Chapter 294 Like Falling into a Trap
"No way! Mom! You can't do this!" Iris rushed downstairs at that moment.
She had heard the commotion downstairs earlier but had been watching coldly from the sidelines.
She knew Julia wasn't that generous—there had to be some kind of scheme.
Sure enough, there was something suspicious about that bracelet.
She was pleased to see Julia become frustrated.
But when she heard Amelia asking for that building, she could no longer hold back and hurried downstairs to join everyone.
"Mom, our family business has been losing money year after year. The rent from that building is our only steady source of income."
"Shut up!"
Madeline quickly cut Iris off.
She didn't want Amelia to learn about their family's current financial difficulties.
With a dark expression, she said sternly, "No building is more important than family! Do you really want to see Julia go to jail?"
"She did something wrong, she should be punished!"
"You!"
Madeline was about to scold Iris but suddenly thought of something. She calmed down and said, "Iris, you're being too short-sighted. You need to think long-term if you want to go further! If family members don't stand together when something happens, this family will fall apart sooner or later! Think carefully before you speak."
These words seemed to be persuading Iris, but they were actually reminding her of their purpose in inviting Amelia today.
Their goal was the same—to use Amelia to help everyone in the Wood family rise in status.
Iris suddenly came to her senses.
She had lost her cool because Harper had been grounded, forgetting their original purpose.
People are strange like that—once emotions take over, their usual rationality and intelligence disappear.
She had almost forgotten that sometimes you have to make necessary sacrifices to get what you want.
Today, giving the building to Amelia while Harper was grounded and starving—you could say Amelia had the upper hand.
Once she was in a good mood, who knew—she might agree to everything they asked for.
Although Harper had angered Amelia, Julia's actions made her even more furious.
All things considered, the chances of Amelia helping her family were actually greater.
In just a few seconds, countless thoughts flashed through Iris's mind.
She looked up with a very ashamed expression.
"I was being petty just now. Natalie has been away from home for so many years, so the family should give her something. Let's do as you say, Mom."
Madeline let out a sigh of relief.
She looked at Amelia and apologized on Julia's behalf.
"Julia did make a mistake today, but she's usually a good person. There must have been some misunderstanding. How about this—you want that building, right? We'll go handle the paperwork tomorrow."
She shot Julia a quick glance.
Julia quickly apologized, saying she truly hadn't known and that she had been set up.
Amelia slowly smiled.
"I know Aunt Julia wouldn't want to harm me. We have no grudges, and today is even our first time meeting. There must be some misunderstanding."
Everyone in the living room visibly relaxed.
It seemed that the matter was finally settled.
But then they heard Amelia say, "However, we don't need to wait until tomorrow. Let's settle it today."
She said to Byron, "Call the lawyer in."
A lawyer?
Everyone looked at Amelia in shock.
But Amelia still maintained her smile.
Byron quickly brought the lawyer in.
Even the contract had already been drafted in advance, just waiting for Madeline's signature and fingerprint.
Madeline stared at the black-and-white contract, frozen for a long moment without moving.
Amelia still smiled cheerfully.
"Grandma, why haven't you signed it yet?"
Madeline suddenly turned to look at Amelia.
Those innocent eyes, though still smiling, made cold sweat break out down Madeline's back.
Amelia had been prepared for this all along.
But the current situation forced her to keep her temper in check.
She had no choice.
Either send Julia to the police station for investigation, lose all face, and gain nothing.
Or give away the family's biggest current source of income—that building—to Amelia and Natalie.
With the latter option, they might still gain something.
Amelia might be somewhat cunning, but she was still an inexperienced girl who had just returned from the countryside. With a little coaxing, they should still be able to achieve their goals.
Madeline thought about many things in an instant and finally took the pen Byron handed over, signing her name on the contract.
Watching from the side, Iris felt an inexplicably bad feeling.
She couldn't say where this feeling came from.
But she had a strong sense that they were falling into some kind of trap.
She instinctively wanted to stop it, but it was already too late.
Madeline had already signed the document and pressed her fingerprint.
Everything was completed under the lawyer's supervision.
Iris had no choice but to swallow the words she was about to say.
Amelia took the contract and, after confirming everything was correct, handed it to the lawyer to take away.
She would make another trip to the business registration office later, and the matter would be fully settled.
"Thank you, Grandma." Amelia's smile widened slightly.
Madeline forced a faint smile.
Julia spoke up at that moment, "Amelia, what dishes do you like? It's almost mealtime. I'll have the kitchen prepare your favorites."
Amelia replied, "I'm not picky."
Julia nodded, pretending to be busy, and went to the kitchen.
In fact, she was going to inform Victor.
Soon, Victor returned.
Right after Victor arrived, Reid also returned.
Both of them were exceptionally warm toward Amelia.
"I caught a glimpse of you at the airport earlier and thought you were some big celebrity. I didn't expect it to be my niece!" Reid racked his brain for a compliment.
Victor was less eloquent with words, so he brought out something more practical—a gold sculpture.
Amelia smiled and said, "I can't accept rewards without merit. Uncle Victor, such a valuable gift—I don't dare accept it!"
Julia and Iris had complicated expressions—Amelia had already taken the building, yet she didn't dare accept a gold sculpture? She had already covered every angle with her words!
In the end, Victor almost begged Amelia to accept it before she finally stopped refusing and had Byron take it to the car.
Victor let out a sigh of relief.
But when he turned around, he shot Julia a fierce glare.
Their plan had originally been perfect—using both forceful and gentle methods to pressure Amelia into letting the Crawford Group give them some projects to work on.
So they first gave Amelia the bracelet to poison her without her knowing—that was the forceful method.
Then he would present this gold sculpture.
If Amelia, considering such a generous gift as the gold sculpture, agreed to his request, he would naturally have Julia secretly give her the antidote.
If Amelia clearly refused to help, they could use the poisoning to force her cooperation.
Such a perfect plan—yet it was completely ruined!