Downstairs, the birthday party was still in progress, but all the main characters had vanished.
Apart from the children who were unaffected and still running around wildly, the adults looked normal but their minds were on different things, their faces subtly expressive.
Watching the two children beside him like he was observing gorillas in a zoo, Benny Palr’s eyes were filled with wonder and envy!
He had known Christopher Hart since they were kids, and they were so close they might as well have grown up wearing the sa pair of trousers, but this disparity was huge.
He was alone, and his wife’s whereabouts were unknown, while his old friend was already the father of triplets!
What an unbeatably rigged life!
After his initial astonishnt, he tried to get closer to the little ones but before he could even speak, the brothers, unfamiliar with him, rudely walked away and joined Kane and Snow Fitch.
Young Master Palr felt embarrassed and had a slightly awkward expression.
Snow Fitch patted their heads and smiled to comfort them, "Don’t worry, your sister is fine, she’ll be down soon."
But evidently, the brothers didn’t believe that, their handso faces furrowed in concern.
Emma Carter and George Hart were still watching them intently but didn’t move any closer.
Having lived most of their lives, this was the first ti they felt so embarrassed, and it was their own son who had caused it.
To say they didn’t harbor resentnt would be impossible.
But that resentnt quickly shifted towards Alia Garcia.
In their eyes, Alia Garcia was nothing short of a "Fox Spirit," bewitching their son and daring to oppose her own parents-in-law.
The ringing of a phone snapped Emma Carter out of her angry displeasure.
She answered the call with annoyance, and before listening for long her expression darkened, "With so many of you around, you can’t keep an eye on one pregnant woman?!"
Pregnant woman?
Snow Fitch’s face showed surprise, and then realization dawned – could it be Lily Garcia, "confined" in the Hart Family ho, had "escaped"?
Emma Carter hung up and imdiately called her son.
But the next second, the call was disconnected...
Emma Carter was infuriated – the nerve! Not even taking his own mother’s call!
Despite her anger, the bigger picture was more important; she clenched her teeth, held back her temper, and hurried inside to discuss a strategy with her son.
Upstairs.
In the bathroom of the bedroom, Hope was still crying, but the cries had softened, probably from exhaustion.
Alia Garcia stood by the bathroom door, not forcing her way in, but repeatedly comforting in a patient tone: "Mommy’s here, mommy’s always with you, when you’re ready to talk to mommy, just call for ..."
Christopher Hart had disconnected his mother’s call, his expression still dark and anxious.
He wasn’t naturally rebellious or unfilial, but he simply couldn’t unite with his parents over the issues involving Alia Garcia and the children.
He couldn’t understand why his parents treated his sister the sa as him, but when it ca to his children, there was a severe disparity between genders!
If it was about rejecting Alia Garcia, then why not disregard all three kids, why the double standard to this extent?
He was truly disappointed and angry about today’s events, so seeing his mother’s call, he didn’t hesitate to disconnect, regardless of the reason.
Unexpectedly, his mother quickly ca upstairs.
As Christopher Hart glanced up and saw Emma Carter, he spoke impatiently, "What are you doing here? Hope is already hurt by you all, aren’t you ready to let it go?"
Hearing him speak, Alia Garcia turned around, saw her forr mother-in-law, and her eyes instantly filled with hostility, her body tensing up in defense.
Emma Carter’s expression was equally grim, but more filled with anger and grief.
"Lily Garcia ran away, I ca to tell you about it," Emma Carter began, "to see if you want to send soone to find her."
"Ran away?" Christopher Hart was taken aback, "With so many people watching, how could she have escaped?"
"How would I know?" Emma Carter replied irritably. "After checking the surveillance, they said she hid in the trunk of a car and got away."
Christopher Hart stared at his mother, feeling that everything was going wrong and his mood growing even more irritable.
Emma Carter delivered the news and then turned to leave.
Christopher Hart thought briefly before imdiately calling Lucas King, asking him to arrange for soone to search.
Alia Garcia rose from her seat and walked toward him.
The man put down his phone, locked eyes with her, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. He whispered reassuringly and promised, "Don’t worry, we’ll find her soon. There aren’t many people she can turn to now."
Alia Garcia’s eyes were bloodshot, her expression downcast. She nearly pleaded, "Please give Hope. I’ll take the three siblings and leave River City, all right?"
This place was full of uncertainties and hostility.
As a mother, she did not want her children to face any danger.
A pang of pain crossed Christopher Hart’s eyes, understanding what was in her heart. He remained silent for a mont, then stepped forward, grasping her hand, "Alia, if you really feel you can’t stay here and want to leave, just give so ti. Once I settle matters at the company, I’ll go with you."
What?
The woman’s pupils shook, utterly surprised.
Did he an... he was willing to give up everything and flee with them?
"You’re not paying attention to us," said Emma Carter.
"Why must you do this?" she asked.
"I have to," he declared firmly, his eyes as resolute as if emitting a harsh light.
Alia Garcia still was unappreciative, "We’re already divorced. I chose to have the children on my own; you really don’t need to take this responsibility."
"That’s just what you think. Have you considered it from the children’s point of view?"
"..."
"Which child doesn’t want a father? I don’t believe they grew to be five years old without ever asking you about their father."
Alia Garcia beca even more silent, her gaze guiltily shifting away.
Christopher Hart held her hand tighter, "Alia, I know you can’t forgive , and I know you don’t want to continue living here. So let’s leave. Let’s find a new place, start anew, and leave everything that happened here behind – the good and the bad!"
Alia Garcia looked up at him again.
Honestly, she was surprised.
A man willing to give up such high standing, wealth, and power for her and their children needed imnse courage.
But such a selfless, all-in sacrifice placed a trendous pressure on the receiver.
Alia Garcia shook her head, pulling her hand free and stepping back, "I can’t accept. I can’t bear such a great sacrifice."
If they ever argued and fell out of love one day, this imnse sacrifice and commitnt would beco a heavy shackle.
"I don’t want to owe you such a big favor."
Christopher Hart frowned deeply, "This is my choice; you don’t need to bear anything. You and the children are my everything. Careers, money, status – all those are just fleeting."
Alia Garcia still shook her head, "Stop, I won’t agree. If we leave, it’ll be just taking the three of them."
Christopher Hart, already in a foul mood, saw that she remained impervious and quickly ran out of patience.
He placed a hand on his hip, turned around to take a deep breath, adjusting his emotions, but still couldn’t hold back, and suddenly turned around to accuse, "Alia Garcia, when will you stop being so selfish?"
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