Chapter 301 I Back Her Up
Stella cried very quietly, without making a sound, just silently shedding tears.
Everyone present felt heartbroken as they watched her.
But they also felt relieved.
From today on, Stella would live only for herself.
She no longer owed the Hughes family anything.
This life, she had already "returned" to her parents.
After the funeral, "Stella" was permanently buried in the cemetery at the snow‑mountain resort.
Amelia and Samuel made a trip to visit the owners of the guesthouse at the snow mountain resort.
They went first to thank them, and second to ask them to help keep the secret.
The elderly couple were very kind people. After hearing about Stella's experience, they immediately agreed to keep it confidential.
"To think there are people in this world who don't love their own children - it's shocking!"
"Don't worry, we don't know anything."
Amelia thanked them again.
She left some money for the elderly couple, then went back to the hospital.
After making sure everyone involved guaranteed they wouldn't leak anything, Amelia took Stella to a plastic surgery hospital owned by the Crawford Group.
This plastic surgery hospital had excellent confidentiality procedures.
Plus Samuel was personally overseeing it.
No one would know about Stella's plastic surgery.
When Stella walked out of the plastic surgery hospital, she had a completely new face.
Amelia designed the facial features, making only three changes to Stella's face.
It made the original Stella unrecognizable, while preserving her best facial features.
Amelia and Samuel had a meal with Stella and Yosef.
Stella had now changed her name to "Sunny."
From now on, she was no longer the rotten wood trampled underfoot by her parents.
Amelia asked her, "What are your plans now?"
Sunny pulled at her lips and said, "Same as before—going abroad to study. But…"
She exchanged a glance with Yosef and said, "Before that, the two of us plan to spend a year traveling around the world."
Amelia smiled, "That's great. If you see beautiful scenery, remember to take photos and show me."
"Okay." Stella agreed right away.
Amelia had given her a "new life," so of course she would fulfill this small request.
"Every time I get to a new place, I'll send you a postcard."
"Okay."
Samuel said, "No need for her to take photos for you. After we get married, We'll travel around the world too."
"Easy for you to say. If you leave, what about the company?"
Samuel raised an eyebrow and said, "I don't pay my employees for nothing. If the company can't run without me, then what's the point of having employees? Might as well just have me work alone and save some wages."
She was speechless.
But a little hope also sparked in her heart.
She hoped Samuel could really do as he said and spare a year off to travel the world with her.
The meal ended quickly.
When they parted, Yosef winked at Samuel.
"Don't miss me too much when I'm gone."
"You go ahead, we'll come find you soon," Samuel said.
Yosef shrugged, "We'll be waiting for you then."
The two groups parted ways.
……
When Amelia got home, she saw Marlowe sitting in the living room, chatting with Natalie.
Amelia had been so busy with Stella's situation lately that she almost forgot about Marlowe and Natalie.
But from the looks of it now, without her interference, Marlowe and Natalie had already reconciled.
For people who already had each other in their hearts, breaking the deadlock was just a matter of time.
"Aunt Marlowe." Amelia walked over with a smile.
Marlowe nodded and tossed her a gift.
"Your wedding gift."
Amelia choked.
"I'm not married yet."
"It's in advance," Marlowe said. "I'm going on a business trip soon and will be gone for a long time. I might not make it to your wedding."
"My wedding is still far off."
"Just in case."
So Amelia opened the gift box.
Inside was a pair of beautiful jeweled earrings.
Just from looking at them, you could tell they were worth a lot.
"Aunt Marlowe, why are you giving such an expensive gift? Can you still afford your own living expenses?"
Marlowe glared at her.
"What kind of talk is that?"
Then added, "Consider it thanks for the business you gave me."
"So it's not a wedding gift, it's a thank‑you gift. Then when I get married, Aunt Marlowe, remember to give me another one."
Amelia inexplicably enjoyed teasing Marlowe.
Sure enough, Marlowe glared at her again, but in the next second tugged at Natalie's sleeve.
"Natalie, look at your daughter, so sharp-tongued. I wonder who she learned that from."
"Aunt Marlowe, you can't out-talk me, so you're tattling to my mom. I'm not talking to you anymore, in case you and my mom gang up on me."
Marlowe and Natalie exchanged glances and couldn't help but laugh.
Amelia was like glue, bringing the sisters' relationship even closer.
But when too many good things happen, some bad things always appear in the beautiful life.
Reid came looking for her, asking when Amelia would arrange for him to meet James.
It just so happened that Natalie had gone shopping with Grant to buy gifts for friends in Goldenvale, so only Amelia was home.
Amelia spread her hands and said, "I'm really sorry, Uncle Reid. I forgot to tell you - James doesn't want to see you."
"What?"
"I can't help you with this."
Reid's face suddenly darkened.
He realized Amelia had been playing him.
"You took the building from the family, and now you won't help us?"
Amelia said very innocently, "Wasn't the building Grandma's apology gift to my mom? Aunt Julia almost killed me, that's why she gave the building as compensation. What, have you forgotten already?"
"You!"
"Don't be angry, Uncle Reid. Instead of thinking up shady schemes, you should take this time to reflect and start with yourself. You haven't been promoted in so many years - can't you look back and see if there's something wrong with you?"
"How dare you!" Reid shouted angrily. "Is this how you should talk to me?"
"Attitude? allI know is my mom cut ties with the Wood family long ago. I give you respect by calling you Uncle Reid. If I don't give you respect, who do you think you are?"
Her attitude suddenly changed, and Reid was shocked.
"So this is your true face!"
He trembled with anger, pointing at Amelia's nose and cursing, "Don't think you're something special just because your dad backs you up. Your dad is just a nouveau riche! He's already failed once before, and there'll probably be a second time soon! Luck won't always favor him. Without the Wood family backing you up, you'll be nothing sooner or later!"
Amelia slowly narrowed her eyes. Just as she was about to speak, a deep voice suddenly came from the doorway.
"What if I back her up?"
Both of them looked toward the door and saw a tall figure walking in from the backlight.
When he got closer, Reid could finally see the person's face.
It was actually Samuel.