Chapter 418 Face the Dragon After Waking Up
Charles struggled hard, so Katherine had to put him down again. "Alright, we won't go out. You can stay here a bit longer."
Once on the ground, Charles backed into a corner, hugging his knees and curling up like he'd seen a ghost.
Seeing him like that, Katherine frowned. "I'll be leaving soon. How long can you hide here alone? What will you do when you're hungry or thirsty? They'll find you eventually."
At the word "find," Charles started shaking violently, clearly terrified.
Katherine felt for him. She'd been a lonely, helpless kid too, with no one to rely on.
Claire had left her with Joshua, who was unreliable, and sent her to live with rural relatives.
They only took her in for the monthly support Joshua promised, but he only paid for two months and then stopped.
After that, her relatives treated her horribly, not even letting her eat at the table.
The villagers knew she was neglected, so the local kids bullied her daily. No one cared, no one stood up for her, and no one would call the police, even if she was badly beaten.
Once, her relatives' kids pushed her into a dry well for three days. No one came when she screamed for help.
The fear and despair still haunted her.
Her relatives didn't even look for her, probably hoping she'd disappear to save on food.
A passing photographer eventually found and rescued her, and her story made headlines.
Netizens scolded her relatives harshly, and then they sent her to a church after a while.
The church was quiet, the food was plain but better than moldy leftovers, and no one bullied her.
The nuns were kind and compassionate, teaching her self-defense and even using church funds to send her to school, giving her a chance to grow up smoothly.
After high school, she started earning scholarships and secretly started a business.
With money, Katherine repaid the nuns for her education, renovated the church, and made sure those who had bullied her faced consequences.
Looking back, she was both unlucky and lucky.
When her life was in danger, a righteous photographer saved her.
When her relatives despised her, nuns took her in and even borrowed money to send her to school.
But the child in front of her, Charles, was much younger than she had been at her worst. He had no self-care ability and, being kept in a wealthy family like the Mitchells, would never get public attention no matter how he was treated.
Moreover, he couldn't speak properly now to express his experiences and was entirely at Scarlett's mercy.
He couldn't escape; how could a child possibly flee from the Mitchell family and Scarlett?
If Charles didn't find a savior, then she could be the "nun" in his life!
With this in mind, Katherine asked, "Do you want to leave here?"
Charles nodded uneasily.
Katherine asked, "If you leave here, where do you want to go?"
Charles struggled to say, "Or-orphanage."
Orphanage? That meant the Mitchell family was worse for him than the orphanage.
Katherine gently touched his head to soothe him, trying to build trust. "I want to help you, but I'm just a guest here, and Scarlett is your legal guardian. Without proof of her mistreatment, I can't get you out."
Charles listened intently but still looked confused.
Katherine realized she might have spoken too deeply. She sighed and said, "I mean, hang in there a bit longer. When the chance comes, I'll get you out, okay?"
Charles was stunned for a moment. Seeing the sincerity in Katherine's eyes, he nodded.
Katherine said earnestly, "If you don't want to get hurt, endure. Don't show fear; it only makes bullies worse. Pretend to like them, understand?"
Charles looked confused again.
Katherine wasn't in a hurry. She took off a red string necklace and put it on Charles, adjusting it to fit him.
"This necklace is my talisman. It has magical powers. As long as you wear it, it will protect you, but you mustn't cry!"
Charles mostly understood this. Magical things easily convinced kids. He cherished the necklace and nodded vigorously.
Katherine encouraged him, "Good, I believe you can do it! When you see your mom later, no matter how scared you are, remember not to cry. Smile and call her 'Mom,' and she won't hurt you."
Hearing he would see his mom soon, Charles started trembling again.
Katherine patiently guided him, "I know you're scared, but remember, you have a magical necklace now. There's nothing to fear!"
Charles looked into Katherine's eyes, and his anxious gaze filled with strength. "Charles... not scared..."
Katherine gently patted his head and placed him on the bed to sleep peacefully for now.
After he woke up, he would face the dragon.
Teaching such a young child to endure was tough and heartbreaking.
But she had no other way. She needed evidence of Scarlett's abuse to rescue Charles completely. Small sacrifices for the greater good!
Soon, it was time for dinner.
Finn came to invite Katherine downstairs.
"Ms. Galatea, dinner is ready. They're waiting for you."
Katherine's voice came from the room. "Okay, I know. You go ahead. I'll be down shortly."
"Alright, Ms. Galatea."
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