Chapter 216 Tell The Truth
As soon as the party ended, Oscar and Owen personally saw the guests out before returning to the house. “Oscar, where’s your sister?” Owen asked gravely.
Still reluctant to talk about Stephanie, Oscar tried to brush his father off. “She’s upstairs.”
“Oscar, seeing as how Amelia and Tony are safe and sound, can’t you forgive your sister? The two of you have always been close, and you’re usually very tolerant of her. Why can’t you give her another chance?” Owen asked with a sigh.
“Dad, would you forgive someone who wanted to kill your wife and child?”
At a loss for words, Owen looked away.
“Dad, I can dote on Stephanie and give in to her, provided that she doesn’t cross my bottom line. Now, not only has she crossed that line, but she has also violated the basic moral principles. It’s no longer a question of whether I can forgive her or not.”
Owen patted his shoulders and said with a touch of sorrow in his voice, “I know, but she’s still your sister.”
Oscar gazed at the brightly lit villa in the distance where his wife and son shared with his family. It wasn’t long ago when he had almost lost them, and he never wanted to experience that again. Knowing that Stephanie was the culprit made it even worse, and it was no longer a question of forgiveness.
“Dad, when she finally realizes that she was in the wrong, I might be able to forgive her.” Even though he was sure his sister would never realize her mistake, Oscar still made a compromise and gave a deadline.
With that, Owen grew even more silent.
Amelia was making her way down the stairs when Oscar and Owen stepped into the hall. The sight of them together made her laugh out loud.
“Dad, Oscar, have all the guests gone home?”
Ignoring his father’s presence, Oscar lovingly caressed Amelia’s cheek and asked, “Why aren’t you sleeping yet?”
“It’s still early.”
Just as the three of them settled into a comfortable conversation, Olivia and Stephanie came down the stairs. Seeing how happy Amelia was chatting with her family, Stephanie’s eyes flashed with resentment.
Even as Olivia tried to stop her, Stephanie broke away and confronted Amelia. “Are you happy now, Amelia Winters? Both my mother and brother are siding with you and chasing me out of the house. I’m sure you must be delighted. But you know what? I will eventually get back everything that belongs to me, and when that day comes, I will chase you out of our family!”
“Stephanie, what are you talking about?” Amelia asked with a look of bewilderment on her face.
“Oh, come on, Amelia. Don’t—”
“That’s enough, Stephanie,” Oscar interrupted.
As he stepped forward to shield Amelia, Oscar stared daggers at Stephanie, looking like he’d pounce on her if she dared say another word.
Not wanting to talk back and risk getting chewed out by Oscar, Stephanie had no choice but to hold her tongue.
Amelia then tugged at Oscar’s shirt, motioning for him to calm himself down before stepping out from behind him.
“Stephanie, if there’s any misunderstanding between us, you can tell me about it. I promise your brother won’t lay a hand on you. I don’t wish to see our family in a mess because of our grudges. So if you’re unhappy with me, please, let me know. I want nothing more than for our family to be happy.”
Stephanie had calmed herself down but still couldn’t help but steal a glance at her brother.
Knowing that the former was worried, Amelia immediately blocked Oscar and gently repeated herself, “Stephanie, if you’re unhappy with me, you can tell me.”
Before anyone could go on, Owen had broken the awkward silence with a cough. “Amelia, it’s getting late, and Stephanie still has work tomorrow. Let Oscar send her home. I’m sure they’ll have lots to talk about on the way.”
Upon hearing that, Amelia became even more baffled.
“Dad, didn’t you and Mom say that Stephanie went on a trip with her friends? Why are you now saying that she’s working tomorrow? Are the three of you hiding something from me?”
Owen cleared his throat again and gently nudged Oscar. Thankfully, Oscar got his hint.
“It’s a long story, Amelia. Stephanie’s friends had mentioned taking up jobs to experience life, and she didn’t want to be left behind. She begged Dad and Mom to let her work, and they eventually agreed to give her a sinecure in our company. However, Stephanie said she wouldn’t learn much in a family company setting, so she insisted on getting another job. She has even rented a place outside, which is why she’s leaving now.”
Feeling doubtful about the explanation, Amelia asked, “Is that true, Stephanie?”
At that moment, Stephanie could only feel how ironic the entire situation was.
She found it all so amusing that she broke out in uncontrollable laughter, surprising everyone around her.
Amelia shot a glance at Oscar, who merely furrowed his brows and pulled her away. “Enough is enough, Stephanie!” he snapped.
Stephanie stopped laughing and smirked. When she spoke again, her voice was dripping with sarcasm. “Oscar, why are you still hiding it from her? Are you afraid she’s too fragile for the truth, or are you trying to cover up for your one and only sister?”
Olivia went into a state of panic as she quickly interjected, “Stephanie, what nonsense are you talking about?”
“Mom, you do like her more than your only daughter, don’t you?”
A feeling of helplessness washed over Olivia as she stared at Stephanie. She had covered up so many things to protect her daughter, yet Stephanie never seemed to understand her efforts.
What exactly should I do to let Stephanie understand that everything I’ve done is for her own good?
“How can you say that, Stephanie?” Amelia said sternly, “Even I can tell how much Mom loves you.”
Amelia had always wanted to keep whatever misunderstandings she had with Stephanie between themselves. It was never her intention to get Olivia involved, as she didn’t want to ruin their mother-daughter relationship.
Alas, Stephanie completely lost control and hollered, “Stop with the pretense, Amelia! It’s all because of you that my relationship with my mother has become this bad! It’s a pity you didn’t die from getting hit by the car I previously hired.”
As soon as the words left Stephanie’s mouth, the color drained from everyone’s faces. Amelia was speechless as she stared wide-eyed in utter disbelief.
Olivia hurriedly pulled Stephanie aside and was about to order their chauffeur to send her home when Amelia stopped them.
“Mom, I have some questions for Stephanie. She can stay here for the night since it’s already so late. After all, this is her house, and she has her room. There’s no need to hurry,” Amelia said, her tone cold and adamant.
Olivia licked her lips nervously, afraid of the storm that was undoubtedly brewing. “Amelia, Stephanie only said that in a fit of anger. She didn’t mean any of it, so please don’t take her words to heart. Anyway, I’m sure everyone’s tired from the dinner, and it’s getting so late now. Oscar, take your wife back to the room and have an early rest.”
Amelia looked sadly at Olivia before replying, “Mom, I can give in to you for all other things, but not this. The car accident had almost killed Tony and me. Surely it’s not too much to want some answers to that, is it?”
Olivia was both embarrassed and torn.
More than anything else, she was mad at Stephanie. If it weren’t for her lack of tact and willfulness, they wouldn’t have ended up in such an awkward situation.
“Amelia, Stephanie was only spouting nonsense. You know what she’s like when she’s angry. It’s not worth wasting your time and energy over her.”
With eyes bored into Olivia, Amelia pressed on, “Mom, you know better than anyone else if she only said it in a fit of anger. All I want is for her to give me an answer. Is that too much to ask?”
Olivia merely gaped at Amelia, tongue-tied.
Stephanie felt the fury roaring through her mind as she listened on. She had never liked Amelia and never cared if she incurred the latter’s wrath. In her eyes, Amelia was meek and could never retaliate or pose a threat to her.
“Okay, Amelia, I’ll tell you the truth. Yes, I planned the accident. That’s because I don’t like you, and I wanted to teach you a lesson!” Stephanie said as an arrogant sneer crept over her face.
Amelia scoffed, clearly exasperated, before walking up to Stephanie. “Was that the truth, Stephanie?” she asked calmly.
Intending to sow discord, Stephanie replied, “Oh, I never lie. I’m not afraid of admitting to what I’ve done. Oscar, Dad, and Mom are all aware of it, but they wanted to keep the truth from you. It looks like the lives of you and your son aren’t comparable to mine!”
“Is that so?”
Amelia’s expression turned cold as she raised her hand and slapped Stephanie hard across her cheek.
The slap was so strong and sudden that Stephanie fell into a momentary daze.
“Amelia, you slapped me?”
“Not only do I want to slap you, but I also want to kill you! Do you believe me?” Amelia said through gritted teeth. “Because you’re Oscar’s sister, I’ve tried my best to dote on you. When you threaten me, I laugh it off. When you insult me, I tell myself it’s because you’re still young. I want to believe that you’ll do better once you get older. I come up with excuses to brush off your hostility toward me and empathize with you, convincing myself that there’s still some good in you. I never once thought you’d be this cruel and heartless toward me.”
Tears started to roll down Amelia’s cheeks as sadness washed over her.
“Tony is your nephew, and yet you’d cause harm to him? I was seven and a half months pregnant with him when the accident happened. Do you know what went through my mind as I saw the car hurtle toward me? All I could think about was what would happen to my child. I didn’t even care if I’d live or die! I was thinking about all the moments he’d miss in his life if I lost him! How could you rob him of his chance to come into the world? If he hadn’t pulled through, I wouldn’t even have gotten to see him. How could you? How could you—”
Amelia tried to catch her breath as she clutched her chest, overwhelmed by the intense pressure and sorrow.
Oscar instantly ran up and carried her in his arms. “Amelia, calm yourself down. We can talk this through.”
Still clutching her chest, Amelia looked at Oscar with a mixed bundle of emotions. He was just as guilty for covering up Stephanie’s crime, and she couldn’t forgive him just yet. Amelia was usually very forgiving, but she could never forgive anyone who wanted her son dead.
If Oscar is my world, then that makes Tony my life.
I cannot, and will not, forgive this murderer who wanted Tony’s life!
“Put me down, Mr. Clinton,” Amelia demanded.
Taken aback by Amelia’s sudden aloofness, a look of disbelief flashed across Oscar’s face.
“Put me down, Mr. Clinton,” Amelia repeated, not wanting to look at him.
