Chapter 357
Chapter 357
Journalists’ pen and lawyers’ words, these were the things that could turn coal to diamonds. You didn't
want to cross either one.
Andre noticed his wife's lips reddened from the spicy food. He picked up her apple juice and held it to
her lips.
Mia took a sip, then continued her conversation with Molly. "Why don't you think about where we
should go for dinner?"
"Okay, I won't bother you anymore. I'll let you know when I decide."
After hanging up the call, Mia took the straw out of her juice and drank straight from the cup.
Once she finished, she pointed her spoon at her husband's dish. "Honey, I want some of your soup."
"It's spicy."
Mia whined, "Just one sip, please?"
Andre couldn't resist her plea and passed her the soup. Mia, true to her word, took just one sip, then
her mouth opening wider than an egg.
Half an hour later, the family of three stepped out of Chad's office in silence. Chad escorted them to the
door, completely ignoring his bored little sister sitting on a nearby bench.
At the door, Chad addressed the mother and son. "I've laid out the pros and cons for you. If this
continues, it will only bring harm. Go home and learn to be a decent human being."
The pregnant woman thanked Chad through her tears, "Thank you, Captain." Chad glanced at her but
didn't respond.
Unbeknownst to everyone else, once the family of three got into a taxi, the usually timid woman said,
"Let's get a divorce. I want to keep the baby."
After seeing three people leave, Chad entered the police station, and his arm was grabbed by Molly.
"Did you sort out my problem again?"
Chad's veins throbbed with irritation. "Molly, you're starting your internship at mom's company on
Monday."
During the school term, the three of them had been keeping a low profile for months. Just one week
into the holidays, and the trio's first meeting had already landed them at the police station.
Back in Chad's office, he raised his hand as if to smack Molly. But knowing her brother would never
actually hit her, she cheekily moved her face closer to his. "If you can't bring yourself to do it, then give
me a kiss instead."
Chad gritted his teeth and pushed his sister away. "Molly, can't you give me some peace for once?"
After being pushed away, Molly clung to Chad's waist again. "Chad, you should actually be grateful for Copyright by Nôv/elDrama.Org.
this. I used to have beautiful illusions about marriage and life after marriage. But after learning about
their situation, I realized that their tragedy is far more impactful than any case you've shown me or
report you've made me listen to. It's real, and it happened right in front of me. It scared the hell out of
me. I'm not going to fantasize about love or married life anymore."
Her sincerity made Chad believe her. "This is what happens when you don't properly investigate your
partner's background before marriage. From now on, you must tell me about anyone who pursues
you."
"Of course, Chad."
Chad looked down at his sister, who had shamelessly snuggled into his arms. "You didn't get physical
today, did you?"
Molly replied, "Today, everyone got physical, except me. Even Andre got physical. I just used my
mouth."
Chad grunted in approval. "Talking isn't a crime."
Molly laughed. "Even if I did get physical, you wouldn't let me get into trouble."
Chad rolled his eyes. When did Molly become so good at reading him?
After changing clothes, Chad took Molly out for some cold noodles. When he mentioned her upcoming
internship, Molly dodged the topic. "Andre is going on a business trip for a few days, so I plan to stay
with the Cedillo family to keep Mia company."
Chad: "Trust me, Andre won't let you stay at the Cedillo family."
Molly was eating her cold noodles, her mouth full. Chad pulled out a napkin and wiped her mouth for
her.
It was a natural gesture, one they were both accustomed to.
"Chad, you haven't taken me out to play since the holiday started."
Chad: "I'm swamped with work every day. I wish I could clone myself. Where would I find the time to
play with you?"
Molly suggested, "Could you take some time off tomorrow to go back to our hometown with me? We
could pick up grandpa and grandma and bring them to live in the city. The countryside is full of
mosquitoes and bugs in the summer, and the weather is unbearably hot. The last time I went back, I
promised them I'd bring them to the city during my holiday."
Chad thought about his schedule for the next day. "I can't make it. Let dad or one of our drivers
accompany you."
Molly rolled her eyes, "I don't want to go back to our grandparents' place with dad. Every time he goes,
he gets all nostalgic and wants to stay overnight." She continued, "Last time, I got bitten all over by
mosquitoes. Only after I was covered in bites did he agree to take me back home."
Molly remembered the excitement of her first year in middle school when she heard they were visiting
their grandparents. She had eagerly joined her father. But once they arrived, her choice of wearing a
skirt turned out to be a bad idea. Her legs were covered in mosquito bites. Even a trip to the restroom
wasn't safe; she got bitten on her behind too. Upset and itchy, she cried and begged her father to take
her home that very day.
Kendrick, having grown up in that place, was filled with memories and wasn't as bothered by the
mosquitoes. He decided to stay on. Eventually, Molly's grandmother gave her a bath with some old-
fashioned soap to soothe the bites.
However, the next morning, Molly woke up to find her forehead, neck, cheeks, and the back of her
hands covered in swollen bites. She had even scratched one on her forehead till it bled.
Seeing his daughter in such a state, Kendrick felt guilty and immediately took her back home. Once
they reached Havenbrook, Coleen was horrified at Molly's appearance. In her distress, she gave
Kendrick a piece of her mind, "Anyone would think you're her stepfather, taking her to a place to be
eaten alive by mosquitoes!"
When Chad, in his high school years, returned from his tutoring class, he and Coleen applied ointment
to Molly's bites. It took several days for Molly's bites to heal. After that incident, Coleen was adamant
about not letting Molly visit their grandparents during the summer.
Recalling that summer, Chad suggested, "Why don't we have dad's driver or mom's driver take you?"
Molly thought for a moment before shaking her head. "I'll just take the train back by myself tomorrow."
Chad asked his sister, "Are you sure you can manage?"
"Of course."
After she finished her cold noodles, Molly spent the afternoon in Chad's office. She called their
grandparents in the countryside. "Grandpa, grandma, pack your things today. I'm coming to get you
tomorrow."
Grandma Aubree: "I'm not going."
Grandpa Elmer: "Me neither."
Molly fibbed, "Come on, you guys. Mom and Dad have been arguing all day at home. Their marriage is
hanging by a thread. If you show up, they won't dare to fight anymore."
Hearing that their son and daughter-in-law's marriage was on the rocks, the elderly couple were
startled and quickly started packing their bags.
The following morning, Chad took his little sister to the train station. "Let me know when you get there,
and also when you reach Grandma and Grandpa's. Don't talk to strangers on the way, and don't accept
anything anyone offers you. If anyone seeks your help, male or female, young or old, call out for the
station staff. Remember, it's a mixed crowd out there, so keep a low profile and don't flaunt your wealth.
If anyone tries to hit on you, just walk away."
Chad was treating his sister as if she were still a child, giving her detailed instructions on everything.
Molly: "Chad, I'm going in the morning and coming back in the afternoon. Can you please not worry so
much? I'm an adult, I can handle myself."