Chapter 321: Chapter 320: Emotions Are Like a Broken Faucet Handle
"Mr. Stephens," someone called out from under the tree not far away, "Granny Dixon has invited you for dinner. Are you planning to go?"
Edward Stephens slowly released Daisy Ginger from his grasp. He stepped back, licked the blood from his bitten lip, and lightly replied, "Yes. Tell her we’ll be right over."
Rustling footsteps echoed from behind, and soon, the surrounding noise quieted down.
The argument was abruptly interrupted, and neither continued; both their emotions fell.
The man reached out, gently wiping the corner of her eye with his fingertip, gazing down at her, "Wash your face. Let’s go eat."
Daisy Ginger glanced at him, brushed away his hand, lowered her eyes, and turned back to the bathroom.
Edward Stephens stood at the door, his deep gaze fixed on Daisy Ginger’s back until she disappeared from view, slowly withdrawing his sight.
He still didn’t know whether it was because he’d invested too much to let go or whether his possessiveness was too heavy to let her leave.
Emotions were like a broken faucet handle—trying to tighten it felt somewhat powerless.
The only certainty was that the moment he let go, they might never have the chance to meet again in this lifetime.
This life is too long, and he couldn’t imagine if he’d ever be able to treat another woman with such devotion after being so captivated.
In this world, there’s only one Daisy Ginger—a woman who moved him from being captivated to infatuated.
Daisy Ginger, bullied terribly by him, washed her face, appearing somewhat listless and frail, with reddened eyes, looking pitiful as if wronged.
Edward Stephens reached out, grabbing her cold little hand, and took her to Granny Dixon’s house.
In Granny Dixon’s courtyard, several tables were set up. Edward Stephens’ guests were seated at the tables, and upon seeing him arrive, they all stood up.
"Go ahead and have your meal," Edward Stephens gestured to them before pulling Daisy Ginger into the house.
A few town police officers were questioning Granny Dixon at a dining table. A young female officer held Jasper White, occasionally giving him drinks.
Upon seeing Edward Stephens and Daisy Ginger enter, Jasper White immediately slipped from the officer’s arms and ran towards Daisy Ginger.
"Jasper!"
Granny Dixon called out, anxiety flickering across her face. After this ordeal, she realized Daisy Ginger’s background might be larger than she imagined and dared not let Jasper bother them further.
Daisy Ginger let go of Edward Stephens’ hand, bent down, and picked up Jasper White. The little guy got beaten badly; his fair, tender face covered in bruises, making Daisy Ginger’s heart ache.
She leaned down and softly asked him, "Does it still hurt?"
The little guy, upon seeing her, suddenly felt tears welling up, clutching her neck as he cried loudly.
"Jasper!"
Granny Dixon, trembling, walked over and reached out to Daisy Ginger.
"Miss Ginger, just give me Jasper. This child is disobedient; I’ll discipline him later."
Hearing her address, Daisy Ginger knew she must’ve learned her real name.
She rubbed Jasper White’s little head, seeing him crying his heart out, and shook her head at Granny Dixon. "Let me comfort him first. He’s feeling bad."
Granny Dixon, looking at her grandson’s face, eyes reddened too. "Jasper worried about you all day."
This little guy usually roamed recklessly, speaking with a tone beyond his years; yet, ultimately, he was just a bit over three years old.
Seeing Daisy Ginger bullied and absent for an entire day, he feared he’d caused her harm, staying anxious all day until finally relieved by her presence.
The strong emotional shifts could only be vented through crying.
Though Daisy Ginger didn’t have children, she had been one before and could vaguely understand Jasper White’s feelings now, not minding his dirtiness, holding him beside the dining table and wiping his face with tissues.
Jasper cried for five minutes before finally coming around.
Sitting in Daisy Ginger’s lap, he saw her beautiful face with a faint smile directed at him. Realizing he’d embarrassed himself, his small pride couldn’t bear it; he awkwardly attempted to jump off Daisy Ginger’s lap.
Daisy Ginger smiled at him, "Done crying?"
Jasper awkwardly replied, "Who’s crying?"
Daisy Ginger pointed to the pile of tissues on the table, indicating they were all from wiping him.
How could this woman be like this, giving him no face!
Jasper, feeling wronged, turned his head, spotting a tall man sitting beside him, glaring at him.
Oh my, so frightening!
Jasper shrank his neck, instinctively nestling into Daisy Ginger’s embrace, clutching her sleeve.
Daisy Ginger didn’t notice Edward Stephens and Jasper’s interaction, picking up a coconut juice bottle, asking Jasper, "Kid, would you like some coconut juice?"
Upon her asking, Edward naturally reached out and unscrewed the bottle cap for her.
Daisy Ginger glanced at him, poured a glass for Jasper, and poured another for herself.
Jasper held the glass cup, took a sip of coconut juice, swinging his feet in Daisy Ginger’s lap, watching the young officers still doing paperwork with Granny Dixon, softly asking Daisy Ginger, "Will they not bully Grandma and me anymore?"
Daisy Ginger stroked his head, looking down at him, speaking softly, "They’ll be imprisoned and won’t return."
Jasper rubbed his eyes, feeling somewhat aggrieved, "I really didn’t steal their money."
"I know," Daisy Ginger embraced him, "They falsely accused you."
Jasper looked at her with red eyes.
To children, adults are their entire world; an adult’s slanderous words can turn their small world upside down.
Daisy Ginger asked him, "How many times have they bullied you?"
"They hit me several times. I dare not play outside the village. Every time grandma gives them money, they stop hitting me." His voice sounded rather aggrieved.
Grassroots neglect had emboldened these hoodlums further; many tried paying for peace, only encouraging them to become more brazen.
Unexpectedly, young Jasper White’s life was equally fraught with hardship.
After finishing paperwork, the officers couldn’t stay for dinner; they greeted Edward Stephens and hurriedly drove away.
Though dealing with mere hooligans shouldn’t be so extravagant, in broad daylight, extortion, rape, and assault were serious charges.
Moreover, they injured a woman of importance from the city.
The hooligan who harmed Daisy Ginger was already an adult; when charged with multiple offenses, he would likely end up spending life behind bars.