Chapter 144 She Turned Out to Be the Benefactor of The Hagen Family
Felicity's face twisted with anger.
She just couldn't understand it. The Hagen family wasn't ordinary either—they'd held high positions for so many years, and Anna came from a wealthy background, too.
How could Anna be so fascinated by a simple cake?
What Felicity didn't get was that precisely because they held high positions, they didn't care about expensive gifts.
What good things hadn't they seen before?
Plus, Frank was neutral, so sending an overly expensive gift would actually make him uncomfortable.
A handmade cake, on the other hand, showed thoughtfulness without putting the Hagen family in an awkward position.
And today was a child's birthday—Adrian was the main character. Everyone was busy pleasing the adults and ignoring the kid.
Don't underestimate a simple cake—it showed a real understanding of the Hagen family's character.
That's why Natalie's cake won Anna's favor.
People like Felicity, who only knew how to buy affection with money, naturally wouldn't understand this. She just thought the cake was cheap.
But just because Felicity didn't get it didn't mean no one else did.
People started praising Natalie.
"I thought the Richardson family was foolish; turns out we're the foolish ones."
"Natalie really played that well."
Felicity got angrier the more she listened.
It's just a cake—what's so impressive about that?
Ridiculous!
She was too angry to stay and quickly found an excuse to leave.
Anyway, Billy's position wasn't lower than Frank's. She'd shown her face and made a good impression—that was enough. She didn't need to flatter them.
After Felicity left, the atmosphere actually became more pleasant.
Others also started paying attention to the child, praising how good Adrian looked and how smart he seemed.
Anna didn't like people flattering her, but every mother likes hearing people praise her child.
A genuine smile gradually appeared on her face.
"Natalie."
Anna came over to Natalie. "Thank you for the cake. To be honest, I didn't expect so many people today. I was planning to take Adrian out to eat, so I didn't buy a cake. And now with your cake, Adrian is thrilled."
Natalie smiled. "I'm glad Adrian likes it."
She looked calm on the surface, but inside, she breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Thank goodness she didn't buy that bracelet and listened to Amelia instead, making a cake to bring over.
Otherwise, she would've ended up like Felicity.
Her gift would've been casually piled in a corner of the living room.
And Anna wouldn't have come over to talk to her.
"Earlier you mentioned Mr. Hagen wasn't feeling well. Do you need a doctor? My daughter has good medical skills. If needed, I could have her take a look at Mr. Hagen."
The illness was just an excuse, so Anna smiled and said it wasn't necessary.
"He's just not used to the environment. He'll be fine in a couple of days."
Natalie nodded, suddenly unsure what to say.
This was her first time meeting the Hagen family, and she couldn't think of a topic.
Anna had to go greet other guests, and then Amelia came back.
Amelia had gone out earlier, partly to avoid the annoying Steven, and partly to take a call from Lyndon.
The Iron Fist Mafia had already severed all risky ties—they were clean enough to withstand an investigation.
Starting tomorrow, the Shadow Operations Division would begin operating under the Iron Fist Mafia's name.
Hearing this good news, Amelia's mood improved and she came back with a smile.
Natalie spotted Amelia right away.
Unlike others who were dressed formally, Amelia wore a simple black and white outfit, yet she was unforgettable.
"Amelia! Come here."
Natalie waved to Amelia, then introduced her to Anna. "This is my daughter, Amelia."
Hearing that name, Anna suddenly looked in the direction Natalie was waving.
Wasn't this her and her son's lifesaver?
Amelia walked over.
Anna saw that familiar face up close, and after confirming she wasn't mistaken, her eyes lit up instantly.
"It's you..."
Amelia looked over with confusion, then saw Anna and Adrian, surprise also appearing in her eyes.
"It's you."
The mother and son she'd casually saved twice.
Anna nodded quickly, her eyes full of delight.
"I didn't expect you to be Natalie's daughter."
She then pulled Adrian over to introduce him. "This is the angel Mom told you about. The cake you're eating was also made by her."
Adrian immediately forgot about eating his cake.
Amelia had saved his and his mother's lives.
Though he loved food, he had manners.
He knew that without Amelia, he and his mother might both be dead.
"Thank you, angel sister. You really do look as beautiful as an angel... and you don't have any bad smell either."
The bad smell meant perfume.
The girls who praised him earlier all wore perfume to some degree, and he didn't like it.
Amelia had recovered from her surprise.
No wonder Samuel said she wouldn't regret saving Anna.
So that's how it was.
She reached out and pinched Adrian's little cheek, asking, "Adrian, how's your health now?"
Adrian considered himself a man-child and didn't like people pinching his face.
When his face got pinched, he would throw a tantrum.
The servants saw this and worried for Amelia.
Anna also instinctively moved to stop her, but it was too late.
Amelia had already pinched his face.
However, contrary to what the servants and Anna expected, Adrian didn't throw a tantrum. Instead, his face turned red.
He looked away uncomfortably and said, "I'm great! I've been wanting to meet you... I can eat a whole cake now! Too bad Mom already divided it up... Angel sister, can you make me cake again in the future?"
Amelia had always liked children—they represented innocence.
Plus, this was a little patient she'd personally saved, so she was especially gentle.
"Sure, but you can't eat too many sweets or you'll get cavities. How about I make you some cookies that aren't too sweet but still taste good?"
"Yes, yes, yes." Adrian nodded repeatedly.
Anna felt relieved.
"Looks like Adrian really likes you."
Amelia smiled.
Natalie stood nearby, stunned by this scene.
She couldn't help asking, "Amelia, you know Anna and Adrian?"
Before Amelia could speak, Anna explained to her.
"Ms. Richardson saved us. Once Adrian fell and had convulsions all over his body. If Ms. Richardson hadn't happened to pass by and help, the consequences would've been unthinkable... The doctor also said that because Adrian got timely help, his life wasn't in danger. And another time..."
Amelia quickly interrupted Anna.
"Anna, let's not talk about the past. We came today to celebrate Adrian's tenth birthday. I just didn't expect you to be the person we were coming to see."
Anna was quick-witted and realized Amelia was afraid of worrying Natalie.
After all, that car accident during the typhoon was truly dangerous.
If Amelia hadn't intervened, she definitely would've burned to death.
Even now, thinking about it, she still felt scared.
As for the driver who fled, she didn't blame him or punish him—she just fired him.
Anna smiled and didn't mention the second rescue, only saying, "I didn't expect it either. I was actually planning to visit and thank you after Adrian's birthday. I didn't expect Ms. Richardson to come first."
She then said to Natalie, "Natalie, you have a wonderful daughter. Our whole family is very grateful to her."
Natalie snapped out of her surprise.
She hadn't expected Amelia to have such a connection with the Hagen family.
Would this make her situation go more smoothly?
She temporarily suppressed her thoughts and said, "Amelia didn't grow up with me and went through many hardships, but fortunately she didn't turn out badly. She's even more outstanding than the sons I raised myself. This is my good fortune."
After speaking, she was thinking about how to bring up the idea of having Anna arrange a meeting with Frank, when she heard Amelia speak first. "Anna, is Mr. Hagen not home?"
Anna had explained about Frank not feeling well enough to receive guests when Amelia wasn't there.
She'd heard about the Richardson family's situation.
The guests' comments today had also helped her understand the Richardson family's predicament.
She guessed that Natalie and Amelia wanted to see Frank, so she said, "He's not quite used to the environment here. Ms. Richardson, you have excellent medical skills—after the other guests leave, could you take a look at my husband?"
Amelia smiled. "Of course."
Natalie was once again dumbfounded.
She hadn't even spoken yet, and things were already arranged?
This was the perfect opportunity.
Her precious daughter really was her blessing.
No—the blessing of the entire Richardson family.
After settling things, Anna went to greet the other guests.
Though she didn't like socializing, she needed to receive them since everyone had come.
Basic courtesy was still necessary.
After Anna left, Amelia and Natalie found a corner to sit down.
Several guests walked past them, but not one person greeted them proactively.
In fact, as they passed by, they cast contemptuous looks.
As if they were something lowly.
This was Natalie's first time socializing since the Richardson family "went bankrupt."
Though she'd expected this, she still felt some disappointment and resentment.
Many people here today had received favors from the Richardson family.
After the Richardson family ran into trouble, they immediately changed their attitude.
Amelia sensed Natalie's low mood and held her hand.
"Mom, everything will get better."
Natalie steadied herself and smiled. "Yes."
Everything would get better.
Even if this was a tough period, God had sent her biological daughter back to her, hadn't He?
God was still fair to her.
Natalie, Amelia, and Adrian stayed quietly in the corner.
In contrast, though Maeve was also just a guest, she was surrounded by other guests like a star.
Seeing Amelia being ignored and looked down upon by everyone, Maeve was in a great mood.
Where was that attitude from when she competed for the herb?
Why wasn't she showing it now?
Just as she was about to mock her, someone suddenly said, "Isn't that Mr. Crawford? He came too?"
Maeve instinctively looked toward the entrance.
She saw a tall man walking against the light, his back straight, his handsome face with sharp features, like a god descending to earth.
Her heartbeat unconsciously quickened.