Chapter 582 Disappointment
“Dad, Mom, since I got this rare opportunity to spend time with the both of you, why not allow me to do what I’m supposed to? I’ve already canceled all my meetings this afternoon. I made time just so I can bring the two of you out. Would you two be so kind as to let me have this chance?” Oscar’s choice of words was impeccable.
Dominic looked at Oscar, feeling a little fearful of the latter. Oscar’s aura was formidable, and as a lowly citizen who worked his life away in a small town, Dominic felt a little frightened when he came face-to-face with a big shot like Oscar. That was why he did not dare to treat Oscar like his son-in-law as Dominic felt he was unworthy.
“T-There’s no need,” Dominic stuttered.
“Dad, you and Mom came from so far to visit. I sincerely want to show you around and have some fun. If you are to reject me, I’ll feel useless as your son-in-law.” Oscar tried to make them pity him.
After a pause, he continued, “Oh, right. Dad, I heard that you guys are coming. Hence, I went to check the Winters residence yesterday. Only then, did I find out that Amelia’s brother has fallen sick. As your son-in-law, I had some people bring him over and arranged the best hospital and doctors for him. Don’t worry, the doctors are specialists from overseas. I’m sure they’ll be able to cure him.”
Melanie, who had remained silent up until that point, suddenly pounced on Oscar as if a wolf protecting its pup. She tugged on Oscar’s collar and thundered, “Why did you bring my son here? What intentions are you harboring? Are you trying to kill him? I’m warning you! If anything happens to my son, I won’t let you off!”
Oscar did not dodge either and allowed her to hit him.
Seeing how the situation was getting out of hand, Amelia frantically stepped forward and stretched her hand out in an attempt to stop Melanie’s rampage. Unexpectedly, Melanie’s eyes reddened in rage, and in the heat of the moment, she landed a heavy slap on Amelia’s face. The crisp sound of the slap echoed throughout the private room, shocking everyone present.
Melanie stared at her hand blankly. Her palm was still red from slapping Amelia across the face. As for Oscar, his gaze darkened and became terrifying.
He quickly turned Amelia around to face him, noticing her cheek was still red and swollen from the hit. Oscar did not utter a word, but his silence was akin to the calm before the storm.
However, Amelia flashed him a smile and reassured him, “Oscar, I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about me. It’s just a little sore.”
Truth be told, Amelia did not feel too bad about it. What Melanie did merely took away the last bit of affection she had for the Winters family.
If she was a bit more merciless, Amelia could have used thousands of methods to ruin the lives of the Winters. Alas, they did raise her into adulthood, so no matter how cruel she could be, Amelia could never make Dominic and Melanie her enemy.
Melanie’s lips twitched as she stared at Amelia. After a moment of silence, she finally stuttered, “A-Amelia, I-I’m sorry. It wasn’t on purpose. I was just worried about your brother.”
The corner of Amelia’s lips curved upward, revealing a smile.
“Mom, Oscar was just being nice. If you and Dad don’t appreciate it, then it’s fine. I’ll have someone send Spencer back, and as for the two of you, Oscar and I will be happy to pay for your expenses if you wish to spend a few more days here visiting and traveling around. If you wish to go home, we’ll also be happy to purchase the tickets for you. Regarding the Hutton family, I suppose that’s between me and them. It’s not your place to tell me what to do. You haven’t cared for the past twenty-plus years, so this time, I plead that you won’t meddle in our matter. Please just forget that you have a daughter. Should our paths ever cross in the future, let’s just treat each other as strangers. It’ll make things easier for you,” said Amelia in a calm tone.
Melanie merely looked at her while Dominic parted his lips as if he wanted to say something. However, because of Oscar’s presence, he did not manage to utter a single word in the end.
Amelia then continued, “I’ll have someone send you guys back to the hotel then.”
After that, she looked over at Oscar. He understood what she wanted and had the bodyguards come in.
“Escort the couple back to the hotel. I don’t want anything to happen to them. Are we clear?” instructed Oscar.
“Understood, Boss.”
Two of the bodyguards stepped forward and said politely, “Right this way.”
Dominic and Melanie were feeling fearful. After all, they came from a small town and had never witnessed such a scene before.
As they walked past Amelia, Melanie could not hold back and grabbed onto Amelia’s hands, pleading, “Please, Amelia. Save your brother. He’s all that I have. He has a wife and children to care for. As long as you stop bothering the Hutton family, Mr. Hutton will definitely agree to your brother’s treatment. Amelia, I’m begging you. Your mother is begging you.”
Tears had glazed Amelia’s eyes as she looked at the elderly woman.
The bodyguards forcefully pried Melanie’s hands off of Amelia’s and maintained a courteous tone as they instructed, “Mrs. Winter, right this way, please.”
After the Winters left, Amelia raised her hand and wiped the tears that were brimming in her eyes. She forced a smile at Oscar and said, “I’m sorry, Oscar. You had to endure my mom’s beating because of me, and you even saw such a pathetic side of me.”
Oscar wrapped his arms around the woman, enveloping her in a warm embrace, and planted a gentle kiss on her hair. It hurt him to see what Amelia was going through.
“Silly girl. I’ve seen all the sides of you, whether good or bad, so don’t be afraid to show me your bad sides. I’ll love you regardless of which side you’re showing me.”
Oscar’s words sounded like an honest confession. Amelia could no longer suppress her emotions and burst into tears.
“I thought that after ten years of not seeing me, they would at least care about me, even if it’s just a little. I didn’t expect them to still be so cold to me. It seems like I’m just an extra in their eyes.” Saddened by her parents’ treatment of her, Amelia vented all of her pent-up frustrations.
Oscar lifted his hand and gently ran his fingers through her hair. He comforted her softly, “Don’t worry. You still have me and Tony.”
Amelia smiled upon hearing that, but tears continued to stream down her cheeks as she remained overwhelmed with emotions.
After tearing up for a while and releasing all of her emotions, she slowly calmed down and regained her composure.
“I’m sorry. This is embarrassing.” Amelia came out of his hug and apologized.
Oscar merely patted her head and said, “Just head back to work. I’ll go check on them. I know you’re still worried for them.”
Amelia’s lips twitched. She wanted to tell him not to go, but just like what Oscar said, she was still worried for her parents deep down inside.
Amelia said, time after time, that she did not care for her relationship with the Winters family. However, deep inside her heart, she still cared for Dominic and Melanie, for she had longed for their affection for over two decades. No matter how disappointed she was, Amelia still could not truly let go of them even if she tried.
“Thank you, Oscar, and I’m sorry for dragging you into this mess,” Amelia apologized once more.
“Silly girl. Say you’re sorry again and I might have to punish you.”
Amelia chuckled after hearing that.
After that, Oscar sent her back to her office and did not forget to remind her, “Don’t think about it too much. I’ll take care of everything.”
Amelia nodded. “I trust you, Oscar. Try not to scare them too much.”
“They’re your parents, so I’ll treat them as if they’re my parents too.” That is if they treat you like their daughter. Of course, he did not say the last sentence out loud.
The two of them conversed for a little while more. Oscar watched as Amelia safely entered the building before returning to his own car.
He then fished his phone out and dialed a number. As soon as the call was connected, Oscar instructed, “Jolin, look after Mrs. Clinton. Don’t let those who are harboring ulterior motives get close to her. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Boss.”
After hanging up, Oscar went straight to the hotel where Amelia’s parents were staying at.
He took the elevator upstairs and was greeted by the two bodyguards as soon as he stepped out of it. “Boss.”
“Are they both inside?” asked Oscar.
“Yes, Boss.”
One of the bodyguards opened the door for him, and Oscar made his way into the room. Dominic and Melanie were shocked and quickly stood up from the sofa. They looked at Oscar with terrified eyes.
“Dad, Mom.” Oscar politely greeted them, but his tone sounded distant.
Melanie looked at him with fear in her eyes. Her voice trembled as she queried, “W-What are you doing here, Oscar?”
“Amelia is worried about you two, and that’s why I’m here to check on you. Spencer’s flight departed at one, so he should be here by three o’clock. I’ll send you two to the airport, and the three of you will be reunited then. Dad, Mom, I suppose you’ll be quite satisfied with this arrangement of mine,” Oscar said without giving them a chance to refuse.
Ferocity flashed across Melanie’s eyes in an instant, and she roared, “Oscar Clinton. What exactly is your motive? If you dare to lay a finger on my son, I promise I’ll never let you off the hook.”
Oscar laughed in response. “Mom, Spencer has fallen sick, and I’m just doing my responsibility as your son-in-law by arranging the best hospital and doctors for his treatment. I don’t think I’m doing anything wrong, wouldn’t you agree?”
“We’ve never treated Amelia right, nor have we fulfilled our duties as her parents. I doubt she has never hated us. Even we find it hard to repay those who had wronged us with kindness, let alone Amelia. Hence, we don’t believe she’ll willingly help her brother out of the goodness of her heart,” Melanie uttered. Her tone was laced with wariness.
Upon hearing that, Oscar scoffed lightly.
