Chapter 134 Do You Hate Samuel?
The Richardson family was still congratulating Mason, not noticing the coldness in Amelia's eyes.
That evening, Amelia treated Liam again.
Tonight, she used the first needle of Shadow Realm Needling.
The first needle didn't refer to a single silver needle, but the first set of techniques.
After finishing, Amelia looked as if she'd been soaked in water, drenched in sweat.
Grant helped her back to her room.
Felix heard the commotion and wanted to help, but Amelia refused.
There was obvious disappointment in his eyes.
But he thought if he could successfully handle the Combat Arts hall matter for her, she might treat him a bit better.
The next day, Natalie said she wanted to hold a celebration meal.
Just not inviting outsiders—only Richardson family members eating together.
But Natalie brought up Samuel.
"Amelia, ask Samuel if he's free to come for dinner tonight."
Without thinking, Amelia said, "He's very busy, probably won't have time."
Natalie paused and asked, "Amelia, do you really dislike him?"
"I want the truth."
Amelia had to be honest: "I don't dislike him."
Natalie felt a bit relieved and said, "Then ask him. It'd be great if he comes, but it's fine if he can't."
She always remembered what Samuel had said to her at the welcome banquet.
He had feelings for Amelia.
If he could protect Amelia sincerely, she would have no worries.
"I'll ask him later."
Natalie, worried she'd agree but not actually ask, deliberately said, "Call him now."
Amelia had no choice but to call in front of Natalie.
The phone only rang once before Samuel answered.
Amelia worried he might say something inappropriate and make Natalie misunderstand.
Fortunately, he was normal this time, just asking what she needed.
While relieved, Amelia spoke as formally as possible: "Mr. Crawford, Mason's project is going very well. My mom wants to celebrate and asked me to see if you have time for dinner tonight?"
Before Samuel could answer, Amelia quickly added, "If you're busy, that's fine. Work comes first."
"I have time."
"I happen to be free today. What time tonight?"
The employees in the conference room all stared at Samuel.
Not busy today?
Because of the typhoon from the past two days, there was a pile of things needing Samuel's attention.
Samuel seemed to sense this and looked up, scanning them one by one.
The employees immediately pulled their heads back, giving them dismissive looks.
Amelia's face darkened.
Was he really not getting it or pretending not to?
Her meaning was obvious.
Natalie made a "six" gesture with her hand, so Amelia had to bite the bullet: "Dinner's at six."
"Good, thank you for Natalie's invitation. I'll definitely be there."
Hearing Amelia speak so unusually politely, Samuel knew Natalie was nearby. Not forgetting to score points, he asked, "By the way, is Natalie feeling better?"
"Pretty good."
"Then I'm relieved."
Amelia thought, 'What are you relieved about? She's not your mom.'
But with Natalie there, she could only laugh dryly: "You get back to work. I'll hang up now."
"Okay, see you tonight."
After the call ended, Natalie smiled: "You said he wasn't free, but he is. Alright, I'll discuss with Uma what to cook tonight."
With that, she cheerfully went to find Uma.
Amelia sighed.
She didn't want Samuel getting too close to Natalie.
Too close, and Natalie might have hopes about her engagement to Samuel.
She didn't need anyone's protection, especially not through a fragile marriage.
Lost in complicated thoughts, she received a call from York.
"Ms. Richardson."
Amelia was a bit surprised—hadn't she just called Samuel?
Why was his subordinate calling now?
She asked, confused, "What is it?"
York said, "The person I arranged at the hospital just called me. Geraldo has recovered pretty well and will be transferred to a regular ward soon. I was afraid you wouldn't get the news in time, so I called right away."
Amelia's eyes lit up.
"Good, I understand. Thanks for telling me."
"It's my duty."
After hanging up, Amelia's somewhat low mood lifted again.
The typhoon had ended, the rain had cleared—good news indeed.
Since the incident, 10 days had passed.
Slower than she'd expected, but considering Geraldo's age, maybe it wasn't so slow after all?
Amelia was eager to see Geraldo.
Right now, Geraldo couldn't handle any stress.
His heart couldn't take any stimulation.
Amelia didn't delay for a moment. She found Natalie, who was enthusiastically discussing with Uma what groceries to buy, and said, "Mom, I need to go out."
Natalie asked, puzzled, "Where? I was going to take you to the supermarket later so you could pick some food you like."
Amelia had already prepared her excuse.
"Felix needs to go to the hospital for a checkup. He can't read the test results, so I'm going with him. Don't worry, we'll come back right after."
Natalie nodded. "Okay, go and come back quickly."
"Okay."
Amelia responded and hurried upstairs to find Felix.
She needed Felix as an excuse.
Uma watched Amelia's departing figure and asked puzzled, "Doesn't Ms. Richardson not get along with Mr. Richardson? Today, how come..."
Natalie shot her a look, and Uma quickly fell silent.
"This dish isn't good, too greasy. Cross it off." Natalie had already looked away, continuing to study her menu.
Her daughter seemed to have many secrets.
She had a feeling the recent changes in the family had a lot to do with Amelia.
But if Amelia didn't volunteer to tell her, she wouldn't ask.
When she wanted to talk someday, she'd just quietly listen.
Children should be allowed to have their own secrets.
She had given birth to Amelia, yes, but Amelia didn't belong to her.
She was an independent individual, free.
As a mother, being a bit clueless sometimes wasn't a bad thing.
This was wisdom she'd gained from raising so many children.
Upstairs.
When Felix saw Amelia coming to find him on her own, his heart lifted.
"Amelia, what is it?"
Amelia's expression was calm: "I need to go out. I used going back to the hospital as an excuse with you. Come out with me. After we leave, you can go investigate the Combat Arts hall matter."
Felix's heart sank.
So he was just an excuse.
But he quickly rallied and nodded, "Okay, let's go. I'll drive and drop you off first. When you're done, call me, and we'll go back together so Mom won't be suspicious."
Amelia didn't refuse.
Natalie's health had greatly improved under her care, though it was not yet completely improved.
Once fully recovered, she'd tell her the truth about her situation.
But before that, she'd better not show any signs.
She was a cautious person who liked everything foolproof.
After getting in the car, Amelia sent York a message asking for the phone numbers of the people stationed at the hospital.
York quickly sent the numbers.
Amelia glanced at Felix beside her. Instead of calling, she chose to text.
This involved Yasmin—she didn't trust Felix and couldn't mention her in front of him.
The text was quickly answered.
[Yes, Ms. Richardson.]
Amelia let out a soft breath.
"Is it something important?" Felix glanced at her expression from the corner of his eye. Seeing her serious look, he couldn't help asking.
"Nothing," Amelia said.
Felix opened his lips, wanting to say more, but seeing Amelia's cold attitude, he swallowed his words.
Amelia treating him this way was what he deserved.
That day, he'd assumed Yasmin was driven out by Amelia without asking clearly, then later thought she was pretending to be the Miracle Physician and had killed Roman.
Yet she didn't hold grudges and risked her life to save him at Combat Arts Hall.
Even now, thinking back, he felt embarrassed.
He couldn't ask for too much; he could only let time repair their relationship.
Forty minutes later, the car stopped in the hospital parking lot.
As Amelia was about to get out, Felix suddenly grabbed her.
"Amelia, I have something to tell you."
Amelia was eager to get to the ward and frowned impatiently, "Whatever it is, let's talk when we get back."
"I just want to say thank you."
Felix took a deep breath: "Thank you for risking your life to save me at Combat Arts Hall. I've wanted to say this, but never had the chance. Really, thank you, Amelia. Without you, I might be dead."
Amelia pressed her lips together: "You don't need to thank me. That day at Combat Arts hall, I wasn't just there to save you."
Combat Arts Hall had always been at odds with the Shadow Operations Division. She'd just destroyed Combat Arts Hall and saved him along the way.
Felix choked, not expecting her to say that.
But he couldn't think of any other reason for Amelia to go to Combat Arts Hall.
"Then you..."
Just as he was about to ask more, Amelia had already pulled her hand free.
"We'll talk later. I'm going."
With that, she closed the car door, and her figure quickly disappeared from Felix's view.
Felix was even more puzzled.
What was Amelia rushing to do?
Inpatient department.
Geraldo had been transferred to a regular ward.
The McGinnis family soon got the news and rushed over.
But as they were about to enter the ward, four tall, burly bodyguards blocked them.
"I told you, you can't go in."
Kyle's father's face was livid.
"The man lying in there is my dad! Why can't I go in? Who are you people?!"
The lead bodyguard said expressionlessly, "We're Mr. Crawford's people."
Hearing this, Kyle's parents' expressions froze, and they were momentarily speechless.
Yasmin, standing behind Kyle, spoke up then.
"So what if it's Mr. Crawford? We're a family visiting a patient. What right does he have to stop us? Isn't Mr. Crawford overstepping?"
These words successfully stirred up dissatisfaction among the McGinnis family members.
Kyle's father said, "We're very grateful for everything Mr. Crawford has done for my dad, but blocking us from visiting is going too far, isn't it?"