Chapter 881
No.1
Isabella's concern didn't fade. What had he prepared that made him so certain?
Downstairs in the grand lobby...
Vivienne Delacroix entered with her usual air of superiority.
All staff immediately bowed and greeted, "Ms. Delacroix."
Oliver came running toward her. "Aunt Vivienne! You came!"
Vivienne eyed him suspiciously. The boy usually ignored her completely.
His sudden enthusiasm seemed out of character.
But Oliver was Nathaniel's greatest weakness.
Winning his affection could secure her position as future Mrs. Blackwood.
No.2
She approached him with false sweetness. "You seem cheerful today, sweetheart. Where's your father?"
"Daddy had urgent business at headquarters. He told me to spend time with you. He said you might become my new Mommy."
Oliver delivered the lines with perfect innocence.
Vivienne's eyes lit up with triumph. "He actually said that?"
"Of course! Daddy said it depends on how well we get along. He just wants someone who can be a good mother to me."
Oliver looked up with wide, hopeful eyes. "Do you really want to be my Mommy, Aunt Vivienne? Will you treat me like your own son? Will you play games with me?"
"Absolutely," Vivienne answered without hesitation.
She reached to pat his head. "I've always loved children. I'll definitely treat you well."
"Then will you play with me? Daddy's always working. I get so lonely."
No.3
Oliver tugged her hand gently with pleading eyes.
Vivienne had never seen him act so affectionately.
Though she despised the child's biological mother, she needed his approval.
"What would you like to play? I'll play anything you want."
"Yay! Finally someone will play with me! Come with me, Aunt Vivienne!"
Oliver eagerly pulled her toward the back gardens.
Vivienne followed, pleased at how easily she was winning him over.
She hadn't expected him to lead her outside.
In the extensive gardens stood a massive...
No.4
A massive steel enclosure dominated the room. Inside coiled over a dozen enormous serpents. The smallest among them measured at least the width of a woman's wrist. The largest rivaled the circumference of a large serving bowl. It was a truly terrifying spectacle.
Isabella stared, her scalp prickling with unease. Goosebumps erupted across her skin.
Oliver skipped toward the cage cheerfully. "Aunt Vivienne, come see!" he chirped. "These are all my friends. This is Sir Emerald. This is Lady Crimson. And this is Lady Gold."
His small hand reached through the bars. He began stroking the massive reptiles. The pythons displayed a variety of hideous colors. The yellow one was particularly nauseating. Its garish, overly bright scales made it distinctly stand out.
Vivienne remained pale near the doorway. "Christopher, do you only play with them in daylight?" she blurted. "Perhaps I could take you somewhere else? For a different activity?"
His expression fell. "But they haven't eaten today," he protested. "I need to feed them. And give them a bath. You promised you'd stay with me, Aunt Vivienne. Will you help me feed them?" His innocent eyes pleaded with her.
Her gaze drifted back to the cage. About ten monstrous snakes writhed together. The sight made her shudder violently. Yet, this was a rare moment of Oliver seeking her attention. She couldn't let this chance slip away.
They were securely behind bars. It had to be safe... right?
She forced a steadying breath. "What... what do they eat?"
No.5
"Over there, Aunt Vivienne." He pointed to a corner. "Could you please bring them for me?"
She turned. Another metal cage sat in the shadowy corner. It was filled with live frogs! Their bumpy, mottled skin looked utterly disgusting and frightening.
Vivienne's face contorted in revulsion. "The snakes eat... these?"
"Yes! I'll show you!" Oliver hurried over. He grabbed a struggling frog. He carried it back to the python enclosure. He placed it near one of the larger snakes. Instantly, the python's maw gaped open. It was a bloody, horrifying sight. The frog disappeared into its throat.
Ribbit! Ribbit! Ribbit!
The frog's desperate, muffled cries came from inside the serpent's mouth.
Vivienne trembled violently. Her limbs locked with pure terror and disgust. How could this child not be terrified by such a gruesome scene? Why was he asking for her help?
Did he expect her to hand-feed frogs to these monsters?
Absolutely not!
No.6
Every ounce of courage drained from her. "Christopher, let the staff handle this," she called out, her voice edging toward command. "Come here. I'll take you to do something much more fun."
"No! No!" Oliver stamped his foot. "I've fed them since they hatched! I take care of them every single day! Daddy helps me feed them when he's home. He said my future Mommy would help me too!
"Aunt Vivienne, you do want to be my Mommy, don't you?" His voice wavered. "Or... or do you not like me at all?"
The moment Vivienne Delacroix departed from the estate, Oliver Blackwood bounded up the staircase with unrestrained glee. He launched himself directly into Isabella Montgomery's waiting arms, chirping excitedly, "It's finished! Mommy and Daddy don't need to worry about her anymore. She won't be back for three whole days!"
"Thank you, sweetheart. Weren't you frightened of those pythons?" Isabella asked, her voice laced with maternal concern. He was merely five years old. How could he confront so many large snakes without showing a hint of fear?
Oliver beamed, shaking his head. "Not at all! I watched them grow up. Daddy was always away, so I had no one to play with. They became my playmates. They're very gentle and have never hurt anyone. I adore them!"
His innocent, childlike confession tugged painfully at Isabella's heartstrings. So, he truly had grown up in solitude. His grandparents showed him no affection, he lacked a mother's presence, and his father was often absent. If she were to leave him someday, would he be forced to return to that lonely existence?
A sharp ache pierced her heart. Isabella drew a deep, steadying breath and praised warmly, "My clever boy! Mommy will prepare something special for you, alright? How about a delicious lobster roll?"
"Really? A lobster roll? I want a lobster roll!" Oliver chirped, jumping with uncontainable joy.
No.7
"Absolutely." Isabella took his small hand and led him toward the kitchen. She didn't even bother to shut down the computer; her sole focus was on spending precious time with Oliver.
Meanwhile, Nathaniel Blackwood's intense gaze remained fixed on the computer screen. It displayed a sophisticated management platform teeming with thousands of video recordings. His eyes darkened with intrigue. What other remarkable capabilities did this woman possess?
Isabella guided Oliver into the expansive kitchen. All the maids immediately lowered their heads in a respectful greeting. "Ms. Montgomery."
"You may all take a break. I'll handle lunch preparation myself," Isabella stated calmly, her eyes already scanning the room. She spotted a basket brimming with high-quality, sustainably farmed lobsters in the corner. They were impressively large and impeccably clean.
The maids exchanged nervous glances, shaking their heads in unison. "Ms. Montgomery, that's highly inappropriate! Please, simply instruct us on the menu for today...!"
"Don't worry. Consider it a direct order. Go and rest," Isabella insisted firmly, settling beside the basket and gesturing for Oliver to join her.
Oliver shot the maids a decisive look, and they reluctantly filed out of the kitchen. He skipped over to Isabella, his face alight with excitement. "Mommy, are these lobsters? Is it okay for children to eat them?"
"Of course! Mommy will make you a tomato lobster roll. It's packed with calcium and magnesium, excellent for strengthening your immune system," she explained warmly.
As she spoke, Isabella selected a lively lobster and began handling it with practiced, skillful precision. She first severed its powerful claws, then expertly split open the tail. She meticulously cleaned the head and stomach cavity.