Chapter 205 He Does Not Want Cordelia and Herschel to Get Too Close
Alaric not only brought in a professional search and rescue team, but also got search and rescue dogs.
At the highest point of the bouncy castle, inside the cone-shaped top.
Amber suddenly felt something cool on her arm. She opened her eyes to see a pair of big round dog eyes, with the dog's big nose sniffing at her arm.
Still groggy from sleep, Amber immediately burst into tears from fright.
"Over here, over here."
Hearing the search and rescue personnel, Cordelia immediately walked over.
Her steps were a bit unsteady, with Alaric supporting her the whole way.
The search dog, having scared Amber into crying, sat obediently and properly to the side, tongue out, its big round eyes looking at Amber.
The spot where Amber had been sleeping could only fit one small child—it was a very hidden location.
They had walked around this area several times without finding it.
The entrance to this cone-shaped barrel was just a small crack that could only fit a child through. Unless you got close, you couldn't see this crack at all.
Amber had climbed into the cone-shaped barrel earlier and suddenly felt sleepy.
She had always had the habit of taking afternoon naps, and this little cone area rarely had other kids around, so no one woke her up.
If they hadn't brought in the search dog, they probably would have had to wait until Amber woke up and came out on her own to find her.
Cordelia reached out and held Amber in her arms. Learning that she had just fallen asleep in there, her anxious heart finally settled, and she quickly apologized to the search and rescue personnel.
"I'm so sorry for the trouble."
"Really sorry."
The search and rescue personnel had a polite smile on their face. "It's good that we found the child."
"The real hero this time is 'Atlas.' Without him, we probably wouldn't have found the child so quickly."
Hearing the handler praising him, "Atlas" barked twice, wagging his tail happily.
Amber, with her arms around Cordelia's neck, turned to look at Atlas sitting properly on the ground.
"Atlas" also wagged his tail looking at Amber, his eyes seemingly sparkling with stars.
After getting the handler's permission, Cordelia reached out and patted "Atlas" on the head. "Thank you."
"Atlas" wagged his tail even more enthusiastically.
Amber, just startled awake, still had some fear in her eyes, but her hand unconsciously reached toward "Atlas."
She gently stroked "Atlas" on the head, and "Atlas" straightened his neck, afraid her hand was too short to reach him.
After this misunderstanding, Cordelia felt very apologetic and kept apologizing before seeing off the search and rescue personnel.
After everyone left, the indoor castle playground became quiet.
Cordelia thought about how the staff had actively cleared out visitors to help find Amber and even compensated the guests, and felt really bad about it.
"I'll cover today's losses for the amusement park."
"I'm really very sorry for affecting your business."
This indoor playground was under the Hughes Group, and even the mall itself belonged to the Hughes Group.
Alaric hadn't asked Cordelia for compensation—how would these employees dare to ask?
Even if Cordelia was willing to pay, they wouldn't dare accept it.
Earlier, Alaric's eyes had been practically glued to Cordelia—with such obvious concern, how could they possibly dare to take money?
"Ms. Stone, you're being too kind. This is just part of our job."
"This incident has helped us discover some problems in the playground, and we'll make improvements."
"We're the ones who should apologize for frightening Ms. Stone and Amber."
The playground manager stood before Cordelia with a very respectful attitude.
Amber also realized what trouble she had caused Cordelia by falling asleep in the playground.
She rested her head on Cordelia's shoulder, looking slightly guilty, her big round eyes fixed on Cordelia.
"Sorry, Mommy."
She had been so sleepy.
How could Cordelia bear to blame Amber? She gently patted her back and said softly, "Next time you're sleepy and want to sleep, come find me, okay?"
Amber nodded obediently.
Cordelia sighed lightly. Today's unexpected situation had really scared her.
"Let me hold her." Alaric saw that Cordelia's face was still a bit pale, so he reached out toward Amber.
As soon as he spoke, Amber immediately opened her arms and leaned toward him.
Alaric naturally took her from Cordelia's arms.
"Let's go, I'll take you home."
After what happened, Cordelia had no interest in staying to play anymore.
When Alaric said he'd take them home, she nodded in agreement.
Amber lay on Alaric's shoulder, quiet the whole time.
Occasionally she'd reach out her little hand to play with Alaric's tie.
After the three left, the castle playground reopened.
On the way back to The Stone Manor, Cordelia noticed that the usually chatty Amber hadn't said a word. She glanced over to find her hugging Alaric's neck, asleep on his shoulder.
Alaric sat perfectly straight the entire time, as if the slightest movement would wake Amber.
Looking at his expression, more serious than during a meeting, Cordelia pressed her lips together, inexplicably wanting to laugh.
"She's hard to wake once she's asleep."
Amber had always been a good sleeper.
Cordelia reached out to take Amber into her own arms, but Alaric immediately adjusted his position, laying Amber flat across his arm, with no intention of giving her back.
Seeing this, Cordelia withdrew her hand.
If he wanted to hold her, then let him hold her.
At the Stone Manor, the security at the gate saw it was Alaric's car and let them through directly, allowing the driver to drive into The Stone Manor's courtyard.
After the driver stopped the car, he immediately got out to open the door.
Alaric got out first, holding Amber.
After getting out, he stood by the door waiting for Cordelia.
Cordelia bent down to exit the car, hesitantly reaching out her hand. "Thank you."
Alaric glanced at Cordelia's outstretched hand but still didn't place Amber in it. Instead, he said quite naturally, "I'll see you inside."
As he spoke, he walked past Cordelia, carrying Amber straight into the house. Just as he stepped inside, he saw Dominic sitting in the living room talking with Donald.
Dominic had been staying at a hotel these past few days. He came to The Stone Manor today to pack his luggage.
Ever since the incident with Fiona, when Cordelia asked him about renovations, he understood the hidden meaning in her words.
He was too embarrassed to continue staying at The Stone Manor.
These past few days, he had bought furniture and other things for his place. He happened to see in the alumni group chat that Cordelia had taken Harry to Herschel's bar to show support, so he came by to ask about the situation.
He didn't want Cordelia and Herschel's relationship to get too close.