Chapter 427: Goddaughter

As Kylie Walsh stared in shock, Paige Walsh tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and smiled. "Yes, that’s right. Lucy’s family and I have a connection, and I’ve grown quite fond of her myself..."

"Kylie, you know I only have one son, Zane. Not having a daughter has always been a regret of mine... so I just spoke with Lucy and decided I’m going to make her my goddaughter!"

After their conversation, Paige Walsh had grown to like Lucy White a great deal.

Both sisters from the White family were very bright. Joanne White had graduated from a prestigious university, and Lucy White was an excellent student as well. Most importantly, compared to Joanne White’s underhanded little schemes, Lucy was far more straightforward. Paige Walsh greatly admired girls with such capability and intelligence.

Since Lucy’s parents had both passed away, Paige Walsh decided to make Lucy her goddaughter and keep her by her side. This would also be a way to honor the request from the owner of The Arcadia Store.

Listening to Paige Walsh, Kylie Walsh was so stunned she could only stare in disbelief. She stood rooted to the spot, as if she’d been turned to stone.

It took a long moment for Kylie Walsh to recover from her shock. She drew a deep breath and said urgently to Paige Walsh, "Cousin! How could you make *her* your goddaughter!"

Kylie Walsh’s face was a mask of unconcealed resentment and fury. She ground out, "You have no idea what this woman has done, do you! Do you remember The Crestview Hotel? The one the police shut down? She used to be at The Crestview Hotel..."

"That’s enough!" Paige Walsh cut her off, not letting her continue.

Paige Walsh looked at Kylie Walsh and said coldly, "Whatever happened in the past, I have acknowledged Lucy as my goddaughter now. From this day forward, she is my child, the same as Zane!"

The warning in Paige Walsh’s tone made Kylie Walsh’s scalp prickle.

Paige continued, "Kylie, if you’re willing to accept this, then based on our family relationship, Lucy should call you ’Auntie.’ If you’re not willing, then we can just see less of each other from now on. There’s no need to stir up trouble."

At Paige Walsh’s words, Kylie Walsh gasped.

’She never thought Paige would value this cheap, ready-made goddaughter so highly!’

Seeing Paige Walsh’s clearly displeased expression, Kylie Walsh felt a surge of panic.

Kylie Walsh knew her family’s business was in a slump; she absolutely could not afford to offend her cousin, Paige, who was currently at the height of her influence.

So, thinking fast, Kylie Walsh stammered out an explanation, "Cousin, I... I didn’t mean it like that... I just think, isn’t making her your goddaughter so suddenly a bit... rash? You should at least have her background checked..."

’Kylie didn’t dare bring up the fact that Lucy White was a prostitute now. Seeing how protective Paige was, Kylie was afraid that saying it to her face would enrage her cousin.’

Hearing this, Paige Walsh just gave a small smile and said nonchalantly, "Didn’t I just say? It doesn’t matter what Lucy has been through in the past; she is my goddaughter now. And since I’ve accepted her, I will treat her as my own."

After speaking, Paige stared at Kylie, her tone growing serious. "Kylie, you are my cousin, which makes you Lucy’s aunt. Whatever you were about to say today, you need never mention it again. And I don’t want to hear any unpleasant rumors about Lucy circulating out there... Do you understand me?"

Hearing the clear rebuke and warning in Paige’s tone, Kylie could only lower her head, no matter how resentful she felt. "I... I understand... Cousin, don’t worry. I won’t be so nosy again..."

...

Kylie Walsh left Paige Walsh’s suite in a daze. Not paying attention, she bumped right into Serena Kent, who had been waiting anxiously outside the door!

Seeing her, Serena Kent rushed forward, grabbed her hand, and asked anxiously, "Kylie, how did it go? Did you expose that little bitch for what she is? Did Professor Walsh agree to speak on my father’s behalf?"

Kylie Walsh glanced at Serena Kent, silently pulled her hand away, and said in a low voice, "Don’t even ask... That little bitch has hit the big time."

Serena Kent looked completely baffled. She asked, confused, "...Hit the big time?"

’What did that mean?’

’A prostitute, once exposed, should be thrown out on the street. It’d be best if she just froze to death in the snow. How could *she* possibly hit the big time?’

Then Kylie said in a grim voice, "...That little bitch is my cousin’s goddaughter now. My cousin told me so herself, just a moment ago!"

"What?!" Serena Kent was aghast. "How is that possible!" she exclaimed in disbelief. "Kylie, didn’t you tell Professor Walsh that the little bitch is a prostitute?"

At her words, Kylie Walsh’s face turned livid. ’Paige interrupted me several times,’ she thought. ’She most likely already knew about Lucy’s past.’

At this thought, her expression soured even further.

’She couldn’t understand what the hell had gotten into Paige!’

’Why would she adopt a prostitute as her goddaughter?’

’Did Lucy White save her life or something?!’

Seeing Kylie’s livid silence, Serena grew so anxious her voice started to crack. "Kylie, what are we going to do now? My dad is still being held in the hotel’s security office! Please, you have to help me think of something!"

Serena’s voice was giving Kylie a headache. She sneered and said coldly, "How should I know! That little bitch has my cousin completely wrapped around her finger. What am I supposed to do? Besides, it’s your dad’s own fault for being stupid enough to mess with her!"

As Serena Kent stared in despair, Kylie tossed out, "I can’t help you. From now on, don’t bring your family’s problems to me!" With that, she turned and strode away.

******

「Meanwhile」

In the security office of The Nimbus Hotel, Kevin Kent’s corpulent frame was squeezed into a small chair. He was so nervous that his forehead was slick with cold sweat.

’He truly couldn’t understand. He’d just harassed a prostitute, so why had it brought the bureau’s Deputy Chief down on him?!’

Roman Rhodes looked at Kevin Kent with a grave expression and said in a low voice, "Answer my questions. Don’t try to hide anything. Understand?"

Kevin Kent raised a hand to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead. "Y-Yes, of course, sir! I... I promise I’ll tell the truth!" he said, his voice trembling.

At his words, Roman Rhodes’s sharp eyes swept over Kevin Kent. He asked, "We’ve traced a large transfer of over a million from you. The recipient is named Yvonne York. Can you explain the purpose of this transaction?"