Liam drove off with Charlie, while Emma headed out to take care of some errands. The sudden emptiness of the house hit the elderly couple hard, but they took comfort knowing their daughter would return in a few days.
"I never imagined Charlie would recognize the Williams family," Sophia said, gazing at the car disappearing from the living room window with a sigh.
"Charlie carries their blood too. There's nothing we can do to stop it," James replied, trying to soothe his wife. She nodded in agreement. Thankfully, despite his occasional mischief, Charlie was a sensible child. He hadn't cried when leaving—if he had, she wouldn't have been able to bear it.
"Grandpa, are we going to your house now?"
Sitting in the backseat, Charlie was held lovingly by Henry Williams. His innocent, wide eyes looked up at the old man, melting his heart completely.
"This is your home too, Charlie. You'll be living here often from now on."
Though Henry wished Charlie could stay at Sunrise Manor forever, he knew that wasn't realistic. It had already been difficult enough for Emma to let Charlie acknowledge his paternal lineage. He had braced himself for a court battle, but the outcome now satisfied him.
Charlie nodded, then bombarded the old man with questions. Henry answered each one patiently, his voice warm and kind. Even Matthew Clark, who had been driving for the Williams family for twenty years, couldn't help but feel astonished.
After escorting Henry and Charlie back to Sunrise Manor, Liam prepared to leave immediately. Though reluctant to part with his son, there were still countless matters awaiting him at the company. Besides, given the old man's attitude, he wouldn't let Charlie out of his sight anytime soon.
Back at the office, Christopher Martin had already learned about Liam and Emma's reconciliation. So when Liam asked him to buy some toys and deliver them to Sunrise Manor, Christopher wasn't surprised. He didn't forget to congratulate Liam either. Though the congratulations came late, it was clear Liam was in high spirits. Even the morning meeting had an unprecedented harmonious atmosphere—something that baffled the department managers who had braced themselves for the CEO's usual sternness.
But no one complained about the change.
Amelia White spent the entire day in a daze, even during an important art exhibition. Her mind kept drifting back to what she had overheard the night before. She never expected Emma Johnson to have had Liam's child—it shocked her. If that was true, did that mean Emma and Liam would get back together?
By evening, Amelia returned home, utterly drained. When she saw a little boy sitting on the living room carpet, playing with toys, she felt as if a thunderbolt had struck her. Her face twisted, barely able to contain her fury.
"Amelia, you're back. Come meet your nephew. This is Charlie," Henry announced, his face beaming with joy.
"Father, how could you bring that woman's child into this house? Wasn't it enough that Liam was dragged down by her before?" Amelia's face stiffened, her anger boiling over as the words slipped out.
Hearing this, Charlie, who had been watching his toy train pass through a tunnel, looked up at her.
"Amelia, what are you saying? Oliver, take the young master to his room to rest. Call him down for dinner later," Henry ordered sharply, afraid the child would be upset. He immediately stopped Amelia and instructed Oliver White to take Charlie upstairs. Then he couldn't help but scold his daughter.
"Mr. Oliver, who is that woman?" Charlie asked curiously as he was led upstairs, not struggling but raising his eyes to the butler.
"Young master, she is your aunt," Oliver replied, though he felt the young lady's words had been highly inappropriate, he couldn't say anything negative to the child.
"Oh," Charlie responded simply, then fell silent.
"What were you thinking just now? How could you say that in front of a child? If your brother heard you, he would never forgive you. What happened back then was our family's fault, not Emma's. She has been generous enough to let Charlie acknowledge his roots. How dare you speak of her like that? It's too much," Henry said, genuinely angry. He rarely spoke harshly, but he couldn't help reprimanding Amelia.
Amelia sneered inwardly but held her tongue. Even though the child came from that hateful woman Emma, the old man cherished him. She had calmed down now, her mind no longer clouded by hatred. She knew she had acted impulsively. The child entering the Williams family was already a fact. All she could do now was accept it. Otherwise, as her father said, Liam would be furious with her. Before, it just meant Liam rarely came home. But this time, if he found out she hated his son, he might drive her away entirely. She forced herself to stay calm. Acceptance was her only option.
"Father, I was wrong. I just couldn't accept it at first. Of course, I know the child is innocent. But thinking about how Emma nearly killed Liam... it breaks my heart. I hope I didn't scare the child," Amelia said, quickly adjusting her attitude and admitting her mistake.
Henry understood what had happened back then. Amelia was worried about her brother, so her outburst was understandable. Besides, she had already repented. After all, she was still his daughter, raised from childhood. He didn't want to say anything more.
"I want to see my nephew," Amelia said to her father.
"We'll talk about it at dinner. The child didn't sleep this afternoon, so he's catching up on rest now."
Amelia nodded, then went upstairs to change into casual clothes. Afterward, she headed to the kitchen to prepare food. The servants helping in the kitchen felt that the young lady seemed to be radiating a terrifying dark aura today. Though it was spring, the chill in the kitchen made them shiver.
Liam returned home early. Seeing the pile of toys in the living room, he knew his son was having a good time. He felt overjoyed. Without wasting a moment, he went upstairs, eager to see his son.
When Amelia learned of her brother's return, she came out of the kitchen but didn't see him. A servant told her Liam had gone upstairs. Amelia knew without guessing that he must be watching his son. Though her heart was bitter, she could only force herself back to the kitchen.