Building The Strongest Family-Chapter 15: Snow

"Hu, hu, hu! Big brother!" Liz tightly held Arthur's hand as tears streamed down her face.

Her eyes were filled with fear upon hearing that Arthur had been shot.

Sitting in the hospital, she felt like her world was crumbling around her. She couldn't believe it first her parents, now her big brother.

"Don't cry, Liz, okay? I'm fine," Arthur reassured her, gently stroking her blonde hair. Despite his comforting words, Liz continued to sob.

"Big bro, I was really worried about you. I thought you would..." a young man who bore a resemblance to Arthur interrupted. This was Billy, Arthur's little brother in his third year of university.

"I'm not that easy to die, Billy. I'm fine," Arthur said with a chuckle, turning to look at Ashley. "Come on, Ash, you're a big girl. Stop crying, okay? It's just a wound on the shoulder."

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"How can I not cry? Look at you in that hospital bed," Ashley said in a choked voice, tears streaming down her face.

Arthur didn't know what to say. He looked at his uncles and aunties with a serious expression. "I think our family is being targeted by someone," he said.

The room fell silent, a heavy atmosphere settling in. "Yeah, Arthur, you're right. Our family is really being targeted, but we can't do anything about it," Nathaniel said with a bitter chuckle.

"I've had this suspicion since your parents died in that accident. It wasn't an accident, it was planned," Julian added.

"We know we're being targeted, but we don't know by whom or what," William chimed in.

"We finally managed to handle our bankruptcy, and now this," Emily said, her face full of concern.

"What I'm really worried about is if they target the remaining members of our family. That's what I'm really worried about," Arthur said with worried face.

The room fell into a heavy silence, each face etched with concern and worry. Arthur broke the tension, his voice steady yet urgent. "For now, I suggest we gather all family members back in the mansion. Let those who are in school take a leave of absence and return until we uncover who's behind this. No one leaves the mansion until then, and we must tighten security."

He scanned the room, continuing with resolve. "Apart from those heading to the company, no one is allowed to leave. Bodyguards will accompany anyone going to the restaurant."

Julian nodded slowly after a moment of contemplation. "I think Arthur's plan is solid."

Nathaniel chimed in, "It's a good plan for now, but it won't work long-term."

Emily added thoughtfully, "Exactly! We need to identify who's responsible as soon as possible."

"Don't worry about that," Arthur reassured them. "I'll send people out to investigate. But for now, let's call everyone back to the mansion."

A chorus of agreement echoed through the group as they nodded in unison.

Just then, a knock on the door interrupted their discussion.

The door swung open to reveal three newcomers: a middle-aged man, a woman in her thirties, and an adorable little girl.

Arthur and the others turned to see who had entered, but when Arthur's gaze landed on the little girl, a smile broke across his face.

"It's you!" he exclaimed, waving at her.

This was the same little girl he had seen at the restaurant entrance just before everything went wrong.

In fact, it could be said that she had saved his life; if he hadn't bent down when she tugged at his jeans, he might not be standing here today.

Arthur looked up at the man and woman beside her. "Are you her parents?" he asked curiously.

"Yes," replied the man as he stepped forward with a warm smile. "I'm Stephen Blackwood, and this is my wife Mary. And this lovely girl is our daughter."

"Are you from the Blackwood Family?" Julian interjected from the side.

Stephen paused for a moment before responding. "Yes, I am. And you must be... Julian Osborn from the Osborn Family?"

"That's right," Julian nodded eagerly. "What brings you here?"

"I came to thank this young man for saving my daughter," Stephen said earnestly as he turned to Arthur.

"This is my big brother's son, Arthur," Julian introduced him proudly.

"Thank you so much for saving my daughter's life," Stephen continued with genuine gratitude in his voice. Mary stepped forward too, tears glistening in her eyes as she added emotionally, "I can't express how grateful we are."

Arthur quickly waved his hands dismissively. "No... no... I should actually thank her! If it weren't for her pulling on my jeans that day, I wouldn't be alive right now." He smiled warmly at them all.

Everyone in the room was taken aback by Arthur's words; surprise flickered across their faces as they exchanged glances filled with disbelief.

But Arthur simply smiled back at them, radiating warmth.

He then looked down at the little girl and beckoned her closer.

She scampered over eagerly and gazed up at him with wide eyes sparkling with innocence and excitement.

"What's your name?" Arthur asked gently while stroking her silky white hair.

"My... my name is Snow," she replied shyly.

"Snow? What a beautiful name! It suits you perfectly!" Arthur chuckled softly.

Suddenly, Snow looked deeply into his eyes with hope shining brightly within hers and asked sweetly, "Can you be my big brother?"

"Huh?" Arthur blinked in surprise along with everyone else in the room, especially Stephen and Mary who wore expressions of shock as they glanced between each other and then back to Snow and Arthur.

Feeling slightly awkward yet touched by her request, Arthur looked to Stephen for reassurance.

The father nodded encouragingly back at him.

Arthur looked at Snow whose eyes were filled with expectation and smiled and ruffled her hair.

"I can be your big brother" Arthur nodded with a smile.

Suddenly Snow smile happily as her pure white teeth were revealed revealing a genuine smile which seems to brighten up the entire room.

"Dad, mom I have a big brother, I have a big brother" Snow looked at her parents and smiled happily at them.

Mary looked at the smiling Snow and covered her mouth while crying but she was crying because she was happy.

Stephen also wiped away a few tears at the corner of his eyes and smile happily.

Arthur was quite taken back he didn't expect both Stephen and Mary to have such a big reaction but somehow he understood why they are so happy.

He looked at Snow who was holding his hand smiling happily and chuckled softly.