The oldest, Cyrus Thompson sat to the side, with only half of his face visible in the frame.
Despite this, he didn’t get angry with his younger brothers and sisters. He looked at Grace Thompson with a good-natured smile and a sigh of resignation, "Grace, stop poking the screen. Mommy can see you now."
At this, Grace finally turned her confused stare to the computer screen, her face lighting up with delight when she saw Charlotte Thompson’s face.
Her call was full of energy, as though the drowsiness was instantly dispelled. Original content can be found at NoveI★Fire.net
Charlotte’s heart softened immensely. She quietly responded, wishing she could fly to Ashton immediately and hug them all.
She played with the silk headband in her hand, tying her hair back into a low ponytail as she soothingly addressed her darlings, "Babies, mommy still has some things to finish overseas. I will be back after a few days."
She glanced at Grace, who was still fiddling with the screen, and a headache began to form.
Of all the children, she was the most mischievous.
Cyrus, being the eldest, had a natural steadiness. Hank might have been a troublemaker, but he knew his priorities. Chad, Jack, and Annie were so thoughtful that it was heart-wrenching.
Because Grace was the youngest and Charlotte’s own, everyone at home spoiled and indulged her.
Which only made her even more mischievous and pampered.
Therefore, the one she worried about the most was Grace.
This little girl was incredibly lively and clever!
Charlotte feigned a stern look at Grace and said, "Grace, my dear, you cannot make your uncle angry at home, you must behave."
Hearing this, Grace nodded pitifully.
With those big, watery eyes that could melt anyone, Charlotte longed to rush to Ashton and hold her close, providing comfort.
After reminding them of a few things, the night had grown late. The children had school in the morning and so Charlotte was the first to end the call.
Elsewhere, a thousand miles away in Ashton.
The housekeeper was making his rounds. Hearing some commotion in the children’s room, he went in.
"Young masters and misses, why aren’t you sleeping yet?"
Grace replied, "We just had a video call with mommy, I miss mommy, and I can’t sleep."
Obviously, the housekeeper knew Grace was fond of being spoiled. When she talked , all she wanted was her bedtime milk.
Ten minutes later, the housekeeper returned with the maids, each holding a warm cup of milk—one for everyone.
Once they finished their milk, the housekeeper reminded them to sleep early and exited the room.
The children, now sitting on their beds, each wore a look of seriousness caused by their big brother’s words.
Cyrus lazily put down his book, filled with complex technical terms.
He glanced around at his younger siblings, and slowly began to speak, "Our mom has been in Druarus for quite a while now. You all aren’t dumb, so you must sense that something is wrong, right?"
Oblivious, the second eldest, Hank, bit his fingernail, his eyebrows furrowed deeply, but his face betraying an honest demeanor. He shook his head earnestly, "There’s nothing wrong."
Grace shot him an annoyed look as his words fell.
Cyrus twitched his lips and chose to ignore him.
He picked up the tablet on the bed and started to navigate the screen.
While continuing to tap and swiping on the screen, he began, "I suspect that Mommy went to Druarus this time to look for our daddy. So, now I am going to trace Mommy’s tracks to see if anything is amiss."
Upon hearing this, Chad and Jack, sitting on the other side, nodded in agreement.
They had always followed their big brother’s lead and took his words as gospel.