Spoiled by Eight Uncles (Lily) novel Chapter 2

Hugh had his rules, one of which was that phones should be turned off during morning meetings.

Gilbert quickly retrieved his phone and was about to end the call.

Hugh scolded, “Take it!”

Gilbert then coughed. “Dad, it was an unknown number, I…”

Hugh put his teacup aside and ordered, “Take the call and put it on speakers!”

Bryson and Jonas looked pitifully at Gilbert.

Gilbert had no choice but to pick up the call and put it on speakers.

They were taken aback when they heard a small voice.

“Hello… is this uncle? I’m Lilly Hatcher… My mommy is Jean Crawford… Are you my Uncle Gilbert?”

The little girl’s voice was weak and indescribably monotonous, like a small robot, with no discernible emotions in her tone.

The looks of the Crawford family changed drastically!

Clack… Hugh’s pen cap dropped from his hand.

They could not utter a single sound, as if everyone had their throats strangled.

The child’s tender voice sounded again on the other end of the phone.

“Uncle… I’m so cold and hungry… I didn’t push my stepmother, but they don’t believe me… Daddy dragged me to the gate to kneel… but I’m cold… Uncle, will you help me…”

As she spoke, her voice grew weaker and weaker.

The sound of the snowstorm blowing could still be heard from the other end of the call, but her voice had abruptly stopped.

Gilbert finally got back to his senses and grabbed his phone, holding it close to his mouth as he yelled frantically,

“Hey, Li-Lilly? Where are you? Tell me your location now!”

However, there was no response.

Hugh, panicked, stood up, and his previously rigid and stern look had already gone as if he had aged in an instant.

“Quick! Quickly! Investigate the number and location now!”

**

Lilly passed out before finishing the call and dropped the phone in the snow.

Stephen then returned to look for his phone and saw Lilly lying there, not moving.

He kicked her and snarled, “It’d be better if she’s dead!”

Four years ago, he found a woman on the street who was poorly dressed and in bad condition. He took her back to his apartment out of kindness.

After the woman cleaned up, he discovered that she was gorgeous.

She had amnesia and appeared to be confused. As Stephen was enamored by her cuteness, he took care of her.

Like a fool in love, he doted on her, telling her to not force herself to do anything as he cared for her…

Now that Stephen thought about it, he found it revolting.

Who knows if a female beggar like her was taken advantage of when she was wandering about the streets?

Otherwise, why doesn’t Lilly have any resemblance to me?

Although suspicious, Stephen never wanted to do a paternity test because if it turned out that he was not the father, he would be the most foolish man in South City!

Stephen grabbed his phone and walked away. He continuously made calls in his warm study room.

“Hello… Mr. Burton, it’s me, Stephen! I’m wondering if you are acquainted with the Crawford family from Clodston?”

“Greetings, Mr. Ledger! Happy new year! Are you acquainted with the Crawford family? Oh, my company’s just having a minor issue…”

**

The snowstorm outside the study room was intense, and Lilly was still lying on the snow. It was only a matter of time before the day got dark.

She was a little conscious but could no longer force her eyes to open.

She had never cried since her mother died. Even if her father abused her, she never shed a single tear.