CHAPTER 135: CHAPTER 135: SHE WILL COME BACK

This time, Godfery Shaw’s fever from the infection was more severe than Amelia Wright had anticipated.

Logically, he should have gone to get an injection or IV to quickly control the illness, but Julius Shaw was unwilling and insisted on staying by Amelia Wright’s side.

He relied on anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing pills and had the fever off and on for two days.

On the second day, after waking up, Godfery Shaw broke a sweat and finally managed to break the fever completely.

His hazy eyes cleared up, and seeing Amelia Wright by his side, Godfery Shaw, with a slightly dreamy voice, called out, "Amelia?"

Amelia Wright softly replied, "I’m here."

Just from these two words, Godfery Shaw felt a pang in his heart.

It was as if a long-yearned-for treasure suddenly appeared right beside him when he opened his eyes one day.

Amelia Wright was unaware of what was going through his mind at that moment. Seeing he had broken the fever, she proceeded to talk about serious matters.

"Julius Shaw, can you stop locking me up?"

When it came to serious matters, Amelia Wright’s tone grew more solemn.

Godfery Shaw’s previous joy instantly shattered, and with a cold face, he said, "You still want to leave me? I won’t allow it."

Amelia Wright calmly said, "I’m not trying to leave; I have important things to do. I still want to continue participating in the national traditional painting competition."

Godfery Shaw stubbornly said, "Whatever you want to do, tell me, and I can help you."

"No, you can’t. These are things only I can do myself."

It was revenge, but also atonement.

No one could do it for her.

Godfery Shaw’s face was impassive as he turned and left, soon returning with a syringe.

Like a treacherous wolf that pulled down the bridge after crossing, he wanted to inject Amelia Wright with a drug that would prevent her from walking as soon as he was rid of the fever.

Amelia Wright cast a deep glance at Godfery Shaw, then lowered her head, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.

She didn’t struggle or resist; she just sat quietly, her soulful eyes filled with disappointment and sadness.

The uncontrollable Godfery Shaw was dangerous and bloodthirsty, yet he never intended to hurt Amelia Wright; he just wanted her to be unable to walk so she wouldn’t leave.

Godfery Shaw failed to recognize Amelia Wright’s sadness.

He injected her with a drug, ensuring her legs lacked sensation before he was at ease.

That way, Amelia couldn’t leave and wouldn’t deceive him by saying she would return but actually didn’t.

After the drug was injected into Amelia Wright’s leg, she fell silent.

It was as if she was too exhausted to speak.

In fact, she was using this method as a silent protest.

After she stopped speaking, Godfery Shaw obviously became more anxious than before.

It was like a stolen doll had broken, but he didn’t know where it was broken, so he could only helplessly and anxiously watch her worsen day by day.

"Amelia, was today’s lunch tasty?"

"Amelia, do you want to read? I’ll read a book to you."

"Amelia, don’t you like painting? Should I find you some paper and paints?"

Amelia Wright just sat quietly, and Julius Shaw’s behavior now was exactly the same as the last time he confined her in the Imperial Garden after she lost her sight.

Back then, she thought Julius Shaw was perversely pretending to be a deeply affectionate character, not realizing it wasn’t an act at all; he genuinely seemed to have liked her all along.

But this kind of affection was suffocating.

Amelia Wright’s eyes were filled with a kind of dead stillness, faintly gazing at the man in front of her.

She couldn’t fight back or seek revenge.

All she could do was this kind of silent protest.

Seeing that no matter what he said, Amelia Wright ignored him, in this silence, Godfery Shaw grew somewhat panicked: "Amelia, please... acknowledge me."

Amelia Wright still did not respond.

She had to leave.

And so, two more days passed.

Today was the day of the national traditional painting competition finals.

The event was scheduled for 2 PM in the afternoon.

Amelia Wright didn’t have a phone or internet access and couldn’t even be sure if she had made it to the finals.

Judging purely on her painting skills, there shouldn’t be any problem; these were skills she honed in her past life through desperation, using blood and life.

But the problem was, the painting was too dark and might not be accepted.

Indeed, as Amelia had thought.

Her painting had indeed sparked considerable controversy.

The judging panel of the national traditional painting competition even convened a special meeting for this painting.

An elder spoke first: "What’s there to discuss? Undeniably, this is a great work."

Instantly, there was opposition: "I disagree. One of the major points of traditional painting is its intent. The meaning of this painting is almost malicious; I even suspect the character of the person who created it."

"Are you going to stifle a genius’s opportunity based on your so-called speculations?"

"It’s not speculation; it’s a fact. Many times, the line between genius and madness is thin."

"I reserve my opinion, but I think she should be given a chance. I’ve seen her preliminary work, the Green Pine Painting, which is completely different, conveying perseverance amidst hope. Perhaps she can simply master various styles."

"Then let’s vote."

The judges began to vote, and the final result was surprisingly five to five.

Everyone’s gaze turned to the special invited judge, Robert Reed, who had remained silent.

"Old Mr. Reed, what do you think?"

Robert Reed said confidently, "Of course, I vote in favor."

"Old Mr. Reed, are you favoring your student?"

Robert Reed said righteously, "Why, if I don’t favor my student, should I favor you instead?"

Judge: "..."

Seeing the debate might go on endlessly, the chief judge directly made a decision, "Alright, that’s it. Six to five—let her enter the finals."

Only then did Robert Reed swagger off.

He had deliberately come to keep an eye on things. Dare anyone treat his young apprentice unfairly? Not a chance.

Like a victor of a battle, Robert Reed gradually sagged his shoulders.

Since the painting at the cultural center, he hadn’t seen Amelia Wright.

Amelia Wright was clearly in a bad state, and it was uncertain whether she had recovered.

Even on the day of the finals, Robert Reed couldn’t get in touch with Amelia Wright.

Worried sick, he rushed to the old town to find her.

Arriving in the old town, seeing that number 32 had its door open, assuming Amelia was home, Robert Reed quickly walked over and bumped into several men walking out of the room.

Robert Reed froze: "What are you doing here?"

In succession, Elijah Jefferson, Emma Lewis, Hailey Smith... and Emily Allen walked out of the room.

Everyone froze for a moment.

Hailey Smith said with a stiff neck, "My master isn’t home. They came... to take care of Emily. We’re just about to send him to kindergarten."

Robert Reed suspiciously asked, "A group of grown men, taking a child to kindergarten?"

Emma Lewis hadn’t even realized she had been successfully categorized as a grown man.

Because the excuse was so clumsy, the others glared at the foolish Hailey Smith.

Hailey Smith innocently nodded, "Yes, Emily was bullied. We’re going to back him up."

Not wanting to engage in nonsensical banter with these young folks, Robert Reed directly asked the question he cared about: "Where did Amelia Wright go?"

Afraid Hailey Smith might say something unreliable again, Elijah Jefferson quickly intercepted, "We don’t know either; she left urgently."

Robert Reed’s brow furrowed more tightly, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepened: "The finals of the national traditional painting competition are at 2 PM today; will she be able to make it back?"

Elijah Jefferson paused for a moment, then firmly nodded, "She will come back."