Filed to story: Eight Uncles Beloved Treasure
The expressions on the brothers’ faces changed, and their lips tightened. Their previously indifferent eyes now held a hint of sorrow.
Their younger sister, Jean Crawford, was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia at a young age. Since then, the Crawford family had been diligently caring for her, providing blood transfusions, anti-infection treatments, and bone marrow transplants…
However, her condition deteriorated and even affected her memory.
Then, four years ago, she suddenly disappeared.
Gilbert, who worked as a physician at Shercaster Cancer Hospital, was responsible for Jean’s treatment.
On that day, he had to save a critically ill patient, and it was at that moment… that Jean vanished.
For the past four years, guilt and regret had plagued him. Despite his exceptional medical talent, he had been unable to move forward since then.
The Crawford family had eight sons, and Jean was their only daughter.
After their daughter’s disappearance, Bettany fell ill all of a sudden, and Hugh’s temper became unstable.
A heavy burden weighed on the hearts of everyone in the Crawford family, leaving them restless.
Anthony Crawford, the eldest son and CEO of the Crawford family’s business empire, worked tirelessly day and night, causing his health to deteriorate and requiring him to take daily medication.
Bryson Crawford, the third son and an outstanding pilot for Swift Airlines, failed the psychological tests and had been on leave for the past four years.
As for the others…
The study room fell into silence before Gilbert’s phone suddenly rang!
Hugh had a rule: phones should be turned off during morning meetings.
Gilbert quickly grabbed his phone and was about to end the call.
Hugh scolded, “Answer it!”
Gilbert coughed. “Dad, it was an unknown number, I…”
Hugh set his teacup aside and commanded, “Answer the call and put it on speaker!”
Bryson and Jonas looked at Gilbert with pity.
Gilbert had no choice but to answer the call and put it on speaker.
They were taken aback when they heard a small voice.
“Hello… is this uncle? I’m Lilly Hatcher… My mommy is Jean Crawford… Are you my Uncle Gilbert?”
The little girl’s voice was weak and monotonous, like a small robot, devoid of any discernible emotions.
The expressions of the Crawford family changed drastically.
Clack… Hugh’s pen cap slipped from his hand.
They were speechless, as if their throats were constricted.
The child’s tender voice came through the phone again.
“Uncle… I’m so cold and hungry… I didn’t push my stepmother, but they don’t believe me… Daddy dragged me to the gate to kneel… but I’m cold… Uncle, will you help me…”
As she spoke, her voice grew weaker.
The sound of the snowstorm could still be heard in the background, but her voice abruptly stopped.
Gilbert finally snapped back to reality and grabbed his phone, holding it close to his mouth as he yelled frantically,
“Hey, Li-Lilly? Where are you? Tell me your location now!”
However, there was no response.
Hugh, panicked, stood up. His previously stern expression had vanished, replaced by a look of instant aging.
“Quick! Quickly! Investigate the number and location now!”
**
Lilly passed out before finishing the call and dropped the phone in the snow.
Stephen returned to search for his phone and saw Lilly lying there motionless.
He kicked her and snarled, “It would be better if she’s dead!”
Four years ago, he found a poorly dressed and disheveled woman on the street. Out of kindness, he took her back to his apartment.
After the woman cleaned up, he discovered that she was stunningly beautiful.
She had amnesia and seemed confused. Stephen, infatuated with her cuteness, took care of her.
Like a foolish lover, he doted on her, telling her not to force herself to do anything as he cared for her…
Now, Stephen found it repulsive when he thought about it.
Who knows if a destitute woman like her was taken advantage of while wandering the streets?
Otherwise, why doesn’t Lilly resemble me at all?
Although suspicious, Stephen never wanted to do a paternity test because if it turned out that he was not the father, he would be the most foolish man in South City!
Stephen grabbed his phone and walked away. He made continuous calls in his warm study room.
“Hello… Mr. Burton, it’s me, Stephen! Do you know the Crawford family from Clodston?”
“Greetings, Mr. Ledger! Happy new year! Are you familiar with the Crawford family? Oh, my company is just dealing with a minor issue…”
**
The snowstorm outside the study room was fierce, and Lilly lay in the snow. It wouldn’t be long before darkness fell.
She was slightly conscious but couldn’t force her eyes to open.
She had never cried since her mother died. Even when her father abused her, she never shed a tear.
Yet, at that moment, she wanted to cry.
When she called her uncle, there was no response from the other end.
Do they hate me too? Does no one like me at all?
What about mommy? If I die and mommy sees me, will she hate me too?
Lilly’s lips, turning purple from the cold, pressed together as she pondered.
Mommy… I won’t cry… Lilly is a good girl…
Suddenly, she heard a loud noise.
About seven cars arrived at the Hatcher mansion, and a man wearing a black down coat got out of the first car and opened the mansion’s gate!
Due to the heavy snowstorm, the snow had already covered Lilly’s small figure.
Gilbert anxiously looked around. On the phone, Lilly said she was kneeling at the gate!
His face turned pale as he noticed a small pile of snow at the gate.
He rushed over and cleared the snow, causing his hands to redden from the cold. Finally, he found a small figure buried under the snow!
