Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 778

Live the high life overseas?

Ethan scoffed inwardly. You'll find out exactly what kind of high life awaits you once you leave the country.

But he didn't bother arguing with them. In fact, he had to play along so he wouldn't blow the operation.

Seeing Emily berating the child so viciously, Ethan stepped in to shield Dolores.

"I think the kid is adorable. Stop yelling at her," Ethan intervened smoothly. "If she needs anything once we're abroad, I'll have someone buy it for her. How old are you, sweetheart?"

Dolores glanced nervously at her mother, then back at Ethan, before whispering, "Nine."

Ethan was genuinely stunned. She didn't look a day over six or seven. She was so frail and tiny, suffering from clear signs of severe, long-term malnutrition. It was obvious she had been starved of proper food, stunting her growth completely.

A pang of deep sympathy hit Ethan's chest. It was sickening to realize that there were actually parents in the world who harbored zero love for their own children.

"Nine years old, huh? Are you excited to go abroad?"

Dolores gave a hesitant nod, but then quickly shook her head. "I want to go to school."

The moment the word 'school' left her lips, Emily paused her packing and started hurling insults.

"You useless little burden! Always yapping about school! Who do you think you are, trying to be like your Auntie Bella? You think just because she learned something, you can too? Know your place! We're taking you on an international vacation, and instead of being grateful, you're whining about school! Who do you think you are?"

Unsurprisingly, Ethan's offer was met with dead silence. It was painfully clear that none of them cared about education.

Only Dolores reached out, her tiny hand grabbing the edge of his jacket. Stealing a terrified glance at her mother, she asked in a tiny whisper, "Can I really go to school?"

Ethan crouched down to answer her, but Emily stomped over immediately. "Mr. Hayes, ignore this little demon, she's—"

Ethan shot her a deadly glare. "Ms. Mercer is paying top dollar for all of this. Are you telling me she doesn't have the final say on such a trivial matter?"

Emily opened her mouth to argue, but her parents hastily dragged her back.

Mr. Bennett plastered on an obsequious smile. "If the girl wants to study, let her study! Mr. Hayes just said they'll take care of it."