Chapter 213 Vile Intentions
Olivia’s expression turned grim. “Come upstairs with me, or you’re no longer my daughter.”
As Stephanie seemed really terrified, Elizabeth patted her hand. “Stephanie, don’t worry. I’ll be on your side.”
At that sight, Olivia trembled in rage.
As the guests milling in the hall were important guests to the Clintons, they might think Olivia and Stephanie were involved in a fight.
Worried for Olivia, Tiffany declared furiously, “Ms. Clinton, I know I’m not supposed to butt in, as I’m an outsider, but Mrs. Clinton is your mother. She won’t harm you! Look at you, hiding behind an outsider. Don’t you know you’re hurting her with your actions?”
Stephanie glared at her and retorted, “Scram! You’re nothing but a small fry. How dare you cozy up to us? I’m a real Clinton, but you’re just an imposter. Even if my mom wants to take you as her goddaughter, you won’t get a cent from the Clinton family’s wealth. Dream on!”
Tiffany couldn’t help but snicker at how ridiculous Stephanie’s thought was. Doesn’t she have anything better to do than letting her imagination run wild? Do I look like a gold digger?
Olivia gave Stephanie a warning look. “Come with me, now.”
Biting her lip, Stephanie suddenly dashed out from behind Elizabeth and went on her knees in front of Olivia. “Mom, I’m sorry,” she wailed.
The guests were already casting curious looks in their direction, so her sudden action immediately caught their attention.
Olivia nearly lost herself. “Stephanie, stand up right now.”
Alas, Stephanie shook her head stubbornly and refused to budge.
Owen, Oscar, and Amelia hastily strode over to them.
With a frown, Owen chided, “Stephanie, what are you doing? Hurry, get up. It’s your nephew’s welcome baby party today. Why are you making a scene? Are you trying to make us a laughingstock?”
After glowering at Amelia, Stephanie cried out, “Dad, I just want to come home. You’ve reprimanded me and kicked me out so I can be independent. After half a month, I know I’m nothing without the Clinton family. Please let me come home. I don’t want to eat junk food out there and wear cheap clothes. Look, I’ve lost so much weight. My skin is terrible now. Dad, don’t you feel bad for me?”
Owen felt his temples throbbing, for Stephanie’s action would make the Clinton family a laughingstock for sure.
“Stephanie, be a good girl and get up. Don’t scare your nephew. We shall talk after the party. There are a lot of guests here, and you’re making it seem like we’re bullying you,” he tamped down his irritation and tried to convince her.
Alas, the foolish Stephanie refused to move an inch.
The other guests slowly gathered around them. One lady, who was a close friend of the Clintons, spoke up. “What’s wrong, Stephanie? It’s your nephew’s welcome baby party today. Why are you causing a scene? Stand up. If you made your mom angry, apologize to her. Don’t make things awkward. Look how mad your mom is. Listen to me, get up.”
As Olivia seemed really upset, Stephanie rose to her feet obediently.
Amelia shot Oscar a strange look and went to her. “Stephanie, you should go back to your room and take a shower. Your makeup is smudged.”
Alas, her kind intention wasn’t received well by Stephanie.
Right now, Stephanie despised Amelia greatly. If it weren’t for Amelia, I wouldn’t have suffered. I’m a Clinton, but ended up working for someone else. I even got yelled at! No one has ever done that to me. That was really humiliating.
Half a month of independence didn’t teach her anything at all. Instead of reflecting on her mistake, her hatred for Amelia had increased to a new high.
“Amelia, save your crocodile tears. I wouldn’t have ended up in this mess if it weren’t for you!” Stephanie howled.
Her sudden proclamation rendered Amelia a little confused.
Afraid that Stephanie would blurt everything out in a fit of anger and ruin her efforts of keeping everything a secret, Olivia burst out in a shrill voice, “Stephanie, shut up!”
Everyone cast shocked glances at Olivia’s faux pas.
She had always been a gentle and elegant woman, so it was the first time she had lost it in public.
Owen immediately pulled her into a hug and said in a soft voice, “Olivia, calm down. The guests are staring.”
After taking a deep breath, Olivia returned to her usual elegant self and flashed a pleasant smile to everyone. “I’m really sorry about Stephanie’s willfulness.”
“It’s all right. If she made a mistake, talk to her. Don’t get mad and scare her,” Olivia’s friend offered kindly.
Olivia gave a weak nod.
She turned to Stephanie and spoke calmly. “Stephanie, come upstairs with me now. Your makeup is all smudged.”
By then, Stephanie dared not defy her mother and trotted to Olivia without a word.
“Amelia, take care of the guests with Oscar and your dad,” said Olivia.
Amelia nodded obligingly. “Mom, don’t worry.”
After Stephanie and Olivia went upstairs, Tiffany came to Amelia. “Is Tony all right?” asked Amelia in a low voice.
Tiffany whispered, “He’s fine.”
Amelia took one look at her son and said, “Tiff, bring Tony upstairs. There are too many people here.”
After pondering briefly, Tiffany nodded in agreement.
Owen told the guests to return to the hall. Soon, only Oscar, Amelia, Tiffany, and the Yard family were left standing.
Cassie’s gaze was fixated on Oscar. She ignored Amelia and went to him. “Oz, I heard it’s your son’s welcome baby party today, so I asked my parents to accompany me here.”
At her words, Oscar frowned as a flash of impatience appeared in his eyes.
“Cassie, welcome to Tony’s party today,” Oscar said politely.
Pretending not to see Oscar’s indifference, Cassie flashed an amiable smile. “Oz, can I hold your son?”
Oscar’s hand around Amelia’s waist tightened slightly to remind her not to overthink.
In response, Amelia looked up and met his gaze. Her eyes sparkled as she curved her lips up into a grin to indicate that she was fine.
Seeing their intimate exchange, Cassie’s fists balled up. She couldn’t stop a scowl from appearing on her otherwise beautiful face.
Meanwhile, holding Tony in her arms, Tiffany stood between the couple and Cassie, blocking the latter’s line of sight.
“Ms. Yard, the party is over there. Please head there with Mr. and Mrs. Yard. Amelia and Oscar have to tend to other guests, so they have no time for you,” Tiffany sneered.
Cassie’s gaze landed on Tiffany and the baby boy in her arms. Upon seeing how adorable the boy was, she turned green with jealousy.
“So this is Oz’s son? He’s good-looking, but he doesn’t look like Oz at all. Did you get the wrong baby from the hospital?” she scoffed.
After taking one look at Tony, Tiffany looked up and retorted icily, “Ms. Yard, after trying to take your own life, you must have ruined your brain and your eyesight. Everyone else complimented Tony for being the replica of Amelia and Oscar. He had inherited their best qualities. If you say he doesn’t look like Oscar, I wonder what sinister intentions you have.”
Cassie bit her lip and stretched her hand out. “Can I hold him? I’ve been dreaming of a baby ever since I had a miscarriage. I’d like to shower my love on other babies!”
The baby Cassie once had was just a weapon to remind Oscar of their relationship. It was also a thorn in Amelia’s heart. Amelia said it didn’t matter, but inwardly, it still bothered her. After all, no woman could accept the fact that the man she loved once had sex with another woman and even got the other woman pregnant.
Every time Cassie mentioned that baby, Amelia would have a niggling feeling in her heart. Still, she had to put on a smile and conceal her emotions.
Tiffany held Tony tighter and said, “Sorry, Ms. Yard. I won’t hand Tony to a beast. What if that beast releases its grip on the baby? Oh, sorry. I’m not talking about you, Ms. Yard. Don’t pigeonhole yourself.”
The scowl on Cassie’s face deepened.
Stepping forward, Elizabeth glowered at Tiffany and demanded, “Tiffany, don’t go overboard. Otherwise, I shall make you pay!”
Tiffany parted her lips to retort, only to have Amelia hauling her away swiftly.
“Tiff, bring Tony upstairs. Oscar and I will handle the situation. I don’t want to bring Tony into this.”
Tiffany had no choice but to comply.
Turning to Elizabeth, Amelia assumed the stance of the lady of the house.
