Chapter 1731: Janelle and the Mills Family’s Relationship
Nathan Mills recalled those past events, tears filling his eyes, "Back then, the villagers and I carried the children out one by one, our hands covered in blood, crying everywhere around us, and when I held a little girl, she clung to my neck and wouldn’t let go. She didn’t cry or fuss, just looked at me like that..."
"Her eyes were so beautiful, as bright as stars, and she kept looking at me, refusing to let go, not saying a word."
"Her forehead was actually injured, bleeding continuously, yet she didn’t cry. Perhaps the pain had numbed her, or she was terrified into silence; at that time, her obedient appearance tugged at my heart."
Nathan Mills spoke with a face full of sorrow, casting his gaze upon the lying Carlotta Sterling, recalling the details of that day—
"I suddenly remembered our car had a first aid kit, so I took her into the car; anyway, the villagers were rescuing the other children, and the police arrived quickly."
"In our car, she still clung to my neck and refused to let go. Later, I learned it was because she was frightened; when faced with severe intimidation, she would react this way. She later received professional psychological treatment for a long time."
Trevor listened, feeling both tense and sympathetic, as though Janelle endured those hurts all over again.
"Back then, when your Auntie Sterling treated her wound, we asked her many questions, like where her parents were, or what her name was, but she answered only with silence, as if she couldn’t hear."
Recalling now, Old Mills still felt an intense heartache.
"At that time, Auntie Sterling found her to be adorable and pitiable, so she decided not to hand her over to the police." Nathan Mills’ mood turned somber as he said, "We also had private motives, because we had been unsuccessful in conceiving a child, and later, as Auntie Sterling expected, most of those children couldn’t return to their parents, ending up in welfare institutions, living different lives."
"I am truly grateful to have kept her, naming her Janelle. ’Janelle’ suggests beauty, excellence, prominence, and auspiciousness; she was already very pretty, especially cute as a child. ’Janelle’ signifies gathering and unity, symbolizing that our family became complete and more cohesive upon her arrival."
Trevor listened attentively to this story, cruel yet beautiful, feeling his breath slowing half a beat.
"Uncle, Janelle meeting you was her fortune." Trevor felt a pang of worry for this girl, thinking if she hadn’t had such luck and met Old Mills and Sister Sterling that day, Janelle would lead a different life.
Janelle Mills finished buying the spicy sauce and walked back slowly.
She knew her father deliberately sent her away, wanting an opportunity to chat with Trevor.
As a sensible and good girl, she’d leave them ample time, without going up to disturb them.
Lorelei.
The temperature drop wasn’t sudden; the storm warning was issued several days ago.
Today marked the official temperature drop across Lorelei, plunging 20 degrees, with the north wind howling fiercely!
The thinner branches were directly broken, and leaves spun wildly in the air, giving an impression of winter.
The entire royal palace complex stood against the raging winds, with the sound of wind howling everywhere, servants hurriedly closing doors and windows, and checking around.
But tonight may not rain; tomorrow night’s atmosphere will be more intense.
This weather is a rarity in decades, enough to unsettle those guilty with the fear of being struck by lightning.
All action plans are for tomorrow night.
In Princess Catherine’s palace, Julie also changed into a thick coat, her eyelids constantly twitching uncontrollably, an unsettling feeling affecting her.
"What’s wrong with you? You seem quite anxious," Catherine asked. "Have you caught a cold? You look unwell."