Confused by Amelieâs words, Leo was stunned. âWhat do you mean what do I want?â
âBria is sick!â she exclaimed from the other side of the phone. âDid you do something? I just contacted the teacher, and I was told you were the only one who visited her during the day!â
When he heard that Bria was sick, his expression changed at once. âTurn around!â he yelled, instructing the driver.
Since they were on a highway, the driver couldnât turn around, so he had to drive all the way to the nearest exit.
Although Leo was anxious, he couldnât say much. In the end, he told Amelie, âIâm coming back now.
Weâll talk later.â
After the driver turned around, he headed straight to the hospital.
While sitting in the car, Leo could see Amelie standing at the hospital entrance, even from a distance.
She had. a slender and delicate body. Since the lighting wasnât bright enough, she seemed to have blended into the darkness. However, for some reason, he could recognize her at a glance. Her hands were clasped tightly together, and he could feel her tension even through the car window.
Then, he ordered the driver to flash the high beams to alert her.
Her eyes, which were staring into space, finally focused, and her gaze landed on his car under the guidance of the headlights. She strode toward him after seeing him in the car.
âHowâs Bria?â He quickly got out of the car as well to meet her.
Originally, her face was filled with anxiety, but when she saw him, her beautiful eyebrows furrowed.
âLeo Alston! Canât we just fight in court openly and fairly? Why do you have to resort to these dirty tricks? What good does it do if you gain Briaâs custody by defaming me? Sheâll hate you forever when she finds out the truth!â Her words came out in one breath. She had said it in a fierce tone with a serious expression.
With a frown, he spoke in a low voice, âCan you first tell me what happened to Bria?â She came at him with accusations right off the bat, confusing him, but at that moment, he was genuinely worried about Bria.
When she heard his question about Bria, Amelie realized she had been too agitated. So, she controlled her temper before explaining. âBria suddenly felt discomfort in her stomach, and the doctor said it was caused by mild food poisoning. She had lunch at school today, but if the schoolâs food was the issue, she shouldnât be the only one with this condition. I asked the teacher, and she said you went to see her during the day and stayed with her for a long time. What did you do to her?â
Amelie had been busy all day today, and with the lawsuit, she reached home very late. Only when she reached home did she find out that Bria had waited for her without having anything for dinner. So, she went upstairs to Immediately, she and Steven rushed Bria to the hospital, and they found out she had food poisoning after the doctorâs examination.
How could she not have any suspicions? When she started suspecting, her suspicions naturally fell on Leo.
He understood what she meant and couldnât help but rub his eyebrows in frustration, but the main thing he was concerned about at this moment was still Briaâs condition. âHow is she now? Did the doctor say that sheâs in danger?â
âThe doctor gave her an IV drip. Sheâs feeling better now,â Amelie replied in an awkward tone.
Relieved to hear that Bria felt better, Leo lowered his head to look at her and answered her previous question seriously, âI did visit her today, but I only bought her an ice cream. Thereâs surveillance at the ice cream shop. You could check to see if I added anything to it.â
When she heard that there was surveillance, she immediately made a call to have someone check it.
Seeing her make the call, Leo knitted his brows tightly. When did I become such a villain in her eyes?
Annoyance arose at this thought. Then, he reminded her, âBria is also my daughter. I have no reason to harm her. Besides, she had the ice cream in the afternoon, which was five hours ago.â
Although Amelie knew about that, she still didnât believe him. The Alstons want to gain Briaâs custody so badly that they even used that eelsâ incident against me. What is there that they canât do? Besides, if he really wants to harm her, itâs not impossible to get medication that needs five hours to take effect.
âTrading a small poisoning incident for the judgeâs doubt about my ability to protect my child, coupled with the accusation of mental instability, gives you guys an upper hand in the fight for Briaâs custody.
This isnât a bad deal for you and your family!â Her eyes were cold the whole time, and her voice was stiff. Meanwhile, the words she said were filled with sarcasm.
âI am Briaâs father. I could never do such a thing. Even if itâs just mild poisoning, it isnât something a father should do.â When Leo felt that he had such a bad image in her mind, his chest felt stuffy and uncomfortable.
At the same time, Amelie just looked at him while still doubting him.
âAlso, I donât plan to compete with you for Briaâs custody. I have already had my mother withdraw the lawsuit.â
However, she had not received any notification of the lawsuit being withdrawn, and with what happened to Bria, she couldnât believe him at all. His words only provoked more obvious sarcasm from her. âI actually miss the old you, Leo. You used to show your likes and dislikes on your face clearly and never played dirty tricks.â This implied that he had become hypocritical now. After that, she ignored him and turned around to walk away.
Just as Leo took a step forward and was about to chase after her, a voice came from the side. âLeo?
What brings you here?â
âMom?â He raised his eyebrows, and his voice filled with a hint of surprise.
At this moment, Melissa walked over with a yellow and white bag in her hand, stopping in front of him.
âAre you also here for Amelie? This woman doesnât even care about Bria at all. She didnât even know that her child was poisoned! This is a serious matter, Leo. We canât just let it go. No matter what, we have to keep Bria by our side!â
âSo, you didnât withdraw the lawsuit?â His voice turned cold at once.
She was momentarily stunned and looked embarrassed by his exposure, but she quickly spoke up again, âWith such a big incident happening to Bria, how could I withdraw the lawsuit? Sheâs your biological daughter, Leo! You canât just put her aside and only care for Amelieâs feelings!â She adopted a superior manner as though she was educating him.
As he rubbed his forehead, he suddenly understood why Amelie would doubt him and even think he was hypocritical. Did Mom come to criticize her already? âMom, are you in it for what happened to Bria?â he asked.
When she heard that, her youthful face froze instantly before she showed a hutt expression. âIs that really what you think of me, Leo? Iâm Briaâs grandmother. Thereâs no way I could have done something like that.â
In fact, he knew what kind of person Melissa was. Although she was selfish, she had a big ego, so she wouldnât stoop to such things.
my decision At this thought, his expression softened a little, but he made it clear again. âIâve already made about Briaâs custody. I hope you wonât meddle in this matter anymore to avoid causing yourself any further embarrassment in the future.â
Melissa trembled with rage when she saw her son still refusing to take custody of Bria, even at this point. However, realizing that he was determined and knowing that he wouldnât change his decision, she could only give up for the time being. So, she suddenly changed the topic. âI can let this matter go, but what about the other matter? How do you explain it?â