Chapter 547 Damian Takes the Child
Fortunately, Natalia had already been sent away by her, otherwise, she might have been scared to tears upon hearing Bryan's voice.
"Just talk, is it necessary to be so harsh?"
Although Damian was being scolded, Bryan's gaze was fixed on her, Ashley.
Ashley steadied herself and calmly said, "Mr. Bryan Hearst, what do you want to say to me?"
In the vast Hearst family, the men were all arrogant, and the women were pretentious, but fortunately, Ashley didn't have much interaction with the men in the family. Her former father-in-law, Bryan, only appeared at family dinners she attended and rarely interacted with her privately.
Even so, she could clearly feel Bryan's disdain and annoyance towards her, looking at her as if she were a pile of mud.
Perhaps in the eyes of the Hearst family, only an angel could be worthy of Damian.
Bryan looked at the now different Ashley and didn't lose his temper but spoke coldly, "Is that child your niece?"
He had to confirm because the first impression was too striking.
Natalia's eyebrows and eyes were too similar to Ashley's!
So similar that he couldn't help but doubt.
Ashley was confident and unafraid, "Yes, Natalia is my brother's daughter, she's five years old and has been in poor health since birth. I brought her back to the country this time specifically for medical treatment, with no other purpose. As for her condition, Mr. Bryan Hearst, if you don't believe me, you can ask Mr. Collins."
Bryan was somewhat surprised.
The old Ashley would never have dared to speak to him like this.
At the dinner table, she was always timid and cautious, watching Damian's reaction before saying a word.
Hearing her explanation, Bryan felt a surge of complex emotions, even a hint of disappointment.
He didn't want Damian to have a child with this woman, but...
Perhaps because he was getting older and the house was too quiet, he actually hoped Damian could raise a descendant for the Hearst family soon.
Bryan's expression didn't change, and his tone remained cold, "Aren't you supposed to take medicine? Bring it in and drink it."
Ashley was unsure of his intentions and hesitated, "The medicine is in the backyard, Mr. Collins is watching over it. The medicine has a strong smell and will dirty the room."
Bryan impatiently said, "I told you to bring it in, so bring it in."
There was no room for argument.
Ashley gritted her teeth and glared at Damian, who gave his tacit approval.
After all, blood is thicker than water, and she was just an outsider.
"Fine, I'll let Natalia drink the medicine here. The smell is strong, I hope you don't mind."
A moment later, Ashley brought the medicine and held Natalia's hand, the two of them sitting closely on the corner of the sofa.
Ashley whispered, "Don't be afraid, Natalia, he's your uncle's father."
Bryan's eyes shifted slightly, carefully observing Natalia's features. She had delicate and small features, big eyes, a small nose, and slightly thin cheeks with an unhealthy pallor, but she was very spirited.
Like Ashley, she had a delicate appearance, but there was no resemblance to Damian.
Natalia looked timidly at Bryan, pursed her lips, and said in a soft voice, "Grandpa, have you ever taken medicine? It's very bitter, but I'm very brave, I'm not afraid of bitterness, look!"
With that, she proudly held a bowl much larger than her hands, her little face almost buried in the bowl, gulping down the medicine without pausing.
And Bryan was still stunned by the soft "Grandpa."
In his life, he had never heard a child call him that.
Unnaturally, he clenched his hand, but no one noticed his change in expression.
After drinking the medicine, Natalia wiped the liquid from the corner of her mouth and looked up, "Grandpa, am I brave?"
Bryan's mouth twitched, the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat, and he just looked deeply at Natalia's innocent face.
Damian unwrapped a candy and put it in her mouth, "Natalia is very brave."
Natalia thought for a moment, found a rabbit-shaped candy from the bag, walked over, and placed it in Bryan's hand. "Grandpa, please have some candy. Auntie says eating candy makes you happy! Eating candy makes the pain go away."
Bryan froze for a moment, his eyes twitching slightly, "Your name is Natalia Astor?"
"Grandpa, my name is Natalia Astor, you can just call me Natalia." Natalia had no sense of defense or right and wrong, instinctively showing her best side to elders and responding politely.
"Got it." Bryan responded in a deep voice, then put down the candy and stood up, "I'm leaving."
"Take care, Dad."
Damian didn't get up, still sitting there very self-centered.
Ashley pouted, "You're not going to see your dad off?"
Damian said, "He has two good legs, he doesn't need help, and it's just a few steps."
Ashley shrugged.
Well, the Hearst family has always been cold, she was just being talkative.
Damian opened his arms, and Natalia obediently ran over, snuggling into his broad arms, her mouth full of candy, one cheek puffed up, "Uncle, is Grandpa angry? He didn't want my gift."
Damian picked up the candy Bryan had left behind and put it aside, his hoarse voice gentle, "Grandpa isn't angry with you, he just doesn't like candy."
Natalia nodded, "My grandpa doesn't eat candy either, grandma says eating candy will... it seems like the blood will become sweet and you'll need injections."
Damian glanced at Ashley, "Does your dad have high blood sugar?"
"Older people often have these problems, avoiding sugar and oil is good." Ashley answered casually, not taking Damian's concern seriously.
After all, he was just asking casually, when had he ever truly cared about her family?
After chatting for a while, Natalia lowered her head in disappointment, "I miss Grandpa, and I miss Mom and Dad too."
Damian's heart was gently tugged, not knowing when he would hear Natalia call him Dad. "When Natalia gets better, you can see Grandpa. Natalia is so great, taking medicine obediently, you'll get better soon."
Natalia looked up at his handsome face, her eyes shining, "Uncle, can I go to the amusement park? I really want to go, but Mom and Dad won't let me, they're afraid I'll faint, but I've never been to an amusement park, the ones on TV are so big and beautiful."
Saying this, she pouted in disappointment.
Damian asked, "What do you want to play at the amusement park?"
Natalia counted on her little fingers, "The carousel, the big slide, the Ferris wheel, bumper cars, boating..."
Seeing her count so seriously, Damian's smile remained, "Natalia can play all the things she likes tomorrow."
Natalia's eyes widened, "Really? Really tomorrow??"
"Yes, tomorrow. Why would I lie to you?" Damian said confidently.
Ashley was a bit troubled, she really couldn't understand how Natalia and Damian could get along so well!
And the most annoying thing was, this arrogant and conceited man, Damian, was actually so gentle, his naturally magnetic voice was even more alluring than Tom Hiddleston's when he spoke softly.
"Wait, Natalia's condition isn't suitable for the amusement park, don't make promises to her, you can't lie to children, it can easily cause childhood trauma. If you don't understand, don't give orders. Besides, some amusement park rides are very dangerous and not suitable for children her age. You're making it sound so good now, but she'll only be more disappointed tomorrow."
Does Damian know how to take care of children! Doesn't he know he can't make random promises to kids!
"I have an idea, you'll see tomorrow."
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