At 5:30 in the afternoon, Amelia finished her day’s work, ready to make her way home. She had grown increasingly comfortable in her role as president, and her daily commute between home and work had become a familiar, bustling, and joyful ritual. As she approached her car, Walter intercepted her. “Amy,” he called out.

“Why are you here?” Amelia’s face clouded over, her pleasant mood vanishing. She wondered, “Does he still see me as that naive and gullible girl from the past, thinking I’ll forgive him with a few casual sweet words?”

“Amy, I’ve done a lot of reflecting these past few days. I have realized that I’ve neglected your feelings in the past, and I sincerely apologize. I’ve brought you all your favorite foods. I queued up myself to get them for you.”

Amelia glanced at them, utterly uninterested. Walter extended the food towards her with a hopeful expression. There were chocolate doughnuts, hash browns… all famous delicacies from Norava, so sought-after that customers had to wait in line to buy them. However, the total cost of all of them paled in comparison to the cost of Sandra’s afternoon tea.

“I’ve changed my tastes and no longer favor these,” Amelia replied indifferently.

“Changed?” Walter was caught off guard. “Then what would you like to eat now? I’ll go to get it for you.”

“I like money. A lot of money. Can you give that to me?” Amelia scoffed, her delicate chin raised imperiously.

Walter frowned, “Amelia has indeed changed. It’s getting quite challenging to deal with her. It’s all Zachary’s fault for not keeping his affair with Sandra discreet, which has provoked her.”

“Amy, are you short on pocket money?” Walter inquired tentatively. If Amelia wanted tens of thousands of dollars, he would readily provide it. He was willing to spend a modest sum if it meant convincing her to change her mind.

“Yes,” Amelia affirmed with a laugh, “The only thing in this world that won’t betray me is money.”

Walter, taken aback by her boldness, swiftly took out his phone to initiate a money transfer. “Very well…”

“Are you really giving me money?” Amelia asked, blinking.

Walter hesitated for a few seconds before nodding. “Of course, you are my precious daughter.”

“Then give me 3 million dollars,”

“What?” Walter was so shocked that his phone slipped from his grasp. “How much did you say?” he asked, aghast.

“3 million dollars,” Amelia repeated.

“Amy, are you out of your mind? What on earth could you need that much money for?” Walter couldn’t even believe his ears. He gazed at the daughter he had raised, a cold shiver running down his spine. He thought, “Has the Kingsley family inflated her desires? Or is she intentionally making things difficult for me? How can I afford her three million dollars as pocket money?!”

“Well? Dad, are you reluctant to give me that?” Amelia sneered.

Walter was indeed reluctant to give her such a sum, but he knew that if he wanted a reward, he needed to make a substantial offer. So, he hesitated, wanting to win Amelia back, but afraid that it would be in vain after he squandered 3 million dollars.

“If you’re reluctant, forget it,” Amelia shrugged and walked towards the car.

Walter hurried after her. “No, no, it’s not that I can’t bear to give you the money. It’s my mobile phone. It didn’t work, so I can’t transfer the money to you.” At that moment, he was extremely grateful for the slip of his hand.

“Mr. Edwards, this is for you,” Aaron said, opening the trunk and taking out a brand-new mobile phone. Walter was speechless. “Mr. Kingsley’s phone also slipped from his grasp, so he always keeps a spare on hand. Mr. Edwards, you can use it once you’ve inserted your SIM card,” Aaron explained with a sardonic grin.

Amelia’s lips curled slightly as she leaned against the car, remaining silent.

“Well, I’m not sure how to use the new one…” Walter couldn’t bear to give Amelia 3 million dollars, so he feigned unfamiliarity with the new phone.

Aaron stepped forward to assist. “Mr. Edwards, let me show you…” Walter wished he could push Aaron away. “You meddlesome man.”

“Mr. Edwards, you’ve arrived just in time today. Mrs. Kingsley was concerned that the Kingsley family might not have enough pocket money for her, and here you are…”

“What?” Walter interrupted Aaron, shocked. “Why wouldn’t a wealthy family like the Kingsleys provide their daughter-in-law with pocket money?”

“Mrs. Kingsley is out of pocket money. You’re here to save the day,” Aaron smiled brightly.

Walter’s face darkened. He decisively put away his mobile phone. He would not give Amelia the money. “Amelia is already married into the Kingsley family. Why should I give her pocket money? The Kingsley family should be the ones to provide her with it,” thought Walter.

“Dad, you still can’t bear to give me money,” Amelia sneered, showing no mercy to Walter’s pride.

“Your mother-in-law actually won’t give you pocket money? Come on, let’s reason with her,” Walter said angrily. At that moment, a figure dashed out from the shadows and splashed some liquid at Amelia.

“Watch out,” Walter and Aaron shouted in unison. Before Amelia could react, Walter stepped in front of her, wrapping her in a protective embrace.

“Ah.” A scream of agony split the air.

Amelia, now safely shielded by Walter’s arms, turned pale. “Is this a murder attempt?”

“Grab her.”

“Call an ambulance now.”

Amidst the chaos, Walter was pulled away, his back scorched and the air heavy with a pungent smell.

“It’s sulfuric acid.” Aaron’s face darkened. That was close. If it had splashed on Amelia just now, her face would have been disfigured. Fortunately, Walter had intervened at the last moment.

“Dad, how are you?” Amelia looked at Walter, who was on the verge of fainting from the pain, and tears streamed down her cheeks. She thought, “He never cared about me, did he? Then why did he still protect me from harm?”

“Amy, I’m fine…” Walter managed to say through gritted teeth, his smile more of a grimace.

“Mrs. Kingsley, the ambulance will be here soon,” Aaron assured her, his look grave. He had always disdained Walter, but his opinion had shifted.

“Amy, don’t cry. It’s okay…” Walter soothed, his pain intensifying. Amelia’s heart clenched, and her red lips parted as if to say something, but she remained silent. Walter felt a secret sense of satisfaction. “Are you feeling guilty? This is the effect I wanted.”

Soon, the ambulance arrived.

“Amy, can you come to the hospital with me? I’m scared…” Walter pleaded, his grip tightening on Amelia’s hand. Amelia nodded and was by his side as they made their way to the hospital.

Sulfuric acid had left a palm-sized burn on Walter’s back—a wound not fatal, but undoubtedly severe. Three hours had elapsed since the emergency intervention, which included treatments like infusions, and Walter was now moved to a general ward. Amelia waited at the hospital during this time.

Aaron apologized cautiously, “Mrs. Kingsley, I’m sorry. My lack of vigilance allowed this to happen…”

“Have you captured the assailant?” Amelia inquired, her tears dried but her mood still somber.

Aaron, thinking she looked even more intimidating, spoke more cautiously, “We got her. It was Angela Green, Dr. Green’s wife.”

“It’s her…” Amelia’s expression turned colder. She clenched her fair fingers into fists, the fabric of her trousers wrinkling under the pressure. No wonder an attack was staged near the Kingsley Group. I knew it was impossible for Dad to protect me. It turns out to be a show. How audacious. Amelia’s eyes frosted over with anger.

“Mrs. Kingsley, don’t worry. Mr. Edwards will be fine. He will recover in a few days, and his skin will regenerate,” Aaron comforted. After all, it was Amelia’s father who had been injured. Aaron thought, “In the face of life and death, true feelings emerge. Mr. Edwards‘ love for Mrs. Kingsley remains steadfast.”

Aaron was poised to inform Gloria of the incident when Amelia interjected, “I will handle today’s matter. Don’t tell Gloria.”

“What?” Aaron was stunned.

“I want to see Angela.”