Shirley walked up to the bedroom door and sat down against it. "I know you're listening to us, right? It's okay if you're not, but I still want to say it out to relieve my feelings. I never tell this to others."

"Actually, when I was little, no one remembered my birthday. My parents gave all their love to my two elder sisters and none to me."

"I thought it was because I was not good enough, so I worked very hard. I tried my best to get full marks and struggled to be the best even in cram schools."

"But they still paid no attention to me."

"I was usually forgotten when my family went to the amusement parks together. During most festivals, only my sisters could get gifts. It was like I never existed in this world, so gradually, I didn't expect my parents to remember my birthday."

Although it had been a long time since then, she still felt sad every time she thought of that. During these years, she had gone through many difficulties and had become much stronger for Alice. But the memory was always there, unchangeable.

Tilting her head, she said softly to the boy on the side of the door, "Oh yes, happy birthday, though it's four days late."

Click.

The door was unlocked.

Her body was slightly stiffened.

She looked up at the doorknob, and she didn't turn it. She wanted Tom to walk out by himself.

Slowly, the door opened a crack, showing half of Tom's face. He asked in a hoarse voice, "How do you know it was my birthday four days ago?"

A smile suddenly spread across her face. Tom had a softer heart than she thought, or he wouldn't open the door so fast after knowing her poor past.

What a kind-hearted little boy!

She blinked at him. "It's a secret."

A servant who peeked in a corner spread the good news in the blink of an eye.

Immediately, all the servants got busy. Some cooked, some prepared warm bath water, some were ready to check Tom's health condition, and some went to get a new insulin pump...

Compared with them, Shirley seemed like an idler standing at the door.

"Oh yes, you..." When she wanted to chat with Tom, she found his little body was swaying.

Shocked, she squatted at once to hold his shoulders. Realizing he was going to faint, she patted his little face and cried, "Master Tom! Master Tom!"

But it didn't work.

Tom closed his eyes slowly. Then next second, he collapsed into her arms.

Swiftly, she carried him in her arms and placed him on the bed. Suddenly, her foot touched something. She looked down and found a bottle half-shown under the bed...

She squatted and lifted the sheet.

!!

Potato crisp packages, cAlice wrappers, coke bottles...

There were all rich in sugar or oil!

No wonder he could stay here for four days! He had been supporting himself with these snacks!

Alice never ate such food which she knew was harmful to her health. By comparison, Tom's bold behavior was definitely suicidal!

Without any doubt, he had fainted because of hyperglycemia.

Soon, the first servant went in with food. But then, she found Tom lying still on the bed and screamed with fear, "Master Tom!"

Shirley was almost deafened.

"Doctor! I'll call a doctor to give him an injection!" The servant walked back and forth in the room in a panic.

"Take it easy," Shirley tried to calm her down. "I'll watch him. There's no need to send for a doctor if Tom's condition is stable. Too many injections are not good for a child."

"Miss. Smith..." the servant cried. She hoped Shirley could understand that, if Tom had an accident, Johnson would punish all the people!

Although he appeared tough to Tom, he loved him very deeply.

Shirley knew why the servants were so jittery. It must be because the man with the saw had put too much pressure on them.

Alas, no wonder they said Tom was naughty. Growing up in such a doting environment, the boy was unavoidably wilful.

Shirley insisted that Tom shouldn't take too many injections. "If you really care about Master Tom, I advise you to clean the rubbish under the bed before Mr. Roberts finds it."

"Under the bed? What's there under the bed?" The servant tilted her head in confusion.

"Come and have a look." Shirley moved aside. Smartly, she covered her ears this time.

The servant approached the bed and lifted the sheet. When she saw the top contraband in this house, the snacks that were equal to poison to Tom...

To Shirley's surprise, the servant didn't shriek.

Because the situation was worse than that. Her eyes rolling back, she almost fainted like Tom.

Shirley was amused by such a sight. What pressure on earth had that man put on the servants?

"I, I'll clean it immediately." The servant hurried for the door, but then, she asked with worry, "Is it really okay not to call a doctor?"

"Don't worry. If any accident happens, I'll be responsible for it," Shirley said with determination.

Apart from taking care of Alice, she had once joined a volunteer organization to help children with type-1-diabetes abroad. There, she had contacted all types of children suffering from this disease.

She could judge how serious Tom's condition was and whether he needed an injection.

"But..." The servant still didn't dare to take a risk.

"Listen to her."

Somehow, Johnson appeared at the door.

His tone was as cold as usual. It felt like ice that had been frozen for thousands of years.

The servant had a step back at once and replied respectfully, "I see, sir." Then, she left swiftly.

Shirley looked at him quietly.

He didn't dress that formally at home. But owing to his born air of authority, the casual dressing didn't soften him a bit.

Besides, he was wearing dull black stripes, which made him even more distant and austere.

"What are you looking at?" He met her eyes.

Only then did he notice that her eyes were quite beautiful. They were pure black and peaceful, just like the quiet night sky.

Shirley looked away hastily. What was she doing? She taught Alice that it was impolite to stare at others, but why did she also make the mistake?

"Thank you." She was grateful for his trust.

He walked to the bedside, sat down, and eased Tom's furrowed brows softly.

Unlike usual, the man took off his tough and serious side. At this moment, he was an ordinary father worried about his son.

Although he was silent and expressionless, Shirley could feel his concern for the boy.

There were no parents who didn't love their children. They showed their care and love in different ways, some direct and some hidden.

She nerved herself to ask, "Do you know why Master Tom asked you to take him to that restaurant? Have you ever thought about that?"

"Why?" Johnson turned to her and asked.

"Because it was his birthday four days ago. You forgot it, right?" she said in a whisper.

He suddenly looked at the little boy on the bed!