Filed to story: Eight Uncles Beloved Treasure
“Lilly?!”
Gilbert hurriedly picked up the young girl, and the moment he saw Lilly’s face, he knew that this was their Lilly – she looked exactly like their sister when she was young…
Their most beloved and cherished sister’s child – Lilly!
Lilly felt as if she had fallen into a warm embrace, and the person had even taken off their coat to wrap her up.
Numb from being frozen for too long, she still felt bone-chillingly cold, causing her to shiver uncontrollably.
Lilly struggled to open her eyes and finally saw the man before her – he looked somewhat like her mother but also different.
Lilly’s lips twitched as she weakly asked, “Are you… uncle… I didn’t push anyone… uncle…”
At that moment, Lilly lost consciousness and murmured.
She was like a cold, emotionless robot compared to Gilbert, who was filled with agitation.
Gilbert was on the verge of tears.
The young child in his arms was only wearing thin sleepwear – pure cotton autumn clothing
– with no insulation at all.
Her small face had already turned purple from the cold, and her lips were cracked and darkening.
Like a frozen sculpture, her tiny figure couldn’t move, making Gilbert afraid that he would break her with a single touch.
“Lilly… Uncle’s here, and I’m taking you home.”
Gilbert choked up. He couldn’t imagine how Lilly managed to survive on her own in her condition.
He was even scared to think that she might have died if they had arrived any later.
Gilbert carefully held Lilly, focusing solely on her. He rushed back to the car.
“Lilly, stay with me.” Gilbert’s voice turned hoarse as he urged, “Don’t fall asleep… Lilly, can you say something to uncle? Lilly…”
Lilly had already lost consciousness.
Hugh rushed over, staggering slightly. Seeing
Gilbert’s scattered clothes, he anxiously inquired, “How is she?”
Gilbert was already in a panic. “Hurry, we need to go to the hospital right away!”
The Crawford family’s hearts were pounding as they immediately made their way to the hospital.
Meanwhile, Stephen, who had just received news of their arrival, hurriedly descended the stairs with a mix of excitement and joy on his face.
As the Crawford family rushed into the mansion, they were stopped by a security guard. Once Anthony revealed his name, the guard quickly went to inform Stephen.
Stephen was taken aback by the news as he racked his brain for a way to become acquainted with the Crawford family.
Although he didn’t know why the Crawford family had suddenly appeared at the mansion, he knew he had a chance as long as they were there.
There’s still hope for the Hatcher family, after all!
Suddenly, Stephen remembered something and swiftly turned to a servant, saying, “Is that troublemaker still lying in the yard? Remove her immediately!”
That jinx had cursed her mother to death, and now her curse will bankrupt my company too.
Stephen wouldn’t allow her to ruin this opportunity to meet the Crawford family.
Everything happened so quickly that the Hatchers had no time to react.
By the time Stephen rushed out, he saw Anthony getting into his car and preparing to drive off. However, he had missed seeing Gilbert brush the snow off Lilly and pick her up from where she had been kneeling by the gate.
“Oh my goodness! It’s Mr. Anthony Crawford!” Stephen plastered a bright smile onto his face and cheerfully greeted the other. “What brings you here? It’s an honor to have you visiting our humble abode!”
By then, Richard, Paula, and some of the Hatcher servants had hurried out to join Stephen, their faces filled with welcoming smiles.
When they saw Anthony’s stern and aloof expression, they became even more fawning and obsequious.
Anthony Crawford was the current head of
the Crawford family’s business empire and the CEO of Crawford Holdings!
The Crawford family was one of Clodston’s four influential families; everyone wanted to gain their favor.
A true aristocratic family like the Crawfords, with old money and deep ties to Clodston, was rare. The Crawfords were elusive and mysterious; they preferred to stay out of the limelight. The only thing anyone in Clodston knew for sure was that the Crawfords had eight sons, but few had ever set eyes on them.
Anthony occasionally made headlines in the financial news, which was why the Hatchers recognized him.
“Mr. Crawford, please come in! It’s freezing out here. We would love to have you stay for a while, despite our humble surroundings,” Richard said enthusiastically.
“Yes, please come in and have something hot!” Stephen chimed in, smiling.
Now that they were in the presence of such a distinguished person, all the Hatchers couldn’t help but try to ingratiate themselves with him.
The Ador Hatcher Corporation was in dire straits; for the Hatcher family, this was a catastrophe.
However, just a word from Anthony could revive their failing fortunes!
If luck was on their side, they might even become one of Clodston’s top ten influential families…
Anthony’s face remained expressionless as he studied Stephen with keen eyes.
Was this Lilly’s father?
Still without expression, Anthony coolly and enigmatically declined Richard’s offer. “You did a good job, Mr. Hatcher.”
Without another word, he got into his car and drove off.
The Hatchers stood there, confused and dazed, watching him leave.
Paula was the first to speak. “Mr. Crawford said ‘good job’… Does that mean he intends to help us?”
Richard frowned. “Given his expression, I don’t think he meant it as a compliment.”
Stephen ordered the servants to explain what had happened earlier.
They recounted how the Crawfords had shown up at the Hatcher Mansion and taken Lilly away, and how a man in black had wrapped his coat around her and cradled her in his arms. He had identified himself as her uncle…
When Stephen heard this, he was thunderstruck. Suddenly, everything became terrifyingly clear.
It was common knowledge that the Crawfords had eight sons and a daughter. However, the daughter’s health was frail, and she had never appeared in public before.
Did this mean that the woman he had rescued four years ago was the Crawford family’s one and only precious daughter?!
The rest of the Hatcher family felt their hearts sink. How they regretted their actions!
Paula’s lips trembled. “So Jean was the Crawfords’ daughter… we need to go and get Lilly back…”
They would never have forced Lilly to kneel in the snow if they had known!
In fact, they would have treated her like a goddess and worshipped the ground she walked on!
Stephen also regretted his actions; when he recalled how harshly he had disciplined Lilly, he felt uneasy.
Angrily, he snapped, “How are we going to get her back? Do you think we can just walk in and take her away like that?”
Richard frowned so hard that his brow looked like a wrinkled prune. After a long moment of consideration, he said, “Well, regardless, we are still Lilly’s blood relatives. We are her grandparents, after all! The Crawfords can’t deny that, no matter how angry they are. Then again, Lilly did cause Debbie’s miscarriage, that’s a fact…”
