"Really?" Liang Anya jolted this time, sitting up straight.

"Yes." Beth nodded repeatedly.

Liang Anya pulled herself together, no longer hesitating, changed her clothes, and went downstairs with Beth.

***

As soon as they reached the lawn, Liang Anya’s eyes lit up.

Not far away, a nanny was pushing a baby stroller, strolling on the afternoon lawn.

Without saying a word, she rushed over in surprise, "Xiaoxiao!"

She squatted down and touched the little chubby baby.

Seeing mommy, Xiaoxiao was very happy, raising her tiny hands and feet, dancing excitedly!

The nanny was startled to see Miss Liang arrive, glaring at Beth and blaming her for not keeping a closer eye on Miss Liang.

Since Liang Anya rushed into Miss Vivi’s room that day, Miss Vivi had ordered that Miss Liang was no longer allowed to see the child casually.

The nanny hesitantly asked Liang Anya, "Miss Liang, how did you get here?"

The warmth and satisfaction in Liang Anya’s smile faded, and she raised her head, "I haven’t seen my daughter for so many days, can’t I just come to see her?"

"But the Hall Master has now entrusted Miss Vivi with taking care of Miyasha..." the nanny muttered.

Liang Anya was too lazy to pay attention to the nanny, removing the baby safety belt from the stroller, wanting to pick up the baby.

After not seeing her for a few days, she missed her desperately.

She couldn’t bear to leave just like that.

She must spend more time with Xiaoxiao.

The nanny hurriedly stopped her, "What does Miss Liang intend to do?"

"I want to hold Xiaoxiao for a stroll."

"That’s absolutely not allowed!" The nanny refused with determination, as if the moment Liang Anya picked her up, she would whisk the child away.

Beth quietly tugged at Liang Anya.

She didn’t even have the right to hold her baby anymore.

Liang Anya felt a chill in her heart, but had to step back, squatting down to tease without holding Xiaoxiao.

Looking at her daughter’s chubby tender cheeks, she was initially very happy, but gradually, she felt a sort of sadness, her eyes turned red:

"Baby, it’s mommy’s fault for being useless, for not being able to keep you by my side... Mommy will find a way to bring you back soon."

Xiaoxiao seemed to understand, her little finger suddenly hooked onto hers, as if making a pinky promise.

"What’s going on?" A clear, proud, yet stern female voice floated over, shattering the brief mother-daughter bliss.

Seeing Miss Vivi arrive, the nanny helplessly said, "Miss Vivi, it’s Miss Liang insisting on seeing Miyasha..."

"Have you forgotten the Hall Master’s orders? Come over here." Vivi’s voice turned cold.

The nanny pushed the stroller behind Vivi.

Vivi looked at Liang Anya, "I hope this doesn’t happen again."

"Miss Vivi, what do you mean ’this kind of thing’? I’m just looking at my own daughter. You don’t let me near your room, now I can’t even have a look outside?"

Vivi slightly raised her beautiful chin, looking superior, "Sorry, but you should take that up with the Hall Master. I’m merely following his orders. Since the Hall Master has entrusted me with full care of Miyasha, I have the right to decide who can and cannot see her."

With that, she ordered the nanny to push the stroller away, leaving a graceful silhouette behind.

Outrageous! Outrageous! So arrogant!

Has she now claimed Xiaoxiao as her own?

Liang Anya watched Vivi’s retreating back, her clenched fists cracking, feeling an impulse to fight desperately.

But she felt a sense of powerlessness as if she were punching a cotton ball.

Fight desperately? How to fight?

If they were in China, she might be able to figure out a way to escape, but now she’s beneath the eaves, what can she do?

Si Yuheng, you promised my dad and brother you wouldn’t bully me, but now you’re separating me and Xiaoxiao...

Something liquid rolled in her eyes, and her mind was filled with just one word: go, go, go.

In this country, this place, she couldn’t stay any longer.

Even if returning to her country without his protection might put herself and Xiaoxiao in danger, might get targeted by his enemies, she couldn’t care less.

But...

How could she leave?

With teary eyes, she raised her gaze to look at the lush private forest in front of the castle.

If she wanted to sneak away, she couldn’t take the main road; she’d have to go through the forest.

But—

These days, he had Beth watch her very closely, though she was allowed downstairs, she wasn’t allowed to go far.

Even if she managed to secretly carry Xiaoxiao through the forest, her passport and ID were with him, even if she got to the Capital Airport, she couldn’t board a plane!

She felt as if she had willingly stepped into a large net, unable to break free.

"Miss Liang..." Beth saw the crystallized tear at the corner of her eye, knowing she felt bad inside, she advised, "Why don’t you find an opportunity to win the Hall Master’s favor? The Hall Master, on one hand, is difficult to deal with, on the other hand, easy; as long as you don’t go against him and follow his whims, he’ll be pleased. Once he’s happy, maybe he’ll return Xiaoxiao to you sooner..."

"Win favor..." she mumbled.

Beth thought she hadn’t heard clearly: "Yes, see what the Hall Master likes you to do, and do exactly that..."

Do what he likes you to do.

A smile more bitter than bitter melon appeared on her lips, so, what difference does she have with Kasey and them?

She clenched her pink fists tighter, wordlessly heading back to the castle.

***

After nightfall, Vivi left the baby’s room after supervising the nanny feed Xiaoxiao.

As the door to the baby’s room closed, she raised her hand, gently massaging her sore shoulder.

Taking care of a baby is really not an easy task.

Even with two nannies helping, she basically had to spend most of the day by Xiaoxiao’s side.

That little girl was just like her mother, not letting anyone rest easy!

She hadn’t heard much fuss in Liang Anya’s place, but ever since she got here, she constantly opposed her!

If she wasn’t refusing to eat, she was wailing all day, crying herself to sleep, then waking up and crying again.

And she cried every night.

Her bedroom was right next to the baby’s room, and every night, she was woken up in the middle of deep sleep, filled with newfound frustration.

Moreover, every time she wanted to hold Xiaoxiao for some bonding, trying to get closer, that little girl would always wet her pants on her, and she couldn’t tell if it was a coincidence or intentional!

Is this really a baby less than a year old? It’s simply a little devil!

Thinking of this, Vivi couldn’t help yawning, gently caressing her skin with some pity, feeling worn out by that little girl, lacking sleep, estimating she’d aged already.

No, she immediately had to return to her room for a face mask and have an early night’s sleep to nourish herself.

After taking just a few steps, she saw footsteps approaching from ahead.

The lights above the corridor cast shadows on the man’s figure, emphasizing his sharp presence.

"The Hall Master is here." Vivi perked up, shaking off her fatigue and walking forward.