Chapter 555
The chill emanating from Max’s presence intensified, and the throb in his head grew more severe. He couldn’t help but wonder if it was the aftermath of that car crash Pyan had orchestrated, the one that left his brain marred with a stubborn contusion. At the moment, all he could focus on was the pain that seemed almost unbearable.
He tossed his phone aside, deciding to shut out the world and its barrage of information, craving nothing but a moment of brief respite.
“Patrick.” He called out again, and Patrick, already alert to his boss‘ sour mood, hurried through the door.
“Sir?”
“Do we have any sleeping pills? Hand me one, will you?”
Patrick hesitated, a wave of memories bringing a bad taste to his mouth. “Right away, sir. Are you in pain?”
“Yeah, the doc mentioned the clot hasn’t cleared. No clue how long it will take.”
“Do you need me to get a doctor to check on you?”
“Later. I need to rest now.”
With no choice but to comply, Patrick fetched the sleeping pill and a cup of warm water. Leaving his phone in the study, Max headed to the master bedroom and succumbed to sleep.
Patrick waited outside, pondering for a moment before deciding to call Brielle.
At this time, Brielle had just left Stellar Stage Entertainment. Caught in the rush hour traffic, her car crawled to a halt at a red light when her phone rang, flashing an unfamiliar number.
Frowning, she hesitated for a split second, truly not wanting to answer. After mentally bracing herself, she picked up to a woman’s voice on the other end, one that carried the weight of years. “Ms. Brielle, hello. I’m the new director of Sunflower Children’s Home. Today, a few children are set to be adopted, and the former director hoped you could come by personally.”
Brielle’s intuition was spot on; there was indeed a pile of issues waiting for her. She honked the horn impatiently, her brows knitting together deeply.
“Ms. Brielle?”
Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she replied, “Alright, I’ll be there shortly. Am I needed to sign off in the former director’s stead?”
“Yes, he said you’re the only one he truly trusts.”
With that, Brielle took the next turn, heading toward the new location of Sunflower Children’s
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Chapter 555
Home.
Having been the one to see off Mark, she felt a responsibility to be there for the children at this moment. However, the timing of it all seemed too coincidental, as if the universe conspired to keep her from Max.
Her phone had run out of battery and shut down, leaving her in that modern–day panic model that came with a dead cell. She hadn’t even managed to send Max a soothing text. A mix of irritation and a strange sense of injustice began to bubble up within her.
On her way to the orphanage, she tried to compose herself, and it wasn’t until she was greeted by the children’s beaming faces that she felt somewhat at ease.
“Ms. Brielle.” The new director welcomed her at the doorway, showing utmost respect. “These are the two kids who are getting adopted.”
Brielle recognized a few familiar faces despite the change of address. The children saw her and cheerfully called out, “Brielle!”
“Brielle, it’s been so long since you visited.”
“Brielle, where did Mark go?”
She patiently answered their questions and assessed the two prospective families. Both appeared to be from stable, happy homes, and she confidently signed the paperwork.
As the families took the children away, the remaining kids bid their farewells, and Brielle couldn’t help but remember her own adoption by the Haywood family amidst similar blessings.
“It’s him! He’s here. Is he coming to see us?!”
“Yay!”
The children’s excitement reignited as they dashed toward a young man stepping out of a
taxi.
Ricardo, too, seemed surprised to find her there, his eyes lighting up with delight. “Ms. Haywood.”
Brielle forced a smile. “What brings you here?”
Ricardo’s face flushed with embarrassment, “I and my sister were adopted from this place. After you sorted out the company’s finances today, they paid me the back wages they owed. I wanted to come and see the kids.”
What were the odds?
He had brought along a myriad of gifts, bags brimming with goods. Brielle was about to leave but now felt compelled to help him. Ricardo was flustered by the offer. “Ms. Haywood, please, I can manage
“I was also adopted from this place.”
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Chapter 555
Her voice was flat, but Ricardo’s eyes widened in surprise, and he no longer resisted. “Ms. Haywood, you look so young, nothing like…” Nothing like him, still exuding a whiff of poverty. Once released, three years‘ worth of wages amounted to a significant sum. Ricardo had spared no expense on food, clothing, and toys for the kids.
And so, their act of kindness was captured in photos.
