They met each other’s eyes, and not a word was exchanged. 

After a brief moment, Sylvia came to her senses and immediately moved to shut the door. 

However, Odell scoffed and promptly raised his hand and pushed the door the other way to prevent it from closing. 

Thump! 

The door slammed viciously against the wall and produced a sharp thump. 

Sylvia went pale with horror. She retreated backward and shielded Isabel with her body. 

Odell glared at her, then turned his attention to Isabel who was hiding behind her. 

At the same time, Aunt Tonya stepped forward and shielded Isabel just like Sylvia did. 

Their nervous movements indicated that they were worried about Isabel being taken away. Odell merely snickered and stepped inside. 

As he stared at Isabel, a lot of things that occurred recently started to make a lot of sense in his head. 

Liam had always been withdrawn and preferred

The two bodyguards were already approaching her. 

Aunt Tonya rushed forward while beckoning to Sylvia. “Sylvia, take Isabel and get out of here!” 

After that, she threw her weight into the two approaching bodyguards. 

Since they were more or less acquainted by now, the bodyguards were reluctant to use extreme force on Aunt Tonya, thus she successfully bought them some time. 

Sylvia immediately took Isabel and tried to go around them, heading for the exit. 

However, she had only taken two steps when she ran into Odell who was standing right by the exit. His large figure nearly cut off the entire path of retreat. 

Sylvia hesitated briefly, then she leaned into him with her elbow. 

Unfortunately, Odell stood his ground like a brick wall, completely unfazed despite Sylvia throwing her entire weight into him. 

Not only did she fail to shove him away, but she was also the one driven ba

At the Carters', when Odell entered, the family physician was attending to Liam. 

The boy’s complexion was sickly pale, and he seemed to have passed out in slumber. After not having eaten for an entire day, he seemed noticeably skinnier. 

Odell knitted his brows together tightly. 

Madam Carter was extremely distressed by the situation, and upon seeing Odell, she furiously accused him, “What was the point you were trying to prove to Liam in the first place? He’s only three years old. What if something were to happen to him?!” 

Odell looked at Liam who was lying motionlessly on the bed and clenched his lips together without a word. 

The old madam returned to the head of the bed to watch over Liam after she had tired herself out from shouting. 

After some time, the family physician breathed a sigh of relief and announced, “Madam, Master Carter, the young master's fever has subsided. He will be fine by the time he wakes up, but he is still very weak and needs to eat as soon as possible.” 

The old madam was relieved by this and thanked the doctor. “Alright, we understand.” 

Odell’s frown softened as well. 

The family physician took his medical kit and left. 

The old lady then ordered the servants to prepare Liam's favorite food. 

Shortly after that, Liam finally opened his eyes. 

“Liam.” The old madam took one of his tiny hands and asked nervously, “How are you feeling? Do you want to eat something?" 

Liam twitched his lips and seemed as if he was about to draw up a response, but when he noticed Odell standing by the bed in the corner of his eyes, he suddenly changed his mind. He turned away from Odell without uttering a word. 

No matter how much Madam Carter tried to coax him, he would not reciprocate. 

Although the old lady managed to get his little phone back from Odell, he only fiddled with it briefly and did not look like he was going to eat any time soon. 

Madam Carter looked at Odell helplessly. “Odell, you'd better talk to Liam.” 

What she was trying to suggest was clear as day—as Liam's father, he needed to handle this situation appropriately. 

Odell was silent for a few seconds before announcing, “I’m going for a walk.” 

With that, he went outside. 

The puzzled Madam Carter wondered, "What are you doing going out when Liam is like this? Don’t tell me you’re looking for Tara?” 

Odell did not answer and continued heading outside. 

Outside the window, Sylvia had been sneaking around for some time. The moment she saw Odell coming out, she quickly crept her way back to the backyard and slipped out from the back exit. 

Her car was parked nearby. 

After she slunk out of the residence, she got into her car and drove away. 

She was not going to stay here any longer. She had to go home as soon as possible and call Liam with Isabel's mobile phone so that she could persuade him to eat something at least. 

...... 

At the same time, Odell stepped out of his house and went to where his car was usually parked. 

As soon as he approached the vehicle, he heard Tara whimpering, “Help me, Odell…” 

He promptly opened the door and was greeted by the sight of Tara bound to the car seat. 

She seemed haggard and there was a noticeable red swell on her cheeks that suggested someone had slapped her. 

Odell was taken by surprise and investigated the car. 

There was not a peep of another person. Where did Sylvia go? 

Tara went on balking, “I’m telling you now, Odell, Sylvia is a cunning witch. She distracted me by talking to me and slipped out of the ropes without me noticing, then she attacked me and tied me up here… It was my fault. I should have seen it coming.” 

Odell’s expression darkened. He quickly untied the rope from Tara without a word. 

Tara immediately jumped into his arms and hugged him tightly., “Odell, I was so scared. She threatened me when she tied me, and I thought that she was going to kill me. I was so scared because I thought that I was never going to see you again." 

Odell patted her on the back and comforted her, "Don't be afraid. I will get her and take revenge for you.” 

With that, he let go of Tara who seemed puzzled. 

He got into the car. 

Tara was about to follow him and enter the car, but he quickly told her, “There’s something I need to do. Go back first." 

When she saw the two bodyguards that were usually assigned to Liam approaching, she turned to Odell with a considerate, affectionate gaze. “Alright, I'll wait for you to come back." 

There was a note of warmth in Odell’s voice as he responded, "I'll deal with this as soon as possible and come back to you." 

Tara raised the corners of her mouth and formed a happy smile. 

Odell then instructed the bodyguard in front, "Drive." 

The car sped off immediately. 

Tara's expression shifted dramatically as she cursed spitefully, “Damed kid, you might as well have starved to death!” 

...... 

Sylvia returned home as fast as she could.

Isabel ran to her the moment she saw her mother returning and asked without skipping a beat, “Mommy, how’s brother?” 

“Your brother has caught a fever but he’s getting better. However, he’s still refusing to eat. Mommy needs to borrow your phone to call him,” Sylvia replied.

“Okay, I’ll call him right now," Isabel said as she ran to her room to get her phone. 

Around the same time, a car drove into the neighborhood and stopped in front of their building. 

The tall man stepped out of the car. He glanced at the building and commanded, "Lead the way." 

The two bodyguards immediately stepped in front of him. 

The elevator took them to the sixth floor. 

Odell glanced at the watch on his wrist. 

It was seven o'clock at night, so Isabel and her family should be home. 

He figured that if he could bring Isabel to the stubborn brat, he would eat without much convincing. 

Ding! 

The elevator reached the sixth floor and the doors slid open. 

Odell stepped out. 

Meanwhile, at Sylvia's residence, Isabel quickly ran back to Sylvia and handed her mother her bright pink phone. 

Sylvia acknowledged her with a gentle pat on her head, then took the phone. 

The child did not have many contacts on her mobile phone. The first one on the list was Liam, who was saved as "Brother". 

Just as she was about to press the dial button, there was a knock on the door. 

Aunt Tonya hurried over and opened the door. She recognized the two bodyguards who were always with Liam. She perked up in alert then turned to Sylvia and shouted, “Sylvia, Ben and Jacob are here.” 

Ben and Jacob? 

What were they doing here at this hour? 

Sylvia went to the door to verify that it was Ben and Jacob, then she asked cautiously, "What's the matter? Why are you two here?" 

They were just about to answer when a raspy, deep voice of another man behind them interrupted, “Sylvia?” 

The two bodyguards immediately retreated to both sides of the door. 

A tall, commanding figure appeared in front of Sylvia, his dark eyes staring right at her in disbelief. 

Isabel ran over at the same moment. She did not notice Odell standing outside as she called to Sylvia in her shrieking voice, “Mommy!” 

Sylvia shuddered all over and dropped Isabel’s phone onto the floor— 

They met each other’s eyes, and not a word was exchanged. 

After a brief moment, Sylvia came to her senses and immediately moved to shut the door. 

However, Odell scoffed and promptly raised his hand and pushed the door the other way to prevent it from closing. 

Thump! 

The door slammed viciously against the wall and produced a sharp thump. 

Sylvia went pale with horror. She retreated backward and shielded Isabel with her body. 

Odell glared at her, then turned his attention to Isabel who was hiding behind her. 

At the same time, Aunt Tonya stepped forward and shielded Isabel just like Sylvia did. 

Their nervous movements indicated that they were worried about Isabel being taken away. Odell merely snickered and stepped inside. 

As he stared at Isabel, a lot of things that occurred recently started to make a lot of sense in his head. 

Liam had always been withdrawn and preferred to be alone. He was never affectionate with anybody, not even himself and his great-grandmother. He

Chapter 18