Chapter 18 They met each otherâs eyes, and not a word was exchanged. After a brief moment, Sylvia came to her senses and immediately moved to shut the door.
However, Odell scoffed and promptly raised his hand and pushed the door the other way to prevent it from closing.
Thump! The door slammed viciously against the wall and produced a sharp thump. Sylvia went pale with horror. She retreated backward and shielded Isabel with her body. Odell glared at her, then turned his attention to Isabel who was hiding behind her. At the same time, Aunt Tonya stepped forward and shielded Isabel just like Sylvia did.
Their nervous movements indicated that they were worried about Isabel being taken away. Odell merely snickered and stepped inside.
As he stared at Isabel, a lot of things that occurred recently started to make a lot of sense in his head.
Liam had always been withdrawn and preferred to be alone. He was never affectionate with anybody, not even himself and his great-grandmother. He did not like to be touched either. However, ever since he met Isabel, not only did he find himself a best friend but he even visited her every day to have dinner, returning home only after dark. On the weekends, he even went out of his way to bring Isabel to their house. Upon meeting, they would call each other brother and sister, and they slept together in a small bed in kindergarten as if they were blood-related siblings. He recalled the last time he met Isabel. He remembered how the girl was friendly with Madam Carter, but as soon as she saw him, she had looked at him with some kind of disdain.
Similarly, he recalled how he could not find it in himself to have any sort of hostility toward her.
At the time, he thought it was simply by virtue of how cute she was and partly because of her friendship with Liam. Apparently, there were other factors involved now.
He took another two steps forward to take a closer look at Isabel.
Unfortunately, Sylvia cut off his view. She looked at him like one would a thief and addressed him directly, âOdell, youâre not welcome here. Please leave.â
Her aggressive manners and eagerness to chase Odell out only aggravated his suspicions.
He looked at her sharply and asked, âWhose child is this?â
Sylvia took a breath and answered calmly, âItâs Aunt Tonyaâs granddaughter.â
Odell scowled and stated, âAunt Tonya never got married because she wanted to take care of you. How could have gotten herself a child to bear her a granddaughter?â
He immediately exposed her lies.
Sylvia felt a lump in her throat because she did not expect him to know of these matters.
S Aunt Tonya spoke up, âIsabel is my nephewâs daughter. He got into an accident two years ago, and since then Isabel was entrusted to me to take care of.â âYour nephew should share the same surname as you, so how is it that Isabelâs surname is Ross?â Odell stated. Aunt Tonya fell speechless. âI ended up raising Isabel. Canât she share the same surname as me?â Sylvia claimed. Odell chortled. There was not a chance he was going to believe her.
This was when Isabel suddenly appeared from behind Sylvia and looked at him with her large eyes while going off like an angry firecracker, âStinky uncle, what does it have to do with you whose daughter I am?!
Our house doesnât welcome you, so go away!â
Odell stared at her chubby face. Apart from how she was slightly plumper than Liam, almost every part of her features resembled Liamâs.
While he was still staring intently at Isabel, Sylvia suddenly nudged Isabelâs head away and told her, âGo back to the room with Aunt Tonya. Mommy will take care of things here.â A cold flash appeared in Odellâs eyes. He turned to the bodyguards and commanded, âTake Isabel away!â The two bodyguards were dumbfounded. They did not expect Odell and Sylvia to know each other, and for their relationship to be so complex. When Odell repeated his command with more severity, they did not dare to refuse and rushed to Isabel immediately. In reaction, Sylvia hurriedly took Isabel into her arms. She glared at Odell.
âOdell, this is private property. What you are doing is kidnap!â Odell pursed his lips and declared, âItâs not kidnapping if itâs my own daughter.â
âSheâs not your child!â she exclaimed.
âWeâll find out when I take her to do a paternity test.â Sylvia gritted her teeth.