CHAPTER 318: CHAPTER 318: I’M HERE TO PICK UP THE KIDS

The butler opened the door. His smile faded for a moment when he saw Chantelle.

Chantelle raised an eyebrow. "I’m here to pick up the kids."

"Madam, the children are with Mr. Daniel inside," the butler said, blocking the doorway. He clearly didn’t want to let her in.

Chantelle didn’t argue. She turned around, went back to her car, and called Stephanie.

At that moment, Kane, Stephanie, and Rai were standing outside Daniel’s bedroom. Their faces were filled with worry.

Earlier, they were stunned when they saw Ashton and Philip carry Daniel into the house, covered in bandages, and take him straight to his room.

Daniel had firmly told everyone not to let Chantelle know what happened. That’s when the children finally realized how serious it was.

Philip was inside, changing Daniel’s bandages. He told the kids they could come and see him once he was done.

"What happened to Daddy?" Kane asked softly, grabbing on Ashton’s shirt. His eyes were filled with tears.

Ashton gently patted his head and said, "Daddy got a little hurt. He doesn’t want Mommy to find out, so he came home instead of staying at Uncle Philip’s."

There was a more serious reason behind it all. Philip had found out that the virus in Daniel’s body could make Chantelle’s illness worse. That’s why Daniel didn’t want to stay at Silver Crest Global District.

If Chantelle ever needed treatment there in the future and he was being around might harm her health.

Philip had also told him that the virus might never go away. It could stay in his body forever.

"Remember, don’t tell your Mommy that Mr. Daniel is injured. Can you promise me that?" Ashton reminded the kids over and over.

Kane and Rai nodded. They agreed, even though they didn’t really understand what was happening.

Stephanie stared at the closed door of Daniel’s bedroom, and her face was full of worry. She knew he got injured trying to steal the antidote for her mother.

"It’s getting late. You should eat your dinner now. After you sleep and wake up, you’ll be able to see your Daddy," Ashton persuaded them gently. He could see how anxious the kids were and felt bad for them.

He brought them to the dining hall, but they just looked at each other. None of them touched their food.

When Ashton stepped out to take a phone call, Stephanie secretly followed him. Once the call ended, she held on to his pant leg.

"How is Daddy’s condition? Is Daddy going to die?" she asked softly.

Ashton knew Stephanie wasn’t as close to Daniel as the boys were. He wanted her to see a better side of her father.

"Mr. Daniel is badly injured. He’s lucky to be alive," Ashton said gently. "But don’t worry, Dr. Philip will take good care of him."

"I want to stay with him tonight," Stephanie said as her eyes went wide and filled with tears. It looked like she might cry if Ashton said no.

He couldn’t refuse her.

He figured Daniel would want Stephanie by his side at this time.

When Stephanie went back to the dining hall, Kane had just answered a call from Chantelle. He felt guilty for ignoring her five calls earlier.

"Mommy, I was just..." Kane started to speak, but Ashton gave him a quick look, reminding him to keep their secret.

Kane clenched his teeth and lied, "I was just playing in Rai’s room earlier. I didn’t hear my phone."

But his phone was connected to his smartwatch. There was no way he hadn’t noticed the calls.

Chantelle didn’t scold him instead she simply said, "In twenty minutes, I want you to sneak Rai and Stephanie out of the villa."

"Wh... Why?" Kane asked. He knew his mom was trying to take them away, but what about their dad, who was still unconscious in bed?

"I’m taking you all back to Carcosa," Chantelle said. She didn’t try to hide her plan. She knew the kids would find soon.

"Huh? But Mommy... why?" Kane jumped down from his seat, almost knocking over his plate.

Rai and Stephanie looked at him, confused. Even Ashton was mouthing, "What’s wrong?"

But Kane didn’t say anything. He still felt bad for lying to his mom earlier.

"I’m sorry, Kane," Chantelle said softly. "I have to send you three away because of what’s going on between your Daddy and me. But I’ll respect whatever choice you make."

She was sure Kane and Stephanie would choose to go with her, no matter what.

"Mommy..." Kane’s voice cracked as if he was about to cry. He grabbed his phone and ran to his room. Just as he was about to shut the door, Stephanie blocked it with her foot, and Rai followed right behind her.

Stephanie silently signaled Kane to put the call on speaker. Kane didn’t want to, but when Stephanie raised her fist at him, he gave in. He set his phone down and turned on the speaker.

"Don’t worry, Kane. I’ll bring you all back to visit him often," Chantelle said.

Stephanie and Rai’s faces turned pale when they heard that. Rai looked really upset.

He had just gotten his mother back, and now she was leaving him again.

"Mommy, don’t you want to be with Daddy anymore?" Kane asked softly. He didn’t want to leave Daniel. He didn’t want to lose his father all over again.

"It’s over between your Daddy and me. I’m going to leave this country soon. Kane, you need to make a choice." Chantelle suddenly felt a wave of sadness. She knew how much the kids loved Daniel.

But what scared her more was the thought of them ending up like her, falling so deeply for Daniel, depending on him for everything, only to be left behind without mercy.

Kane looked at Stephanie, then at Rai. He didn’t know what to say.

"Mommy, Daddy loves you a lot. He’ll be really sad if you leave him," Rai suddenly said in a gentle tone.

Chantelle’s eyes widened. She realized Kane must have turned on the speaker so the others could hear too. It saved her from having to say the same thing three times.

"You’re all my children, and I love you so much. Even when I take you to Carcosa, I won’t stop you from talking to him. I really hope you’ll come with me."

Knowing Rai could hear everything made Chantelle act a little selfish. She was scared the kids wouldn’t want to leave with her, so she didn’t let them make their own decisions.