Chapter 485 Unscathed
On the way back, Oscar asked, “Amelia, did Mom talk bad about me?”
Amelia shook her head and chuckled. “Oscar, Mom is not as scary as you think. She’s a cultured woman, and she was only mad at me because I did her wrong before. I’m not denying that I was being selfish back then. So, I only wish that she could forgive me one day.”
“Don’t worry. With Tony around, she’s going to forgive you sooner or later. I think you have Tony to thank for her attitude toward you right now. He’s a sweet boy. It’s only a matter of time before Mom accepts you again,” Oscar said confidently.
Amelia merely smiled. The truth was, she was not as optimistic.
It was already midnight when they were home and done washing up. As they were dog-tired from the long day, they only chatted for a while before the two fell deep into slumber with Tony in between them.
However, in the middle of the night, Tony suddenly convulsed and foamed. Roused by the noise, Amelia was taken aback by the alarming sight. She hurriedly hugged her son and asked with a shaky voice, “T-Tony, what’s the matter? Don’t scare me.”
Oscar was also jolted awake. However, he was calmer in comparison with Amelia. Nevertheless, he grew solemn at that sight.
He took Tony from Amelia and said in a tender tone, “Let’s go to the hospital right now. Don’t worry. Tony will be all right.”
Amelia trailed behind Oscar mindlessly. A sense of paralyzing fear washed over her at the mention of the hospital. She had spent most of her days going back and forth to the hospital these few years for a myriad of reasons—the car accident, losing her eyesight, and not to forget the corneal transplant. All that had led her to grow apprehensive at the mention of hospitals.
Looking at Tony, Oscar was actually terrified as well. However, as the head of the family, he knew he had to put up a strong face.
Oscar asked Hugo to drive, and he sat in the backseat with Amelia and Tony. Holding Amelia’s hand, he said, “Don’t worry. Tony will be all right.”
Amelia let out a sigh. She seemed calmer than before.
Her heart ached at the sight of the pale-faced Tony.
“I’m okay,” Amelia said softly.
When they reached Principal General Hospital, Robert was already waiting with the doctors that he had called over. Tony was placed on a bed and pushed into the operating room right away.
Robert noticed the anxious Amelia and said, “Don’t worry, Amelia. Tony will be okay.”
Thankful for his help, Amelia said, “Thank you, Mr. Lancester, and I’m really sorry for bothering you at such hours.”
“I’ve been good friends with Owen and Olivia for many years. I’m really glad that you guys think of me when something happens. Don’t worry. Tony will be all right with our doctors around,” Robert comforted her.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Lancester!” Amelia thanked him earnestly.
The red lights outside of the operating room finally went off after two hours. A few doctors and nurses came out of the room.
Oscar and Amelia dashed in their direction.
“Doctor, how is my son doing? Is his condition serious?” Amelia asked nervously.
“He’s suffering from food poisoning. We’ve performed a gastric lavage on him. He’s not in a critical condition. However, given his young age, the procedure will take a toll on his health. He requires ample rest,” a doctor said.
“Food poisoning?” Amelia was stumped. She was puzzled as to why her son would suffer from food poisoning.
“Thank you, doctors. We will be sure to treat all of you to a good meal someday,” Oscar said as he circled Amelia in his embrace.
“You’re most welcome, Mr. Clinton,” the doctor replied.
The doctors had only left after a few bouts of exchange in pleasantries.
Two nurses pushed Tony into a high-class ward while Amelia and Oscar trailed behind them. Amelia’s heart constricted at the sight of her anemic-looking son.
She felt her legs turn to jelly as she leaned against Oscar and sobbed. “Why would Tony suffer from food poisoning? Wasn’t he just fine when we came back? I don’t know what’s with us and the hospitals. I spent most of my days in Beshya going back and forth to the hospital. After we’re back, my son is admitted to the hospital. Why would he suffer from food poisoning after I brought him to the Clinton residence?”
Amelia’s thoughts were in a whirl.
“Sorry, Oscar. I’m not doubting Mom and Dad. I just couldn’t believe that someone is so vicious that even a child is not spared! That person could have just targeted me. Why did he have to harm Tony?”
Amelia was on the verge of a breakdown as she broke out in a violent sob.
Oscar pulled Amelia into his embrace as his gaze darkened.
“I will get to the bottom of this,” Oscar said grimly.
He took out his phone to make a call. However, someone stopped him. Oscar lifted his head and realized that it was Robert.
“Oscar, it’s already late. Owen and Olivia should be resting now. They’re going to have a good scare if they find out what has happened to Tony right now. I think it’s better if you inform them tomorrow. As for Tony’s matter, I think the whole family needs to sit down and have a good talk about it, lest there’s any misunderstanding between the family members,” Robert advised.
Amelia finally regained her composure and wiped her tears. She looked at Robert and managed an awkward smile.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Lancester. I should have refrained from breaking down in front of you,” Amelia said sheepishly.
“Amelia, I know you’re worried about Tony. I’m not sure why he’s suffering from food poisoning either. But, judging from your remarks, it must have happened at the Clintons. Owen and Olivia would surely feel guilty about this. However, do break the news to them both nicely. Even though Olivia still looks younger than her age, her heart is not in its best health,” Robert said.
Amelia let out a wry chuckle.
“Mr. Lancester, I’m not blaming Mom for this. I just can’t imagine who is vicious enough to harm my son so. My emotions were running high, and I know I’ve said some inappropriate things,” Amelia said with a sigh.
She paused for a moment before continuing, “Mr. Lancester, it’s late now. Please do not let us disturb your rest further. We’re sorry for dragging you into this.”
“It’s already three in the morning. I’m only going to be back home for two to three hours before I have to come to work. So, I don’t plan on going back home now and will just take a rest in the office later.” Robert patted Oscar’s shoulders and said, “Take good care of Amelia and Tony. I’ll get going then.”
Amelia and Oscar sent him off at the entrance of the ward.
After that, Amelia made her way over to Tony’s bedside and crouched down. She took Tony’s little hand and rubbed it lightly against her cheeks.
“I’m sorry, Tony. It was my fault,” Amelia apologized guiltily.
She missed the times when Tony would burrow himself in her embrace and shower kisses on her cheeks. The little boy would have cheekily said, “Mommy, I’m okay. I’m Superman, and I will protect you from danger.”
At the sight of the pale-faced Tony lying motionlessly on the hospital bed, Amelia felt her heart aching further as she said softly, “Tony, we’re truly mother and son. Both of us got into an accident and cheated death. You also followed me a few times when I had to go back and forth to the hospital at Beshya. It seems like we really do have an unspoken connection to the hospital.”
Oscar steadied her to rise from the ground and guided her to a chair. “Amelia, don’t say that. The doctor mentioned that Tony is not in a critical condition. Why don’t you take a rest now? You must be tired from going around for hours.”
Amelia leaned against Oscar’s chest and said, “Luckily, Tony’s all right. I would have gone mad if anything happened to him. He’s so young, and he shouldn’t have to suffer all this. Look at how pale he is. I just can’t help but feel this heavy weight bearing down on my chest.”
“Take a nap first, okay? I’m sure Tony would not wish to be greeted by a tired and ashen-faced you in the morning,” Oscar said gently.
Amelia thought for a moment before relenting to sleep in Oscar’s embrace.
Oscar caressed her cheeks delicately. However, the tenderness in his eyes slowly dissipated into thin air as his fist tightened.
Oscar called Hugo into the ward and said, “I’ve specifically ordered you and Kurt to protect Tony. How did he end up getting food poisoning?”
Hugo lowered his head and said, “I’m sorry for the oversight, boss.”
Oscar looked coldly at him and snapped, “Hugo, that apology still doesn’t answer my question of how Tony got food poisoning. Since when have the people I personally trained become so incompetent?”
“Boss, we’ve been protecting Mr. Oscar in the dark. He was fine at noon. Ms. Walker and Mr. Walker came over in the afternoon, and they talked to Mr. Oscar for a moment, but everything seemed all right. Everyone was eating the same food, so I didn’t know how Mr. Oscar got the food poisoning. However, it was an oversight on my part. Please punish me as you see fit, boss.”
Oscar lifted his hands to rub at his temples and mumbled, “Isabella and Noah?”
He paused for a moment and waved his hands to dismiss Hugo. “You may leave. I will get to the bottom of this personally. Nobody can hurt my son and expect to leave unscathed.”
