Spoiled by Eight Uncles

Everything happened so fast that the Hatchers had no time to react.

By the time Stephen rushed out, he saw Anthony preparing to get into his car and drive off. However, he had not been in time to see Gilbert brushing the snow off Lilly and picking her up from where she had been kneeling by the gate.

“My goodness! It’s Mr. Anthony Crawford!” Stephen plastered a bright smile onto his face and greeted the other cheerfully. “What brings you here? It’s an honor to have you visiting our humble abode!”

By then, Richard, Paula, and some of the Hatcher servants had hurried out to join Stephen as well, their faces wreathed in smiles of welcome.

When they saw Anthony’s stern, aloof countenance, they became even more fawning and obsequious.

Anthony Crawford was the current head of the Crawford family’s business empire and the CEO of Crawford Holdings!

The Crawford family was one of Clodston’s four influential families; everyone wanted to butter them up and curry favor.

A true aristocratic family like this with old money and such deep ties to Clodston was rare. The Crawfords were an elusive, mysterious entity; they kept themselves out of the limelight. The only thing anyone in Clodston knew for sure was that the Crawfords had eight sons, but even then, few had even set eyes on them.

Anthony was occasionally featured in the headlines of the financial news, which was why the Hatchers had recognized him.

“Mr. Crawford, please come in! It’s freezing out here. We’d love to have you stay a little while if you don’t mind such humble surroundings,” Richard said enthusiastically.

“Yes, yes, please do come in and have something hot!” Stephen chimed in, smiling.

Now that they were in the presence of a truly distinguished person, all the Hatchers could not help trying to ingratiate themselves with him.

The Ador Hatcher Corporation was in dire straits; for the Hatcher family, this was a catastrophe.

However, just a word from Anthony would revive their flagging fortunes!

If luck favored them, they might even become one of Clodston’s top ten influential families…

Anthony’s face betrayed no hint of expression; instead, he studied Stephen with keen eyes.

Was this Lilly’s father?

Still without expression, Anthony declined Richard’s offer coolly and enigmatically. “Very well, Mr. Hatcher and family.”

Without another word, he got into his car and drove off.

The Hatchers stood there, confused and dazed, watching him leave.

Paula was the first to speak. “Mr. Crawford said very well… Does that mean he’s intending to help us?”

Richard frowned. “Given his expression, I don’t think he meant anything complimentary.”

servants to enlighten him about what had

that a man in black had stripped off his coat and wrapped it around her, cradling her in his arms. He

Stephen heard this, he was thunderstruck.

sons and a daughter. However, the daughter’s health was frail, and she

that the woman he had rescued four years ago was the

of the Hatcher family felt their hearts sinking. How they bitterly regretted

Jean was the Crawfords’ daughter… hurry,

have forced Lilly to kneel

her like a goddess

how he had disciplined Lilly

to get her back? Do you think

we’re still Lilly’s blood relations. We’re her grandparents, after all! The Crawfords can’t deny that, no matter how angry they are. Then again, Lilly did cause Debbie’s

wanted to do was to teach Lilly not to be

of him

confident that they would be able to clear up any misunderstandings with the Crawfords. All they had to do was to have a satisfactory explanation for everything. Once that was settled, they would be able to look forward to a future of wealth

…

returning to Clodston after rescuing Lilly, the Crawfords went straight to the

suite in South Town’s best hospital was now a

atmosphere was extremely tense, punctuated by the sounds of hospital equipment beeping and doctors and nurses hurrying

of his walking stick. “Why are

at the time, then gently told his father, “Dad, you

had immediately been whisked off to the emergency room as soon as they reached the hospital. Gilbert had

the emergency room, Gilbert examined Lilly’s bruised

frostbite. A more detailed examination revealed that Lily had been badly beaten; in fact, her arms, ribs, and shins had

Some of the areas were so severely frostbitten they would require

old, and she

your Uncle Gilbert. Can you hear me? If you can, please

she had the oddest sensation of her body feeling very light and warm all over.

a voice by her ear that constantly murmured, “Lilly…Lilly dear…little

this

her eyes, but she was unable to do

to her as well, but she could not make a sound, no matter

…

surgical procedures before Lilly was out of danger, and the doctors all

wheeled into a hospital room, IV tubes

he handed Anthony the report from Lilly’s examination. When the Crawfords

“A fine, upstanding bunch, these Hatchers! They even had the nerve to lay hands on a three-and-a-half-year-old

Hatcher family’s business goods are under suspicion of being contraband. The company is in pretty desperate straits. Recently they’ve been trying to find some point of connection

They can count

wanted to tear