Chapter 156 Betrayal
Uma's eyes lit up.
"Just tell me! Not just one condition—I'd agree to ten conditions, even a hundred."
Amelia said, "The first condition: I want you to continue being Ms. Crawford's informant. Follow the original plan and take Lucas to that place you mentioned."
Uma was somewhat stunned.
"You... why are you still asking me to do this?"
"I have my own arrangements."
Uma didn't ask further, only inquiring, "What about the second condition?"
"The second condition: after this is over, you need to find an excuse to leave the Richardson family. You didn't choose to leave when the Richardson family was struggling, and as a reward, I'll help treat your son's illness. But you've now betrayed us, so as punishment, I can't keep you. I hope you understand."
She had always been clear about rewards and punishments.
Tears streamed down Uma's face.
She had long considered the Richardson family her second home.
But she had done wrong and deserved to be punished.
Uma kowtowed to Amelia.
"I'll follow your instructions."
Amelia nodded and told Uma to get up.
"Tell me carefully everything Ms. Crawford said to you."
Uma then recounted in detail when she first met Julie, the content of their subsequent phone conversations, and how, in the last call, Julie had arranged for her to trick Lucas into going out. She told Amelia everything truthfully.
Uma truly hadn't lied—she had agreed to help Julie because she could see Julie genuinely liked Lucas.
Only after listening carefully did Amelia speak.
"Uma, do you think Lucas is handsome?"
Uma nodded. "Of course. He's the best-looking boy I've ever seen."
Except for Samuel.
Though they had different styles—one naturally suited for the stage with refined features, the other with a sharp, cold handsomeness.
Amelia continued, "Then don't you find it strange? Lucas is so good-looking, yet after several years in the entertainment industry where appearance matters most, he hasn't become famous."
Uma shook her head. "I don't know... I've wondered about that too. It doesn't make sense."
Amelia smiled and explained how Julie had suppressed Lucas to keep him for herself.
Uma was dumbfounded.
"She's... she's completely crazy."
"Yes." Amelia's smile deepened. "And you almost delivered Lucas into this crazy person's hands."
A chill ran down Uma's back.
No wonder Amelia was still punishing her by making her leave the Richardson family, even though she thought she hadn't done anything to harm Lucas.
Uma cried again.
"I was wrong, Ms. Richardson."
"You were wrong, but fortunately, there's still time to fix things."
Just then, the door opened.
Charles came in.
Seeing Uma crying and pale, he acted as if he saw nothing and walked straight to Amelia.
"Master, I've prepared the medicine for Natalie."
"Good." Amelia stood up. "Then I won't disturb you further."
"How could you be disturbing? I'm honored you came."
Amelia smiled and left with Uma.
The two went to Uma's home.
Uma's son had delicate features.
But he was too thin, as if a gust of wind could knock him over.
And just as Uma had said, her son couldn't see.
"I've taken him to hospitals over the years, but they all said it couldn't be treated," Uma said.
Amelia said nothing, carefully examining Uma's son.
After a full ten minutes, she finally spoke. "I can treat this."
Uma's eyes suddenly brightened.
Even her son's dull eyes seemed to gain a glimmer of light.
"I came suddenly today and didn't bring my treatment equipment. After this matter is settled, I'll come back to treat him."
Uma nodded vigorously.
She knew this was Amelia's way of ensuring she wouldn't betray them again.
But she truly wouldn't betray them anymore.
Compared to trusting that vicious Julie, she would of course rather trust Amelia.
Today, she witnessed Ms. Richardson's extraordinary medical skills firsthand.
If she said she could treat it, then she could.
The two soon returned to the Richardson family.
Natalie had woken from her afternoon nap. Since Amelia had told her beforehand that she'd be going out with Uma to buy things, she hadn't worried this time.
But seeing the medicine that filled half the refrigerator again after she'd finally finished the previous batch, her face paled.
"Amelia, when will I finish all this medicine? Actually, I feel my health is already much better."
She coaxed, "This is the last course of treatment. Once you finish it, you'll be completely cured."
"How long is the last course?"
"One month."
Natalie nearly fainted from shock.
Fortunately, this medicine wasn't hard to take and even had a hint of sweetness, so Natalie accepted that she'd have to continue taking it for another month.
Just then, Liam passed by in his wheelchair.
Amelia grabbed the armrest of his wheelchair.
"Liam, don't rush off. This time, there's medicine for you too."
Liam didn't mind taking medicine.
As long as he could walk again, he was willing to endure anything.
"I'll drink it properly," Liam said.
"See? This is what a model patient looks like. Mom, you should learn from Liam."
Laughter filled the living room.
In the corner, Uma shed tears.
Such a wonderful family, yet because of her momentary confusion, she could never return.
When the sunset appeared on the horizon, Amelia received a call from Geraldo.
He had recovered considerably, his voice carrying strength rather than the weak tone from before.
But what he said made Amelia frown.
Geraldo said, "Yasmin has escaped."
Amelia took her phone and walked out to the lawn outside the villa before speaking. "Go on, what happened?"
Geraldo said, "We reported it to the police days ago, but I found it strange that the case wasn't progressing. When I called today to ask, I learned they hadn't caught her. Yasmin has disappeared somewhere."
Amelia looked toward the horizon.
Stars filled the sky—tomorrow would be clear.
"I understand." She then instructed Geraldo, "You haven't fully recovered, so don't worry too much about her. Leave this matter to me."
Yasmin had to go to prison.
She had nearly killed her student. She was most protective of those she cared about and wouldn't let Yasmin go.
"There's one more thing..." Geraldo hesitated.
"Just say it."
"Kyle wants to invite you to dinner and apologize to you properly."
Amelia refused directly. "The apology isn't necessary. If he keeps his eyes open in the future and doesn't cause trouble for you or me, that would be the best apology."
Geraldo was at a loss for words but accepted Amelia's response.
However, Amelia also remembered something.
"Geraldo, you know I don't like publicity, so it's not convenient for me to openly take students under my own name. So I hope you'll help me take on a student."
"Who?"
"My brother, Grant."
This was something Amelia had promised Grant early on.
To give Grant better prospects and to ensure the McGinnis family legacy continued, so that when Geraldo was gone, the McGinnis family's painting tradition wouldn't fade.
Two birds with one stone.
Geraldo thought for a moment and said, "Those paintings Yasmin copied were all your Grant's work, right?"
"That's right."
"Then I'm honored to have such a student. When I'm discharged, I'll hold a formal ceremony for him. Is that okay?"
"Of course."
They chatted for another two minutes before Amelia hung up.
Moments later, Amelia called Lyndon.
Byron was good at investigation.
But for finding someone in Goldenvale, Lyndon was the more suitable option.
His roots in Goldenvale ran deeper than anyone in the Shadow Operations Division, and he knew all kinds of channels, both legitimate and underground.
Finding Yasmin shouldn't be difficult for him.
After Amelia explained her purpose, Lyndon agreed immediately.
"Leave it to me, Blaze. However..." he said hesitantly, "if she's still in Goldenvale, I'll definitely dig her out for you. But if she's left Goldenvale..."
"Don't worry," Amelia said. "To prevent her escape, I've already stationed people at all the exits from Goldenvale. Unless Yasmin can teleport, she can't leave Goldenvale."
"That's good. As long as she's in Goldenvale, I guarantee I'll bring her before you within three days."
"Good."
Amelia hung up.
It was almost dinner time, and she was about to head back into the villa when Felix drove back.
He parked and walked toward Amelia.
Amelia glanced at him and noticed his shoes were covered in mud.
It hadn't rained today, so his shoes shouldn't look like that.
"Where did you go?" she asked.
Felix was pleased that Amelia initiated conversation, thinking he'd have to make the first move again.
He quickly said, "I went to investigate what you asked me to look into."
But he didn't say where he'd been.
Amelia asked, "Did you find anything?"
Felix scratched his head awkwardly. "Not yet..."
Amelia's expression grew colder.
"One week at most. If you still haven't found anything, you don't need to continue."
Felix became serious, promising earnestly, "Within one week, I'll definitely find them."
Amelia said nothing more and turned back toward the villa.
Felix hurried to catch up.
"Trust me, Amelia."
"I only trust results."
Felix was speechless and said nothing more.
When Natalie saw Felix and Amelia enter together, she was initially happy, thinking their relationship had improved.
But seeing Amelia's expression, as cold as ever, Natalie's smile faded.
Still the same.
After dinner, Natalie specifically called Felix outside to talk.
"The conflict between you and Amelia isn't being resolved. You need to be more proactive and think of solutions. At least do something that makes her happy. She's your real sister. You can get along with Yasmin, so why can't you get along with your own sister?"
Felix said, "I'll try. But... I really don't know what to do. I feel like no matter what I do, Amelia won't be happy."
Natalie said seriously, "If you don't know how to make her happy, then at least don't do things that make her unhappy."
Felix's heart sank.
But he forced down his emotions and nodded. "I understand, Mom."
Natalie sighed and went back inside.
Felix stared at Natalie's retreating figure, recalling her words about "not doing things that make her unhappy," his expression growing more complicated.