Chapter 392 The Child Fears the Mother
Alex turned to Bernard, surprised by his sudden change. "Really?"
Bernard walked to the bedside and looked at Charles. "Why not? Charles is our family's responsibility, and it's been causing you unnecessary trouble."
Alex's eyes narrowed in disbelief. Bernard had always pushed him to spend more time with Scarlett. This was unexpected.
Scarlett frowned. "Bernard, why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be drinking with the others?"
Bernard glanced at her. "Let Alex go down and join them. He's the main character today."
Scarlett knew what he meant by "main character," and her face soured. She didn't want Alex to go down and be with Katherine.
"Bernard, Charles needs Alex. His fever just started to go down. If Alex leaves, he might get anxious and run a fever again."
Bernard ignored her and asked Charles gently, "Charles, can Uncle stay with you?"
Charles, feeling uncomfortable, blinked drowsily. "Uncle..."
Bernard bent closer. "Yes, it's Uncle. I'll stay with you."
Charles nodded. "Uncle, stay..."
With Charles's agreement, Alex stood up and patted Bernard's shoulder. "Thanks."
Bernard nodded. "Go ahead. Katherine is waiting for you downstairs."
"Okay."
With Bernard looking after Charles, Alex felt relieved. He left, worried about Katherine being alone and possibly upset.
Scarlett was unhappy. Seeing Alex leave, she hurried to catch up. "Alex, wait, let me see you off!"
"Come back!" Bernard sternly stopped her.
Scarlett explained, "Bernard, I just want to see Alex off."
Bernard reminded her, "He's going to find his wife. He doesn't need you to see him off. Your child is sick and needs you more."
Scarlett looked at the door Alex had just walked out of, still unwilling. "But..."
Bernard spoke earnestly, "Scarlett, listen to me. From now on, don't trouble Alex with Charles. If there are any issues, come to me. I'll help you figure them out."
"Bernard! But Charles was adopted by Alex and me together. We're both his guardians!"
Bernard, now stern, said, "Wasn't it you who insisted on adopting Charles with Alex? Didn't you promise him he wouldn't have to worry about anything else?
Alex agreed to help you adopt Charles as a favor. Now you are calling him about every little thing. As a mother, you should be taking care of your child!
Since you adopted Charles, he's been getting hurt. Look at him now!
Scarlett, I'll only say this once. If you can't take good care of Charles, I'll find responsible parents to take him in! You won't be raising him anymore!"
Scarlett was scared by Bernard's stern warning. She knew he spoiled her but always meant what he said.
She quickly squeezed out a few tears. "Bernard, I know I messed up. I didn't take good care of him before, but please don't send Charles away. I promise I'll learn to be a good mom and take care of him!"
Bernard felt a headache coming on. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Alright, just take care of him for now. I need to take a call."
As Bernard turned to leave with his vibrating phone, Charles's trembling little hand grabbed his. "Uncle, don't go..."
Charles was scared. He didn't want to be alone with his mom.
Bernard didn't know what the child was afraid of. He touched Charles's cheek, soothing him. "Be good. Uncle's just taking a call. Let your mom stay with you for a bit. I'll be back soon."
Charles's eyes were full of fear, and he looked like he was about to cry. "Uncle, don't go. Charles is scared."
Seeing the child so uneasy, Bernard became suspicious and glanced at Scarlett.
What was Charles afraid of? Was he scared of his mom? When did he start resisting being with Scarlett? Was she harsh with him when she lost patience?
The phone kept vibrating. It was an important work call Bernard couldn't ignore.
After soothing Charles a few more times, Bernard went out to take the call.
Charles's little hand reached helplessly towards Bernard's retreating figure but couldn't catch him.
When the door closed and Bernard's footsteps faded away, Scarlett walked up and slapped Charles hard. "You little brat! What were you reaching for? Are you trying to show everyone how scared you are of me?"
Charles started crying, using simple words to beg for mercy. "Mom, sorry... wrong..."
Scarlett, still not satisfied, pinched his mouth harshly. "Crying again! If you dare cry out loud, see how I deal with you when we get back!"
Charles felt miserable and scared, biting his lip to keep from crying out.
A few minutes later, Bernard finished his call and came back, only to see Charles's face red and tear-stained.
He frowned deeply. "What happened? I was only gone for a call, and his face is already like this?"
Feigning helplessness, Scarlett said, "Bernard, I told you Charles can't be without Alex. As soon as Alex left, he got so anxious that his face turned red again!"
Bernard, still worried, checked the temperature of Charles's cheek. The child's face was indeed very hot.
He sat down and gently comforted him. "Charles, having Uncle here is the same. The doctor will be here soon. Don't be afraid."
Having just experienced Scarlett's intimidation, Charles didn't dare cry or speak. He just weakly nodded.
Scarlett found an excuse. "Bernard, my bag is downstairs! I'll go get a few more fever patches for Charles. "
Bernard nodded. "Go quickly and come back. Don't linger."
"Okay, I know!"
Scarlett agreed and then left the room with other thoughts in mind, heading downstairs.
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