When Amelia White reappeared at Sunrise Manor, Emma Johnson's eyes widened in shock. How could she have lost so much weight? Going to a Swiss sanatorium? Was she suffering there?
The reason Amelia had spent two months in that clinic was because of her. Emma felt a pang of guilt. If Amelia had just rested at home, she wouldn't look like this now. Glancing at Henry Williams beside her, Emma could see the pain etched on his face. He must be regretting ever agreeing to Liam's proposal.
"Amelia, why are you so thin? It's my fault for letting you go to Switzerland. We should have had those doctors come to you instead. You've suffered so much."
Sure enough, the old man gazed at his youngest daughter with deep anguish. Amelia wore an expression of complete indifference as she affectionately took his arm.
"Father, I've lost some weight, but I don't think it's that much."
Seeing his daughter so composed and understanding, Henry had no choice but to feel even more distressed.
"Father, I'm hungry. Let's eat quickly. Big brother and second brother haven't eaten much today either."
If not for Amelia, the old man might have grabbed his walking cane and beaten Benjamin out of the house. But seeing that Benjamin still cared for Amelia—even bringing her back personally—Henry decided to let it go for now. They would have a pleasant dinner together.
"It's already prepared. All your favorites. You need to eat more tonight. Once you're home, we'll build you back up."
The old man spoke to Amelia with tender affection.
"Alright."
Amelia smiled. Then her gaze fell on Emma and the white cat in her arms.
"What a lovely kitten, sister-in-law. Did you just buy it?"
Amelia's face lit up with a look of adoration. "Can I touch it?"
Emma looked into her eyes, which shimmered like autumn water with a hint of pleading. She nodded. Amelia stepped forward happily and reached out to stroke the little creature in Emma's arms.
"Ah, it hurts!"
Suddenly, the moment she touched the white cat, something seemed to trigger it. With a sharp meow, its fur bristled, and it swiped a paw across the back of Amelia's hand.
Three bloody scratches appeared instantly on Amelia's skin. Benjamin rushed forward, grabbing her hand, shouting for a servant to bring the first-aid kit.
"You wild beast! How dare you scratch Amelia!"
Benjamin lunged forward angrily, intending to snatch the cat from Emma's arms and throw it to the ground to teach it a lesson. Emma saw the vicious glint in his eyes and, fearing for the cat's safety, quickly stepped back, holding it tighter.
Benjamin's hand caught her wrist instead. Liam reached out just in time to stop him, but Emma's wrist was already bruised and throbbing with pain.
"Xiaobai is usually very gentle. He didn't mean it."
Though Emma didn't understand why the cat had acted out, she knew it would never hurt anyone like this. The servants often played with it, and it had never behaved so aggressively. She didn't know what had gotten into it, but she didn't want it to get hurt. She tried to explain.
"Second brother, don't be angry. Maybe it just doesn't like me, though I don't know why. Forget it. It's sister-in-law's pet."
Amelia forced a weak smile, but tears glistened in her eyes. She seemed to be fighting to keep them from falling.
"So what? Is that animal more important than you? You're the princess of this family. That thing is nothing but an ill-bred stray cat. It shouldn't even be allowed in this house."
Benjamin's words were merciless, and there was clearly a deeper meaning behind them. Emma knew he was looking at her, and she understood his anger. But she wouldn't hand over Xiaobai.
She turned to Liam, hoping he would speak up for her. She knew that if he said something, things wouldn't get so out of hand.
"Charlotte, take Xiaobai upstairs and lock him in a room. No food or water. Understood?"
But Liam's voice was cold as he gave the order. Emma watched as Charlotte hesitated for a moment before finally taking the cat from her arms.
She couldn't help but laugh bitterly. Amelia was his sister, a family member he had known for over twenty years. What was she compared to that?
Besides, Amelia had been scratched because of Xiaobai. Emma was always the unreasonable one. She should be grateful that Liam hadn't ordered the cat to be thrown out or killed like Benjamin had wanted, right?
Henry Williams wasn't happy, but he didn't say anything either. In a deep voice, he ordered Oliver White to call Dr. Julian Moore. Though the scratches on Amelia's hand weren't serious, and Xiaobai had been vaccinated, no one could guarantee Amelia wouldn't catch some disease. Better safe than sorry.
Dr. Moore arrived quickly. He examined Amelia and assured everyone there was nothing to worry about. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Dinner was delayed by nearly two hours before it finally began.
Emma looked at the table full of delicious food, but she had no appetite at all. She didn't touch any of the dishes Liam placed on her plate. Instead, she picked at the food in front of her, taking small, mechanical bites.
Seeing this, Liam's deep eyes darkened.
Emma could feel the anger radiating from the man beside her, but she couldn't bring herself to care. She knew his decision might have been the right one at the time, but she felt that Xiaobai, usually so clever, hadn't meant any harm. It wasn't fair to Amelia, but she just didn't want to talk to Liam.
Amelia, eating quietly, watched the tension between them from the corner of her eye. A faint smile curled at the corner of her mouth.
By the time the meal ended, there was barely any rice left in Emma's bowl. It was clear she had just been counting the grains.
While Amelia chatted with everyone in the living room, Emma remained in low spirits. Worried about whether Xiaobai was hungry, she forced herself to stay for over half an hour before finally getting up and heading upstairs.
She was going to see Xiaobai.