Reborn with Nothing but My Farm and Vengeance in the Apocalypse

Chapter 538: Chapter 538

Officer Hopper looked at the short-haired woman before him, puzzled. He frowned and asked, "...And you are...?"

At his words, the woman lifted a hand and took off her sunglasses, revealing a pair of somewhat somber eyes.

Meeting Officer Hopper’s confused gaze, she gave him a small smile and said, "Hello, Officer. I own the villa next door. I overheard your conversation just now... I can’t believe that family is so awful!"

"They live in such a huge villa, yet they won’t even take in a child! They have no conscience. Especially during a natural disaster, we should all be helping each other out and lending a hand to the vulnerable. How could they abandon their own brother’s orphan!"

Zara Walsh looked indignant, as if she were fighting an injustice on behalf of the poor child.

Her words struck a chord with Officer Hopper. He quickly let down his guard, sighed, and said, "Exactly. If only that family had your sense of decency. Unfortunately, they are all extremely selfish people..."

Officer Hopper couldn’t help but think, ’They’re both wealthy people living in villas. The Summers family is heartless and cruel, yet this woman is so full of compassion. How can the difference between people be so vast!’

Zara Walsh elegantly crouched down, holding her umbrella over Howard Fletcher’s head. She spoke to him in a soft voice, "Little one, why are your eyes so red? Have you been crying?"

Howard Fletcher stared blankly at Zara Walsh’s concerned expression for a moment before his lips trembled and he burst into tears. "Waaah," he sobbed, mumbling indistinctly, "Daddy drowned... Mommy and my little brother are gone too... There was so much blood on them... Waaah... I don’t have a home anymore..."

Seeing this, a flicker of pity crossed Officer Hopper’s eyes. He sighed again and said in a heavy voice, "His father lost his job and had a mental breakdown. He accidentally fell into the water and drowned... His mother couldn’t handle the shock, so she took his younger brother and committed suicide..."

"When we arrived at the scene yesterday, there was blood all over the floor and walls. This child was the only one left, sitting on the floor crying..." Recalling the horrific scene, Officer Hopper found it too painful to continue.

Upon hearing this, Zara Walsh put on a pained expression, sighed softly, and said, "How could this happen... The poor child..."

She thought for a moment, then stood up and said to Officer Hopper, "Officer, if you’re comfortable with it, why don’t you let the child stay with me for now?"

Officer Hopper was stunned. "Stay with you?!" he asked, his face a mask of astonishment.

Zara Walsh nodded and replied, "Yes. Everyone in my family loves children. Since the boy is all alone now, why don’t you let us take care of him for a while?"

"Besides, my house is right next to the Summers family’s. I can visit them often and try to persuade them. Maybe one day they’ll have a change of heart and agree to take the boy in. Wouldn’t that be the best of both worlds?"

After hearing Zara Walsh’s words, Officer Hopper was so moved his eyes almost welled up with tears. He truly never expected this woman to have such a noble character!

Times were tough for everyone these days, yet she was willing to take in a child who was a complete stranger. Such character was truly rare!

Before Officer Hopper could reply, Zara Walsh bent down again to look at Howard Fletcher and asked softly, "Young man, would you like to come stay at my house for a while?"

Afraid Howard Fletcher would refuse, Zara Walsh quickly added, "I have lots of yummy food at my house—rice, noodles, and even pork. Do you want to eat some braised pork belly? I can have the housekeeper make some for you, okay?"

When Howard Fletcher heard the words "braised pork belly," his eyes went wide with craving—he couldn’t even remember the last time he’d eaten it!

He immediately nodded and replied, "Okay! I want to go to your house! I want to eat braised pork belly!"

Seeing Howard Fletcher’s excited expression, Zara Walsh’s lips curved into a slight smile.

Witnessing this, Officer Hopper said, "In that case, I’ll have to trouble you to look after the child for now! I’ll leave you my contact information. If any issues come up, feel free to contact me anytime!"

Zara Walsh smiled, nodded, and agreed.

After Officer Hopper left, Zara Walsh took Howard Fletcher back to her home.

Kylie Walsh was sitting languidly on the living room sofa, having the housekeeper do her nails. When she saw Howard Fletcher trailing in behind Zara, she exclaimed in shock, "Ugh! Zara, what is that *thing* following you! He’s filthy all over! Don’t let him get the new carpet dirty!"

Kylie Walsh’s eyes were filled with unconcealed disgust, but Howard Fletcher paid her no mind. His gaze was completely fixed on the exquisite fruit platter on the living room coffee table.

Apples and oranges were cut into uniform crescent slices and arranged on a beautiful white porcelain plate. Just looking at them, you could imagine how sweet and juicy they were.

Before the disaster began, Howard Fletcher’s most hated foods were fruits and vegetables. He only liked meat and would frown at the sight of fruit. But right now, in his eyes, that plate of fruit was the rarest delicacy in the world!

Heedless of anything else, he charged straight for the fruit platter, reached out with his grimy little hands, and began grabbing apple and orange slices and stuffing them into his mouth!

"Hey!" Kylie Walsh shrieked. She leaped up from the sofa and scrambled back a few steps, looking at Howard Fletcher as if he were a filthy stray dog on the street.

Zara Walsh frowned at the sight. She shot a look at the housekeeper, who understood immediately. The housekeeper put down the nail file, strode forward, grabbed Howard Fletcher by the shoulders, and pinned him face-down on the floor with his arms twisted behind his back.

While chewing and swallowing the fruit in his mouth, Howard Fletcher struggled and screamed, "Let me go! Let me go! I want to eat the apples! Let me go!"

Howard Fletcher used all his strength to try and break free, but the housekeeper holding him was experienced. She held him down firmly, and no matter how much he thrashed, he couldn’t get up off the floor.

Still shaken, Kylie Walsh patted her chest and asked Zara, "Zara, what is going on? What is this *thing* you brought back? It’s filthy and smelly, and has no manners! It’s just like a stray dog!"

Zara Walsh tossed her coat onto the sofa and wearily pinched the bridge of her nose, her expression filled with suppressed anger.

She pointed at Howard Fletcher on the floor and said in a low voice, "...That Caleb Summers... he, his wife, and his son are all dead. This kid is his adopted son, the only one who survived."

Kylie Walsh was taken aback. "Dead?" she asked in surprise. "How did they die?"

"I’m not too clear on the details. Apparently, he accidentally fell in the water and drowned." Zara Walsh couldn’t help but curse, "...What a useless bastard!"

’I wouldn’t care if Caleb Summers died a hundred times, but how could he die *now*? He’s dead, so what about my Pink Diamond Ring?’

Kylie Walsh frowned at Howard Fletcher, who was still struggling and yelling on the floor. Seeing the grimy streaks he was leaving on the pure white wool carpet, she felt her vision swim.

She said disapprovingly, "Then what did you bring this little brat back for? You’re not actually thinking of adopting him, are you?!"