Chapter 2

But my expression didn't budge, not even a little, no matter what he said.

Henry tried to reach for me, but I smacked his hand away.

"Let me say this one more time. Our engagement is over. If you want to adopt Noreen, do it yourself," I said coldly.

I walked over to a girl sitting in the far corner of the yard. She'd just gotten into a scuffle and was now stubbornly putting on her shoes, her face set in a fierce little scowl.

I'd been watching her for a while. Earlier, she was stacking up blocks to make a little house, when some other kids came over and kicked it down.

She didn't cry or make a scene. She just threw herself into the fight, fierce as a little tiger, taking on the bullies head-on.

I went over, took off my scarf, and draped it over her shoulders.

"Do you want to come home with me? Be my daughter?" I asked gently. "I promise, you'll be my one and only child. I'll give you all the love I have."

Words appeared again.

[No way. This girl is the final boss in the future, always going against the main leads.]

[Is the evil side character out of her mind? I wish I could reach through the screen and slap her, but I can't.]

The girl's unblinking eyes locked onto me, her gaze intense and unwavering.

When the warmth from the scarf settled around her, her small body trembled ever so slightly.

In a raspy voice, she whispered, "Okay."

Since I couldn't give birth anymore, I was determined to do everything I could to be the best adoptive mom I could be.

The director told me the girl's name was Olivia Muldrow. Her parents had left her at the orphanage when she was three, right after her younger sibling was born.

"Olivia. Such a lovely name. I really like it," I said warmly.

Olivia tilted her head up at me, lips pursed. After a long pause, she muttered with a pout, "What's so good about it?"

One of the kids who'd just lost to her in the fight took advantage of her distraction and shoved her hard from behind, sending her crashing to the ground.

"She looks just like a weed. Her hair's all uneven, like a dog chewed it off. She's so ugly. What an ugly monster," the kid sneered.

That was when I noticed her hair, ragged and uneven, like she'd tried to cut it herself with scissors. It was almost shorter than a boy's.

"You were the ones who stuck gum in my hair first. I tried everything, but I couldn't get it out," Olivia yelled back.

She shot me a fierce look, jaw clenched, as she hauled herself up off the ground.

Her palms were scraped and bleeding, but she didn't care. She was about to dive right back into the fight like pain was nothing.

"Olivia!" I called out, reaching for her.

I had to hold her back for dear life. She was way stronger than she looked.

I stepped in front of her and gave the boy a cold look.

"Olivia is the prettiest girl in the whole world. Bullying a girl? That's real tough of you, huh? Apologize to her," I said, my voice icy.

The boy shrank back under my glare, but he clammed up, stubborn as ever.

"Not gonna apologize? Fine, I'll go tell the director. Let's see how you like missing lunch," I threatened.

"No. Okay, I'll apologize. Olivia, I'm sorry, I was wrong," the boy blurted out, panicking.

His face looked even worse than if he were crying. He gave a half-hearted bow and bolted away as fast as he could.

I turned to Olivia, smiling as I gently pinched her cheek.

I said, "Such a pretty face. We don't want it getting all banged up from fighting, do we? If anyone ever messes with you again, tell me. I've got your back.

"Come on, let's get some medicine on those scraped palms. And when we get home, I'll have a professional stylist give you a brand-new haircut."

Olivia's body froze for a second, her eyes wide with disbelief as she watched me hold her tiny, scraped hands and blow on them softly.

I waved my assistant over to sort out the adoption paperwork, then took Olivia's hand and walked her out to the car.

Henry finally snapped out of it and, dragging Noreen along, stepped right in front of me, blocking my way.

"Lauren, are you for real? You're actually going to adopt this brat?" Henry snorted, his tone full of disdain.

Olivia might've been small, but she was sharp as ever. At Henry's words, she bared her teeth at him like a wounded little cub, eyes full of warning, ready to bite if he got any closer.

If I hadn't been holding her back tight, I swear Henry would've been nuked by her glare in the next second.

"Olivia is so sweet and sensible. Of course I'm taking her home with me," I said.

I smiled and ruffled Olivia's hair, putting extra emphasis in my tone. "I've got plenty of maids and chefs at my villa, so Olivia's going to be spoiled with great food and care.

"And since girls love pretty things, I'll also set up a whole walk-in closet just for her.

Noreen might've been just a little kid, but hearing all that, she was obviously going crazy with jealousy.