Scum Daddy Dreams Of Stealing My Mommy!
Chapter 350 Lovesickness

Chapter 350: Chapter 350 Lovesickness

After the New Year’s Day holiday, everyone was back to work, busy with the approaching year-end bustle.

Amelia originally had plans to go on a business trip to Zurich, but she dreaded the long-haul flight. She had to settle for remote communication via video conferences with the headquarters.

While this was only a stopgap, by the latest, she would still need to make a trip after the New Year.

When she finished the video meeting, it was already late. As she was leaving the office, she received a call in the elevator from her half-brother, Jacob Garcia.

"Sis, did you see the announcement?"

"What announcement? I’ve been way too busy at year-end to follow the news."

"The company went bankrupt, has already been liquidated, and most of the employees have been dismissed. But due to issues with compensation payments, it seems some people have been causing trouble. It was filmed and posted online today."

Amelia was taken aback.

She had completely forgotten about this matter and about Michael Garcia, who was still under police investigation!

The company went bankrupt...

Although the issue was unrelated to her, she couldn’t help but sigh while reflecting on her grandparents’ lifelong hard work that had built the foundation of the business, only to see it destroyed in just a few decades by Michael Garcia.

At this moment, she felt her grandparents’ early passing might have been a blessing; otherwise, they would have been heartbroken and deeply regretful.

"I... I’ve visited Dad. He’s become quite despondent, aged a lot, and his hair is now white. I confronted him about the illegitimate child he’s been sheltering in the Ancient Town, but he didn’t react much. He doesn’t seem to care about their fate."

Amelia listened silently, with no visible reaction.

Though the child in the courtyard was technically her biological brother, she truly couldn’t bring herself to care.

Jacob, noticing her silence, knew she wasn’t concerned about it. After a brief pause, he shifted the topic, "I mentioned before that I’d help you get back the Ancient Town Courtyard. It should be in the next few days."

Amelia was astonished, "You’ve figured out a way?"

He had brought it up before, but she assumed it was an offhand remark meant to establish rapport, so she didn’t give it much thought.

"Yeah... After the company went bankrupt, there’s the severance pay and the bank loans, a substantial amount of money. The court will compel the sale of Dad’s assets to repay the debts. I’ve talked to him about transferring the portion of the property in the courtyard to me. I know that’s your grandparents’ property; I won’t keep it. Once the contractual procedure is complete, I’ll relinquish ownership and fully gift it to you."

When Jacob negotiated with Michael Garcia, he appealed to their fatherly bond, asking to leave a little inheritance out of sentiment.

A tiger, however cruel, does not eat its cubs. Michael Garcia knew his life was essentially ruined and carried some guilt toward his son, so he agreed.

The transfer procedures had already been initiated over the past few days.

Amelia gripped her phone for a long while, unsure of what to say.

So, it turned out her beastly father only showed ruthlessness and indifference toward her.

Toward his son, he still retained some semblance of familial sentiment.

But upon reflection, this half-brother hadn’t fallen into the trap of hatred like his mother and sister, who resented and schemed against her. He was like a lotus flower, unsullied despite growing in murky waters.

This fleeting thought brought a glimmer of warmth to her heart.

So, she spoke solemnly, "Thank you. If you need my help in the future, just ask."

Since it was a matter of mutual benefits, she decided to lay things out clearly.

Jacob chuckled lightly, "That’s what I’ve been waiting for."

That evening, Amelia originally planned to return to her own residence. Feeling downhearted, she subconsciously drove to Imperial Garden.

Christopher saw her looking pale and listless and asked her what was wrong. After some hesitation, she recounted everything to him.

"Looks like my judgment wasn’t wrong. I figured this boy hadn’t completely lost his conscience, and there was hope for him—turns out I was right."

Christopher, his memory restored, felt quite pleased with himself for his earlier perception.

Amelia shot him a glance, deliberately taking him down a notch, "Don’t flatter yourself. He’s playing the odds, sharp as ever!"

Now he had done her a favor. In the future, whatever request he might make, she would feel obligated not to refuse.

Christopher chuckled, gripping her hand securely, "Don’t worry. With me here, he won’t stir up trouble."

"I hope so." Deep down, she still longed for familial ties.

If this brother had a conscience, she wouldn’t turn her back on him.

Christopher asked about the Ancient Town Courtyard she mentioned, "The estate your grandparents left behind—is it worth much now?"

Amelia was slightly puzzled, "I’m not sure. I haven’t looked into it."

"I’ll ask someone to check it out later. Who knows—you might be quite wealthy."

She raised her chin confidently, "I’m already wealthy now!"

His assets alone were enough for her and their children to splurge for lifetimes. If that didn’t make her a wealthy woman, what would?

————

After dinner, the children demanded stories from their dad.

Christopher still had work to finish, and Amelia, noticing his hesitation, promptly took over, "Come on, I’ll tell you stories. Dad’s tired—let him rest."

Christopher indeed felt fatigued.

He had gone to the company in the morning and to the hospital in the afternoon to start his rehabilitation therapy.

A thirty-something adult, having to learn how to stand and move steps like a toddler, yet those legs attached to him felt like newly assembled pieces, completely unresponsive—this exhausting and frustrating experience made him at times want to take a knife to his legs.

That evening, when Amelia came to Imperial Garden, his mood brightened slightly.

Not wanting her to detect his vulnerability, he concealed it well.

No matter how well hidden, it was hard to escape the notice of someone who genuinely cares.

However, Amelia assumed it was just work fatigue, unaware of his rehabilitation therapy in the afternoon or the turmoil in his heart.

The children were understanding, delighted to know their mom would spend time with them after a long while, and agreed readily.

Christopher humbly squeezed Amelia’s hand, looking at her with gentle gratitude.

Amelia whispered, "Go to bed early; you don’t have to wait for me."

"Alright." Though he agreed, after the woman and kids entered their room, he went to the study.

As soon as he settled in, a call from Lucas King came through.

It was late; Lucas wouldn’t disturb him unless it was a pressing work matter.

"Hello."

"President Hart, you’re not asleep yet?"

"What’s the matter?"

"It’s just... Peak Industries has been buying up Seal-Cloud’s shares lately. Initially, I thought it was regular market trading, but after reading a financial article just now, I’m starting to think it’s abnormal."

Christopher glanced at the computer screen in front of him, paused on Seal-Cloud Corporation’s end-of-day stock price chart.

"I’ve noticed."

"What do you think...?"

"Since before New Year’s, their acquisitions have been gradual. For now, it’s within a normal range."

Lucas sounded concerned, "Should we meet their boss to probe their intentions?"

"Let’s wait and see."

"Got it. Rest well."

After hanging up, Christopher stared at the computer screen for quite a while, his brows furrowed.

He felt strongly that the unusual behavior from Peak Industries was probably connected to his uncle, Dunn Hart.

After some thought, he had a clearer perspective.

Could it be... After he returned to manage the company, this group chose to settle down temporarily because they had devised a "roundabout way to seize power"?

If they truly partnered with outsiders against him, were they not afraid of the consequences of "inviting a god who proves impossible to send away"?

In that case, they would be opening the door to wolves.

————

In the children’s room, Hope was also curled up on her brothers’ bed, attentively listening to her mom tell stories.

Amelia’s throat was dry by the end of the picture book.

"Alright, time for you all to sleep. I’ll take your sister now." She scooped up her daughter’s soft, fragrant little frame into her arms and watched her sons settle into bed, tucking them under the blankets.

"Mom..." Noah suddenly called her.

"Hmm?" She was just about to stand but sat back down upon hearing him, "What’s wrong?"

Noah gazed at her with his bright, intelligent dark eyes, hesitating for a moment before speaking, "Today Dad asked us if we wanted to go back to visit his... dad and mom."

The little guy avoided using the term grandpa and grandma, opting instead for "Dad’s dad and mom."

Amelia was momentarily stunned but maintained an outward composure with no visible reaction.

Ethan chimed in angrily, "I don’t want to go! They always bully Hope and don’t like Mom!"

Amelia glanced at her younger son and daughter, and finally focused her gaze on her eldest, "You turned Dad down?"

"Yeah..." Noah pursed his lips, stayed silent for a moment, then nodded.

Amelia also went quiet, unsure how best to address this with the kids.

Looks like, on New Year’s Day, when Christopher went back for dinner, aside from arguing with Emma Carter and her husband about Amelia, they must have clashed over the idea of the children claiming their lineage.

That’s why, when he had called her that day, his mood was off and urged her to return soon—it had been because of this.

"On this matter, Mom will not interfere with your decisions. Whatever makes you happy."

Since Amelia wasn’t clear on the full circumstances, she brushed it off ambiguously.

If Emma Carter still was only willing to accept the boys while ignoring Hope, then Amelia wouldn’t let the kids go; it would hurt Hope again and might divide the siblings’ bond.

If Emma had come around and was willing to accept all three kids, Amelia wouldn’t interfere with Christopher’s decision.

As long as the kids wanted to, they could visit.

But she herself, if avoidable, wouldn’t step into the Hart family’s old residence.

Once the children were asleep, Amelia returned to the master bedroom.

Unexpectedly, the room was empty.

Her brows furrowed slightly as she turned toward the study, pushing the door open with displeasure, "Did you forget you’re still a patient? Trying to push yourself until you collapse and burden me?"

Christopher lifted his head from in front of the computer, his handsome face breaking into a smile at the sight of the mildly angry woman, "Are the kids asleep?"

Amelia didn’t bother responding and walked further in with a tone of command, "It’s late. Whatever it is can wait till tomorrow—go to bed."

"Alright." The man obediently agreed, reaching out to her like a child seeking attention.

Amelia seemed annoyed on her face yet unhesitatingly rounded the desk toward him.

But just as her fingers were about to touch the armrest of his wheelchair, the man reached out and pulled her close, drawing her down in front of him.

Amelia was now sitting lightly on the edge of the desk, looking down at him from above, "What is it?"

Christopher held her hands, toying with them absentmindedly as he gazed at her with an unprecedented gentleness, "Being cared for feels pretty great."

She raised an eyebrow, "So, you’re deliberately neglecting yourself just to wait for a scolding from me?"

"Yes."

"You’re crazy."

"Indeed. Whenever I don’t see you, I go lovesick."

"..." Amelia turned her head aside, feeling the comment overly corny. But then again, why did her mood feel so bright? That small upward curve of her lips was impossible to suppress.