Chapter 10

The closing of the orphanage caused quite a stir.

The next day, people began to demolish the buildings.

The children were still asleep, jolted awake by the noise of the machinery.

These children, the oldest not even ten years old, were all ones I had held in my hands one by one.

Seeing their bewildered expressions made my heart ache terribly.

They believed in me so much, yet they were betrayed by the person I loved.

In an instant, the little love I had left for Simon Smith vanished entirely.

Only disgust remained.

"What are you doing! These are Sister Laura's belongings!"

Hollie Owen was about to take away the jade ornaments from my office when a little girl ran over and tugged at her clothes.

It was Julie.

My first adopted child.

Simon Smith had brought her back with me initially.

Hollie Owen's eyes flashed with contempt.

Seeing no one around, she shoved the little girl to the ground.

"Get lost, you little brat! Sister Laura won't be coming back; her things belong to me now!"

Julie, being just a child, was pushed hard and hit her head on the ground.

In an instant, her cries filled the air.

Simon Smith rushed over.

"What happened?"

As he entered, Hollie Owen instantly dropped her menacing expression.

"I just wanted to see Sister Laura's jade ornaments. She suddenly barged in, told me to get lost, and even hurt me."

As she spoke, she revealed the fading red mark on her arm.

This was clearly from when she accidentally bumped into the table just moments ago.

"Is that so?"

Simon Smith looked down at Julie, who was lying on the ground.

"It wasn't her; she wanted to take Sister Laura's things!"

Julie got up, covered in dirt, looking utterly pitiful.

"How can you lie? I know Sister Laura doesn't like me, so you all don't like me either, but how can you lie?"

Hollie Owen feigned shock, tears suddenly streaming down her face.

Simon Smith instantly felt pity, turning his gaze to Julie with anger, "I usually see you being good; I didn't expect you to have such a nature! I see you've spent too much time with Laura Burke, learning to lie so effortlessly."

Julie quickly shook her head, "I'm not lying."

"You're still trying to argue!"

Simon Smith shouted angrily.

Julie was so scared she couldn't utter a word, wanting to explain but unsure how to start.

I was furious.

Julie was the youngest child in the orphanage, and I had always cared for her.

Moreover, she was very obedient.

Whenever Simon Smith came, she would dutifully bring him tea and water.

She was only six.

How could she lie?

Hollie Owen gleefully shot her a glance before turning to Simon Smith, "At such a young age, she's already learned to lie. What will happen when she grows up? Just right, I have a friend who got married and has been wanting a child; their family conditions are good, and they have strict family education. Perfect for her. What do you think, Simon?"

I looked at her in confusion.

Just a moment ago, she hated Julie so much; how could she be so kind now?

"This child treats you this way, and you're still willing to help her? Hollie, you're just too kind-hearted."

"If Laura could be as sensible as you…"

At the mention of my name, Simon Smith's eyes dimmed instantly.

I had already disappeared for seven days.

In those seven days, I had gone silent.

Even when he posted about closing the orphanage yesterday, there was no word from me.

Simon Smith couldn't help but feel a bit anxious.

But he quickly regained his composure.

Perhaps this time, I was just being stubborn, waiting for him to bow his head?

Simon Smith never thought to look on the dark side.

Hollie Owen acted quickly, contacting people the next day.

It was a middle-aged couple, looking to be in their forties or fifties.

Their faces were all smiles.

I felt they weren't kind-hearted at all.

The middle-aged woman tightly gripped Julie's arm, as if fearing she would run away.

Then, ignoring Julie's struggles, she smiled at Simon Smith and said, "Mr. Smith, rest assured, we will educate her well."

Sure enough.

Once Simon Smith left, they immediately changed their demeanor.

They slapped Julie hard across the face, "You little whore, what are you crying for? If you cry more, I'll sell you to the mountains!"

I widened my eyes; my instincts were right.

Hollie Owen had brought in human traffickers!

Julie cried louder, screaming for help.

But this was a villa area, with no one around.

Only Simon Smith was preparing to leave not far away.

But he didn't turn back, not even glancing.

"Thank you, Miss Owen, for such a good child."

"Alright, take her and leave quickly; don't let anyone see you."

The middle-aged couple responded quickly, dragging Julie into the car.

I followed the car all the way to a remote mountainous area.

Several times Julie tried to escape but was dragged back by them.

I watched as they broke Julie's leg.

They locked her in a room with a dog chain.

"I can tell you that even if you go back, it won't work; Mr. Smith won't believe you, and that director of yours is just a neglected wife, dispensable, but Miss Owen is different; Mr. Smith treasures her."

"Be good and keep your head down; you might get a good family."

Julie was still too young to understand what she meant, crying in pain.

My heart raced with fear.

Anger almost broke through the roof of my head.

Watching Julie being beaten and scolded, my heart twisted in pain.

I regretted it.

If I hadn't married Simon Smith in the first place, would all of this have happened?

I would rather be bullied by the Burke family, suppressed,

than be with him.

I hated Simon Smith, hated his change of heart.

Hated him for destroying everything I had built!