Kids are innocent
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Eunice POV
While Thomas was in the apartment, I drove to the nearby automatic carwash to cool off the vehicle and get it cleaned. As I waited for the machine to finish, I opened the GPS on the car to pin the location of the orphanage. In my past life, those kids had been used by Camilla as pawns, and I kept wondering how she managed to give birth to five children while already married to my father. I also emailed the orphanage about the adoption of the kids, Emmanuel and Vina, providing my financial information, residence details, and a well-known lawyer's approval letter. Given the situation with the corrupt orphanage, I figured I wouldn't need to wait long for a reply.
Then, I realized she would take long vacations in the countryside whenever my father had business trips overseas. When she returned, she would often have multiple injection marks. If my suspicions were correct, those kids were born to her as leverage to control Wade and his men. I chuckled at the thought, realizing how wicked she could be, even using her own children to exploit others' vulnerabilities.
"Unnie?" Gen asked, confused by my sudden chuckle.
"Oh, I just realized something funny. Tommy has successfully completed his mission and is on his way downstairs. I'll be driving now, so put your seatbelt on," I replied, starting the car and heading back toward the apartment.
"Sissy, the five dots on the fifth floor are climbing toward the roof deck," Fiona warned as I unlocked Tom's door. He jumped in, quickly buckling his seatbelt while I stepped on the accelerator and drove north toward the orphanage along the beach coast.
"Did they follow, Fi?" I asked, increasing the car's speed as I noticed Tom had removed the duffel bag and placed it on the floor, sitting properly.
"No, but there's a helicopter coming toward them, flying opposite us," Fiona informed me. I slowed down as we approached the checkpoint. I took out the legal papers for Fiona, Dahlia, Thomas, and me while Thomas rummaged through the duffel bag to find Gen's documents.
"Hi, officer, good morning," I greeted as I opened all the windows while passing my permit to use a military vehicle and identification papers as the three of us got out for inspection.
"Good morning, ma'am. Is this vehicle bought or passed down?" the military officer asked, examining our identification.
"It's bought, sir, from Enoch's Enterprise, specifically from Mr. Malik Enoch," I explained, pointing to the signature.
"What are you visiting this area for?" he inquired while handing us identification bands that would allow us to exit without further interviews.
"I came to fetch my adopted kids," I replied, showing the email from the director of St. Jerome's Orphanage.
"I see. The orphanage has been having financial difficulties," he said with a sigh as he returned our papers.
"Really? I'm glad to help out two kids then," I smiled while getting back into the car.
"Drive safe, ma'am," he said, waving as I nodded in response.
"You too, sir," I replied, starting the car once more.
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Third Person POV
|In the Fox Mansion|
"You useless fools! Why can't you do anything right?" Camilla roared, slapping the man in front of her.
"Madam, we lost contact with Boss Wade and the man he took with him," the bulky man replied, gritting his teeth.
"Then look for them, you stupid fools! What am I paying you for if you can't even kill that stupid bitch?" Camilla snapped, taking a deep breath and smoothing her hair.
"Yes, right away," the man said, quickly exiting the room just as Angelica, her teenage daughter, walked in. She looked at the bulky man as he left.
"Mom, why did you call Red again?" Angelica asked, hugging her mother's arm.
"I just checked on the status of our search for those kids and the money," Camilla replied, patting her daughter's head.
"Mommy, don't stress about them. You should just sleep with Daddy and get pregnant with another male," Angelica suggested, starting to massage her mother's arms.
"That bastard of a father of yours has been busy lately—ever since those bitches got kicked out," Camilla sighed angrily, pouring herself a glass of wine and taking a sip. "He doesn't even want to sleep in the same room as me anymore."
"But Mommy, can't you just mix some medicine in his food or drink?" Angelica suggested wickedly, gesturing toward the wine.
"Smart child. You are indeed my highly intelligent girl," Camilla praised, a sinister smile creeping across her face.
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|On the Orphanage|
"You are so stupid that the director is going to kick you out of the orphanage," a fat kid taunted as he pushed a malnourished boy to the floor.
"I am not," the thin boy replied, wiping his snot and tears.
"Yeah, he's not going to get kicked out. I will beg the director not to kick him out, you big bully!" young Emmanuel declared, pushing against the fatty, who didn't budge an inch.
"Heh, you're going to get kicked out too, and I'll be the one who stays. Vina will marry me," the fat kid laughed, smacking Emmanuel on the shoulder.
"Stop that, you fatty! Just hit me instead; don't hit the little one," the thin boy said, placing himself protectively in front of Vina and Emmanuel.
"As if! You're just an abandoned kid of a prostitute, didn't you see the news your mom is married to a rich guy buy she didn't even remember you two." the fat kid sneered, spitting on the ground.
This was the scene Eunice saw when she arrived at the door of the orphanage. The place was run down, with only seven kids registered, and they looked like they had been starved—except for the fat kid and the three children standing behind him.
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Eunice POV
|A few hours before reaching the orphanage|
"Sissy, I am so hungry," Dahlia said, holding her stomach.
"Me too, unnie! The baby must be starving," Gen added cutely as I sighed.
"Alright, it's already afternoon, so we can have a quick bite to eat and then keep driving. We also need to change cars to accommodate the two kids," I said, parking by the edge of the forest. We all got out of the car, and I took out the bags, placing them on the ground along with the twins' booster seats and Gen's duffel bag from the front seat.
"Sissy, can I have a Happy Meal too?" Fifi asked, looking at the box and smiling.
"Alright, here," I said, smiling as I handed one to Fiona and one to Dahlia, who happily received their meals. But then, I noticed the teen couple sitting on the side of the road, looking at me with puppy eyes.
"I want one too, unnie," Gen said, putting both hands together in a pleading gesture.
"Noona," Tom chimed in, doing the same.
Goodness, I never thought I would end up taking care of four children! "Fifi, Lia, can you both sit in the back? Your nephew and niece will be sitting in the front with Sissy Gen since they are younger," I exclaimed dramatically, laughing as I gave them their Happy Meals. I then turned to the twins to explain the situation.
"Sure, sissy, no problem. Yay! It's the fries!" Fifi exclaimed, holding up her Minecraft-themed prize.
"No problem, sissy! Ahh, chicken! Hahaha!" Lia said, proudly showing off her chicken leg.
"Mines a creeper!" Thomas exclaimed, holding a nugget and offering it to Fiona.
"Ohh, a purple egg!" Gen joked, giving it to Lia while munching on an apple slice.
I took out a few packages of fast food burgers, fries, and juice as we sat by the new car I had brought, a Land Rover Defender, which could fit up to eight people. I extracted two car seats—one pink and one blue—along with two small backpacks filled with snacks and sippy cups that I filled with orange juice. I placed them in the cup holders of the car seats, along with a Happy Meal package containing chicken nuggets, fries, and apple slices, ensuring the twins had everything they needed since they were just two and four years old. I also prepared neck pillows and plushies in their seats for the long ride back into the forest.
"Alright, everyone, get in the car! We need to fetch the kids and get out of here. Gen, can you set an appointment with the real estate company? We're going to buy the penthouse in the Fenghua condominium," I instructed while helping the twins into their booster seats in the back.
"Alright, I will drive this time, noona," Tom said, picking up the bags and placing them on the floor after helping Gen get into the front seat.
"Sure, I need to sign a few papers inside, so you can wait here with Gen and the twins," I replied, picking up the last bag as I climbed into the passenger seat.
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| Present |
"Hi, are you Miss Maurice? What are the three of you still standing there for? Greet the guest!" the big-bellied director said as he shook hands with me while scolding the three kids.
"No need; I need to leave soon. Let me sign the papers now," I said, walking behind the director.
"Ahhh, yes, of course! Please follow me, Miss," he said fawningly as I nodded and picked up the pace.
"Brother Maximus, do you think we will get chosen?" the small kid, who must be Emmanuel, asked. He looked a lot like Wade.
"Yeah, you will be, and Vina too! You both look cute and lovely," the kid called Maximus answered, patting the small kid's head.
"We will leave here together, brother," the quiet little girl said, holding Maximus's hand while hugging an old, patched-up teddy bear.
"Hopefully," Maximus said, his tone indicating he had lost hope plus he somehow looked familiar.
"I want that tall kid too; I'll adopt him," I said without hesitation.
"But, Miss, you can only adopt two kids, and the process—" he began, making it sound like it would take years.
"I'll donate $500,000 now," I said, taking out a few wads of cash from my backpack under cover.
"Ahh, yes, yes! I will finish the process now!" he exclaimed, quickly printing the papers for three kids as I signed them and got a local lawyer to legalize the adoption, changing the names of the kids. After about an hour, I walked out with a file of papers in hand.
"Come on, you three," I said coldly as I walked past the sad-looking kids on the stairs while heading down to the ground floor.
"Huh?" the tall, skinny boy said, looking up.
"Come on," I urged, carrying the small kid, Emmanuel.
"ME?" Maximus asked in shock.
"Yeah, are you saying here?" I asked, holding the little girl's hand.
"No, coming! What about our things?" he asked as the fatty emerged at the top of the stairs, throwing a ragged, patched-up cloth bag down. Maximus checked the box inside, and upon seeing its contents, he sighed in relief.
"Go away and make sure to not come back, hmph," the fatty scoffed, throwing out the cut-up clothes.
"Get important stuff and leave; let those trash be," I said, calling for Maximus, who took the box and ran after me while hugging it.
"Gen, can you get off first? There's an additional stinky kid," I said as I held the two small kids in my arms while Tom helped Gen climb down. I made Maximus sit in the farthest back.
I then put the two kids in their car seats, ensuring they were safe. I gave Maximus a Happy Meal with a Big Mac, large fries, and orange juice, along with a Minecraft mystery toy box.
"Maximus, you'll be Max West. Emmanuel will be Eros, and Vina will be Veronica, or Nica. You'll use my last name, Maurice. Copy?" I asked, and I heard them answer yes.
"Sissy, can brother Max eat peach candy?" I heard Fifi ask as I got into the driver's seat.
"Ask him, Fi, if he has allergies," I replied while sitting in the driver's seat.
The kids chatted in the back while Gen took care of the small kids, and the twins entertained Max with their gadgets. I drove out of town after the military officer checked the papers for the kids and their bands. When dinner time came, I stopped by the roadside, giving everyone some pre-packed bento boxes before hitting the road again. It was midnight when we arrived at the forest. I checked to see the kids asleep and took out the RV.
"Wakey, wakey, everyone! We're here!" I said, patting the kids since Gen was already carried in by Tom into their bedroom.
"Thank you," Max said, hugging my waist as he got off and ran after the twins into the RV, making me smile.
I carried the two small kids in my arms while putting the car in my designated space. Walking into the RV, I asked the kids to shower, and I helped the smaller ones change into matching pajamas. Nica slept with the twins, while Max and Eros slept in my bedroom on separate mattresses I had prepared.
"Goodnight," I said, smiling as I saw a satisfied smile on skinny Max's face in his sleep.