Chapter 22 Deprived of rights.


    Once the person was far away, Henry Fallon happily said, “Boss, is that a rtive’s kid? So cute, it’s deadly.”


    “No.”


    “No? Then… could it be your… illegitimate daughter?” Henry Fallon boldly guessed, looking at Hugo Hodges


    with surprise. Was he about to go into PR mode?


    Hugo Hodges shot him a look, and Henry Fallon felt a chill down his spine. “I… I just thought, the little one


    looks a lot like you.”


    Hugo Hodges let him off the hook. “If I had such a cute child, why would I let her be an illegitimate daughter?


    I would give her everything.”


    Henry Fallon immediately ttered him, “Boss, if you just said you were willing, you’d have kids all over the


    ce.”


    That was the truth.


    So many women were eager, but Hugo Hodges was like he had a “keep away” sign on him. He seemed


    approachable, but he didn’t give anyone a chance.


    But he didn’t know that Hugo Hodges had a hurdle he couldn’t get over.


    Toozy to say more to Henry Fallon, Hugo Hodges turned around and went back to thepany.


    Seeing this, Henry Fallon immediately followed.


    Meanwhile, on the other side.


    Fourth Adler, holding onto Hugo Hodges’s hair, didn’t dare let go until they reached a corner.


    First Adler immediately took out a sealed bag and put the hair inside.


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    < Chapter zz Deprived of nights,


    = Menu


    Before Fourth Adler could even react, a familiar voice suddenly sounded behind them, “What are you three


    doing here?”


    The three turned around to see Scarlett Adler standing behind them.


    They stood up straight, like children caught doing something wrong, and no one dared to speak.


    Scarlett Adler walked over to them, and before she could say anything, Second Adler spoke up, “Scarlett?


    What are you doing here?”


    “That’s what I should be asking you,” Scarlett Adler replied.


    They were near Hugo Hodges’spany, and although it wasn’t likely they’d run into him, it was still


    possible.


    Second Adler stammered, “The three of us haven’t had a chance to hang out since we came back from


    overseas, so today we just…” He didn’t finish his sentence but lowered his head, looking like he knew he was


    in trouble.


    “Where’s Grandfather?” Scarlett Adler asked.


    “I told him not to pick you up; the school would take you home today.”


    Scarlett Adler took a deep breath.


    “Scarlett, we were wrong,” First Adler immediately admitted.


    “Scarlett, we won’t do it again,” Fourth Adler followed suit.


    In front of Scarlett Adler, it was best not to try to argue or exin; admitting fault was the right move.


    As expected, Scarlett Adler’s anger dissipated.


    She had never lost her temper with them since they were young, always giving them the greatest possible


    freedom.


    “Now go home, and this week, I’ll take you out to have fun,” Scarlett Adler said.


    “Yes, ma’am!” Second Adler immediately shed a big smile.


    “Got it, Scarlett,” First Adler said, pulling Fourth Adler away.


    He was afraid Scarlett Adler would notice something if they stayed any longer.


    They hailed a taxi and left immediately.


    Once they disappeared from sight, Scarlett Adler’s expression turnedplex.


    It wasn’t that she didn’t know or couldn’t sense it. Although they never mentioned anything in front of her,


    they all had their own thoughts.


    Moreover, the three children were too clever, so clever that she couldn’t control them.


    So, there were some things she had to turn a blind eye to, as long as they were happy.


    Putting aside her emotions, Scarlett Adler looked at the Hodges Family Group building and walked inside.


    “Hello, I’m from Rising Sun Tech, here to deliver documents to Mr. Hodges,” Scarlett said.


    “Okay, one moment, please. Let me verify.”


    “Um, can I just leave it here?” Scarlett asked.


    After verifying, the receptionist looked at Scarlett. “I’m afraid that won’t work. You need to deliver it in person.”


    “Alright.”


    “Take the elevator over there and press the 32nd floor.”


    “Thank you.”


    Holding the documents, Scarlett went up to the 32nd floor.


    Hugo Hodges had just returned to the office, taken off his coat, and was preparing to rest before a meeting.


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    < Chapter 22 Deprived of rights.


    At that moment, there was a knock on the door.


    “Come in.”


    Menu


    Scarlett pushed the door open and walked in.


    Hugo looked up, and his eyes narrowed when he saw who had entered. “Ms. Adler?”


    “What are you doing here?” he asked, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.


    “Mr. Hodges, isn’t that obvious?” Scarlett Adler walked over and ced the files in front of him. “Thanks to


    you.”


    Hugo Hodges nced at the files on the table, then back at Scarlett. “People do what they’re suited for. You


    should thank me for giving your life value.”


    “Indeed, people do what they’re suited for. Some people think having a bit of money means they can look


    down on others, but they’re still tasteless and have poor judgment.”


    Hugo could always be easily provoked by this woman.


    He grabbed her hand on the table. “What do you mean by that?”


    “Justplimenting you. You haven’t lost your touch after all these years.”


    No one would believe that was apliment.


    Hugo looked at her, a cold smile forming on his lips. “If I had to say when my judgment was at its worst, it


    was when I married you.”


    Scarlett wasn’t angry at all. Firstly, she agreed that she wasn’t her best self back then. Secondly, she knew


    that staying calm would infuriate Hugo even more.


    “True,” she nodded in agreement. “I wasn’t great when I was with you either. Luckily, I’ve been doing alright


    since I left you.”


    Hugo Hodges was speechless. This woman used to drive him to the brink of death, and now she was driving


    him crazy.


    Seeing the fire in Hugo’s eyes, Scarlett Adler decided to quit while she was ahead. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going, Mr. Hodges.” With that, she pulled her hand from his grasp, turned, and started to leave.


    But Hugo suddenly stood up, quickly walked around the table, and stopped her in just a couple of steps.


    “What?” Scarlett asked, looking at him.


    Hugo’s lips curled into a smile. “Still as virile as ever? Is that the impression I left on you back then?”


    Scarlett was speechless. She had only meant to tease him, but he seemed proud of it.


    Seeing her silent, Hugo felt a sense of triumph. He moved even closer, his dark eyes seeming to devour her.


    IVICITU


    “You miss it?” Hugo asked in a low voice.


    “I just think… it was alright,” Scarlett nodded in affirmation. “After all, it only took once. I have to admit, that’s


    pretty impressive.”


    Her words always seemed to hit Hugo right in the heart.


    The previously flirtatious look in his eyes instantly turned sharp.


    “How dare you bring that up?” Hugo Hodges said, barely controlling himself.


    “Do you even realize how old our child would be if you hadn’t done that?” Hugo asked, staring at her.


    Maybe they would be as old as Fourth Adler, just as lovable.


    “You robbed them of their right to live, and you robbed me of my right to be a father,” Hugo said, emphasizing


    each word.


    Scarlett Adler knew exactly how old they would be because the child was growing up healthy by her side.


    However, she didn’t expect Hugo to react so strongly.


    And the phrase, “our child”… it stirred a hint of pity in her.


    “Hugo…”


    Scarlett was about to say something when the door suddenly burst open…