Chapter 1 Don't Get Up Until You Apologize

Lambridge City, Promenade 1st Villa Area - the Hatcher Mansion. Today was the Lantern Festival. Colorful lights adorned the house, bringing warmth to the cold atmosphere of the Hatcher family. Suddenly, a scream echoed through the mansion. "Ah-" Followed by a thud, a heavily pregnant woman fell down the stairs! Everyone was taken aback and rushed to her side. Stephen Hatcher, the president of Ador Hatcher Corporation, quickly asked, "Debbie, are you alright?" The woman's face turned pale as she saw fresh blood trickling down her legs. Horrified, she replied, "Stephen, it hurts... Our baby... Please, save our baby!" The house's mistress, Paula Anderson, panicked and asked, "What happened?!" Debbie looked towards the top of the stairs with tears in her eyes. Everyone looked up and saw a three-year-old girl standing at the top of the stairs. Upon seeing everyone's gaze, she clutched her toy rabbit tightly in fear. Richard Hatcher angrily shouted, "Were you the one who pushed Debbie?!" The little girl pouted. "It wasn't me, and I didn't..." While crying, Debbie pleaded, "No... Dad, it's not Lilly's fault. She's still young, and she didn't mean to..." Her words only confirmed that it was Lilly's fault. Stephen's eyes darkened, and he immediately ordered, "Lock her in the attic! I'll deal with her when I return!" The others quickly rushed Debbie to the hospital while the servants dragged Lilly upstairs. Even when her shoe fell off, she maintained a stubborn expression and didn't beg or cry for help. No light or warmth reached the dark and cold attic. The windows squeaked as if a monster would appear at any moment... Lilly clutched her stuffed bunny tightly and curled up in a corner. It's so cold... The truth was she never pushed anyone, but no one believed her. As it was chilly spring weather, the snow and wind found their way into the attic through the cracks in the windows, layering Lilly with coldness. Soon, an entire day had passed. No one cared about Lilly, and no one even knew that Debbie had punished her the day before. She was already in a daze from hunger. Richard had ordered that she couldn't leave until she admitted it was her fault. "Mommy..." Lilly's lips turned purple from the cold, and she shivered. She could only close her eyes and murmur, "Mommy... I didn't do anything wrong... It's not my fault..." She knew her mother had died from an illness a year ago. After her mother passed away, her dad found another woman, and soon the woman was pregnant with a baby... However, the woman was two-faced. She was only nice to Lilly when others were present; otherwise, she would act like a demon and punish her. Mommy... Lilly thought as she squeezed her toy rabbit's ears before losing consciousness. Not knowing how long it had been, the door suddenly opened with a loud bang. Stephen was furious as he picked up the unconscious Lilly, dragging her down the stairs and throwing her outside into the snow! Lilly shivered on the cold surface and struggled to open her eyes... "Daddy... I'm hungry..." she muttered. Stephen scoffed. "You killed Debbie's unborn child, and the first thing you're telling me is that you're hungry?! I can't believe I have such an evil daughter!" Lilly's eyes were hollow, and she couldn't speak as she was frozen stiff. The more Stephen looked at her, the angrier he became. Why is she still acting stubborn despite being at fault? You malicious child! "It's my fault as a parent that you're behaving this way! Now that you've killed your unborn brother, who knows if you'll start murdering people when you grow up? As your father, I must teach you a lesson!" He looked around and picked up a broom from the corner, snapping the broom head off. The thick broomstick landed on Lilly's body with a thud, causing her to scream in pain! "Is it your fault?!" Stephen glared. "It's not me. It really wasn't me!" Lilly bit her lip and maintained a stubborn expression. Stephen grew even angrier upon hearing her words. "Then are you saying your stepmother willingly fell down the stairs?! Why would she want to fall when she's six months pregnant?!" He couldn't help but think back to what happened in the hospital. Debbie was bleeding heavily, and the doctor had declared her situation critical twice, but even on the brink of death, she insisted on asking him not to blame Lilly! She said that Lilly was still young when her mother passed away. She was simply afraid that her baby brother might take attention away from her and didn't mean to push her. Stephen felt even angrier as he thought about it. He beat Lilly while scolding, "You're still trying to deny it! Stop denying it!" With each sentence, Lilly was struck by the broomstick. He was so engrossed in hitting her that he didn't even realize his phone had fallen out of his pocket. When Lilly was severely beaten, he finally stopped, leaving her paralyzed on the snowy ground. "Stay here and kneel until your stepmother is discharged!" Stephen straightened his tie after scolding her and walked away, leaving the broken broomstick behind. He had been feeling irritated recently as his company had been facing a loophole for half a month and hadn't received any help in resolving it. Then today, Debbie fell down the stairs and lost their unborn child, losing the only hope for the Hatcher family. The consecutive unfortunate events had stressed him, and he couldn't help but take it all out on Lilly. Lilly's rabbit toy had already been shattered. She tried to stand up but fell back onto the snowy ground with a thud... She felt like she was on the verge of death. If I die, will I finally be able to see mommy? At that moment, she heard a muffled voice. "Lilly, call your uncle! Your uncle is Gilbert Crawford, his phone number is 159xxxxx..." "Call..." Lilly opened her eyes and noticed the black phone lying in the snow. Her survival instincts kicked in as she desperately crawled towards it. "159..." Lilly stuttered and stammered, her stiff fingers struggling to move, and finally, she managed to make the call... ** Meanwhile, Hugh Crawford lectured at a courtyard house in Clodston, "Another year has passed. Gilbert Crawford, when will you take the test for the Chief Physician role?!" The eight brothers of the Crawford family exchanged glances as Gilbert touched his nose. Suddenly, the old man changed the subject and asked, "By the way, it has been four years. Have you not found your sister yet?" The expressions on the brothers' faces changed, and their lips tightened. Their previously indifferent eyes now held a hint of sorrow. Their younger sister, Jean Crawford, was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia at a young age. Since then, the Crawford family had been diligently caring for her, providing blood transfusions, anti-infection treatments, and bone marrow transplants... However, her condition deteriorated and even affected her memory. Then, four years ago, she suddenly disappeared. Gilbert, who worked as a physician at Shercaster Cancer Hospital, was responsible for Jean's treatment. On that day, he had to save a critically ill patient, and it was at that moment... that Jean vanished. For the past four years, guilt and regret had plagued him. Despite his exceptional medical talent, he had been unable to move forward since then. The Crawford family had eight sons, and Jean was their only daughter. After their daughter's disappearance, Bettany fell ill all of a sudden, and Hugh's temper became unstable. A heavy burden weighed on the hearts of everyone in the Crawford family, leaving them restless. Anthony Crawford, the eldest son and CEO of the Crawford family's business empire, worked tirelessly day and night, causing his health to deteriorate and requiring him to take daily medication. Bryson Crawford, the third son and an outstanding pilot for Swift Airlines, failed the psychological tests and had been on leave for the past four years. As for the others... The study room fell into silence before Gilbert's phone suddenly rang!