Chapter 287: Everyone’s Reaction Part 3

Sophia and Eve exchanged glances before both took a step forward at the same time, their competitive instincts kicking in. There was no way they were going to let Chris steal the spotlight like this!

Sensing the growing excitement, Adrian chuckled softly before gently lowering the little girl to the floor. She looked up at him in confusion for a moment, but as soon as her feet touched the ground, she was surrounded.

Sophia crouched down first, putting on her most charming smile. "Hey there, little one! I'm Sophia. I'm really strong, you know? I can swing two swords at once!" She flexed her arms playfully. "Wouldn't you like to see?"

The little girl blinked, tilting her head before turning to Adrian. "Papa, is she strong?"

Adrian chuckled. "Yes, she is very strong. One of the strongest."

The little girl gasped softly and looked back at Sophia, eyes sparkling. "Wow!"

Eve, not one to be left behind, crouched beside Sophia with a sly grin. "That's impressive, but you know, I can move through the shadows like a whisper in the wind." She leaned closer, her voice barely above a murmur, "Like this."

She suddenly disappeared into the shadows, only to reappear behind the little girl a second later, gently tapping her shoulder. "Boo."

The little girl let out a surprised giggle, clapping her hands. "That's so cool!"

Eve smirked, feeling victorious. "See? That means if you ever want to play hide-and-seek, I'm the best partner to have."

Sophia clicked her tongue. "Tch. Cheap trick, Eve."

Eve shrugged. "It's not my fault you're bad at stealth."

Chris, who was still holding the little one's hands, huffed. "Hey! I was first! That means she already likes me the most!"

The little girl looked at all three of them, then turned to Adrian again. "Papa, do I have to pick only one?"

Adrian smiled and shook his head. "No, you can like all of them."

Her face lit up again, and she beamed at Sophia, Eve, and Chris. "Then I like all of you!"

Chris immediately let out a happy squeal, while Sophia and Eve sighed in relief, though they still exchanged glares, silently vowing to outdo each other later.

Meanwhile, Isabella, who had been watching the entire exchange, finally let her tense expression ease. She crossed her arms and let out a small sigh, shaking her head.

"Honestly… what a handful," she murmured, but the warmth in her eyes betrayed her true feelings.

Seraphina noticed and smirked. "You're soft, big sis."

Isabella shot her a look but didn't deny it. Instead, she stepped forward, finally speaking directly to the little girl.

"And what about me?" Isabella asked, her voice softer than before. "Do you like me too?"

The little girl turned to Isabella, looking up at her with wide, curious eyes. She stared for a moment before slowly nodding.

"You're really pretty," she said. "And Papa said you're my mother too, right?"

Isabella blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the child's innocent honesty. Then, a rare, genuine smile crossed her lips.

"That's right," she said, her voice gentler than before. "So, you better get used to me."

The little girl giggled. "Okay!"

At that moment, Rosalyn, who had been watching from the side, finally stepped forward. "Um… may I hold her too?"

The little girl looked at her for a moment before reaching out her tiny arms.

Rosalyn carefully took her, cradling the child in her arms. As soon as she held her, a strange warmth spread through her chest, and an inexplicable sense of fondness bloomed within her.

"You're really warm," the little girl murmured, nestling against Rosalyn.

Rosalyn's eyes softened. "And you're really cute," she whispered back.

Adrian watched as the women around him doted on the little one, feeling a strange sense of peace settle over him. It was chaotic, yes, but also… oddly heartwarming.

For the first time in a long while, things felt truly like a family.

Rosalyn continued to cradle the little girl in her arms, a soft expression on her face. The others crowded around, each wanting to shower the child with their affection.

Chris poked the girl’s cheek playfully, grinning. “You’re just the cutest, you know that?”

The little one giggled, leaning into Rosalyn’s embrace. “Papa has pretty mommies.”

That single statement made all of them pause before bursting into laughter, even Isabella, who merely shook her head at the girl’s innocent but amusing observation.

Sophia, still competitive, ran a gentle hand through the little one’s hair. “You’re adorable, but if you stick with me, I’ll make sure you grow up to be strong, just like Papa.”

Eve smirked. “Oh, please. She’ll want to be stealthy like me when she grows up. Quick, silent, and untouchable.”

The little girl simply laughed, clearly entertained by all the attention.

Isabella sighed, rubbing her temples. “Honestly, you’re all acting like children yourselves.”

Adrian watched the scene unfold, a warmth settling deep in his chest. The girl’s presence had lifted the spirits of the group, making the moment feel lighter despite the grim situation they had faced before. However, he knew that their time here was up.

They had come to eradicate the cult, and to find the way to uplift the curse on Chris and Chrisitne's mother.

While they hadn’t found an item to directly lift Chris’s mother’s curse, Seraphina’s unexpected capture of the Abyssal Harbinger’s soul could prove useful in ways they hadn’t anticipated.

It seemed to have  connection with the curses used by the cult, so it might have solution regarding the curse.

His gaze shifted to Seraphina, who stood a little apart, observing the group. She met his eyes and gave him a knowing nod.

“It’s time to go,” Adrian finally announced.

The ladies turned their attention to him, and while they had clearly enjoyed fawning over the little girl, they understood that their mission was complete.

The little girl, sensing the shift in tone, clung onto Rosalyn’s dress. “Where are we going?”

Adrian crouched down, ruffling her hair. “Home. To Everhart Manor. Would you like that?”

The child thought for a moment before nodding. “Okay! Papa’s home must be really big!”

Sophia smirked. “Oh, you have no idea.”

Eve chuckled. “I bet she’s going to get spoiled rotten.”

Rosalyn held the child close as they all made their way out of the hideout. The destruction of the cult had been swift and decisive, leaving no remnants of their foul practices.

The reinforcements Chris and Rosalyn had stationed outside were already handling the clean-up, making sure no loose ends remained.