As soon as Gideon finished speaking, he immediately spread the word.


    He announced that Tarquin had suggested listing Elysia''s three sons in the Bradford family''s genealogy, to be ced alongside Elijah.


    Predictably, this set off a firestorm within the Bradford family.


    "Why should a bunch of kids with no blood rtion to the Bradfords be added to our family tree? I won''t stand for it!"


    "I''m against it too! Since when can you just add names to the family tree? Who are they, and do they share any blood rtion with the Bradfords?!"


    "Our family has passed down its legacy from generation to generation. Now, all of a sudden, Elijah has several ''brothers'' added to the family tree? This has got to be a joke!"


    "It must be that schemer Elysia''s idea. I knew she was up to no good, trying to use those kids to get her hands on the Bradford estate. Not happening!"


    "Who do these outsiders think they are, trying to get on the Bradford family tree? Dream on!"


    The Bradfords were in an uproar, and they stormed the hospital that very day to confront Tarquin and Elysia.


    But Tarquin stopped them in their tracks, and Elysia waspletely unaware of the situation.


    Everything changed the day Elliot woke up...


    Elliot had been severely injured,psing into unconsciousness for three full days.


    He woke up on the morning of the third day, calling out before he even opened his eyes, "Mommy, don''t be scared, mommy..."


    Elysia, who had been vigntly by his bedside, was instantly moved to tears.


    With eyes brimming with tears, she tightly gripped Elliot''s small hand,


    "Mommy''s here, Elliot. I''m not scared. As long as you''re okay, mommy''s not scared. Please wake up..."


    Elliot''s eyshes fluttered lightly, and his eyes slowly opened.


    Elysia eximed, "Elliot!"


    His siblings chorused, "Bro!"


    Elliot looked at them without speaking, taking a moment before saying,


    "I''m okay, don''t be scared."


    Tears immediately sprang to Elysia''s eyes, her Elliot was still thinking of them even in his state.


    Such a thoughtful child, how could fate allow him to suffer?!


    Emmett was crying hard, a mess of snot and tears, "Brother hurts..."


    Evan was crying so hard his nose was bubbling, "It''s all my fault. If I hadn''t strayed so far from Elliot because I was so eager to y, the bad guy wouldn''t have been able to hurt him. I didn''t protect Elliot..."


    During a school trip, Evan had been so excited, running ahead with the teacher leading the group.


    Elliot had been at the back when danger struck suddenly, and before Evan could react, Elliot had been injured...


    Evan had been ming himself, regretting being so far from Elliot at that time, angry at himself for not protecting Elliot.


    Elliot smiled, lifting his hand to wipe away Emmett''s tears and snot, "Emmett, don''t cry, I''m not in pain."


    Then he looked at Evan, "Evan, don''t cry either. It''s not your fault; it''s the culprit''s!"


    After reassuring them, he turned to Elysia,


    "Mommy always says that the path of growth is inseparable from thepanionship of hardships, and that hardships are stepping stones on the path


    of growth, right? The ordeal I went through is promoting my growth, which is a good thing. Don''t be sad, mommy."


    Elysia was heartbroken. Though she spoke those words, as a mother, she wished nothing but a healthy and smooth life for her children.


    "Elliot..."


    "I love it when mommy smiles. Seeing mommy cry breaks my heart."


    Elysia quickly sniffed, wiping her tears, "Mommy won''t cry."


    Elliot then smiled, "You look the best when you''re not crying."


    After he hadforted his little tearful family, he finally turned his attention to Elijah.