Chapter 627 Birthday
Audrey handed the storybook to Janetta, pointed at the illustration, and said, "Check out this blue sun, drawn by the little girl. Isn't it beautiful?"
Janetta read aloud, "The blue sun, beautifully drawn."
As she read, she dozed off.
The next morning, Audrey woke up and couldn't find her. She searched frantically and finally spotted her in a corner of the yard, drawing with a stick.
The drawing was abstract and hard to make out.
Audrey didn't interrupt her but quietly asked RavenWing to bring over some drawing supplies.
She figured since Janetta loved drawing, it was a good place to start.
Days went by, and Janetta got totally hooked on drawing. Her room on the second floor was covered with her artwork. Audrey had them framed and put up in other rooms on the same floor.
Pearl, all the way in Willow Creek, was thrilled to hear about Janetta's progress.
But she also felt guilty, thinking she should've brought Janetta back sooner to avoid all the suffering.
Remembering something, Pearl asked a servant to buy some drawing magazines and send them to Eldorians. The servant reminded her that Christopher's birthday was coming up and asked if she wanted to throw a party at home.
Pearl suddenly remembered Christopher's birthday was just a few days away and felt another wave of guilt.
She hadn't taken good care of Janetta, nor had she taken good care of Christopher.
Seeing her down, the servant tried to comfort her, "Mrs. Brown, don't blame yourself. Some things are just meant to be, and you're just going with the flow."
Pearl gave a wry smile and said, "You're not great at comforting, but thanks. I do feel a bit better. By the way, when you pick up Christopher this afternoon, ask him if he wants to invite his classmates so I can get the invitations ready. Also, grab some cards on your way back."
It was the first time Pearl was celebrating Christopher's birthday here, and she was super excited.
Of course, she was also worried that the preparations wouldn't be up to par.
Pearl found herself overthinking more and more, which was so unlike her old self.
She touched her belly and said, "Baby, do you think I'm being too pessimistic?"
Knowing her problem, Pearl didn't want to keep going down this path. She reminded herself to stay positive and not dwell on the negative.
At Christopher's birthday party, all his classmates showed up.
The gifts from his classmates alone piled up, not to mention the ones from Oscar's friends and clients.
Christopher was over the moon, dragging his close friends to check out the gifts.
A girl pointed at a small box on top and said, "I want to see that one. It looks so delicate and pretty."
Christopher didn't hesitate and asked a servant to bring the gift down.
The box was super light, almost like it was empty.
The girl shook the box and curiously asked, "It's so light, could it be empty?"
Hearing this, two classmates nearby covered their mouths and laughed. "Christopher is such a fool. Someone gave him an empty box, and he's still so happy."
Christopher's face darkened. He took the box and said, "I don't believe it. There must be something awesome inside."
The classmates egged him on to open it, and someone even offered to bet their snacks..
If there was something inside, they'd give all their snacks to Christopher.
He agreed and quickly opened the gift box while the adults were distracted. Inside was just a piece of paper with a sentence on it.
Maeve Harrington, who could read, said, "If you want more gifts, come to the door."
Maeve pouted and said, "It's a trick. We shouldn't fall for it. My mom says if someone wants to give a gift, they should just give it. Playing tricks means they're not sincere."
But the other kids didn't see it that way and started teasing Christopher, saying he didn't have the guts to go to the door for the gift.
Angered by their taunts, Christopher asked, "Maeve, want to come with me? You can pick any gift you want, and it's yours."
Before Maeve could respond, a kid nearby laughed and said, "Girls are naturally scared. I bet Maeve won't dare to go."
Neither of them could stand being provoked, so Maeve grabbed Christopher's hand, and they headed to the door.
Outside the villa, it was quiet. Besides the guests' parked cars, there was nothing else.
Christopher was about to turn back, but Maeve spotted a white car parked not far away, with a large stuffed animal next to it.
She pointed and said, "That must be the gift. Look, there's a big stuffed animal."
Christopher saw it too and pulled her along to check it out.
Before they reached the white car, someone grabbed them.
They struggled and tried to scream, but were quickly silenced and soon fell asleep.
No one inside the house noticed what was happening outside.
When it was time to cut the cake, Pearl couldn't find Christopher, and Maeve's parents realized she was missing too.
Everyone was terrified. Luckily, Oscar thought to check the surveillance cameras, and they saw the kids being taken into a car.
Maeve's mother, Imogen Fairfax, collapsed, crying uncontrollably.
Maeve's father, Atticus Harrington, frowned deeply and stepped aside to make a phone call.
Oscar immediately mobilized his people to track the white car. Before they got any news, Atticus finished his call and came back.
He said, "Mr. Brown, I'm sorry for the trouble. Rest assured, I will bring the children back. Please trust me."
Pearl was puzzled and asked, "Mr. Harrington, do you know who took the children?"
Atticus smiled wryly and said, "I'm not sure yet. I need to go out for a while. Please take care of my wife."
Atticus spoke mysteriously. Pearl, worried about any issues, wanted to ask more but was stopped by Oscar.
Oscar shook his head at her and pointed at Imogen.
Pearl asked a servant to take Imogen upstairs, while Oscar arranged for the others.
Upstairs, Imogen was still crying, and Pearl poured her some water.
Pearl sat across from her, watching her. After a few minutes, Imogen finally stopped crying.
Pearl asked, "Mrs. Harrington, do you know where Mr. Harrington went?"
Imogen shook her head and said, "Mrs. Brown, you don't understand our family. I actually don't handle any matters. After marrying him, I only took care of myself. He told me this at the time, otherwise, I wouldn't have married him."
Hearing this, Pearl understood.
Imogen was someone who was pampered and didn't have to handle any family matters, so she had no idea where Atticus had gone.
It seemed they could only wait for Atticus to return.
Pearl was restless, fearing the children might be harmed.
Fortunately, Oscar came in and told her, "The white car has been found. It's parked in the south of the city, near Janetta's art exhibition. Do you remember that place?"
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