Chapter 66 We Will Take Amelia Home First
The room fell silent, everyone stunned by the revelation.
Uma, with a shaky finger, pointed at Kismet and stammered, "It was Mrs. Williams. She took the prescription that night and only gave it to me the next day to get the medicine!"
All eyes turned to Kismet, who visibly flinched.
What did Uma mean by this?
Was he suggesting that Kismet tampered with the prescription, worsening Vaughn's condition?
It was like a bolt of lightning struck. Kismet's mind went blank, and a ringing noise filled her ears.
The shocked and disbelieving stares from everyone felt like sharp knives, making her legs go weak.
But Kismet forced herself to stay calm. She quickly stood up and slapped Uma across the face. "What nonsense are you talking about, you fool?"
Her eyes shot daggers at Uma. "The Williams family took you in, and now you're accusing your master? Trying to hurt Vaughn and blame me?"
Kismet denied it.
Of course, she wouldn't admit to it.
If this accusation stuck, what would happen to her?
She'd be branded as a ruthless woman who tried to murder her husband. The aristocrats of River City would despise her, and Niamh would personally send her to prison!
She couldn't admit it. Absolutely not.
At that moment, Kismet regretted her actions.
Years ago, she was just a secretary. But after getting pregnant and confirming it was a boy, she managed to marry into the Williams family.
However, from the moment she stepped into the Williams household nearly twenty years ago, Vaughn had never shown her kindness.
Kismet knew Vaughn looked down on her. He only tolerated her because she was Quentin's mother.
She believed it was her background that made Vaughn despise her.
But she was wrong.
If Vaughn truly cared about social status, he wouldn't have been so fond of Amelia, who also came from humble beginnings, and eagerly wanted her to be Quentin's fiancée.
It wasn't Kismet's background that Vaughn disdained; it was her character.
A scheming, shameless woman who seduced her boss and got pregnant out of wedlock, becoming the mistress of the Williams family – it was a disgrace.
For years, no matter how high and mighty she acted in front of the servants or how glamorous she appeared to outsiders, she was always cautious around Vaughn, trying to win his favor.
But no matter what she did, Vaughn remained cold. He often ignored her, even in front of the servants, showing her no respect.
So she hated him. She hated him enough to want him dead.
As long as Vaughn lived, she would never hold any power in the Williams family. Her words would never carry any weight.
For instance, even though she didn't want Quentin to marry the lowly Amelia, she didn't dare voice her opposition to Vaughn and had to swallow her anger.
Now, Kismet was scared and regretful.
But she was scared of being exposed and sent to prison, regretful that she hadn't been more patient.
Vaughn was already in his seventies or eighties. Even if Amelia's care improved his health, how many more years could he live?
Kismet could have outlasted him. She shouldn't have been so hasty.
But now, with Amelia and Uma exposing her on the spot, how could she deny it? How could she explain it? Vaughn would never believe her!
At that moment, Vaughn had already taken the prescription from Amelia.
When he saw that the last ingredient had been changed from castor leaves to castor roots and remembered what Amelia had said, he pieced it together.
He hadn't been poisoned by Amelia's prescription but by someone who had secretly altered it, causing the poisoning.
And that person, according to Uma, was Kismet.
Vaughn, now over seventy, could see through people. He could tell from Kismet's panicked eyes that Uma was telling the truth.
Vaughn sighed inwardly.
Perhaps he had been too harsh on Kismet over the years, pushing her to such desperate measures.
"What the hell is going on here?"
Niamh, shocked by Uma's words, looked at Kismet in disbelief. "Kismet, did you really tamper with the prescription? Did you switch it?"
Quentin looked equally confused. "Mom, what is Uma talking about? Are you involved in Grandpa's poisoning? Say something!"
"Enough!"
As the room focused on the panicked Kismet, Vaughn sat up in bed, his voice stern and commanding.
He didn't look at the trembling Kismet but instead addressed Michael and Kevin.
"To the Johnson and Martinez families, I appreciate your concern for my well-being today. But this is a family matter now, and I won't keep you any longer."
It was clear Vaughn had made up his mind.
He then turned to Amelia, who immediately stepped forward. "Mr. Williams," she said.
"Amelia," Vaughn's expression softened as he gently took her injured hand, looking deeply concerned.
He sighed. "Amelia, I'm sorry you were wronged today because of me. It's my fault."
"No," Amelia shook her head earnestly. "Mr. Williams' well-being is what matters. This is just a small injury."
"You should go home with your brothers and take care of your injury. Once I've resolved this, I'll personally visit the Martinez family to apologize and thank you."
Vaughn, personally visiting the Martinez family to apologize and thank them?
Given Vaughn's status in River City, even someone as respected as Michael treated him with utmost reverence. For Vaughn to say he'd visit the Martinez family to apologize to a young Amelia showed how much he valued her.
Kevin quickly stepped forward. "No need, Mr. Williams. We appreciate the sentiment. Focus on your recovery. We'll take Amelia home to tend to her injury and won't trouble you further."
With that, everyone except the Williams family members left the room.
Before leaving, Quentin couldn't help but keep his eyes on Amelia, but she didn't spare him a glance.
Outside the Williams residence, Leroy, who had been mostly unnoticed, had quietly left.
Kevin turned to Michael. "Mr. Johnson, thank you for standing up for Amelia today. We'll take her home now to treat her injury."
Michael's eyes darkened slightly.
He hadn't had a chance to properly comfort Amelia, and seeing her injured pained him deeply.
But with her brothers present, he couldn't keep her with him. He reluctantly agreed. "Alright."
As he sat in his car, watching the Martinez family's vehicle disappear from view, Michael finally told Eric to drive.
In the Martinez family car, Kevin sat in the front passenger seat, with Amelia in the middle of the back seat, flanked by Chris and Tobias.
As soon as they got in, Tobias pulled Amelia into a tight hug.
"Are you okay, sis? We were so worried," Tobias said, his voice filled with concern.
Amelia smiled weakly. "I'm fine, just a little shaken up. Thanks for coming to get me."
Chris, always the stoic one, simply nodded. "Let's get you home and take care of that injury."
Kevin glanced back from the front seat. "We'll make sure you're safe, Amelia. No one messes with our family."
Amelia leaned back, feeling a mixture of relief and exhaustion. She was grateful for her brothers' support, but she knew the road ahead would be challenging.