Scum Daddy Dreams Of Stealing My Mommy!
Chapter 76: The Heart-wrenching Hope

Chapter 76: Chapter 76: The Heart-wrenching Hope

"It’s not true!" the little girl, a bit over four years old, retorted articulately and clearly, her lively and crisp voice showing no weakness, "When I went back before, you always called me a ’stinky brat’ and said not to call you grandma because you didn’t like hearing it!"

Christopher’s eyes darkened as he looked at his daughter, quite surprised.

Amelia understood from his expression—it seemed that even he, as both father and son, didn’t know about this.

Emma Carter’s face turned extremely ugly, "You girl, spouting nothing but lies!"

"I’m not lying!" Hope became a little anxious, afraid that no one would believe her, and immediately climbed up to grab Christopher’s arm, "Daddy! I really didn’t lie, lying turns you into Pinocchio, I don’t want a long nose."

"She’s the one who said it, told me not to call her grandma, so fierce... that’s why I didn’t want to go back with you later... I really didn’t lie..."

The little girl’s mouth puckered as she spoke, and her big eyes became teary.

Seeing her daughter’s wronged appearance, Amelia felt extremely heartbroken and quickly went over to embrace her child.

"Don’t cry, baby, mommy believes you."

"Mmm!" Hope buried her little face in Amelia’s embrace, nodding pitifully.

Christopher looked toward his mother, his face solemn and dark.

Emma Carter was a bit panicked, but she maintained her imposing attitude, "What are you looking at me for? Do you take a child’s words for truth?"

Christopher’s expression darkened. Deep down, he had already decided to believe his daughter and said coldly, "Children are innocent and outspoken; of course, her words can be taken seriously."

"Innocent and outspoken? Don’t forget what kind of person her mother is! Like mother, like daughter!"

Listening to these words, Amelia felt numb inside.

In fact, she was a bit confused.

Originally, she had grown up with Christopher as childhood sweethearts, and the Hart Family had been like her second home.

She used to visit the Hart Family often, and aside from Wendy Hart being unkind to her, everyone else seemed quite friendly.

Especially Old Master Hart, who was especially caring towards her.

How could it be that later, no matter how she explained, the elders just didn’t believe a word?

Her reputation seemed to suddenly collapse, becoming like a heartless executioner with numerous misdeeds.

When Emma Carter uttered these words, Christopher suddenly fell silent.

Amelia didn’t look back at him, but a sudden sharp pain flickered through her numb heart.

His silence—was it because he believed the same deep down?

After a moment, the man spoke, "Let’s not talk about the past for now. Hope is just a child, she doesn’t understand anything, and this treatment of her is truly excessive."

Amelia managed a bitter smile to herself.

He was willing to defend their daughter; was he already doing all that was right and honorable?

But Emma Carter was not buying it.

"I didn’t mean to bully a child; it’s you who have spoiled her rotten! The moment I came over, she started calling me ’witch.’ How can a child of the Hart Family be so ill-mannered? When you were little, did your father and I educate you like this?"

Old Carter deftly shifted the responsibility to Christopher, the father.

Amelia instinctively wanted to defend her daughter, but before she could speak, Christopher responded first, "Hope may be a bit willful, but she is not an ill-mannered child; she wouldn’t insult someone for no reason."

The words Amelia had not yet spoken stopped; she felt a bit reassured.

It seemed that, no matter how detestable this bastard was, at least when it came to defending his daughter, he truly was an impeccable father.

"You must have said something to provoke her first," Christopher said, looking towards his mother.

"I..." Emma Carter stumbled over her words, waving her hands helplessly, finally pointing at Amelia, "What did I say... When I saw her, I asked her to leave! You have a betrothal agreement with Lily, yet you’re openly entangled with this woman! It’s simply—"

She wanted to say ’adulterers’ or ’shameless couple’... but thinking of her own son, she ultimately couldn’t say it out loud.

However, when the topic turned to Lily Garcia, Emma Carter instantly sobered up, "Right, I came to find you! Lily has been hospitalized for several days now, and you haven’t even visited her. And with the commotion about her trying to jump off the building yesterday... it has become common knowledge!"

"Have you ever considered the situation of your father and me? Do you know what people are saying about the Hart family now? You’re thirty, not three. You can’t make decisions solely based on what you like; you have to think about the bigger picture!"

Emma Carter’s words did make sense.

A person lives for their reputation as a tree lives for its bark, especially for a wealthy and prestigious family like the Harts, who are even more concerned about their face and legacy.

But Christopher Hart was the kind to act solely on his preferences.

Pressuring him with conventional societal values would only make him more rebellious.

So, after listening to his mother’s earnest advice, he felt no ripple in his heart, merely responding, "Mouths are on other people’s bodies; what they say is their business."

"Christopher, you—"

Emma Carter was so angry she was at a loss for words, wishing she could beat her chest in frustration.

"Hope is ill and needs to rest quietly. If there’s nothing else, please return home. I’ve been very busy lately, so let’s put these messy matters aside for now."

Christopher Hart dismissed his mother’s rage, effectively showing her the door.

Emma Carter had so much anger inside her, but nowhere to release it; it was suffocating, and she just stood there, not speaking or leaving.

The atmosphere was extremely awkward.

Amelia Garcia stood by the bed, holding Hope in her arms, as the little girl occasionally looked up at her with big eyes from her embrace.

She just smiled and comforted her silently with a look.

After a standstill that seemed to last an eternity, Christopher Hart, frowning, suddenly said, "If you really like this hospital room, I can move Hope out, and you can stay here instead?"

Amelia’s ears twitched, thinking how ruthless this guy was—

To treat his own mother like this?

And when Emma Carter heard this, she was even more upset, tears nearly falling.

"Christopher! You really are..." She angrily pointed at her son, stomping her foot decisively, "I can’t control you, I’ll let your father handle it! But I’ll say this now, the Hart family’s daughter-in-law can only be Lily! If you want to be with that Fox Spirit, it’ll be over my dead body!"

With those harsh words, Emma Carter grabbed her purse and stormed out.

In the hospital room, several medical staff were still present.

Christopher Hart looked at them, his demeanor still somewhat respectful but his face stern and authoritative, "As for what happened today, I don’t want to hear anyone discussing it."

The medical staff immediately nodded, obsequiously, "Mr. Hart, we understand, we do. Now, let’s get going... hurriedly back to our duties..."

The medical staff quickly scattered.

The room quieted down, and Hope stepped back from Amelia’s embrace.

"Daddy..." Her voice was tender and feeble.

Christopher Hart’s mind was in turmoil.

In front of his mother, he had protected his daughter.

But in reality, his heart was not without disturbance.

The recent public opinions had already brought negative effects to the company.

The emergency meeting that morning had been called due to these opinions, and he hadn’t even managed to resolve it before having to leave abruptly.

He might not care about the rumors, but he couldn’t ignore the welfare of the many people in the company.

Not to mention the vast Hart family, with its complex and deep-rooted relationships...

But no matter how great the pressure and difficulties, regardless of the raging storms outside, he would shield them all behind him.

Turning to face his daughter, his stern countenance softened into a gentle, faint smile, "What’s wrong? Does your little face hurt? Let daddy take a look..."