Angela had never been under the barrel of a real gun before. While trembling, she worried they might hurt Sidney and loudly defended herself, "You've got it all wrong! I didn't kidnap or deceive..."
Eddie, desperate to protect Angela, stood in front of her with arms spread wide. "Put down your guns! Don't hurt my mommy!"
"Take the child away!"
The officers assumed Angela was a habitual criminal and that Eddie was another child she had kidnapped. They surged forward, scooping Eddie up into their arms.
Eddie struggled fiercely, "Let go! Let go of me!"
"It's okay, little one — you're safe now!"
Eddie was frantic, "She's my mommy! She's not a trafficker!"
"Eddie!" Angela was beside herself with panic and stepped forward only to be forced back by the guns trained on her.
The officer interrupted her plea, "Handover the child you are holding!"
Angela, with no other choice, released Sidney.
The police rushed forward, grabbed Sidney, and then quickly subdued Angela.
*****
At the Murphy Mansion.
Carlos parked the car in front of the entrance and casually tossed the keys to the butler.
Mike approached, "Mr. Murphy, the Sidney has been found safe and sound."
Carlos gave him a piercing look. "What exactly happened?"
Mike responded, "According to the information provided by the police, the kidnapper has been captured."
"Kidnapper?" Carlos inquired, "Who dared to abduct my son?"
Mike responded with measured neutrality, "That woman, Mr. Murphy. You're familiar with her."
"Who?"
"Angela... Ms. Parker."
Carlos's countenance froze. Her? What was she planning to do?
Carlos inquired, "And Sidney?"
Mike answered, "Upstairs, calm and quiet. We've also brought back the other child."
Carlos climbed the stairs. Upon reaching the door, the servants and bodyguards prepared their keys to unlock it for him.
The door had barely opened when a figure brought Carlos to a sudden stop.
Eddie stood at the entrance, exuding a chilling presence. Lifting his eyes, his frosty gaze examined Carlos, narrowing into thin slits. His typically childlike voice now carried an icy and solemn tone, as if confronting an adversary.
Observing his tense expression, Carlos extended his hand to touch Eddie's face, but Eddie swiftly seized his hand, biting down forcefully on his wrist.
"Ow!" Carlos winced, wanting to pull his hand away.
Eddie, however, held firm, not relenting his bite.
The man quickly acclimated to the pain, enduring it, "Eddie, is that enough?"
It was apparent he was furious, venting all his anger on him.
Carlos commanded sternly, "Let go."
But Eddie clamped down even harder, apparently using this childish method to exact fierce revenge on the very man who had caused his mommy to be treated as a trafficker by the police.
The tension in the man's jaw tightened as he saw the deep indentations of teeth on his wrist, and he surveyed the surroundings.
The room was a mess, with valuable vases among the debris, shattered by Eddie's hand.
"When are you releasing my mommy?" Eddie threatened. "If you don't, I’ll make sure the Murphy Group goes bankrupt!"
He was infuriated and distressed, harboring intense disdain for the individual accountable for his mother's ordeal at the police station.
He acknowledged that this man was his biological father, but what significance did that hold? If he had caused any harm to his mother, he adamantly refused to recognize him as his father!
If he bullied his mommy, he would fight back to the end.
Carlos, however, just smiled, "You want me bankrupt?"
How could a seven year old dare to be the cause of the downfall of the Murphy Empire?
"You don't believe it?" Eddie smirked with malevolence, "You don't believe me? Just wait and see."
Carlos smiled slightly, discerning the determination in Eddie's eyes, as if the confident declarations he made could genuinely come to fruition!
Simultaneously, Sidney, who had been seated on the bed, spotted Carlos and rushed towards him, his tiny fists striking against him.
Carlos had never witnessed Sidney lose control in such a manner. Sidney was consistently well-mannered, usually maintaining his composure without displays of intense emotion.
This marked the initial occasion Carlos observed Sidney in an angry state.
Carlos caught his punching hands, asking, "Sidney, what's wrong?"
As he posed the question, he chuckled slightly, realizing that Sidney wouldn't answer; he didn't speak.
Yet, the next moment, Sidney articulated word by word, very clearly, "I want her!"
Carlos held his breath.
After numerous years, this was the initial instance he heard Sidney speak so purposefully and distinctly, exhibiting a serious expression and an authoritative tone, resembling a miniature rendition of Carlos.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached outside the door, followed by Sophia's exclamations.
"Sidney, my dear great-grandson! Quick! Let me see if my treasure has been hurt by Carlos!"
Sophia entered, immediately approaching Sidney. "Sidney! You had me so worried!"
She embraced him tenderly. As soon as she heard Sidney was in trouble and back with the Murphy family, her sole concern was seeing him safe and sound.
Sidney reluctantly pushed Sophia away.
Sophia, with a curious expression, asked, "Sidney, what's wrong? Aren’t you happy to see granny?"
Sidney glanced at Carlos and, with a petulant emphasis, repeated, "I want her!"
Even without Sidney specifying, fathers know their children best. Carlos knew who 'her' referred to.
Angela.
What did she do that she captured Sidney's heart so effortlessly? Not only did Sidney begin to speak, but he refused anyone but her.
As Carlos pondered, the old lady was overcome with excitement.
This clear speech from Sidney left Sophia speechless, "Sidney... My Sidney can really talk!"
The perceived "simpleton" Sidney, according to outsiders, had finally uttered words!
After a moment of shock, Sophia jubilantly said to Carlos, "Sidney—he's finally speaking!"
"Granny, calm down," Carlos said with much more composure. He never believed his son to be simple-minded; he was convinced Sidney could talk and think, he simply chose not to.
How could he refuse his son's request for someone?
Carlos called out, "Mike."
"Yes," Mike entered. "Mr. Murphy, what are your orders?"
"Bring that woman to see me."
"Yes."
Following his orders immediately, Mike went to carry them out.
*****
Night fell.
In the Murphy family dining room.
Eddie and Sidney sat facing Carlos, each looking colder than the last, especially Sidney, who was a spitting image of disdain.
Next to them, Sophia cajoled Sidney, "Sidney, dear, won't you eat something?"
But Sidney refused to eat, as if on a hunger strike.