Oliver Hudson’s stunned gaze moved from Annie Anne to Olivia Thompson and Annie Anne’s intertwined hands, then slowly settled on the strikingly similar faces of Olivia Thompson and Annie Anne.
A complex emotion surged in his heart. He barely had the courage to look at Olivia Thompson any longer, only tremblingly turned away his head and asked, "This child..."
Knowing Oliver Hudson was asking about her, Charlotte Thompson casually straightened her cuffs.
Then she looked up and said coldly, "Do we need to confirm it again? Oliver Hudson, if I’m not mistaken, Mr. Ross should have told you everything in the corridor just a few minutes ago."
She paused, raised an eyebrow at him, "Now knowing yet still asking, can I interpret this as, you feel guilty?"
Oliver Hudson opened his mouth, but he couldn’t say a word.
Charlotte Thompson kept her pose, leisurely looking at him.
After a few seconds, the man mumbled, almost like surrendering, "Yes, I feel guilty."
Having said that, a hint of surprise flickered through Charlotte Thompson’s eyes, but she still refused to back down, saying, "But given the situation now, do you think guilt can help?"
Oliver Hudson pressed his lips together without speaking, looking down at the little girl with her brows and eyes downcast not far away. He spoke softly, "Can I talk to her alone?"
His tone was very light, even carrying a hint of pleading in Charlotte Thompson’s ears.
Hearing this, Charlotte Thompson still vigilantly looked at him, frowning, "Oliver Hudson, what tricks are you playing now?"
As soon as her words fell, there was a faint movement beside her, and Olivia Thompson’s warm little hand gently held hers, comforting her, then got down from the chair.
Charlotte Thompson looked surprised, "Annie, you..."
"Mommy," Olivia Thompson hooked up a sweet smile, her voice still with a bit of a babyish tone, "You guys always treat me like a child, but I understand it all."
She walked up and passed Oliver Hudson, then turned to smile, "I will just talk with him for a little bit."
At her words, Oliver Hudson paused for a while before he could respond.
He crouched down slightly so that his line of sight was level with the little girl in front of him.
Moving closer, he found that she was very thin. Her skinny frame was somehow familiar, bearing Annie Anne’s shadow.
When she reached Oliver Hudson, the little girl stopped, lifting her head slightly to look at him.
The normally warm and harmless eyes were suddenly filled with a clear sense of alienation.
"Uncle," she spoke first, her tone unfamiliar, "I know what you want to say to me. My mother is still unconscious in bed. If you want me to recognize you, you don’t have to say anything to me."
Having never seen Olivia Thompson take such a firm stance, Charlotte Thompson was also taken aback.
In front of them, Oliver Hudson raised his hand as if to touch the little girl’s cheek. Thɪs chapter is updated by noⅴelfire.net
After hearing her words, his hand suddenly stiffened in mid-air, unnaturally hanging there.
After a while, he dropped his hand in defeat. There was a look of defeat on his face, and Charlotte Thompson clearly heard his bitter laughter.
"Just now I heard Adam say, her name is Olivia Thompson?"
Charlotte Thompson was silent for a few seconds before she finally nodded.
She also understood Olivia Thompson’s resistance and reluctance to acknowledge him.
She got up, walked a few steps forward to take Olivia Thompson’s hand, and said, "Oliver Hudson, since Annie has clarified everything, I believe you wouldn’t want to wait until I ask you to leave."