Filed to story: Eight Uncles Beloved Treasure
“For you.” Lilly handed Hannah a piece of paper.
Hannah harrumphed. “I don’t want yours.”
Despite her harsh words, she still accepted the paper.
Lilly was confused. “I thought you didn’t want it.”
Hannah stiffly muttered, “Mine isn’t white enough. I’ll use yours instead!”
“…”
Both of them began drawing. “I’m going to show everyone my artwork!”
Hannah then went in search of Hugh.
Hugh took off his reading glasses and asked,
“What did you draw today?”
Lilly proudly showed her drawing. “Look, Grandpa! It’s an egg.”
The elderly man couldn’t help but laugh. “And you, Hannah?”
Hannah felt a pang of sadness seeing her cousin and grandfather getting along so well. Does Grandpa not like me?
But her eyes lit up when he asked.
Hannah cheerfully answered, “It’s a hen!”
He raised an eyebrow as he studied her artwork. Her artistic skills were actually quite good.
While it may not have been as dynamic as Lilly’s artwork, it was filled with childlike wonder.
Lilly used her grandfather’s phone to take a picture of both her and Hannah’s drawings before sending it to Lawrence Lambert.
She pressed the voice record button and began, “My cousin and I drew these, old friend.”
Lawrence quickly sent a voice message in response. “You two draw well! Do you mind if I post these on Twitter?”
Lilly turned to ask Hannah and happily gave him the go-ahead after getting Hannah’s consent.
Lawrence soon had both photos posted on his social media.
Hannah couldn’t read well, but her eyes lit up when she saw the post.
Is this what it feels like to be praised?
Usually, only Mommy praises me and tells me I did a good job.
I can still get attention even if I don’t cry…
Hannah looked at Lilly as she pondered.
Grandma and Mommy say Lilly is a bad girl who schemes and is here to take my things.
But she’s not like that at all…
Without her mother’s company and no one willing to play with her that afternoon, she went to find Lilly.
Both girls armed themselves with small buckets and began catching fish in a shallow pond in the garden.
Winona had returned earlier but was once again turned away before she could even step foot inside.
She refused to leave without seeing her daughter. That’s why she aimlessly wandered around outside the Crawford manor.
The manor wasn’t completely enclosed. Certain areas were surrounded by high walls, while others were bordered by the lake.
The manor and the back mountain were only separated by iron railings that blended with the earth.
It was through these iron railings that Winona spotted her daughter from a distance, playing with Lilly!
The sight made her uneasy. My daughter is a good girl. What if she becomes rebellious after spending time with Lilly?!
“Hannah!” Winona called out at the top of her lungs. “Over here, sweetheart!”
Lilly was catching fish with Hannah when she suddenly heard Winona’s voice.
She looked up and saw the woman on the other side of the iron railings.
Hannah began to look around. “Huh? Is that Mommy’s voice…?”
Lilly immediately covered her ears. “No, you didn’t hear anything.”
She took Hannah’s hand and ran back inside with the buckets. “Hurry, there’s a monster behind you.”
Hannah immediately thought of the ‘person’ from the night before.
She sprinted back to the safety of the manor without looking back.
Winona was left speechless.
Of course, it’s because of Lilly!
Ever since she entered the Crawford household, Hannah had been constantly criticized by everyone around her.
And now she’s leading Hannah astray!
Winona was furious. As her aunt, she absolutely despised the child!
**
Zachary, Drake, and Josh returned from their remedial lessons that evening.
All eight Crawford sons were present, as it was the weekend.
Grandpa Hugh nudged Lilly. “Isn’t it boring being home all day? Let’s go camping at the wetlands park tomorrow.”
Lilly tilted her head in confusion as she bit down on her fork. “What is camping, Grandpa?”
She wasn’t quite sure what the term ‘camping’ meant, as she had never experienced it before.
Gilbert grinned and explained, “Camping means going out into the wilderness and living outside.”
Lilly was puzzled. “But we have a house. Isn’t that good enough?”
Zachary snickered. “You’re so naive!”
He tossed his utensils aside and walked away with his hands in his pockets. “I’m done! I’m not going camping tomorrow either.”
What’s so great about camping?
I could just stay home and play games instead!
Hugh became stern. “What nonsense? Sit down!”
Zachary made a face. “Oh, the king speaks! Time to run!”
Anthony slammed his utensils down. “Zachary Crawford!”
Zachary fell silent. He was more than a little scared of his uncle, but he remained uncooperative.
He turned and fled up the stairs.
