"It's strange how people who are clearly in the wrong can look so offended. It makes no sense at all."
Seeing Amelia's expression, Emma said coldly.
"She's always been like that, acting as if the world owes her something. It's not like you haven't noticed before."
Olivia let out a cold sneer.
"You—"
Amelia was choked by their words, unable to utter a single retort. Her face shifted between pale and red, an ugly sight to behold.
But at that moment, no one had the mood to continue mocking her. They were all too worried about finding Charlie. Liam was extremely anxious, thinking about how young his son still was, and what might happen if he fell into the wrong hands.
Half an hour later, however, Charlie was brought back by Captain Reed.
"The kid knew that if he couldn't find his way home, he should go to the police. A kind-hearted man took him to the station. I brought him here myself."
Captain Reed explained to the group.
"Mommy."
Charlie spotted Emma and couldn't help but brighten up. He happily jumped into her arms.
Emma hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably. It felt like she had lost and then regained a priceless treasure. The heavy stone in Liam's heart finally settled.
"Charlie, why didn't you stay in the gallery? Everyone was so worried about you."
Amelia, seeing Charlie back, forced a smile and spoke to him.
"There was a strange uncle staring at me. I got a little scared. I wanted to go upstairs to find you, but your staff said you were in a meeting and couldn't be disturbed. So I tried to find Mommy, but I got lost. They called the police."
Though Charlie was young, he spoke clearly. In just a few sentences, he explained everything. Amelia immediately regretted asking the question. She had indeed told her staff not to let Charlie find her, because she didn't want to deal with him anymore.
But she never imagined it would be her biggest mistake.
"Amelia, is this how an aunt should behave? Even if there's a meeting, is there anything more important than a child's safety?"
Liam's face was filled with anger and disappointment. Amelia grew nervous. Her big brother must be blaming her now. What could she do? If she had known, she would have never let that little brat wander off. It was a self-inflicted wound.
Emma carefully checked Charlie over, making sure he was unharmed. Only then did she finally relax. Although she wanted to take Charlie home, he insisted on returning to Sunrise Manor. Emma didn't want to force her son, so she just repeatedly reminded Liam to be careful before leaving with her two close friends.
"Charlie, Daddy will take you home."
Liam took his son's hand and completely ignored Amelia. Charlie also treated her like she was invisible. Father and son left the gallery together, leaving Amelia standing there alone, her face pale for a long time.
Back at Sunrise Manor, the old man heard about what happened. He was also furious with Amelia. No one thought it was Charlie's fault for leaving the gallery alone. After all, if Amelia's staff hadn't stopped him from going upstairs, Charlie would never have left on his own.
Amelia didn't go home that night. Instead, she went to see Benjamin.
"Second brother, I didn't mean to. Why is big brother so angry with me? Did I want the child to get hurt?"
Amelia was drinking red wine in a private room at Las Vegas Entertainment City, tears streaming down her face.
"You're not wrong. It's all big brother's fault."
Benjamin looked at Amelia sympathetically, feeling that Liam had gone too far. How could he let a child destroy the bond he had shared with Amelia for so many years? He had never even liked that child.
Late into the night, Amelia was very drunk. Her eyes were red from crying. Benjamin personally drove her back to Sunrise Manor. Since she had drunk too much, he had to prepare hangover soup for her in the kitchen to sober her up.
Even Charlie, rubbing his sleepy eyes, came out of his room.
"Why did you come out? Did I wake you?"
The old man asked his grandson with concern when he saw him.
"It's okay. Is Auntie back?"
Charlie rubbed his eyes, then looked at Amelia, who was lying on the sofa, being served hangover soup by a servant.
"Yes, it's your aunt. By the way, this is your little uncle."
The old man, seeing that Benjamin rarely came home, introduced him to Charlie.
"Little uncle? You're so handsome."
Charlie looked up and stood beside Benjamin, staring at him with big, star-like eyes. Benjamin, who had planned to ignore him, looked at his little nephew, who resembled him so much. He didn't know if it was because of their blood relation or because the child was so adorable, but at that moment, he forgot about Amelia's grievances. When he looked into those pure, phoenix-like eyes, his heart suddenly softened.
He was his big brother's son. He didn't want to get close to him. But he was also his nephew. So, he nodded to him involuntarily, and then he saw this lovely little guy, with a curious look, holding his hand and starting to ask questions.
His hands were soft, though a little cold. It was because he had gotten up in the middle of the night. He looked so much like his big brother. When he smiled, he was adorable, like the sun shining. Benjamin unconsciously lifted the corners of his mouth.
It was really hard to hate a child. Even though his company and his big brother's company had been fighting in the business world, and their relationship wasn't what it used to be.
"Little uncle, why don't you live at home? I've been here several times, and this is the first time I've seen you."
Charlie looked at him with slightly puzzled eyes.
Benjamin's hand lifted uncontrollably and touched the child's soft hair. His voice unconsciously softened a lot.
"Call me when you come back, and I'll come home."
"Okay, little uncle, give me your phone number quickly."
Charlie asked a maid to bring paper and a pen. Watching the interaction between the child and his youngest son, the old man suddenly felt comforted. In recent years, the relationship between his younger son and older son had been as cold as ice. If a child could help reconcile them, and make his youngest son come home more often, perhaps it would be a good thing for both brothers.
Although Liam sat on the side with no expression on his face, the cold fog in his eyes had disappeared. He didn't look as cold as usual.