liliane out of the room. “Keep an eye on her 24/7!”“Yes, Mr. Warner,” the bodyguards answered in unison. Esther quickly caught and held the photo in her hands. There was a pair of twin girls with short hair in the photo who wore the same new floral dress. They smiled sweetly for the camera. Esther was engrossed looking at it. She carefully studied their faces. The girls were like her, so fair and dark-haired with sweet dimples when they smiled. “Babies, it’s Mommy. “Babies, we’ll meet very soon.” Esther held the photo and kissed the children on it. Her tears fell as her heart clenched. “Babies, my babies.” There was no telling how long she had cried before falling asleep. Even then, she gripped the only photo she had tightly. While Esther was deep asleep, the door to her room was opened. A cute head popped in cautiously…

Chapter 7 Chapter 7

Felix approached Esther as softly as he could. He carefully placed a lollipop beside her pillow, saying gently, “Pretty madam, the medicine is bitter, but it won’t be with the lollipop.” Esther had actually woken up before Felix came in. She was unwilling to interact with him because he was Liliane’s kid. She was afraid she would involuntarily project her hatred for Liliane on this innocent child. However, there was an inexplicable jolt in her heart when Felix approached her. She wanted to be close to him for no reason. “You… Why are you here?” Esther asked in a hoarse voice. Felix’s clear eyes glittered when he saw that she was awake and answered, “Ma’am, you’re awake?” Esther touched the boy’s cheek and asked softly, “You’re alone?”“Daddy and Mommy went to work!” Felix tried to climb up to her bed clumsily, but he was too short. Thus, he was unable to do so despite several attempts. Esther could not help carrying him up. “Ma’am.” Felix looked so alike to Bradley, yet he was so innocent and guileless when he spoke. Esther was in a conflict to ignore him, but she could not hold back from patting and hugging him. “Thank you for saving me.” Although Esther had not done the bone marrow match voluntarily, she felt happy when she heard Felix thanking her. What wrong had the child done? Liliane was the one at fault! “You’re very cute.” Felix lowered his head and said disappointedly, “I’m not at all.”“Who said that?” Esther asked in puzzlement. “If I’m cute, why do Daddy and Mommy want a divorce?” Esther could not steel herself when facing such a cute and innocent face. She also could not transfer her grudge toward Liliane to Felix. “Your daddy and mommy aren’t divorced.” Felix looked up and asked, “How do you know?” Esther racked her brain to make up a lie that would not be easily exposed, but the photo on her blanket swiftly attracted Felix’s attention. He pointed at the twins and called out in glee, “Pixie and Tinkerbell.”“Felix, do you know them?” Esther asked carefully. Felix nodded. “They’re my best friends.” Esther grabbed his arms emotionally and urgently asked, “Where did you get to know them, Felix? They…” Felix was always ill, so he was very thin. Esther’s urgency hurt him. He scrunched up his nose and cried tearfully, “Ow…” Esther quickly let go and took a deep breath. She pressed down her overflowing emotions and toned down her voice to sound softer. “Felix, can you tell me where you’ve met them?” Felix pointed at the peach blossom tree at the back in the photo. “It’s Sunflower Welfare.” Overwhelming delight swept over Esther. She could not care less that Felix was her enemy’s son as she hugged him tightly. Felix actually blushed when Esther hugged him so suddenly. Esther held the boy’s face and kissed his forehead. “Thank you, Felix!” Felix was still blushing from the kiss as his eyes twinkled. “Are you Pixie and Tinkerbell’s mommy?”“I am.” Esther sobbed with a nod as her eyes became wet. “Why aren’t you living with them then?” Esther was rendered speechless despite Felix’s innocent question. She could not tell him that it was because of his mother that she had spent five years in prison. She also could not tell him that she had loved and trusted the wrong person when she was younger, causing her to lose everything now. “Felix, I’ll live with Pixie and Tinkerbell from now on.” Esther thought of the bodyguard outside her door and had an idea. “Can you help me?”“Sure!” Felix nodded seriously. Esther wanted to visit her mother’s tomb, but the bodyguard did not allow her. She could not possibly leave the hospital openly. “I want to see Pixie and Tinkerbell at Sunflower Welfare. Can you stay in my room and say that I’m sleeping when the bodyguard comes?” Felix patted his chest confidently and promised, “I’ll make sure the mission is accomplished.” Esther’s heart melted at the sight. She did not expect a vile woman like Liliane to be able to give birth to a kind and pure kid like Felix. “Thank you, Felix.” Esther pulled Felix into a tight hug. As Felix breathed in Esther’s fragrant scent, he was inexplicably happy. Esther let go of him and went into the bathroom with a suitcase. She was going to meet her daughters for the first time, so she wanted to meet them looking her best. Jasper had good taste, and all the clothes in the suitcase were branded. Even so, the skinny Esther looked fragile in these expensive dresses, as if she would be gone with the wind. She braided her hair to the side and wore a sleeveless silk dress inside, putting on a thin-knitted cardigan on the outside. The size 36 ballet flats felt slightly tight on her feet. She pulled out a stick of lipstick and dabbed it on her pale lips in front of the mirror, looking much better in color. When Esther opened the bathroom door, Felix praised her with sparkling eyes. “Wow, ma’am, you’re so beautiful.” Esther’s uneasiness was eased a little. “I’ll be going off now, little Felix.” Felix saluted her with his chin up proudly. “Go, go.” Esther’s hospital ward was on the third floor. It would be unrealistic to jump to the garden on the first floor from here, but she could slide down there using the sewer pipe outside of the balcony. Felix stood on tiptoe by the balcony, waving excitedly when he saw that Esther had landed safely. Esther clutched her bag and waved back at Felix who was on the balcony from the garden. She was eager to meet her daughters, barely able to wait for a second longer. She hailed a cab outside the hospital hastily. “To Sunflower Welfare, please!”

Chapter 8 Chapter 8

Esther pulled out her phone to call Jasper from the cab’s backseat. “Jasper, it’s me. My daughters are in Sunflower Welfare.” Jasper arched his brow and asked, “How do you know?” Esther told him about how she and Felix had worked together, and Jasper asked with a frown, “Esther, do you fully believe what a child says? Aren’t you afraid that it’s a trap?”“I can’t care as much now. Even if there’s only a sliver of a chance, I want to give it a go.” Jasper replied, “Alright, we’ll meet at the welfare home later.”“Okay.” Esther had lost her freedom behind bars for five years. Now that she sat in the backseat of the cab, she appreciated the bright neon lights of the city at night. The cool breeze kissed her face, and she took a deep breath before smiling genuinely. This was the smell of freedom. The map showed that Sunflower Welfare was on the other side of the city. Even though it was not peak hours, the roads were still congested. The experienced cab driver ended up stuck on the overpass a kilometer away from the welfare home. “Mister, may I know how long till we’re there?” The cab driver swiped the navigation app and pointed at the red route. “At least 20 minutes with how we’re currently stuck.”“Isn’t it just one kilometer?” Esther asked anxiously. “From the map, it is only one kilometer, but we can’t turn left right away after the overpass. We have to go up front and make a U-turn at the junction. You saw it too. They’re building a subway here…” Esther paid for the sum on the meter. “Mister, I’ve paid you. Please unlock the door. I’ll get off now.” The cab driver agreed easily. “Watch out for the cars, miss.” Esther saw Sunflower Welfare once she got out of the car. With her bag, she ran toward where her daughters were at. The night breeze swept her hair, and her heart thumped. Just as she ran off the overpass, an ambulance sped past her, its siren blaring. Her shoes did not fit. Despite that, she was eager to meet her daughters, so she ran so fast that her heart felt like it was leaping out of her throat. Impatient drivers were honking in a frenzy as they were stuck in the congestion. The loud honks drowned the ringing of Esther’s phone in her purse. In the end, she held her flats in her hands and ran for Sunflower Welfare with some stumbling. When she dropped her shoes to wear them again, a luxurious Bentley car stopped beside her. Jasper, who was in a suit, got out from the back and caringly helped Esther to the car’s backseat when he saw the blood on her feet. The affluent heir slowly crouched down and attentively picked up Esther’s foot to wipe the blood off with his handkerchief. “Esther, this is your first time meeting the girls. You have to leave them with a good impression.” Esther looked at Jasper’s hair and pulled her foot back in embarrassment. “I can do it myself.”“I’ll do it. Tidy your hair so that we can meet them sooner.” Jasper placed Esther’s feet on his knees and wiped the blood off softly until they were all clean. After he saw the blisters on her toes and heels, he asked with a frown, “Esther, the shoes don’t fit?”“I wear shoes of size 37 now.” Esther did wear size 36 before she was pregnant, but her shoe size went up a notch after she gave birth. The shoes Jasper had sent over were size 36. Esther could still fit in them if she squeezed her feet in. It was just that the shoes were too small and gave her blisters. Jasper paused before he said apologetically, “Sorry, I thought you were still wearing size 36. Hold on. I’ll get my assistant to bring a new pair.”“Jasper, it’s fine. I’d like to see the kids first.” Jasper could only agree weakly. “Alright.” At the same time, he texted his assistant to send size 37 shoes over. Esther stood wearing the relatively small shoes. Her feet still hurt. Compared to the joy of meeting her daughter soon, though, the pain was nothing. “Jasper, let’s go in.” Jasper put out a hand to help Esther, who was not walking quite well into Sunflower Welfare slowly. When the security guards saw how they were dressed and the outstanding aura they exuded, they thought they were a couple who came here to adopt a child. They greeted them warmly. “Are you two here to adopt a child? Children here are very well behaved…”“I’m here to make a donation.” The guard beamed at them upon hearing what Jasper said. “Hold on. I’ll let the director know right now.” Sunflower Welfare was a charity project, but there were plenty of orphans, most of whom were terminally ill. Although the financial and management situation was not the worst, it was not easy. The security guard made a call, and Camila Jenner welcomed Jasper and Esther to the guest lounge personally. Camila praised them. “You two make a great pair. I thank you for your kindness on behalf of the children here.” Jasper placed a check of $150,000 in front of Camila. “Madam Jenner, a pair of twin girls were sent over in August five years ago, correct?” Camila’s expression looked unnatural for a moment before she pushed some stray hair away and answered with reservation, “I wasn’t the director yet five years ago, so I’m not too sure about the particular situation.” Esther opened her purse with shaky hands and took out Pixie and Tinkerbell’s photo to place it in front of her. “Madam Jenner, can I see them?” Camila picked up the photo and took a closer look after putting on her glasses. “This is Pixie and Tinkerbell. Who are you to them?”“I’m their mother,” Esther admitted eagerly. Camila put down the photo and scanned Esther judgingly for a few seconds before saying gently, “I can see that you’re quite well-to-do. Why did you abandon your daughters?” Esther’s heart ached. She had delivered prematurely in prison five years ago. The doctor had said back then that it was critical as her premature labor caused an amniotic fluid embolism. The doctor had done their best and only managed to save the mother. She had not even gotten to see her babies when they were taken away. All these years, Esther had been under the impression that her children were no longer around. If Bradley and Liliane’s son, Felix, did not need her bone marrow, she guessed that a cruel man like Bradley would permanently punish her by separating her and her children. “They were born in prison.” Camila actually did not ask further after hearing this. She just asked, “Are you here to bring them back from the home?”“Yes.” Esther wanted to take her kids back. She wanted to compensate for the five years she owed them. “According to the procedure, we can’t let you take them away for the time being. After all, we can’t just believe what you said. I think we’ll get the officials tomorrow as witnesses and do a maternity test with you and the kids. Once we confirm that you’re their mother, we’ll further discuss it.” Esther understood Camila’s considerations and worries, so she naturally agreed. “Can I see them now?” Camila checked the time on her watch. Before she could answer, Jasper pushed a bank card to her. She kept the check and the bank card and got up to take them to the lobby outside the office. There were children reading books in twos and threes. Esther looked over and spotted the girl crying in the corner at first glance.

Chapter 9 Chapter 9

Regardless of the director and Jasper beside her, Esther hurried to the girl and crouched slowly. She was so nervous that her voice was shaking. “Why… Why are you crying?” Esther saw the girl’s teary eyes right away. Her heart clenched, and she wanted nothing more than to hug her and coax her into smiling. The girl had her guard up and ignored Esther. She scurried to Camila like a nimble little bunny and hugged her hand as she called her softly. “Mama Madam.” Camila put an arm around the girl’s shoulder and asked gently, “Tinkerbell, why are you crying?”“I miss my sister…” Tinkerbell felt like crying again once she thought of her sister, Pixie. Camila patted her softly and told her, “Don’t cry. Your sister’s having a good time now.”“Mama Madam, can I go see her in the future?” asked Tinkerbell. Camila comforted her. “Sure. Maybe you’ll be living with her not too long later?”“Really?” Tinkerbell was delighted. Camila nodded and wiped Tinkerbell’s tears, saying with a smile, “Of course. When have I lied to you?”“You never lie to us,” Tinkerbell said and hid back behind Camila timidly after she turned to look at Esther and Jasper, who stood at the side. Camila noticed her reaction and told her, “Tinkerbell, read some books first. I have things to talk to them about.” Tinkerbell waved at Camila understandingly and said cutely, “Bye-bye, Mama Madam.” She picked out a book and went to read it in a corner obediently. Only then did Camila take the uncontrollably emotional Esther to a side and tell her, “Tinkerbell and Pixie are twins. Pixie was adopted just a few hours ago.”“Only Pixie?” Esther asked in shock. “Yes.” Camila looked at her and explained, “They’ve only adopted Pixie because Tinkerbell’s ill. You both know how much it costs to raise a child nowadays. What’s more, Tinkerbell’s a sick child…” Esther, who had always been well-mannered, couldn't care less and asked nervously, “What does she have?”“Acute leukemia.” Camila explained patiently, “They wanted to adopt both of them, but they only adopted Pixie when they found out that Tinkerbell has acute leukemia. Acute leukemia requires a bone marrow transplant. We’ve registered with the National Bone Marrow Bank and will go on with the transplant surgery once there’s a bone marrow that matches Tinkerbell.” Never in Esther’s mind had she expected to receive such bad news just as she found Tinkerbell. “I’m her birth mother. My bone marrow might work.” Jasper, who stood on the side, expressed his initiative as well. “I can go for the test too.”“It’s best if you’re willing to test if you match.” Camila took a long look at Esther and said, “Ms. Quill, you can spend half an hour with Tinkerbell, but I don’t recommend telling her you’re her birth mother before the maternity test result is out. The children here are sensitive. I don’t want you to give her hope and let her down.” Esther’s eyes were filled with tears. “Okay.” Jasper looked at Esther and said gently, “Esther, go spend some time with Tinkerbell. I’ll ask Madam Jenner about the family who adopted Pixie.”“Thanks, Jasper.” After Camila and Jasper left, Esther went to Tinkerbell. Perhaps because Esther had come with Camila, Tinkerbell no longer hid from her when she saw Esther sit down next to her. She blinked and asked, “Ma’am, are you here to pick a child too?” Esther had a lump in her throat upon hearing the genuine question. “Ma’am, pick other kids as your child. Don’t choose me.” Tinkerbell was around four years old. She was adorable and good with words. “Because I’m sick.” Tinkerbell’s voice was soft and cute. “I hear Mama Madam say that my sickness needs a lot, a lot, and a lot of money…” Tinkerbell’s sensible opinion broke the dam in Esther, and her tears fell. Tinkerbell pulled out her own handkerchief and softly wiped her tears for her. “Does it hurt?” Tinkerbell shook her head and said bravely, “Nope. I’m super brave.” Esther could not help but pull Tinkerbell into her arms. “Tinkerbell, you’re so brave!” How could she not know that her daughter had suffered so much? How could Bradley be so cruel that he had bought the doctor and made up such a lie? He had made her daughters lose their mother just as they were born! He had made their daughters lose their carefree childhood at their young age! Did he know that they were his daughters!? Tinkerbell heard Esther’s restrained sobs and patted her back. “Ma’am, are you feeling sick?” Esther let go of the girl and held her face, sobbing. “My heart hurts.” Her heart felt like a thousand arrows had pierced through it. Bradley could come at her for any grudge and resentment he had. Why… Why did he not let go of such little children? “Ma’am, let’s read together.” Tinkerbell pushed the storybook in her hands in front of Esther. “This is my favorite book.” Esther sat on the small chair and read Tinkerbell’s favorite book with her. The book was about a brave girl catching a star after going through many challenges. Rather than Esther reading with Tinkerbell, it was more like Tinkerbell was keeping Esther company while she read. Tinkerbell talked about the book seriously, and her bright eyes looked like the whole universe was in them. Esther was comforted by the fact that Tinkerbell had grown up so well and behaved despite her not being around. However, her heart ached that the little girl had to be in pain from the illness at this young age. Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye. Tinkerbell kept the book on the book rack and approached Esther to remind her softly, “Ma’am, remember, don’t pick me.”

Chapter 10 Chapter 10

Esther understood what Tinkerbell meant. She was trying to say that she was ill and did not want to become a burden. “Tinkerbell, you’re not a burden. You’re the best, best, best gift God has given me.” With her big eyes, Tinkerbell looked like she did not understand what Esther said. It took her some time before she said, “But… I don’t want you to be my mommy!” Without giving Esther any chance to react, she ran away. Esther’s legs felt extremely weighed down as she was reluctant to take even one step. Jasper approached her and advised, “Esther, the kids are going to bed. We should leave too.”“Jasper, can I take…” Jasper coughed and reminded her, “I understand what you feel, but it’s too reckless to assume Tinkerbell’s your daughter owing to a photo. Besides, they won’t let you take the child away just because you claim to be her mother as they have their rules and regulations. “If you want to take Tinkerbell home sooner, do two things now. One, go for the bone marrow transplant test. You have higher chances of matching if you’re Tinkerbell’s mother.” Jasper calmly analyzed the current situation with Esther. “Two, you need to write an application to explain yourself. The home will arrange for a third party to do a maternity test for you. Once the result confirms that you’re Tinkerbell’s mother, you can reasonably and legally take her back without the three months of probation.” Esther nodded seriously. “Jasper, you’re right. Let’s go to the hospital for the test now.”“Sure.” Jasper took Esther to the hospital. “Esther, this is a public hospital. Their hematology department, especially, is famous nationwide. Go for the preliminary test now. The more detailed ones can only be done when the other departments are working tomorrow.” The public hospital was unlike private ones where one could do all the tests as long as they were able to pay. Jasper registered Esther for an emergency and explained the reason at the ward. The doctor there wrote her some referrals for the preliminary check-up. After the tests were done, Esther checked the time and realized that she had been away for nearly three hours. She wondered whether Felix had been caught. She did not want to anger Bradley at this point either because she needed to persuade him for a matching test if her bone marrow was not a match. “Jasper, I’ll go back first.” Jasper sent her back to the hospital under the Warner Group personally and stopped her before she got out of the car. “Esther, hold on.” He got out and stood before the door on Esther’s side, going on one knee to take off the flats that did not fit her feet. He then put on the size 37 white lambskin shoes for her. “Esther, have a good rest. I’ll keep an eye on Tinkerbell’s situation,” Jasper told her softly. “I’ll also do my best to find the couple who adopted Pixie. I believe you’ll reunite with them very soon.” Esther looked at the man gratefully. After what happened to her five years ago, the others avoided her like the plague, but Jasper treated her just the same. “Jasper, thank you.” Jasper patted her hair and teased her. “Nonsense! Go in now. Don’t upset Bradley.”“Okay.” Jasper stood at the hospital entrance and watched Esther enter with a gentle gaze. After he could not see Esther, he looked up at Bradley at the faraway balcony challengingly. He smirked and turned away nonchalantly to get in the car. When Esther sneaked to her hospital ward, the room door opened abruptly. The bodyguard glanced at her and said with a blank face, “Mr. Warner’s waiting for you.” Once she heard that Bradley was waiting for her, her heart skipped a beat. She entered the room in fright. Bang! Bradley threw a luxurious crystal glass at Esther mercilessly. The crystal glass shattered against the door beside Esther, and the splattering shards flew past her. One of the thin shards brushed past Esther’s face, and a line of blood immediately appeared on her fair face. The crimson was incredibly glaring. “Esther Quill, very bold of you!” Bradley had checked the surveillance recording and found out that Esther had escaped through that pipe on the balcony. What was more infuriating was that she had used a child like Felix. He got up from the chair and marched to Esther, clenching her chin and asking aggressively, “How dare you teach Felix to lie!?” Once Esther thought of Tinkerbell’s illness, she dared not anger the man further. What if Tinkerbell could use his bone marrow? She explained nicely, “Bradley, I found out from Felix that they were at Sunflower Welfare and couldn’t help but go see them.”“Couldn’t help?” Bradley snickered. “Didn’t you hold back well during the four years you spent in prison?”“Have you forgotten? You bought them over to tell me that my babies had died! If I had known…” Esther could not help getting emotional. “If I had known that they were still alive…” She would have been on her best behavior and tried to get released on parole. No, no. She would have made an appeal if she had known that her children were well and alive. She could not bear her daughters to carry the title of a murderer’s daughter once they were born. “Use Felix again, Esther, and I’ll ensure you won’t find them for the rest of your life.” Bradley released her and sneered when he caught a glimpse of the red mark on Esther’s pale face. “Bradley, is your bone marrow record in the National Bone Marrow Bank?” Esther quickly asked when she thought of Tinkerbell’s state and when Bradley was going to leave. “What does it have to do with you?” Bradley asked coldly. Esther grabbed his arm. “Please, just tell me. It’s important to me.” Tinkerbell was his daughter. If his bone marrow record was in the bank, this meant that Tinkerbell would have a higher chance of finding a match. “If I could choose, I wouldn’t want my son to have anything to do with you.” Bradley had undergone tests to check whether he was a match when he found out that Felix had leukemia. He had also registered his data in the bank in hopes that his bone marrow could help someone one day, like how he wished someone’s bone marrow could help his son. It was just that… never in his wildest dreams did he expect that the person was Esther. She was Felix’s hope of survival. Bradley forbade anything from happening to Esther here. He warned her ruthlessly, “Stay in the hospital. If you escape one more time, I’ll tie you to the operation theater myself!”

Chapter 11 Chapter 11

After Bradley left the ward, he told the doctor, “Run a comprehensive check on Esther tomorrow. Nothing can go wrong in Felix’s surgery.”“Yes, Mr. Warner.” Esther’s legs gave way, and she slid to the floor after Bradley left. She got on the bed with difficulty and fetched her phone to read up on acute leukemia. Each case was terrifying, and she read with a thumping heart. She had done the first check in the hospital tonight, and the result would only come out tomorrow. Only then could she be determined to carry on with the second detailed check. If the second one was fine, she could donate her bone marrow to Tinkerbell. Esther read up on the information and memorized the knowledge she found about leukemia, including aftercare and more. As she read, she fell asleep gradually. Bradley returned to Felix’s ward, where the boy and Liliane were drawing with oil pastels. “Daddy,” Felix greeted him crisply. Once Bradley recalled that Felix had helped Esther trick the bodyguard, his face fell. “Who allowed you to see her?” he asked. Felix was quite scared of the angry Bradley, so he stiffened and didn’t dare to speak. Liliane quickly stood in front of Felix and explained, “Brad, don’t blame Felix. Maybe he overheard it when I was talking about it with the nurses. You know him. He’s the kindest…” Bradley sat down before Felix and asked softly, “Felix, how did you know they’re in Sunflower Welfare?”“I took him there for charity before.” Liliane sobbed with reddened eyes. “After Felix was diagnosed, I thought I’d do more charity and took him to the welfare home a few times. He probably got to know them then.” Felix looked up. “Daddy, is the pretty lady really Pixie and Tinkerbell’s mommy?” Bradley stroked his son’s hair and said softly, “Yes.” Felix’s eyes, which were exactly like Bradley’s, crinkled when he smiled. “That’s great. Pixie and Tinkerbell have their own mommy too…” Liliane’s heart sank when she looked at the happy boy. Was this what they said about being bonded by blood? How could Felix feel so close to Esther and her daughters? It seemed that becoming Mrs. Warner had to be expedited lest the longer it dragged on, the more issues would occur! “Felix, do you like that pretty lady who’s donating her bone marrow to you?” Liliane’s smile was friendly, but she inwardly cursed him for being ungrateful. She had been taking care of him for over four years, and he liked Esther the first time he saw her. Felix answered gleefully, “Yes! But I like Mommy the most in this world.” Liliane was slightly appeased as she pinched Felix’s face and said enviously, “I thought I raised an ungrateful brat…” Felix furrowed his brows and asked Bradley in confusion, “Daddy, what’s an ungrateful brat?” Bradley shot Liliane a warning look. The latter’s heart clenched. Sh*t! She nearly exposed her true thoughts! Liliane quickly diverted the topic. “Felix, what are you drawing?” Felix approached Bradley and talked about his drawing seriously. “This is Daddy, this is Mommy, this is me, this is little sister…” As Felix talked, a drop of blood fell from his nose and landed on the drawing paper. Liliane exclaimed, “Felix’s bleeding!” Bradley pulled some tissue to wipe Felix’s nose, but the blood simply would not stop. Liliane pressed the emergency bell, and the doctor and nurses rushed in. “Mr. Warner, please make way.” Felix was wheeled away for rescue. Bradley looked at Liliane, who was at a loss, and told her hoarsely, “Stay here.”“Brad, I’m scared…” Liliane was pale in panic. Bradley took a long look at her before turning around to go to Esther’s ward and kicking her door open. “Who is it?” Esther was startled awake from her dream. Bradley did not give her any chance to react as he forcefully dragged her up from the bed. “Bradley, what’s gotten into you again?” Esther asked anxiously, “What happened?” Bradley ignored her and dragged her to the doctor. “Run the second test on her right now and arrange for the surgery as soon as the result is out.” Bradley had wanted to give Esther a week of rest, but he could not wait upon seeing how critical Felix’s condition was. Compared to the woman’s damned life, Bradley hoped his son could live healthily. The doctor followed his order and ran the second test on Esther. The second one was more comprehensive and detailed than the first, so Esther lay still like a puppet as the doctor and nurses did all sorts of tests on her. When everything was completed, she was sent back to her room. The nurse told her softly, “If the second test is a match, the surgery will start immediately. You can’t eat or drink for the time being.” Esther bit her lips and nodded lightly. “I understand.” The nurse then continued to tell her some precautions, which Esther took a mental note of. Felix’s emergency care came to a stop, and the exhausted doctor went to Bradley and Liliane. “Mr. Warner, Ms. Anstey, Mr. Felix’s condition has suddenly taken a turn for the worse. If there’s no compatible bone marrow for the transplant, he’ll…” The doctor did not finish, but Liliane understood what he meant. She looked at Bradley in worry. “Brad, what do we do about our Felix!?” Bradley was weighed down with worry, but he spared some effort to console Liliane. “Don’t worry. I’ve already asked for the second round of tests to be run on Esther. Once the result matches, the surgery can start anytime.” Liliane asked fretfully, “But what if… What if they aren’t compatible?”“No what if!” Bradley’s gaze was dark and icy. “Esther’s bone marrow will definitely be a match.” Liliane looked tearfully at Felix in the ward but thought it was only natural for Esther’s bone marrow to be a match. After all, she was Felix’s birth mother! It was just that she would by no means let Esther donate her bone marrow to Felix. A gleam of viciousness flashed in Liliane’s eyes. ‘Esther, oh Esther. I wonder what you’ll do when both your son and daughter need your bone marrow at the same time.’

Chapter 12 Chapter 12

Esther’s phone rang in the ward. She looked at the anonymous number and answered it without hesitation. “Hello?” It was an incredibly sweet voice on the other end of the line. “Hello. Is this Ms. Esther Quill?”“Yes. Who’s speaking?”“Hi, I’m a hematology doctor at People’s Hospital. According to the result of your first test for bone marrow donation with us, you’re preliminarily confirmed to match one of our patients. Please come to the hospital for a second, more comprehensive test as soon as you can…”“Okay, okay. I’ll be right there.” When Esther heard that it was a call from People’s Hospital and was informed that her bone marrow was a match, she naturally assumed that she could donate it to Tinkerbell. She stood up in joy and quickly got changed to go to the hospital for the second test. Esther went to the balcony, only to discover that a female bodyguard was sitting on the first floor’s garden. “Ms. Quill?” The bodyguard greeted Esther when she saw her on the balcony. At the same time, she pressed the emergency contact on her phone. Esther knew that the balcony would not work and hurried to the door. Before she could open it, the female bodyguard entered. “Ms. Quill, can I help you with anything?” Esther thought about it and chose to be honest. “I want to go to People’s Hospital. I just received a call from them saying that the result of my first test matches one of their patients…” The bodyguard patiently listened to her but mercilessly rejected her request to leave. “Ms. Quill, I’m sorry. Without Mr. Warner’s order, you cannot leave this room.” Once Esther thought of how Tinkerbell was still waiting for her bone marrow transplant, she quickly said, “I understand that this is your job. Don’t worry. I won’t run away. If you’re worried, you can follow me. I promise—”“Ms. Quill, please don’t make things difficult for me.” Esther using Felix to leave the hospital previously had caused the bodyguard to be punished. This time, she would not give Esther any chance to leave the hospital. “Alright, I understand.” Esther sat back down on the bed helplessly. The bodyguard replied politely, “I’ll leave you to rest then. Good night, Ms. Quill.” After she left, Esther took out Pixie and Tinkerbell’s photo. She stared at it for a moment and took a deep breath, deciding to call Jasper. “Jasper, it’s me.” Jasper woke up from sleep groggily. His voice was a sleepy drawl. “Esther? What’s up?”“Jasper, People’s Hospital called me just now saying that the result of my first test shows my bone marrow matches a patient. This means that my bone marrow is definitely compatible with Tinkerbell. I thought I’d go to the hospital now for the second round of tests, but I’m trapped here because of Bradley. I can’t go anywhere. Can you help me leave?” Jasper replied, “Let me figure something out. Wait for my update.”“Thank you, Jasper.” Esther was no longer sleepy after ending the call. She could not help imagining the pleasant daily life after she reunited with her daughters. She would look for a house. It did not have to be huge. Just four rooms would be enough. Her daughters would have a room each, and the extra one would be turned into a study room. She would make the house feel homey and warm. If her daughters liked playing the piano, she would buy a piano. She would turn the living room into a practice room if they liked dancing. She would make plenty of delicious meals and feed them well. She would also learn how to tailor to make them unique dresses. She would also learn how to braid hair and give them different hairstyles daily. Esther would dote on them till they were the happiest little princesses in the world. In the same hospital... Felix was still in emergency care as all his data did not do well. Not only were the doctors on duty there, but even those on leave and the pediatric experts from People’s Hospital and experts from other cities had all rushed over. Despite the countless experts, they came to the same conclusion after their diagnoses. Felix’s current state could only be helped with a bone marrow transplant—the sooner, the better. If it happened too late and his organs began to deteriorate, the transplant could not save him either. After Bradley listened to the experts’ opinions, he questioned with a glower, “When can Esther’s second test result come out?” A doctor wiped the sweat on his forehead and stammered, “One more hour.” Bradley took a deep breath. His eyes were deadly and icy. “Get the operation ward ready now. Carry out the surgery as soon as the result’s out.” All of Bradley’s hope was in Esther’s second test result. What if the result turned out not to be ideal? “Cole.” Bradley’s assistant, Cole, responded. “Mr. Warner.”“Update the reward online. As long as they’re willing to sign and become a bone marrow donor, pay them $1,500 each. $15,000 for those who did the first round of tests and $150,000 for those who did the second round. Once the test turns out to be a match, they’ll be rewarded with $15,000,000 in cash and provided with a permanent position in the Warner Group with an annual salary of $150,000 after taxes and a bonus package equivalent to that of the company’s GM level.”“I’ll publish it now,” replied Cole. Bradley’s hands balled into fists, and the veins on his forehead popped. He exuded an aura of coldness. No matter the price, he would save Felix. Cole was efficient. Jasper saw the information online right away. He did not browse the netizens’ comments but called Esther. “Esther, I saw Bradley raising the reward money online just now. Do you know what this means? It means that his son’s condition has worsened. He probably won’t let you out of the hospital now.” Esther could barely breathe upon learning that Felix’s condition had worsened. She put a hand over a chest and rubbed the unreasonable pain and suffocation away. “Jasper, pick me up first. I want to do the second test in the hospital. If the result is a match, I can donate to Felix and then Tinkerbell.” Jasper was taken aback and asked in concern, “Do you think bone marrow donation is as simple as blood donation? Given your current state, how could you possibly go through two bone marrow transplant surgeries within a short time?”“Jasper, Felix’s a child. It’s not his fault that Liliane’s his mother,” Esther said self-deprecatingly. “Besides, no one can be sure that my bone marrow is compatible with him.”“I’ll figure something out. Just get ready.” Jasper hung up after saying that to Esther and received a call from Sunflower Welfare’s director, Camila. “Mr. Searle, I’m Jenner from Sunflower Welfare.” Camila sounded agonized. “I have bad news for you!”

Chapter 13 Chapter 13

“Please go on!” Jasper replied seriously. “Tinkerbell fell down when she went to the bathroom at midnight. She has been sent to the hospital now. Please go to the hospital as soon as you can if you’re able to,” said Camila. “Okay, I got it.” Jasper hung up and hesitated but called Esther in the end. “Esther, it’s me. Madam Janner just called me and said that Tinkerbell fell at midnight when she went to the bathroom. She has been sent to the hospital already. I’m coming to pick you up now. We have to go to the hospital now.”“Okay, come quickly!” Upon hearing that Tinkerbell had gotten hurt, Esther felt her heart throb in pain. She could finally understand why her chest hurt just now. Was this because they were bonded by blood? “Esther, I’ll get someone to shut down the main electricity of the Warners’ private hospital for a moment, but the supply will return shortly because they have their own electricity generators. You have to leave during that time. Can you do it?”“Yes,” Esther replied confidently. “I’ll wait for you at the gate.”“Okay,” Esther answered and thought of Felix. “Jasper, if the electricity’s cut off temporarily, will it affect Felix?”“No. Big hospitals like this have their own generators. Usually, the critical areas won’t be affected, but the regular wards will definitely feel it. Since Felix is in a critical state, he is surely in ICU.” Esther breathed in relief. She did not want anything to happen to Felix because of her. If that happened, how would she face Grandpa Thomas, who had been so nice to her? Esther checked her things again, keeping her phone and stuff in her purse. She kept looking at the light in her room nervously, deciding to dash out once the supply was cut. Five minutes later, the private hospital experienced a blackout! Esther opened her door swiftly and saw Liliane stumbling out of the next door. “Felix, Felix…” The bodyguard guarding Esther’s door went over to hold Liliane up. “Ms. Anstey, be careful.” Liliane grabbed the bodyguard’s arm and asked anxiously, “Hurry, take me to Felix now. I’m worried about him…”“Okay, I’ll take you to Mr. Felix right away.” Liliane hummed a response and exclaimed worriedly, “Felix, he’ll be all good!”“Yes, he will. He is a good kid…” Liliane’s vicious gaze, however, was on Esther. She thought that she had already prepared the opportunity for the latter. Esther better not let her down! While Liliane kicked up a ruckus, Esther ran down the fire exit staircase. - At the same time, the doctor approached Bradley with the result of Esther’s second test. “Good news, Mr. Warner! Ms. Quill’s bone marrow is compatible with Mr. Felix’s. She can donate it to him.” Delight washed over Bradley instantly, and he immediately ordered, “Get the operation ward ready for the surgery.” Liliane, who had rushed over escorted by the bodyguard, hurried to Bradley when she heard that and asked in delight, “Brad, Felix can undergo surgery already?” Despite that, Bradley’s gaze was on the bodyguard. His eyes were as dark as night before dawn. “Why are you here?” The bodyguard reacted promptly and pulled out her phone to contact her coworker. “Check if Ms. Quill’s in her room right now.” The furious Bradley glared darkly at the careless bodyguard and called Cole as he stomped away. “Cole, get the hospital’s surveillance recording right now and tell me where Jasper is hiding Esther!” Cole’s fingers worked speedily, and he answered, “Mr. Searle drove his car and picked up Ms. Esther in front of the hospital.” It was within Bradley’s expectation that Esther wanted to run away. He just did not expect that she would ask Jasper to cut the hospital’s electricity to do it. What difference did her action make from killing Felix? Bradley hung up in a rage and took the elevator down to the basement car park. He drove the black Rolls-Royce Phantom into the night. - Three minutes ago… Esther finally escaped the bodyguard’s watch and the hospital she was locked in. “Esther, over here.” Jasper sat in the car and said with a frown seeing the sweaty woman. “Get in first.” Esther was panting from her sprint. She dared not stop for even half a second, worried that Bradley and the bodyguards would realize something was wrong and pursue her. “Jasper, we’ll talk later. I want to see my daughter…” Esther’s vision went black, and she nearly fell. Jasper, who had gotten out of the car, pulled her into his arms tightly and stroked her hair gently. “Esther, I have something to tell you, but don’t get too emotional.” Esther was suddenly filled with an ominous feeling. She struggled to look up and asked shakily, “Was Bradley the one who injured Tinkerbell?”“Not him. That was an accident.” Jasper tasted bitterness in his mouth. He could not understand why the kindhearted Esther had to endure so many challenges. “Get in first. I’ll tell you in the car.” Jasper shoved Esther into the car and gripped her soft hands. He took a deep breath and told her the cruel truth. “I received the news earlier. The adoptive parents have taken Pixie abroad. It might take a bit longer to find her.” Esther understood what Jasper meant and asked in a hurry, “Then what about Tinkerbell now?”“The ambulance sent Tinkerbell to the hospital.” Jasper squeezed Esther’s hand and consoled her. “Esther, Tinkerbell has leukemia too. She’s in a critical state. The hospital says that she has to do a transplant right away.” Esther’s heart clenched at the cruel reality. “I’ll do the second test at the hospital right now and do the transplant once we’re tested to be compatible.” Her Tinkerbell actually had leukemia like Felix and needed a bone marrow transplant too! Esther did not want to give up on either of them. She wanted to save them both! “We’ll go to the hospital now and have Tinkerbell’s surgery.” Jasper slung an arm over Esther’s shoulders and coaxed her softly like a big brother. “Esther, don’t be scared. I’m here regardless of what happens!”“If something happens to me, Pixie…” Esther said in worry. Jasper’s gaze fell on the neon light far away. As the light illuminated his handsome face, the reflected dim lighting felt dreamy. “Esther, I’ve already hired the best detective overseas to find where Pixie is. I believe that there’ll be news of her soon. Let’s go to the hospital for Tinkerbell’s surgery first.”“Okay.” The Bentley car zoomed on the street. Esther felt bitter as she thought of Tinkerbell. Her daughter must have been so afraid. Injections hurt so much, and medicines were so bitter. Other children had their mothers coaxing and placating them, but Tinkerbell… Esther looked at the photo on her phone and rubbed a finger on Pixie’s and Tinkerbell’s faces. ‘Girls, I’m sorry. It’s Mommy’s fault. ‘Mommy lost you. ‘Sorry, I’m so sorry.’ Droplets of tears fell on the phone screen. Jasper took a handkerchief out of his suit pocket and gently wiped Esther’s tears for her. “Esther, stop crying. You’re their mother. You’re going to make up for five years’ worth of motherly love that you owed to them.”“Mm-hmm.” Esther wiped her tears and forced a smile. “Jasper, thank you. If it weren’t for you…”“We’re friends,” Jasper said easily. “Don’t ignore me like you used to five years ago. No matter what happens, even if the whole world turns its back on you and abandons you, I’ll forever be your best friend and the person you can trust the most.” With that, Jasper’s chauffeur slammed on the brake. “What happened?” The chauffeur looked at the Rolls-Royce blocking the front of their car and identified the car license plate before he answered carefully, “Mr. Searle, I think it’s Mr. Warner’s car in front?” ‘Bradley?’ Esther choked the moment she heard the name. Terror washed over her. Did he catch up so fast? Bradley did not care that he was in the center of a busy street. He got out of his car and went over to pull the car door open forcefully. His tall figure looked like a murderous ghost in the dark. Half of Bradley’s face was hidden from the streetlight. Gone was his usual grace and poise as he felt like he had come from hell, bloodthirsty and brutal, with no one daring to stop him. His frosty, killing aura engulfed Esther, and her heart skipped a beat. Her eyes were filled with terror as she pleaded shakily, “Bradley, listen…” Bradley’s eyes were brimming with killing intent as he violently interrupted her, “Esther Quill, you’re asking to be killed!”

Chapter 14 Chapter 14

Noting their disadvantage, Jasper ordered the chauffeur, “Let’s go!” The chauffeur started the car, and the Bentley brushed past Bradley. Bradley looked at the car that sped off and returned to his own, stomping down on the accelerator and crashing into the car. With a bang, two luxury cars collided harshly. Esther’s repeated escape had only made Bradley’s rage burn his rationale away. He stepped on the pedal again to run the Bentley onto the pavement. Jasper kept Esther in his arms during the collision and nearly passed out from the collision. Bradley looked at the Bentley in front of him with a dark look and pulled out his phone to make a call. “Cole, get some men over.” Even with Jasper’s protection, Esther’s forehead was busted. Blood flowed like a small stream. She looked at Bradley, who felt murderous outside the car, and trembled in fear. Bradley got out of his car, looking like he could kill, and kicked the Bentley’s door open to pull Esther out brutally. His eyes were screaming bloody murder as he choked Esther by the neck and slammed her against the Bentley’s door. Esther felt like Bradley was going to snap her neck and pushed him on the chest as much as she could. It was just that her strength was nothing before the man. “How dare you escape twice within the same night, Esther!? “You should feel lucky that you’re still useful or else…” If Felix was not in the hospital waiting for this woman’s bone marrow to save him, Bradley could not hold himself back from breaking her neck with his own hands. Bradley kept squeezing, and Esther’s face turned purple. Her oxygen was running out from her lungs bit by bit. Death shadowed Esther, but she thought of Tinkerbell in the hospital and punched the car hard. Jasper, who was disorientated from the collision, heard Esther’s cry for help and forced himself out of the car. He shakily staggered between Esther and Bradley. “Mr. Warner, your son… will be dead if Esther dies!” Bradley sneered. “Jasper, a sl*tty b*tch like this is worth sacrificing your life?”“Mr. Warner, even though your marriage with Esther isn’t perfect—” Before Jasper finished, Bradley chuckled coldly. “This marriage is a humiliation in my life.” Bradley’s expression was menacing as he warned Jasper. “Don’t get involved!” He let go of his chokehold on Esther abruptly. Like a drowning person, Esther held the Bentley door and took in gulps of fresh air. She stood before Bradley with a bloodied face and could not help blurting Tinkerbell’s birth when she thought of how the girl had been sent off in an ambulance. “Bradley! Pixie and Tinkerbell in Sunflower Welfare are our daughters. If you don’t believe it, you can do a paternity test right now!” Not only did Bradley not believe her, but his eyes also brimmed with mockery. “I don’t believe a word you say, Esther!” Bradley then yanked Esther’s arm and pulled her to his car without a care. Jasper hurried forward to catch up and advised hoarsely, “Bradley Warner, calm down!” Calm down? When his son was on the brink of death? And the person who promised to save him kept pushing his limits!? It was then a few black cars skidded to a stop in front of Bradley. A squad of trained men in black got out and approached Bradley in a uniform stride. “Mr. Warner!” Jasper remained relentless despite being outnumbered by Bradley. “Bradley, walk over me if you want to take Esther away today!” Bradley glanced at Jasper and ridiculed him. “I don’t take threats from anyone, Searle. Your life is unworthy of a mention to me. Help her again, and I’ll wipe out the Searles.” Bradley looked at his men and instructed them, “Take good care of Mr. Searle.” The men in black went up and surrounded Jasper securely. “Bradley, let me save Tinkerbell, please! I promise I won’t run away again. I’ll save Felix.” Esther begged Bradley, trying to stir the last bit of his sympathy. Unfortunately, her voice only fueled his rage when he heard her. There was only blank bloodthirst on his handsome face as he impatiently sealed Esther’s mouth with yellow tape. He also wrapped her hands and feet with tape to prevent her from running off. Bradley tossed her to the backseat and tied her up with the seatbelt before pulling out his phone. “Get the operation ward ready. Operate on Felix as soon as I arrive.” The car sped toward the hospital without care. Esther closed her eyes in despair… ‘Tinkerbell, hold it out a bit more! ‘Mommy will save you! ‘Wait for me!’ The car came to a stop in front of the hospital, and Bradley pulled Esther out to hand her over to the doctor and nurses. Without Bradley’s instruction, no medical professional in the hospital dared free Esther of her restraints. Esther was still tied up when she was sent into the preparation room. After all the prep work was done, she was then sent to the operation ward. Bradley, who had completely disinfected himself, entered wearing a sterile surgical gown. His gentle gaze fell on another operation theater, where Felix was under anesthesia. Esther’s bone marrow was compatible with Felix, meaning the boy could bid farewell to being sick from then on. He could run, skip, and go to preschool like a regular kid. Bradley would raise him into the most outstanding heir of the Warner Group, so his grandfather would rest in peace knowing it. On the other side, Esther looked at Bradley pleadingly as she struggled in the operation theater. The doctors and nurses could not quiet her down. Bradley approached her and looked down at the girl, who was like a helpless beast. He tore the tape off her mouth. Esther spoke up quickly. “Bradley! Tinkerbell’s just a child. What wrong has she done!?” Bradley squeezed her lower jaw. His answer was a soft murmur, but it was disheartening. “She’s your daughter. It’s an original sin she carries!” Esther stubbornly wanted to tell him the truth about their daughters to try and rouse his feelings. “Bradley, Tinkerbell has acute leukemia. She has to be operated on at once or she’ll die! “Please, Bradley, I beg you! Let me go! “She’s your daug—” Bradley choked Esther’s neck once more until she could not make another sound. The surgical shadowless lamp shone on Esther’s face, making her look paler while her eyes brimmed with sorrow that stunned Bradley. He could not help loosening his hold on her neck. “Another word of nonsense, and I’ll kill those b*stards right now!” Esther used the last bit of her energy to beg with a sob, “Please let me donate to Tinkerbell first. I promise I won’t run. I promise you can ask me anything as long as she’s safe. “I’ll donate my bone marrow to Felix, Bradley, trust me. I’ll really donate it to him.” Bradley felt the irony when he heard Felix’s name leaving Esther’s lips. “How does the b*stard you gave birth to worth being compared to my son?” Tears of despair welled in Esther’s eyes. She cried helplessly, “Bradley, Tinkerbell’s really your daughter… Why don’t you believe it?”“You really could say anything just to save that little b*stard, huh?” Bradley mocked her. He did not want to listen to her lies anymore and taped her mouth again. “Tie her down.”“Yes, Mr. Warner.” The nurses restrained Esther, who kept struggling to the operation theater right in front of Bradley. The moment Esther was tied down, she lost hope. Her eyes were tearful as she looked at Bradley, who donned the gown. The anesthesiologist had prepared the anesthetic and was going to inject Esther when Bradley went over and told him, “Give it to me.” Esther struggled with pained sobs on the table, her tearful, desperate eyes pleading. ‘Bradley, no! ‘Don’t! ‘Tinkerbell’s still waiting for me! Our daughter’s still waiting for me to save her!’ Bradley looked at Esther, who still wanted to break free despite being tied up in the operation theater. His surgical glove-clad hand grabbed her fragile neck forcefully, forcing her to look at his cold eyes as he told her cruelly, “Esther Quill, it’s your blessing to be able to save my son.” He let go with that and mercilessly pushed the syringe of anesthetic into Esther with a blank face.