Chapter 265 Stanley Falls Ill
He’d been out all night.
Amelia had a bad feeling again.
Seeing her expression, the servant quickly explained, "Mr. Crawford must have gone out on company business. He looked very tired when he returned—he came back with Mr. Wright and left with him again"
The servant was explaining for Samuel—he hadn't been out fooling around.
Amelia felt a bit helpless.
Of course she wouldn't suspect Samuel had been out messing around last night.
Her expression was bad only because she feared her guess might come true.
Samuel would only spend an entire night investigating if he'd really found something wrong with Nash.
If there was no problem, he definitely would have come home to sleep.
Working all night without coming home could only mean Nash really did have a problem.
This was what Amelia didn't want to see.
If Nash had no issues, everyone would be happy. If he did, it would be another storm.
She closed her eyes and said to the servant, "I understand. Serve breakfast."
"Okay."
The servant quickly observed her expression and left nervously.
She was certain Amelia was unhappy.
But she only thought it was because Samuel hadn't come home all night.
Amelia could tell the servant had misunderstood, but couldn't explain.
Investigating Nash was a secret.
Let them misunderstand if they wanted.
She wasn't losing anything.
At most, she’d earn a reputation for being "jealous and petty."
Breakfast was quickly served.
They had asked Samuel in advance what she liked to eat, so everything on the table was her favorite.
But Amelia had no appetite. She managed only half a bowl of oatmeal and a single fried egg.
She didn't touch anything else.
The atmosphere in the villa grew even heavier. The servants all thought Amelia was upset.
Amelia didn't want to see them watching her carefully, so she made an excuse and went out.
She had called ahead and went to visit Micah.
Micah lived in a very special place with heavy security.
But because she'd called ahead, she got in smoothly all the way.
As soon as she entered, James came up to greet her.
"Amelia."
His eyes held a smile but no trace of frivolity. He very formally explained that Micah had gone to handle something but had specifically told him to stay here.
Micah didn't mean to slight her—he was really busy.
Amelia didn't mind at all.
She knew the Porter family were all her people.
"No need to be formal, James. You being here is the same."
James nodded and led her to the first-floor lounge to sit and have coffee.
Amelia knew James was also very busy, so after just one sip of coffee, she got straight to the point. "I came this time about the matter I asked Mr. Porter to help with before."
She briefly explained that most of the Shadow Operations Division people weren't suitable for entering politics.
Then mentioned Samuel's arrangement.
James nodded.
"I'll pass this on to my dad. Whether they choose to work with my dad or follow yours and Samuel's arrangement, the Phoenicia government won't make things difficult for them."
With this assurance, Amelia was completely at ease.
"How is Mr. Richardson's health? I was just thinking of going to Goldenvale to visit him. Since you're here, when are you planning to leave? I can go back with you."
Amelia said, "My dad's body has mostly recovered. Once he's fully recovered, he'll come to Thornfield. You don't need to make a special trip."
But James insisted on visiting Quinton.
"I practically grew up under Mr. Richardson's watch. Don't deny me the chance to visit him."
Amelia smiled. "Alright then. When I get back, I'll let you know."
"Good."
James nodded and shared something with her.
"Mr. Wood dropped by the house two days ago, saying he was just dropping by, and when he left, he left two very expensive gifts. My dad never accepts gifts and returned them all. I just don't know if we should invite them to dinner another day?"
This was asking about Amelia's feelings toward the Wood family.
If she had feelings for them, he'd show them respect and invite them to dinner.
If Amelia's relationship with the Wood family wasn't good, he'd just pretend the Wood family never came.
It took Amelia two seconds to realize the "Mr. Wood" James mentioned was Natalie's biological older brother.
The Richardson family and the Wood family, though related, had a very complicated relationship. Amelia couldn't give an immediate answer.
But James telling her this was out of goodwill.
Amelia thanked him first, then said, "I've only been back and recognized for half a year. I'm not very familiar with the Wood family. Let me ask my mom and get back to you?"
James nodded. "Okay, no rush."
Just then, Amelia's phone rang.
She glanced at the screen—it was Samuel calling.
Amelia declined the call, stood up, and said, "I've disturbed you too long. I'll head back now. Please pass on what I said today to Mr. Porter."
She had asked Micah for this favor but was now backing out herself. Not explaining clearly could easily cause misunderstandings.
James immediately nodded. "Okay, I'll see you out."
As soon as he finished speaking, the phone rang again.
Still Samuel calling.
Amelia's eyelid twitched slightly.
She'd hung up, so Samuel must know she wasn't available to answer, but he was calling again just seconds later. That could only mean he was very anxious.
Amelia didn't delay any longer and answered directly, putting the phone to her ear.
"Amelia, where are you? My dad had an episode. I need you at the hospital."
Amelia's heart jumped.
"I'll come right away."
"Okay, I'll wait for you at the hospital entrance."
He didn't say he'd come pick up Amelia.
Going back and forth would waste more time, showing how critical the situation was.
"What's wrong?" James asked, seeing her expression.
Amelia was silent for a second, then said, "James, I need to get to the hospital urgently. Can you drive me? We might need to run red lights."
She had driven here.
But she couldn't drive recklessly through Thornfield—she'd easily get chased by traffic police.
But if James drove, it would be different and save a lot of trouble.
James immediately agreed.
He knew Amelia was someone who understood priorities. For her to ask him for help, something big must have happened.
He didn't ask any questions, just arranged for a car and personally drove Amelia.
Two guards on motorcycles led the way, and they arrived at the hospital in no time.
"Thank you, James."
"Don't mention it. Go handle your business."
From start to finish, he didn't ask what happened.
Amelia's understanding of the Porter family deepened. They really were people worth all of Quinton's efforts.
"Okay!"
She nodded firmly, opened the car door, and quickly got out.
As soon as she entered the hospital entrance, she saw Samuel.
Samuel took her hand and led her quickly toward the surgical floor.
On the way, he briefly explained what he knew.
"I arranged for people to guard the floor where he's hospitalized."
"They said after we left yesterday, besides nurses and doctors, only two people went in and out of that room."
"Both are my dad's trusted people—one is Nash, the other is called Rex."
"Before my dad's episode, both had entered the room within half an hour of each other."
"The last person he saw before the episode was Rex."
"The doctor said he was so upset it triggered the episode."
He added, "I spent all last night investigating Nash. He really does have a problem. Every three days, he makes an overseas call. He made one yesterday after we left too. I traced that foreign number to Zachary."
"Looks like they really are working together." She paused and asked, "What about Rex? He was the last one to enter the room."
Samuel said, "This Rex, I haven't had time to investigate yet. He and Nash are currently detained in separate rooms. I haven't had time to question them—I was waiting for you."
As he spoke, Amelia could feel his fingers trembling slightly.
She gripped his hand tightly.
"Don't worry. With me here, I won't let anything happen to him. You need to stay calm."
"I will."
If Amelia could stay calm when Quinton was hit by a car the day he got out of prison, he would pull himself together too.
Even though his anger right now made him want to kill someone.
Since being with Amelia, what he'd learned most was controlling his emotions.
He used to be like a bomb ready to explode at any moment. Now, he could control himself.
They soon reached the operating room.
Amelia said goodbye to Samuel.
"You do your thing, I'll do mine. Let's each do our part well."
"Okay!"
He opened his mouth and added, "I resent him, but I don't want him to die."
"I understand. I won't let him die."
What doctors should avoid most is being too definite in their words.
But Amelia said it with complete certainty.
She was using this to reassure Samuel.
The two said no more and parted ways.
Amelia plunged into the operating room.
She spoke with confidence, but she'd seen Stanley's medical records. His surgery wasn't going to be easy.
Quinton's surgery had already been very difficult.
But Stanley's surgery was on a completely different level from Quinton's.
Meanwhile, Samuel went to the patient rooms.
There weren't many patients on this floor to begin with, and with his advance arrangements, the other patients had all been transferred to other floors.
Any commotion in the rooms wouldn't leave this floor.
Jeremy and York came up to him.
"Mr. Crawford, both of them are tied up. You said you'd question them yourself, so we didn't touch them," Jeremy said.
Samuel nodded and first went to Nash's room.
He didn't know much about Rex, but he'd investigated Nash pretty thoroughly.
Start with Nash first, then go to Rex.
Jeremy opened the door for Samuel.
He stepped inside and saw Nash tied up tightly.
Nash's mouth was stuffed with several pieces of medical cotton, so he could only make muffled sounds.
Seeing Samuel enter, he struggled even harder.
Jeremy brought over a chair for Samuel, positioning it directly facing Nash, then removed the medical cotton from Nash's mouth.
Nash immediately spoke, his tone clearly angry.
"Mr. Crawford! What are you doing? Why tie me up for no reason? Aren't you afraid your father will be furious when he finds out?"
Samuel's deep eyes glinted with icy shards.
After a moment, he suddenly smiled.