Chapter 612 Let Her Decide
Amelia had been busy at work all day. Her hands were practically going numb when it was time to clock off. The company had received a huge order a few days ago, so everyone had to work extra hours to complete their tasks. Amelia actually set a new personal record that day by creating thirty drawings consecutively, and she did everything beautifully.
She sent her work to Shane via e-mail, and when it was time to clock off, he made his way to the design department. Before anyone could leave, he clapped his hands and announced, “Hi, may I have your attention for a few minutes?”
Many were packing their things at the time, but they put their bags down and turned their attention to Shane right away.
“Amelia sent me the drawings that were requested by our client. The client’s company representative called us today to tell us they were happy with the work and praised Amelia endlessly for her talent. Given how gifted she is and how humble she behaves, I, as the boss, don’t feel right keeping her talent hidden. That is why I have decided to promote her to be the director of the design department. It will take effect next year. Anyone who has any complaints can step forward now,” announced Shane.
Everyone clapped, but Rory did so half-heartedly. She seemed to have mixed feelings about the way everyone had Amelia surrounded.
“Congratulations, Amelia. We’re all hoping you can be our director one day because we can tell how talented you are. I believe that, with your leadership, we can rise to a new height,” said an employee of the department. Everyone else chimed in.
Amelia nodded shyly.
It took her a while before she managed to free herself from her overenthusiastic colleagues. After that, she approached Shane and sighed. “Shane, you did that too impulsively. Mr. Moore has worked here longer than I have and has more experience. Everyone else kept quiet because my husband is Oscar Clinton, but I’m sure they’ll gossip behind my back. They will claim that politics is the only reason I got that promotion, and that is not something I want.”
Shane smiled and replied, “You don’t have to worry about that. Mr. Moore is actually the one who recommended you for the position. He said that you are extremely gifted and that he will be reassigned to the headquarters next year where his career will progress even better.”
Amelia stared suspiciously. “Are you telling me the truth?”
“There is no need to lie to you about this. I will say this, though. Mr. Clinton issued some instructions to human resources. However, I don’t think it matters because at the end of the day, Mr. Moore will have a better future ahead, and you will have a clear path to get your promotion,” said Shane.
Amelia couldn’t help frowning at that.
“What’s wrong? Are you upset about him butting in?”
“No, I just think that I am too inexperienced. I don’t think I can grow enough to be a good director next year.”
“Really? You doubt yourself that much?”
Amelia simply smiled in response.
“Don’t worry, I have complete faith in you. All you need to do is work well as the director, and anyone who is upset with you will be convinced that you are the right person for that job. So, are you up for it? Or are you too chicken to accept that challenge?” taunted Shane to bait Amelia.
“You’ve already made an official announcement, so it’s not like there’s anything I can do about it, anyway.”
“That’s the spirit! I look forward to the day you thrive.”
“Why do I get the feeling that you are gloating?”
“Am I?”
The two of them looked at each other and smiled.
They walked down the stairs together, and that was when Oscar happened to have parked his car as well.
“Your knight in shining armor is here, so I better duck out,” said Shane. He shrugged and walked in another direction afterward.
Amelia grinned and shook her head before she walked down the rest of the stairs and went right to the car.
As soon as she opened the door and got in, Oscar’s huge palm reached for the back of her head, locked her in place, and kissed her fervently. They made out for a while before parting.
In a loving daze, Amelia stared for a moment. Oscar couldn’t help feeling aroused when she looked at him like that, and he almost lost control.
He used his finger to trace her bloated lips, and in a coarse voice, he warned, “Don’t look at me like that, or I will lose control.”
The daze in Amelia’s eyes slowly faded away.
“What’s with all the passion today?” asked Amelia as she grinned.
“You don’t like it?”
“Oh, you know I am always powerless against your passion,” replied Amelia happily.
Oscar was delighted to hear those words.
“Sit tight. We’re heading home.”
Oscar drove the car and took her to their neighborhood. They got out of the car and into the elevator together. As soon as they exited the elevator, they saw Eleanor standing right outside their door.
Amelia stared curiously at Oscar, then asked, “Mrs. Hutton, don’t you have a key? Although… That shouldn’t matter. Molly should be in the house to let you in, right?”
When Eleanor heard Amelia’s voice, she ran to Amelia without saying anything. Amelia was still in shock as Eleanor hugged her.
“I am so sorry, Amelia. It’s my fault that you suffered for so many years. I never realized that your father is the one responsible for your disappearance,” said Eleanor as she cried nonstop.
Amelia was a little troubled when she turned to Oscar.
Eleanor kept crying away. “Amelia, this is all my fault. I will divorce him and stay by your side to make up for all the lost maternal love you suffered. I will never leave you again.”
Amelia stroked Eleanor’s back and was panicking a little. “Mrs. Hutton, please calm down. Don’t cry. I don’t know what to do when you cry like that. Let’s talk inside, okay?”
Eleanor kept crying uncontrollably.
Amelia had no choice but to turn to Oscar for help.
Hence, Oscar said, “Calm down, Mrs. Hutton. Let’s talk inside the house. If a stranger sees you crying like this, they will assume that Amelia had bullied you. You don’t want that, do you?”
As suspected, that worked wonders.
Eleanor stopped crying immediately and let go of Amelia. The former’s eyes were still wet with tears when she replied, “I’m sorry, Amelia. I must’ve really scared you.”
Amelia shook her head and sweetly replied, “Let’s head inside, Mrs. Hutton.”
Molly came to welcome them when all three adults entered the room. When she saw Eleanor’s teary eyes, she quickly asked, “Mrs. Hutton, what happened? Did someone bully you?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Just sand in my eye.”
“Oh, then do be careful,” replied Molly to go along with her.
“Okay.”
Amelia then asked, “Molly, is Tony home?”
“Yes, he’s upstairs playing with his new toy.”
“New toy? Who gave it to him?”
“Oh, Mr. Clinton’s parents, as usual. The two of them are really spoiling him as much as they could. They would buy him the best gifts. I think they would find a way to pluck the moon out of the sky if he actually asks for it,” said Molly as a joke.
It was supposed to be a joke, but it made Eleanor gloomy.
She murmured, “I can treat him that nicely, too. I would give him my life if that is what he wants.”
Molly stared strangely at Eleanor, then at Amelia.
That caused Amelia’s heart to skip a beat. She kept a poker face on when she distracted Molly. “Is dinner ready, Molly? I am famished and can eat an entire pot of pasta today.”
Molly immediately replied, “Yes, everything is done. Please wash up, then get Mr. Anthony. I’ll set the table up.”
Eleanor put her sorrow away and suggested, “Go wash your hands, Amelia. I’ll go get Tony. You’re hungry, right? I’ll go get you an extra serving. You should eat more because you’re too thin.”
Amelia was a little taken aback by that enthusiasm. She was having a hard time getting used to it.
“Don’t do that, Mrs. Hutton. You’re our guest, so let us be the ones to do that instead.”
“Amelia, do you still refuse to accept me as your mother?”
Amelia couldn’t answer that.
Oscar tightened his hug on her, then smiled. “Amelia, go up the stairs and get Tony. We can all talk after dinner.”
Amelia felt as though a weight had just been lifted off her shoulders. She smiled apologetically at Eleanor before walking up the stairs.
Molly found some excuse to go to the kitchen as well.
“Mrs. Hutton, I’d like to ask you to give Amelia some space. Don’t push her too much. It’s her choice on whether or not she wants to accept you, and I wish that you will not force her to do so,” said Oscar in a stoic tone.
Sorrow filled Eleanor’s eyes. “I am her mother, and I simply want to get my daughter back. How is that wrong? Why is everyone trying to prevent me from reuniting with my daughter?”
“No one is keeping you and your daughter apart. I’m simply asking you to adjust your attitude. It’s undeniable that you miss your daughter dearly, but your marriage is a mess, and I don’t want the drama of the Hutton family to affect Amelia’s life. She had a tough life growing up, and… as her husband, I have the right to protect her from all the drama the Hutton family might bring her. I wish you understand where I am coming from,” said Oscar.
Eleanor tilted her head down. The sorrow and eagerness she experienced earlier burned less bright. It was as though a bucket of icy water had rained down on her and forced the fire within her to die down a little.
Amelia walked down the stairs while carrying Tony at the time. Oscar reverted to his sweet self and carried Tony from Amelia. The father-son duo began playing.
Amelia sensed that Eleanor’s mood had obviously become gloomy, so she asked, “Mrs. Hutton, are you okay?”
Eleanor tilted her head up, shook her head, and sweetly replied, “I’m fine. I’m just so happy that I found you. In a way, my life’s complete.”
Amelia’s heart ached. She didn’t know what to say for a moment there because the two of them had been separated for too long. Having a mother all of a sudden… The experience wasn’t as pleasant as Amelia thought it would be. That was normal since they knew nothing about each other and were practically strangers. It was only natural that Amelia couldn’t force herself to feel connected to Eleanor.
