Chapter 292: Probing
The punishment of not being allowed to eat for three days wasn't particularly light or particularly severe—after all, it was only food that was forbidden, not water.
Besides, as long as no one watched her every moment, Harper’s parents could easily slip her some food.
But Amelia never really want to punish Harper that harshly. In fact, she didn't even consider someone like Harper worth her attention.
She was just testing Madeline.
Amelia had noticed from the very first moment that Madeline disliked her. There had even been a hint of disgust in her eyes.
Yet despite that disgust, Madeline had still been willing to punish Harper.
This could only mean one thing - she needed something from Amelia.
After confirming her guess, Amelia curved her lips into a gentle smile., "I knew Grandma wouldn’t be unfair. My mom always said the same thing—that Grandma is the most reasonable person there is."
Madeline's expression stiffened slightly.
No one knew better than she did whether she was truly reasonable or fair.
Yet Amelia said it so sincerely.
Madeline couldn’t quite tell whether Amelia was genuinely innocent or merely pretending to be.
But either way, since she'd agreed, she had to follow through.
She instructed Tobias, "Tell them Harper is not to step one foot out of her room for these three days, and no one is allowed to bring her food. Just leave her some water to keep her alive."
"Yes."
Tobias nodded and went upstairs.
Madeline then asked about Natalie.
"Tobias said she hurt her foot. Is it serious?"
Amelia answered honestly, "Severe ligament sprain, but fortunately no bone damage. A blessing in disguise, I suppose."
She added, "Mom really regrets not being able to come today."
When Madeline heard that Natalie "really regrets not coming," a hint of pride flashed across her eyes.
Back when Natalie had refused the family's arranged marriage and cut ties with the family for Quinton's sake, it had made Madeline furious.
Hearing this now eased some of that lingering anger.
“There’s no rush,” Madeline said calmly. “Let her recover first. She can come over anytime later.”
Amelia replied sweetly, "Okay."
This only made Madeline even more uncertain whether Amelia was truly innocent or deeply calculating.
It was the first time she found herself unable to read someone's true nature.
So Madelinedecided to ask directly.
"Back then, your mother was very close with Mrs. Crawford from the Crawford family. They arranged a marriage between their children. Does that engagement still stand?"
Worried that her intentions might sound too obvious, Madeline added, "If it still stands, you're both old enough to get married. As your grandmother, I should prepare a wedding gift for you. I need to start getting it ready."
Amelia thanked her.
"I appreciate your kindness, Grandma, but there's no need. How could I accept anything from you?"
She didn’t confirm whether the engagement still stood or not. She only insisted that Madeline didn’t need to prepare a gift.
Madeline couldn’t tell whether the engagement was still valid.
Just as she was about to ask further questions, crying suddenly erupted from upstairs.
Madeline frowned slightly.
She really hated hearing people cry.
She wasn't dead yet, and there was already crying in the house. How unlucky.
People tended to grow more superstitious as they aged.
"What's all that noise?"
Her expression darkened.
Soon Tobias came downstairs, followed by Harper’s mother, Iris Wood.
Iris shot Amelia a sharp glare before turning to Madeline.
"Mom, Harper's health has been fragile since she was little. Why would you punish her so harshly? What exactly did she do wrong? You already hit her, and now you’re starving her too?”
Before Madeline could speak, Amelia spoke first.
"You must be Aunt Iris?" She smiled sweetly, but her words sent a chill down Iris's spine.
“It’s nothing serious. Harper just sat in Grandma’s chair—and even asked me to sit there too."
Iris hadn't known about this before. She had only heard that Harper had been slapped because of Amelia and was now being punished with three days without food.
When she heard Amelia’s explanation, cold sweat instantly appeared on her forehead.
"Mom, I had no idea Harper was being so foolish."
Even her voice trembled..
Madeline had two sons but had never publicly announced who would inherit the family assets.
Although the Wood family business had declined over the years, there was still considerable wealth remaining.
The two Wood brothers were secretly competing with each other for inheritance rights.
In such a struggle, it was winner takes all.
The losing side would face a very difficult future.
Iris felt bad for Harper, but she cared more about her husband—and the Wood family inheritance.
So she apologized repeatedly.
Madeline was annoyed.
Iris’s sudden arrival had interrupted her questioning of Amelia.
"Go upstairs and watch her. Teach her properly how to behave." Madeline directly dismissed her.
Iris forced an awkward smile, agreed quickly, and hurried upstairs.
She didn’t even glance at Amelia again.
In truth, she looked down on Amelia from the bottom of her heart.
Amelia, however, didn’t care at all.
Instead, she brought up the gifts she had brought.
"Just a small token. Grandma, could you help me distribute the gifts later? I still don't know everyone in the family."
Madeline nodded slightly. Just as she was about to bring up the engagement again, someone else arrived.
It was Julia Wood, Victor's wife.
She was smarter than Iris.
Instead of giving Amelia a cold reception, she greeted her warmly.
"You really are Natalie's daughter. Natalie was famously beautiful when she was young, and her daughter is even more stunning."
Amelia smiled modestly.
"Aunt Julia, you're making me embarrassed with all this praise."
"Nothing to be embarrassed about, I'm just telling the truth."
As she spoke, she took off the gemstone bracelet from her wrist.
"I really like you. Consider this my gift to you when we first meet. Please don't think it's too simple."
The bracelet wasn't extremely valuable, but it had a very unique pattern that suited young girls better.
Clearly she had deliberately put it on beforehand just to give it to Amelia.
Amelia’s gaze lingered on the bracelet for a moment.
A sharp glint briefly flashed in her eyes—but no one noticed.
She quickly concealed her emotions and smiled as she slipped it onto her wrist.
"It's beautiful. Thank you, Aunt Julia."
"No need to thank me! It's just a small gift."
Madeline mentioned that Amelia had also prepared gifts for everyone, and they could distribute them later.
Julia immediately praised Amelia for being so well-mannered.
Not long after, Julia's younger daughter came home early from school.
She was only in middle school, but her hair was dyed at least three different colors, and several necklaces hung around her neck.
The way she looked at Amelia wasn't friendly - more jealous resentment that Amelia was prettier than her.
Amelia's smile didn't fade, but she thought to herself that for someone so young to be so jealous, Julia clearly wasn't very good at raising her children.
"This is Lucy. Lucy, say hello to Amelia. She's your cousin."
Lucy gave a cold laugh.
"Didn't Natalie get kicked out of the family ages ago? Where would I get a cousin from?"
The smiles on the adults' faces in the room instantly disappeared.
Julia was very embarrassed.
"Lucy, don't talk nonsense! Apologize right now!"