Chapter 370

The leaves on the apricot tree had all turned yellow. Some older men and women picked up the apricots that had fallen to the ground in bags.

“Mr. Quill, unless what?” the assistant asked.

Oliver replied cryptically, “Apricot seeds have a trace amount of toxicity, but it doesn’t affect the fruits from being considered a delicacy on the dining table. Love is the same way.”

The assistant was confused but intrigued.

After returning empty-handed from the hospital, Esther and the others went to Maria Church.

When the church staff learned about Esther’s purpose for visiting, they looked at her in surprise and explained gently, “Ms. Quill, the child you mentioned has already been adopted.” Esther frowned and asked nervously, “Adopted?”

“Yes,” the staff said softly. “According to the information we received, she is an orphan with no parents.

For someone like her, it is a blessing to have the chance to return to a normal life.”

“Can I go to the adoptive family and take her away now?” Esther asked anxiously.

She placed a DNA maternity test certificate between her and Tinkerbell, Pixie’s twin sister, in front of the staff. “This is a DNA maternity test between me and Tinkerbell, Pixie’s twin sister “Ms. Quill, we will not accept this DNA maternity test. If you truly want to take Pixie back, we will need to conduct the test ourselves. Once the results are out, we will contact you and the adoptive family for a face-to-face discussion to determine Pixie’s rightful guardianship,” the staff member replied.

“I can do the DNA test right now,” Esther said.

The staff member looked at Esther and called for someone to collect her DNA sample with a cotton swab.

Then, she glanced at Benz, who had come along, assuming he was Pixie’s father. “Alright, it’s this gentleman’s turn now.”

Esther explained awkwardly, “I’m sorry, he’s not my husband.”

Feeling embarrassed for misunderstanding, the staff member said, “I’m sorry, I thought he was your spouse. According to the church’s procedures, we will still need a DNA sample from Pixie’s biological father unless he has passed away.”

“We’re divorced,” Esther said.

She didn’t want to have any contact with Bradley from the bottom of her heart. She knew better than anyone that he had no feelings. If Bradley had any place for Pixie and Tinkerbell in his heart, he would not have remained so calm when he learned that Pixie was adopted.

For Esther, Tinkerbell and Pixie were her children. However, for Bradley, both Tinkerbell and Pixie were insignificant. He did not care about her or her daughters.

Otherwise, he would not have not looked for Pixie all this while.

“Divorced?” The staff member looked at Esther gently. “If you’re divorced, Ms. Quill, you’ll need your ex-husband to issue a written statement declaring that he is giving up his parental rights and entrusting all other matters regarding Pixie to you.”

Esther had not expected the procedures to be so complicated.

“Do the procedures have to be this complex?” she asked.

The staff member replied calmly, “Ms. Quill, our procedures are so complex to avoid potential future risks. If the parents do not have a unified opinion, even if the children return to your side, they will live in endless suffering.

“Of course, we do not discriminate against single mothers or single fathers. Still, we hope the children can grow up healthy under their parents’ care. So, please discuss with your ex- husband how you want to…