Chapter 114 - Writer Scarlet

Debbie was in high spirits that day. Scarlet didn't know why her editor was so chirpy but she smiled too.

"Oh! I see that you're finally out of the cast. How does it feel?"

The young writer laughed. "Not much different from when I'm still in a cast... I was told that I'd still need a few weeks to get used to moving around again and about a month before I can try to walk without the splint and crutches. There are physiotherapy classes that I will be attending to help with the recovery process but it feels great not having to bear the itch and not be able to scratch it."

The editor smiled and presented the girl with an envelope.

"This is...?"

Debbie grinned. "Open it."

Scarlet grabbed a letter opener and neatly ripped it open. There was a letter addressed to Scarlet and the girl looked at her teacher.

"This...?!"

Debbie couldn't keep the wide smile away from her face. "I turned it in to a friend who is a literary agent and it was well-received. Your very first writing contract, darling. Congratulations."

Scarlet didn't know how to react and cried. Sixteen is a Gang might not be her first work but in terms of growth, it marked a significant milestone for the girl who had gained not only a precious family but a very close group of friends who didn't shun her. The fact that the publishing agent who accepted the manuscript mentioned how touching the feelings of the main character moved them made Scarlet feel as if it wasn't written in vain.

The young writer had poured her feelings and the trials they'd overcome together into this make-belief world of adventure and evil a.d.u.l.ts. While the manuscript was unpolished in the eyes of the publishing agent, they were keen to sign her up for publication because of that unique perspective and Scarlet's ability to move people with her story.

"I didn't tell them your age. This meeting might have to wait until you tell the good news to Wilmer and Orita. People normally don't get their writing contracts with their second attempt. You're very talented, Scarlet. I'm hoping to see more of your future works, there's nothing much I can teach you at this moment."

Scarlet hugged Debbie and thanked her from the bottom of her heart. Being offered a writing contract meant a lot for Scarlet. It meant that she was acknowledged and more importantly, this was something she didn't accomplish using the influence of the Wilde Family's name. Could this be the way she could repay Mrs Wilde's kindness of accepting her into their family?

The good news couldn't remain a secret forever. When Alex and Jasper returned home that day, Scarlet told them the good news. One good news multiplied into two and when Mr Wilde returned home, he called for a celebration. It turned out that there was not just one simple piece of good news. They had two unexpected but dearly missed guests joining them for dinner and another two guests whom Scarlet was happy to receive.

"Mother!" the girls screamed with joy as Jenna brought the luggage up. Mrs Wilde bent down to hug her girls with Jasper awkwardly standing by Mr Wilde's side.

"Mrs Wilde," he greeted politely and offered to help Jenna.

Claire bowed with Tina and Sue behind her. The lady butler was impressed by Claire's management of the household. The head maid did a great job despite the lack of manpower. Also, due to the short notice, Jenna was expecting some difficulty in being able to accommodate such a large group. Claire didn't seem to struggle with the new guests. The dining table was quickly modified with the table extended to fit the extra people for dinner. The maids under Claire's care were also quick to whip up extra dishes and make enough food for everyone, not neglecting to add a touch of classiness to them befitting of the Wilde Family's prestige.

Alex announced that she won an art competition that she was secretly participating in and was going to have her work displayed at an exhibit. Mrs Wilde and Jenna revealed that they would be moving over to live in Singapore for a more permanent period of time from now on so that they could spend more time as a family. Jasper's parents would also visit from time to time when Mr and Mrs Wilde had to fly for business trips.

Wilmer was all smiles as well. He had received news from Benjamin earlier that afternoon that the evidence the children collected was enough to permanently ruin Cody and Larissa. The verdict will be out next week. Danny and Elfie were here to deliver news about their findings of Anastasia.

Danny smiled and congratulated the Wilde's. "I have a favour to ask."

Immediately, the joy and laughter melted into silence. The children looked at their teacher oddly. Jasper knew about Danny and Wilmer's special relationship but Scarlet and Alex were slower to catch on. Whatever favour Danny was asking for didn't feel like something a teacher and parent could easily talk about.

"I would be taking a short leave of absence from the school due to personal reasons and in that period of time, I would like to entrust my son, Elfie, in the care of your family."

Wilmer's warm expression grew cold at once. The jokes and laughter erased from his eyes. "It's about that, isn't it?"

Danny nodded. Orita didn't look pleased but her eyes softened when she saw Elfie tense up.

"You're going to be personally acting on it?" the CEO asked and Danny nodded again, not daring to meet his friend's eyes.

Wilmer's lips thinned into a line, his eyes hard. "Orita and I don't mind taking care of Elfie for you. However, I won't accept it if you don't intend to come back for him."

Elfie looked fragile at that moment and it was Alex who held the hacker's hands to comfort him. Scarlet didn't know what was going on either but she gave Elfie a small smile trying to reassure him that everything would be alright. The a.d.u.l.ts could be relied on and even if things didn't work out, Elfie still had them and a group of very reliable friends.

Danny bit the insides of his cheeks. "I'm not abandoning him, Wilmer. I didn't adopt Elfie with the intention of abandoning him. He is my son."

Orita decided that the tension was scaring the children a little too much and quickly diffused the tension by asking Jenna to bring out the alcohol to the study so the men could talk over it. At the same time, she expertly diverted the subject away from the serious discussion by asking the children how they met Elfie.

Everyone had good news to share and interesting stories to tell about their time spent together at school. When Scarlet told everyone that Debbie sent her manuscript to an agent who found a publishing house interested in contracting her book, Orita squealed like an excited schoolgirl and immediately placed the first order of five copies that she wanted Scarlet to sign.

"You need to start practising your signatures now," Alex joked and Scarlet blushed.

Elfie smiled. "What is the story about?"

The young writer launched into details about the inspiration she took and the hacker had a good laugh over some of the scenes Scarletdescribed. Scarlet's vivid imagination and good sense of humour had successfully woven the personalities of everyone in the E.C. Class into her book.

"I want to read that book, I really do. It sounds very interesting that you managed to capture everyone so accurately!" he praised.

Scarlet squirmed in her chair, embarrassed by the praises.

"That's it!" Alex declared. "I'm going to draw your first book into a comic!"

Jasper raised a brow. "Do you know how to draw digitally? I thought you were still trying to understand how paintbrushes work."

Orita laughed. "Oh, Jasper dear... there's no rush. Alex can slowly pick that up. We can employ some art teacher if she wants to speed up that process. Also, Wilmer might be planning on an internship rotation for the three of you."

That news got their attention and the heiress smiled. "Don't tell Daddy that I said this. However, Wilmer has been working hard to negotiate for the departments that would interest you most to accept you and teach you the trade. Alex will have plenty of opportunity in the future to get acquainted with digital brushes. Scarlet will have a lot of chances to learn different writing styles and the practicality of it. Jasper can discover the secrets to how money flows within an organisation."

All three children had their eyes lit up. Elfie watched them with envy. He didn't know what an internship was but it sounded fun. "Mrs Wilde, can I join them for the internship too if I'm going to be in the care of the Wilde Family for a while. I think my programming skills might come in handy. I'd also love to have a chance to study a network and create a network system set up on a large scale."

Orita looked at Jenna who bowed at the hacker. "We will do our best to make arrangements. I'm sure many of our software developers and engineers would be thrilled to meet the mastermind behind the most recent underground raids in person. We will inform Wilmer about your wishes."

Elfie was flattered. Not many people knew about his official job or talked about it apart from Danny. He knew that Danny and Wilmer were close friends but Wilmer had never once spoken about Elfie's accomplishments before.

"Underground raid?" Alex asked and Orita smiled.

"That's a secret between your daddy, mommy and Danny. Elfie is a very talented programmer and he sometimes helps a.d.u.l.ts who need his skills which is why he is often not in school. Elfie travels a lot to help others so he hardly has any time to make friends."

Alex put a finger to her lip to indicate that she understood this should not be so easily revealed to others outside of the family. Orita smiled at her daughter's simple-mindedness and gave the other two children a sideways glance. Jasper nodded slightly to indicate that he understood because his eyes were unreadable behind his hair. Scarlet met the heiress' look with her own full of acceptance but also curiosity.

Claire knew that look. There was no mistaking it. Her young mistress would definitely find a chance to catch Elfie and interrogate him for information. Who knows, this might be the content Scarlet needed for her new book.