Chapter 169 Alaric Frantically Brushes Amber's Hair
Cordelia caught Amber as she lunged toward her.
Once in Cordelia's arms, Amber wrapped her arms tightly around her neck and nuzzled her little face against Cordelia's neck.
Donald's expression looked a bit troubled.
"Amber."
He spoke softly, trying to coax Amber to go back with him.
Usually well-behaved and sensible, Amber was feeling a bit under the weather now, so she only wanted Cordelia to stay with her.
To prevent Donald from taking her away, she tightened her little hands around Cordelia.
"Mommy."
Her voice was soft and sweet, full of affection.
Cordelia smiled helplessly, glanced at Amber lying on the sofa, then said.
"Dad, it's okay, just let her stay here."
As soon as Cordelia spoke, Amber immediately waved at Donald, "Bye-bye, Grandpa."
Donald looked at Amber, so eager for him to leave, his eyes full of affection and helplessness.
"You little rascal, usually so sweet-talking, but when it matters you don't want me around."
At Donald's words, Amber's eyes showed a hint of guilt. She lowered her little head and stayed quiet in Cordelia's arms, pretending not to hear what Donald said.
The driver was still waiting for Donald downstairs.
After giving a few instructions, he left.
Cordelia walked Donald to the elevator, watched him enter, and only turned back inside with Amber after the elevator doors closed.
Alaric was lying on the bed, already fast asleep.
Amber had a fever, her little face flushed red. After getting down from Cordelia's arms, she leaned her little head over to look at Alaric sleeping on the sofa, then covered her nose.
"Mr. Hughes smells bad from drinking."
Cordelia almost got confused by what Amber said.
Then she realized she meant the alcohol smell on Alaric was too strong.
"Give Mr. Hughes a wash."
She immediately reached out to pull Cordelia's hand, shaking it, "Don't want smelly Mr. Hughes."
Cordelia felt a bit troubled.
"He's already asleep."
"Tomorrow morning when he wakes up, he'll wash himself."
Amber kept shaking her head. She already had a low fever and wasn't feeling well, so her emotions were fragile. Seeing Cordelia refuse, her eyes immediately reddened.
"Don't want smelly Mr. Hughes."
"Mr. Hughes can't be smelly."
Seeing Amber like this, Cordelia felt a headache coming on.
She suddenly remembered when they were in Astoria, one of Amber's favorite dolls got dirty, and she had made a fuss for Allegra to wash it over and over again.
From that time on, Cordelia discovered that Amber probably had a cleanliness obsession just like Alaric.
But Cordelia hadn't expected that after only meeting a few times, Alaric's place in Amber's heart could be almost equal to the little doll she had cherished since childhood.
Dominic had watched her grow up, and once when Dominic accidentally spilled soup on himself, Amber's first reaction was to stay far away, not like now.
The power of blood relations was truly remarkable.
Cordelia rubbed her temples, looking at the tears about to fall, unable to bear making her unhappy while she was sick.
"I'll clean Mr. Hughes up right now. I'll go get some water, can you wait here for me?"
Amber nodded, holding her small bottle of cool water and sitting on the sofa a bit farther from Alaric.
Cordelia sighed softly, went to Alaric's bedroom to find a set of his pajamas, then went to the bathroom to get some water and brought it to the sofa.
Alaric's shirt was slightly open, revealing part of his firm chest.
Amber was holding her bottle, and seeing Cordelia standing in front of Alaric without moving, she waved her little hand and pointed.
Cordelia smiled helplessly and could only bend down to unbutton Alaric's shirt.
As she was taking off Alaric's shirt, he suddenly grabbed her hand.
His deep, cold eyes stared at her intently, gripping her wrist with particular force, his guarded look sharp and piercing.
Cordelia was startled by his sudden action.
But soon, Alaric's grip loosened a bit, his eyes showing drunken confusion. He looked away and closed his eyes again.
Cordelia pushed him gently a few times. Seeing he didn't move, she struggled to remove his shirt and wiped down his body.
After completing this task Amber had assigned, Cordelia felt like her back was about to give out.
The alcohol smell on Alaric had finally dissipated quite a bit. She turned to look at Amber, only to see her small body had sunk into the sofa, asleep.
Cordelia tidied up briefly and walked over to pick up Amber.
Just as she was about to carry her to the bed in the bedroom, Amber in her arms drowsily opened her eyes.
"Mr. Hughes."
As she spoke, her little finger pointed at Alaric on the sofa.
Cordelia paused, seeing the deep concern in Amber's eyes, an inexplicable emotion spreading in her heart.
"Does Amber want to stay with Mr. Hughes?"
Amber nodded.
Cordelia had no choice but to place Amber on the sofa next to Alaric. Fortunately, the sofa was big enough that Amber didn't seem too cramped there.
After lying on the sofa, she quickly fell asleep. Cordelia looked at her seemingly secure appearance, her feelings complicated.
During the night, Amber's high fever kept coming and going. Cordelia lay on the other side of the sofa, not daring to fall into deep sleep.
It wasn't until after five in the morning that Amber's fever finally broke completely, and Cordelia's tense nerves relaxed a bit.
She found a small blanket to cover Amber and Alaric, then lay down on the other side of the sofa for a light sleep.
When Alaric woke up, he felt a splitting headache. He raised his hand to rub his temples but felt someone pressing on his arm.
He opened his eyes abruptly and looked to the side, seeing the tender little face pressing on his arm.
Looking at Amber's sleeping face, Alaric's expression froze for a moment. He kept his arm stiff, not daring to move.
Amber turned over, and he held his breath even more, afraid of waking her.
Seeing Amber here, he immediately began looking for Cordelia, and sure enough, saw her lying on her side on the other sofa.
Her face showed some fatigue. Thinking of how he vaguely felt she had been taking care of him last night, his gaze toward Cordelia became gentle and guilty.
Amber turned over next to Alaric, then sat up with her little bottom sticking up.
She sat beside Alaric, rubbed her eyes, and after seeing Alaric looking at her, she smiled sweetly.
"Mr. Hughes."
Alaric got up from the sofa and, seeing her messy hair, smoothed it with his hand.
When Cordelia woke up, she saw Alaric arranging Amber's hair. Though his movements were somewhat clumsy, she could tell he was being very careful in combing Amber's hair.