Chapter 627 Adopt Him

"I don't know how to explain it. It's a long story. I can explain it to you in detail when I have time." Ashley's weak voice seemed helpless. Obviously, she wasn't ready to talk about it, immediately dismissing the subject as her eyes wandered elsewhere.

Recognizing her discomfort on the subject, Tony nodded and instead looked at Richard, "Are you going to send him back to the orphanage?"

"I have to. I have no choice," Ashley replied, also turning her head to glance at the poor little boy.

Just then, Selma came out of her room and walked towards Ashley. With an expressionless face, she said, "Well, let's go now."

Ashley, who now seemed more anxious than ever, braced her hands against the sofa and struggled to her feet with Tony's help.

With a deep breath, she flashed a weak smile at Tony and expressed her thanks.

Then, grabbing Richard by the hand, she walked slowly out of the room with Selma.

The orphanage was not far from where they lived, so going there on foot was not big of a deal.

While they walked through the streets, Richard held on to Ashley's hand tightly, fearing that he might lose them somewhere along the way.

It had been bugging her how the little boy could stick to her as if she was a familiar figure. They were complete strangers to each other, and frankly, with his innocent face, he shouldn't easily trust her like that.

'Was it because I saved him last time?' she silently wondered, glancing at the tiny hands clasped against hers.

They were here the previous day and it was the same as before. The orphanage was filled with children running and playing to their hearts' content. Their innocent laughter and sincere smiles filled the air, giving off a lighter ambiance despite the tragic reality of being orphans.

With their increasing number, the orphanage could certainly not look after all of them. The shortage of staff, supported only by a few volunteers, would definitely not suffice to keep it in order.

However, the lively voices of the children surely kept the whole place cheerful and bright. The problem was that the children were not ready to share that happiness and cheer towards Richard. In a place where their situation was what they had in common, it was ironic that this little still could not fit in.

Selma took a glance at Ashley and said, "Let's go. I'll take you to the director's office. We met her yesterday, remember? Just leave the child to her. I'm sure the director will keep him in check this time. If he runs away again, it will not end up well."

Nodding her head, Ashley simply agreed and followed Selma's advice.

Still dragging Richard by the hand, they walked towards the entrance.

Ashley raised her hand and knocked twice on the wooden door.

"Come in."

An old female vo

Out of the blue, the director of the orphanage suddenly grabbed Richard by his hand and pulled him to her side. It was so forceful and aggressive that even Ashley felt the heavy tug as she lost her grip on the little boy's hand.

Glancing at Ashley with utmost rigid eyes, the director uttered, "I don't have time for this. You can leave now. Thank you for bringing him back."

"Let's go, Ashley. Why are you still standing here? Don't you want to leave?" Selma urged, noticing how her friend didn't budge, obviously in a daze while she stared at the little boy.

She took Ashley's hand and hurriedly led her out.

Ashley took one last look at Richard as Selma dragged her out of the orphanage.

As her feet dragged against the floor on their way out, Ashley heard the painful scream of the poor little boy. For a second, she almost stopped and looked back, but Selma kept pulling her away without looking back.

Meanwhile, Richard mustered all his strength and broke free from the director's grip.

"What?!" the old woman exclaimed. Her mouth agape while watching Richard desperately ran out of her office.

Another scream blared from inside the orphanage. Ashley couldn't help but turn around once more. Her heart skipped a beat seeing Richard rush towards her.

As a smile grew wide on her lips, Ashley slowly opened her arms and received the little boy with a tight embrace.

Richard faintly panted as she wrapped him in her arms, placing his head on her shoulder.

At that moment, outside the orphanage with the lively laughter of the other children in the background, Ashley had only one thing in mind - to adopt the little boy.

Even though he was obviously not favored in this orphanage, Ashley felt a strong connection with him. And she could not stand the thought of leaving him here, under the watch of that hostile director.