Chapter 512: Chapter 512: You’re an Outsider, So Don’t Tell Us What to Do

Felix Sutton and Helen Lockwood stared at Addie Sutton in astonishment, suddenly feeling like this daughter of theirs was a complete stranger.

’What’s gotten into her?’

Addie Sutton had never been the type of child to cry and make a scene.

Even when she’d been deeply wronged, she would just bottle it up and deal with it herself. Why would she say so much in front of all these people today?

It was too bizarre!

Addie Sutton took a deep breath, her tone growing more solemn. "Thank you for raising me, but I no longer have the courage to continue living in your family. At least you’ll have Sunny to look after you in the future, so I can be at ease."

She looked at Felix Sutton and Helen Lockwood, her face already streaked with tears, as she forced a smile. "I wish you all the best."

With that, she lowered her head and struck it hard against the tile floor.

Renee Jennings squeezed Michelle Fuller’s hand. Her tightly knitted brows slowly relaxed, and her lips curved slightly.

’That’s wonderful. Addie isn’t being foolish.’

The police station staff also breathed a sigh of relief.

Word of Addie Sutton’s situation had already spread through the station. Everyone had been on pins and needles, afraid that she might have a moment of weakness and let Felix Sutton and Helen Lockwood coax her into going back.

Now, things were fine. The young woman still had her wits about her.

"What is the meaning of this?" Helen Lockwood slumped to the floor, her heart filled with indignation. "Are you trying to sever all ties with us?"

Addie Sutton admitted it outright. "Yes."

"You..." Helen Lockwood’s expression darkened instantly, intense fury surging in her eyes. "Have you no conscience?"

’We fattened her up, her wings have grown strong, and now she dares to cut us off?’

Felix Sutton said in a grave voice, "Addie, don’t say things like that. You’ll break your mother’s heart and mine."

’The little tree they had nurtured for so many years was finally about to bear fruit; severing ties was out of the question.’

Addie Sutton, still kneeling on the floor, said calmly, "I’ve made my decision. I won’t change my mind."

Just as Renee Jennings reached out to help her up, a frail voice beat her to it.

When Jane Conway arrived, she saw Addie Sutton kneeling on the ground, hitting her head on the floor, and the sight nearly broke her heart.

Seeing the young woman still kneeling with no one helping her up, she gritted her teeth and rushed forward.

Renee Jennings raised an eyebrow slightly and retracted her hand.

Jane Conway rushed to check Addie Sutton’s forehead, her voice filled with concern. "Does it hurt, dear?"

Addie Sutton stared at her blankly and murmured, "Aunt Conway."

Uncle Victor pushed through the crowd as well, asking anxiously, "Should I go buy some medicine?"

"I’m fine." Addie Sutton gently shook her head.

Jane Conway nodded and instructed, "Tell me if it hurts."

Helen Lockwood watched the two people who had suddenly burst in. Their attitude toward Addie Sutton was unsettlingly affectionate. She immediately grabbed Felix Sutton’s arm to pull herself up, her tone dripping with displeasure. "Who are you?"

Addie Sutton announced, "Uncle Victor and Aunt Conway are the ones who saved my life."

Just then, Renee Jennings spoke up casually, "Oh, right. There’s something I’d like to ask Mr. and Mrs. Sutton. Since Addie isn’t your biological daughter, why weren’t formal adoption procedures completed back then? Through what channels did you adopt Addie?"

Upon hearing this, Helen Lockwood’s eyes flickered, and she lowered her head.

Felix Sutton pushed up his glasses, suppressing the rage in his chest. He said in a mild tone, "Excuse me, but I don’t think this is an appropriate topic to discuss in front of a child."

Renee Jennings nodded and said softly, "In that case, Raleigh, why don’t you have a private chat with Mr. Sutton."

Felix Sutton ground his back teeth, and a vein bulged on his temple.

Raleigh stepped in front of him and made a gesture. "Mr. Sutton, if you please."

This was a police station, after all, so Felix Sutton had no choice but to comply.

He glanced back at his wife before walking away.

Helen Lockwood dug her nails into her palm, a sudden sense of unease creeping into her heart.

She frowned and looked up at Addie Sutton. "I’m taking you home now."

"I told you, I’m not going back." Addie Sutton quickly hid behind Jane Conway. "I’m never going back."

"You..." Helen Lockwood was furious. She struggled to control her temper before saying, "Can you stop making a scene? I have enough to worry about already. Can’t you just be good for once?"

She paused, then added, "Besides, how are you going to live out there on your own? Do you have any money? Are you quitting school?"

"I’ll figure something out," Addie Sutton replied.

Renee Jennings said softly, "Mrs. Sutton, Addie is an adult. You neither care for her, nor are you her biological mother. Why force her?"

"This is a family matter!" Helen Lockwood glared at Renee Jennings, her tone hostile. "You’re an outsider, so stop meddling."

"What’s with your attitude?" Michelle Fuller piped up, displeased. "If it weren’t for our Renee, you wouldn’t have even found Addie."

"She wasn’t even looking for her," Hilary added. "Her daughter was missing, and she was still in the mood to get her hair permed."

"True enough." Michelle Fuller nodded. "After all, she’s not her own flesh and blood. Lost is lost, I guess."

With her true feelings so bluntly exposed, Helen Lockwood’s expression grew even more unpleasant.

Her face grim, she gritted her teeth and said, "Addie, I’m saying this one last time. Come home with me right now."

"Mrs. Sutton," a female police officer said, stepping in front of her. "Regarding your adoption of Addie Sutton, there are a few more details we need to clarify with you. Please come with me."

"What?" Helen Lockwood frowned and asked instinctively, "Didn’t you already take my husband in for questioning?"

The officer explained patiently, "You were both parties to the event, so we need to verify certain details with each of you separately. We need your cooperation."

Helen Lockwood pressed her lips together, remaining silent.

The officer repeated, "Mrs. Sutton, please come with me."

Helen Lockwood swallowed hard. Her gaze fell on Addie Sutton, and her resentment toward the girl intensified.

’This wretched girl is such bad luck!’

"May I use the restroom first?" Helen Lockwood asked.

The officer nodded. "Of course."

Once inside the restroom, Helen Lockwood tried calling Felix Sutton, but he was in no position to answer.

She had no choice but to send him a text message.

When Helen Lockwood came out of the restroom, she seemed to think of something and asked the officer, "Can I bring my daughter with me?"

The officer shook her head. "I’m afraid not."

Helen Lockwood had no choice but to call out to Addie Sutton, "Addie, don’t you run off again. Wait here for your father and me."

Addie Sutton didn’t respond.

Uncle Victor and Jane Conway had also come to give statements, and they were soon led away by an officer as well.

Director Leto came down from the second floor, chuckling. "Everyone’s here. How about coming up to my office for a cup of coffee?"

This time, Renee Jennings didn’t refuse.

The group went up to the second floor and sat in Director Leto’s office, each holding a cup of steaming coffee.

Hilary pressed her lips together. ’I’m really moving up in the world,’ she thought. ’Here I am with Ms. Jennings, drinking coffee made by the police director himself.’

"Addie, what are your plans now?" Director Leto asked with concern. "Is there any way I can help?"

Addie Sutton said softly, "Renee rented a room for me to stay in until school starts. For the next month, I want to find a part-time job..."

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