Chapter 5 A Father's Fury

Connor looked up at Elena and said, "Mia went to the restroom."

Elena immediately turned and rushed toward the bathroom. As she ran, she called back to Connor, "Connor, please pack up our things quickly. Charlotte is waiting for us downstairs. Parking is difficult there, so we need to hurry."

By the time she finished speaking, Elena had already burst into the bathroom.

Inside, Lily was reaching for the sink, trying to wash her hands. Before she could process what was happening, Elena swept into the bathroom like a whirlwind, scooped her up into her arms, and quickly headed back toward the break room.

Cradled against Elena's chest, Lily's mind went blank. When the subtle, familiar fragrance from Elena's body reached her nostrils, Lily suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of comfort and connection with this woman holding her.

By the time Elena carried Lily back to the break room, Connor had already gathered all their belongings. Elena took Connor's hand and hurried downstairs.

Meanwhile, Harrison, having finished handling his company affairs, returned once again to wait outside the operating room.

When Mandy saw Harrison approaching, she eagerly rushed forward with a fawning expression.

"Harrison, the light in the operating room just went off. The surgery must be finished. If we go to the operating room now, we can definitely catch Dr. Johnson."

Standing not far away, Mia overheard Mandy's plan to intercept Ella. Her little brain quickly began to work. Elena had just completed a major surgery and expended a tremendous amount of energy. If these people cornered her now, who knew how exhausted she might become.

No, she absolutely couldn't allow Mandy any opportunity to show off in front of Harrison.

Although Mia wasn't yet certain whether the tall, imposing Harrison was indeed the father Lily had mentioned, she was determined to intervene.

Harrison ignored Mandy's attempt to curry favor and took Mia's hand, heading toward the operating room.

At this point, Mia became certain that Harrison was indeed the father Lily had talked about—the one who had done a paternity test with her. She had to admit, Harrison seemed to treat his daughter quite well.

To exact revenge for the pinch Mandy had given her earlier, Mia—always the little actress—immediately began her performance.

Just as Harrison was leading her by the hand toward the operating room, Mia—whose face had been perfectly fine moments ago—suddenly started wailing loudly.

"Daddy, it hurts! I'm in pain!"

Harrison immediately knelt down, his face filled with panic and concern.

"Lily, what's wrong? Where does it hurt? Tell me."

Standing beside Harrison, Mandy watched the scene with mounting anxiety. She glared threateningly at Mia, clearly warning her not to say anything inappropriate.

Unfortunately for Mandy, Mia was not Lily—she wasn't a child who could be easily intimidated.

While Harrison examined Mia, she deliberately exposed the bruised flesh where Mandy had pinched her.

When Harrison saw the purple bruise, his expression changed drastically. The temperature around him seemed to drop several degrees.

"Lily, tell me, how did you get this injury?"

Inwardly, Mia felt a surge of satisfaction. Hadn't Mandy just threatened her with that glare? Well, she would teach Mandy a lesson.

Mia glanced timidly at Mandy, then turned to Harrison with a pitiful, wronged expression. She sniffled but remained silent.

From Mia's glance alone, Harrison understood everything. So the bruise on the child was caused by Mandy?

"Mandy, tell me, how did Lily get this bruise?" Harrison demanded, his tone sharp and cutting.

Mandy panicked. She hurriedly tried to explain. "Harrison, listen, I—"

Before Mandy could finish her sentence, Mia sobbed and threw herself into Harrison's arms.

"Daddy, it's not Mommy's fault. Lily was naughty. Lily made Mommy mad, so Mommy pinched Lily. I'm not good. I'm not a good girl. I need to grow up fast. Then I won't make Mommy take me to the bathroom."

After Harrison heard Mia's words, his face darkened even further. He turned toMandy.

"Mandy!"

"Harrison, I—"

Mandy was so frightened by Harrison's expression that she could barely speak. She stood there, staring at Harrison, feeling an overwhelming urge to strangle Mia.

"Mandy, how many times have I told you? If you want to look after Lily, that's fine. If not, I don't need to trouble you because she is my daughter, and I will take responsibility for her. She has a heart condition. Her health is fragile. I'm always extremely careful with her, afraid she might get hurt. How dare you pinch her? Do you have a death wish?"

Harrison stood up abruptly, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at Mandy.

Seeing Harrison's reaction, Mia admired him. He was actually quite good to Lily—like a qualified father.

Wait a minute.

Lily had told her that she and Harrison had done a paternity test confirming they were biological father and daughter. And Lily was very likely her identical sister.

If that was the case, could this man possibly be her and Connor's biological father too?

This thought made Mia's little mind race with possibilities.

Reprimanded by Harrison, Mandy clutched the hem of her shirt, too frightened to even breathe.

The situation before her was dire—Harrison looked like he might actually kill her. She needed to defuse this crisis immediately.

Pretending she couldn't contain her remorse, Mandy let out a suppressed sob and tightly embraced the tearful Mia.

Mia's small body instantly froze, completely caught off guard.