LOGINChapter 81: Clearly, You Never Used to CareSumire looked at me with grateful eyes and nodded. After that, we had a very pleasant dinner together. Perhaps she understood that I did not want to pressure her about this matter. Although her expression was full of gratitude, Sumire was still shy, so she only glanced at me lightly and gave a small nod.This child was truly perceptive and sensible. Compared to Lilya’s liveliness, her temperament was somewhat the opposite, but seeing them like this only made it clear that the two of them were a pair of friends who complemented each other.If Lilya could become close friends with Sumire in the future, that would be wonderful. Having a friend who shared the same aspirations and dreams, what could be better than that?Lilya introduced Ryan to Sumire, and the three of them got along more harmoniously than we had expected.That night, Lina insisted on staying no matter what, so I decided to let her sleep with Sumire to give the two of them a chan
Chapter 80: Sumire’s FutureAfter we went back inside and sat down, Anessa began reporting the specific situation to me.“The police have issued a restraining order against the Maxim couple, prohibiting them from approaching Sumire until she turns eighteen. At the moment, the association is temporarily holding guardianship of Sumire, but we are required to find a new guardian or choose to place her in the association’s care facility.”Just as I had thought, if the guardianship belonged to the association, Sumire would be raised like the other orphaned children.They could only ensure that she had enough to eat, enough to wear, and could attend school normally, but they would not be able to support her dreams in any deeper way.And children living in such facilities were just like how I once lived in an orphanage, having to take care of themselves and grow up on their own.I glanced at Sumire. She looked panicked and frightened upon hearing all of this.Even though she was still young,
Chapter 79: Come Play at the Dominic House?I fell silent.Well, that was the truth, but how exactly was I supposed to say it to her? A stranger had suddenly appeared and shattered the peace of her small family, and now she could not even go home. Sumire was surely very confused.I sighed and asked Sumire,“Do you really want to go back there?”Sumire was startled. She seemed surprised that I would ask such a question, and stammered for a long while.Going home was the natural thing for every child, but Sumire was probably smart enough to understand her current situation.She looked at me with a conflicted expression. It was obvious that she did want to go home, but did not dare say it aloud.Even if that place exhausted Sumire just like the Maxim couple did, the truth remained that she had grown up there.It would be difficult for her to begin living in a strange place all alone.Lilya grabbed Sumire’s hand and casually said,“Why would you go back there? If you don’t have anywhere t
Chapter 78: Guardianship RightsAs soon as I asked, Anessa replied,“At present, Sumire’s guardianship has been transferred to the Child Protection Association, but this is not a long-term solution. Madam, have you considered what you plan to do next?”We had pushed Kathy into the hands of the law, but Sumire’s life still had to continue.She was a genius actress. That was an undeniable fact. So I did not wish for her to abandon the career she had worked so hard to build just because of people so undeserving.Sumire’s future would face many hardships because of her parents’ mistakes. Though she had done nothing wrong, against the cruelty of public opinion, Sumire needed someone by her side to protect her.The association could only ensure Sumire’s normal development. It could not provide her with the best conditions or guide her to go further.Stripping the Maxim couple of their guardianship was only the first step. Finding the right person to become her guardian was the real long-ter
Chapter 77: Exploitation and Forced Child LaborKathy was stunned, completely unable to believe what was happening before her eyes. She stammered as she tried to explain.“I don’t understand what you people are talking about at all. Exploiting a child? Are you talking about Sumire? She’s my daughter!”Looking at Kathy now was truly pathetic. She probably had never imagined that one day she would face accusations like this.Until now, Kathy had likely always rationalized everything Sumire had to do as a duty, and believed she was only doing what was best for the girl. That was why, at this moment, she could shamelessly bring out all that twisted reasoning to defend herself.“This is completely ridiculous! My daughter does so much because she wants to. She dreams of becoming a famous actress. Is it wrong for me to help her achieve those things?”As Kathy defended herself, she looked around, seeking agreement from everyone present. But unfortunately, no one would accept such warped and d
Chapter 76: Please, Save Me!After everything that happened today, even if Sumire did not want to believe it, she was forced to admit one truth: she would slowly die in the hands of her own parents.The father and mother she loved with all her heart were ruthlessly tightening their grip around the child they had given birth to. If Sumire continued pretending not to know, then she would be the one strangling her own life with her own hands.That painful truth was something Sumire had no choice but to face. She had to choose, either break free and save herself, or let her life shatter into pieces beneath her parents’ hands.I knew that no matter which choice she made, it would not be easy.This was the very boundary of morality that even adults could not judge easily, yet such a tiny child had to bear it.I sighed, rubbed Sumire’s head, and softly said,“I know it’s hard to choose. But I hope you understand that children have never had the duty to become a perfect version of themselves
Chapter 37: Greed?Looking at Ann’s composure, it seemed the Oliver family hadn’t run into any trouble with that five million dollars yet. But for someone who disliked sharing anything with me, even something she had already discarded like Ann, the moment she heard me bring up that sum, she immedia
Chapter 30: A Love Like a Fairy TaleFinn Muller continued to look at me with a harmless smile, but his eyes seemed to be observing my every movement.I knew that if I revealed even the slightest flaw, he would immediately grasp the truth about our marriage.Finn smiled and spoke as if asking for m
Chapter 28: Lina FoxyUnlike Ann, who was the type of young lady who only knew how to rely on a bit of her family’s wealth and power to show off, Lina Foxy was a true lady with high education and a distinct personality.Lina Foxy came from the prestigious Foxy family, a family with a long history a
Chapter 27: Finn Muller Everything that followed went quite smoothly. It seemed Julian and Ann had a small argument, so throughout the party both of their expressions were awkward in a rather strange way.After the party ended, everyone gradually left. I stood on the second-floor balcony, watching







