Chapter 422
Viola smiled as she looked at Melanie. “Peachie, I heard that you missed me. Now that I’ve come to see you, are you happy?”
Peachie looked up at Melanie. Seeing no signs of displeasure on Melanie’s face, she nodded. ” Yeah.”
Viola noticed Peachie’s reaction and paused for a moment. Turning to Melanie, she hesitated for a moment before saying with a slight frown on her face, “Melanie, don’t look so stern. It might scare the little one.”
Melanie was dressed in a white shirt and a pair of black trousers today. She did seem to give off a somewhat serious aura.
“Also, I notice Peachie listens to you a lot. When I give her something to eat or ask her a question, she always looks at you, as if she’s unsure how to respond,” Viola said, a smile playing on her lips. It looked somewhat fake, though–like a mask.
Melanie lowered her gaze, maintaining a neutral expression. “All children know the story of Snow White. They know not to accept things from strangers easily. Her looking at me for approval is a sign of her awareness and a means to protect herself.”
Viola’s smile froze on her face. “That’s good.”
Melanie nodded. “Yes, it’s a good thing, indeed. In the world today, there are many people with ill intentions. Instilling a sense of safety in kids from a young age is important.”
Viola’s face turned pale in an instant, and she also dropped the fruit in her hands.
Melanie’s words just now were clearly a veiled insinuation.
Viola bit her lip, choosing not to continue the conversation. However, her complexion had turned unpleasant.
Footsteps approached the door, and a tall and handsome figure appeared in the doorway.
Viola’s gaze flickered for a moment before she called out, “Eugene, have you dealt with your matters?”
Eugene’s gaze lingered on Peachie, who was on the hospital bed, for a moment. He then casually withdrew his gaze. “Can we leave now?” he asked in a deep voice.
Viola’s brows were furrowed slightly. She looked back at Peachie and seemed to be hesitating, but in the end, she decided not to reach out to hug her.
Shen turned to Melanie and asked cautiously, “Can I hug her, Melanie?”
Gaze lowered, Melanie merely replied, “Why are you asking me?”
Viola looked like she had bitten into a lemon as she replied softly, “I was afraid you wouldn’t agree. As you just said, children don’t have much autonomy. Whatever adults say is what goes. That’s why I asked you first.”
Melanie remained indifferent to Viola’s explanation even though it was sound. It was evident to whom that explanation was directed.
The corners of her lips twitched. “I just told her to be cautious of bad people. Why take it so seriously? She already said she likes you. I can’t possibly think you’re a bad person, can I?”
Peachie did not understand the conversation between the adults and looked around in confusion. In the end. she closed her mouth quietly and said nothing.
Viola sighed. “Melanie, it’s better to be gentle in front of children.”
She then casually looked toward Eugene and whispered, “Peachie always looks to see how you’re feeling whenever she talks to me. It might not be good if she ends up growing up introverted.”
Melanie’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Viola’s emphasis on Peachie’s obedience and reliance on her was insinuating that Peachie’s words were not to be completely trusted as she always listened to everything Melanie said.
Melanie’s gaze was lowered, her long lashes obstructing part of her view. Melanie’s mind was filled with all kinds of thoughts. She realized she had underestimated Viola. When it came to these matters, she was smarter than anyone else.
