Chapter 210 He Unexpectedly Approached
With Atlas around, Amber accepted Cordelia's business trip much more easily.
In the past, whenever Cordelia mentioned she had to go on a business trip, Amber would cling to her for a long time.
Now with Atlas here, all her attention was on Atlas. She played until very late before going to sleep.
Early the next morning, when Cordelia got up, Amber was still fast asleep.
Cordelia looked at her peaceful sleeping face, a slight smile curving at the corners of her lips. Only when she was especially quiet like this would she show even the tiniest bit of Alaric's shadow.
She couldn't help but reach out and ruffle her hair before getting up to wash up.
After Cordelia finished packing and was pulling her suitcase to leave, Amber was woken up by the noise.
She almost immediately sat up, rubbing her eyes as she looked at Cordelia.
"Mommy."
Cordelia looked at her sleepy appearance, walked over and hugged her. "I have to go on my business trip now. Will you let Atlas keep Amber company during this time? When I come home, I'll buy Amber a present."
Amber's eyes lit up when she heard "Atlas."
"Amber will be good."
Hearing this, Cordelia couldn't help but kiss Amber on the cheek.
"I know Amber is the best. I love Amber the most."
Amber also kissed Cordelia on the cheek. "Amber loves Mommy too."
After Cordelia helped her with a quick wash-up, she carried Amber with one hand and pulled her suitcase with the other as she walked to the door.
She opened the bedroom door and saw Atlas wagging his tail as he looked at them.
The moment Cordelia opened the door, Atlas sat properly on the ground, looking ready to follow commands at any time.
Amber struggled to get down from Cordelia's arms.
Cordelia immediately bent down and put her down.
Allegra finished cleaning the study and came out. Seeing Amber hugging Atlas, she smiled and said.
"This dog is really smart. When I got up this morning and opened the living room door, he rushed in from his doghouse, went straight upstairs, and has been sitting here waiting for you two."
Hearing this, Cordelia reached out and rubbed Atlas's head.
"He's a search and rescue dog, professionally trained, and his intelligence is like that of a six or seven-year-old child."
Allegra's eyes showed slight surprise.
"No wonder he's so smart. This Mr. Hughes really knows how to give gifts. Bringing Atlas back must have taken quite a bit of thought."
Alaric had always put a lot of thought into giving Amber gifts.
Cordelia pressed her lips together lightly and replied softly, "Probably."
With that, she walked downstairs.
Amber also led Atlas down from upstairs. Perhaps Amber's steps down the stairs were too alarming, because Atlas stayed in front of Amber the whole time, waiting for Amber at each step.
In the living room downstairs, Donald was talking.
Cordelia thought it was Donald's friend visiting again. When she walked into the living room, she discovered Alaric sitting in the seat across from Donald.
He was wearing a black suit, his long legs naturally crossed, his expression calm and composed.
When Cordelia looked at him, he also raised his head to look at Cordelia.
Their gazes collided in the air.
Cordelia was the first to look away.
Donald saw Cordelia coming downstairs and got up from the sofa. "Alaric, stay for breakfast."
Alaric nodded slightly and agreed, "Okay, thank you, Mr. Stone."
Donald smiled and said, "We're all family, no need to be polite."
As Donald spoke, he led Alaric toward the dining room.
When Alaric passed by Cordelia, his gaze fell on Cordelia's luggage, and he took the initiative to ask.
"You're going on a business trip?"
Cordelia nodded in response.
After getting her answer, Alaric's expression remained calm. Seeing Amber coming down from upstairs, he naturally reached out and picked up Amber, walking to the sink to wash hands.
Watching his skilled movements, Cordelia pressed her lips together, suddenly feeling that her earlier response might have been too cold.
So she added another sentence.
"Going to Ravenshollow."
As she spoke, she walked over and washed Amber's hands with hand soap.
Alaric looked down at her.
After Cordelia cleaned Amber's fingers and dried them, she looked up and her gaze crashed into Alaric's deep eyes.
"I'm also going to Ravenshollow."
Alaric said this calmly, then carried Amber into the dining room.
Cordelia acknowledged this and took her seat.
At the dining table, Amber kept chattering away with Alaric.
Alaric's attention was all on Amber too.
Cordelia wanted to ask when Alaric was going to Ravenshollow, but seeing how happily Alaric and Amber were communicating, she held back from asking.
She had arranged to meet Deborah at the airport at nine in the morning. If she delayed any longer, she might not make it in time.
And since this was her first collaboration with Deborah, Cordelia didn't want to leave a bad impression on Deborah.
So she'd rather arrive early and wait for Deborah than have Deborah wait for her.
So Cordelia just ate a little and got up to say to Donald.
"Dad, I'm leaving now, or I won't make it in time."
Hearing this, Donald put down his breakfast. "I'll help you with your luggage."
Cordelia immediately waved her hand. "No need, you stay with Amber."
"My luggage is light, I can carry it myself."
Donald saw that Alaric had already put down his knife and fork, then pulled out a tissue to wipe his hands. Understanding the situation, he picked up his fork again.
"Then I won't worry about you."
Cordelia smiled slightly. "I'm not a child anymore, you don't need to worry about me."
Hearing that Cordelia was leaving, Amber opened her arms toward her. "Mommy, hug."
Cordelia walked over and picked her up.
"Amber promised me you'd be good, right?"
Amber obediently nodded and rested her little head on Cordelia's shoulder. "Mommy has to come home soon."
Cordelia nodded.
This time, Amber didn't cling to Cordelia for long before letting go.
Seeing her being so understanding, Cordelia felt a pang of guilt.
She and Amber had never been separated for too long.
Going to Ravenshollow this time, she was also very reluctant.
She held back the tears that wanted to fall and left the dining room.
She went to the entrance to change her shoes. Just as she pulled her suitcase out the door, Alaric followed from behind.
"What did you want to say to me earlier?"
As he spoke, he took the suitcase from Cordelia's hand.
There was a flight of stairs to walk from The Stone Manor to the garage.
Hearing his words, Cordelia was stunned for a moment. Earlier in the dining room, all his attention had clearly been on Amber.
Alaric walked two steps, and not getting a response from Cordelia, he stopped.
Cordelia was lost in thought. When he stopped, she didn't notice and her head bumped into his back.
His back was still the same as before, solid and hard.
She immediately covered her nose in pain, thinking to herself that if her nose had implants, they would probably be crooked by now.
Alaric heard her sharp intake of breath and immediately turned around, lifting her chin to see her nose tip all red. He frowned.
His sudden closeness made her heart suddenly pound wildly.