On the second day of Amalia's return to Apple City, she sent out the first requested Artifact in the morning and rushed to the Rodriguez family's residence in the afternoon. It was the day she had agreed upon with Arthur.
The whole Rodriguez family, including Grace, was present. Surprisingly, Grace didn't make things difficult for Amalia as she usually did. Instead, she greeted her at the door with a smile.
Amalia immediately sensed something amiss. She wondered what scheme Arthur had in mind. It wasn't until they were seated that she discovered the cards Arthur was holding.
"Amalia, a year ago, your uncle brought you to Apple City and didn't allow you to contact your foster parents. You don't resent your uncle for that, do you? After all, i was doing it for your own good," Arthur said with a smiling face.
"You are my uncle. How could I resent you?" Amalia lowered her gaze, understanding Arthur's intentions and concealing a hint of killing intent in her eyes.
"That's good to hear. In this past year, I've realized I owe you a lot. To make it up to you, I've brought your foster parents here. They should be at the hotel by now. After we finish this meal, you can go see them. It's been a year since you last saw them, and I'm sure you miss them," Arthur said as he served a dish that the original host didn't like. "Over the next few days, eat more of this and take your foster parents out to have some fun."
A dual approach of persuasion and threat, Amalia squinted her eyes. Arthur calling her back couldn't be good news, especially if he had brought the original host's foster parents.
Everyone in the Rodriguez family, except Amalia, enjoyed the meal.
Before seeing Amalia off, Arthur patted her shoulder and said, "After spending time with your foster parents, let's meet again, niece. We can have a heart-to-heart talk. Tonight, let the driver take you back."
Amalia nodded compliantly, keenly feeling the pressure Arthur was exerting on her. It wasn't just physical, but also emotional. "I'll be leaving then, Uncle."
Arthur smiled and nodded as he watched the floating car take Amalia away. His smile gradually faded, replaced by an icy demeanor.
The pressure he applied tonight seemed to have worked, but if it hadn't, he would need to resort to more ruthless measures. After all, Amalia was his niece, and he didn't want to escalate the situation if it could be avoided.
The Rodriguez family's driver dropped Amalia off at her apartment building. As he left, Amalia's expression became as calm as water.
...
The original host's foster parents had been arranged by Arthur to stay in a luxury presidential suite at a hotel invested in by the Rodriguez family. Although they had lived in comfortable conditions before, they had never felt as uncomfortable as they did now.
"Esmeralda, why do you think Arthur suddenly brought us here? Has something happened to Amalia at his place? And didn't he forbid us from contacting Amalia? Changing his mind so suddenly at this time, is he coming up with something?"
Amalia's father, who still had a kind, simple face even in his middle age, kept pestering his wife, not displaying any signs of the businessman who had experienced the ups and downs of the business world for decades.
"Don't you felt tired asking the same question again and again?"
Amalia's mother, who still exuded charm in her forties and looked like she was in her thirties, was visibly annoyed. She was tired of her husband's constant questioning and gave him a sharp look.
Amalia's father chuckled and, shamelessly, moved closer to his wife, patting her back gently. "Don't get angry, dear. Getting worked up is bad for your health, and it could lead to wrinkles. See, there's already a wrinkle at the corner of your eye. When we get back, you must take good care of your skin."
Just as Amalia's mother was about to scold him, she suddenly froze and stared at the entrance, her eyes quickly welling up with a faint glint of tears.
She pushed Amalia's father aside, walked up to the suddenly appearing Amalia, and embraced her directly. "My child, you've lost weight. Those bunch of jerks at the Rodriguez family promised to take good care of you when they brought you back. Look at how skinny they've made you. If it weren't for... I wouldn't spare them."
Amalia felt her whole body stiffen. Apart from the gradually fading childhood memories, she had seldom been this close to anyone, let alone being hugged by someone.
The warmth emanating from her mother, along with her words, her hot breath as she spoke, tightly enveloped her.
It felt both strange and uncomfortable, yet it was also a warm sensation that made her feel like she was returning to the womb.
Amalia let out a sigh in her heart. Was this the feeling of someone caring for you?
"Child, my dear child," Amalia's father stood behind his wife, grinning foolishly as he watched Amalia, who was practically leaning against her mother's shoulder, causing him to laugh so hard that he spat saliva on Amalia's face. "You look so funny now."