Chapter 020 Escaping Home Once More

Evelyn couldn't keep talking, and her eyes welled up with tears.

Monica knew Evelyn's parents had split when she was just a kid, and her dad had worked his butt off to raise her.

Now that things were finally looking up, Ryder didn't have much time left.

Evelyn couldn't stand seeing Ryder suffer from the illness while she felt so helpless.

Monica hugged her shoulders and tried to comfort her, "It's okay. Don't stress about it right now. I'll figure out a way to help him."

"Are you sure, Monica? Please save my dad. I can't just stand by and watch him go like this."

"I need to understand his situation first. Come on, take me to see his doctor. I need to check out the scans before making any decisions."

"I'll take you."

"Okay." Monica nodded, and before leaving, she glanced back. The kids were sitting quietly by the bedside, with Daniel telling Ryder a story, making Ryder laugh. She left feeling a bit more at ease.

But not long after she left, Ryder's heavy eyelids couldn't stay open, and he gradually fell asleep to Daniel's childish voice.

"Are you asleep?" Daniel leaned in to check, and sure enough, Ryder was out.

With no one to listen to his story, he stopped.

Amelia tugged at his sleeve, looking at him expectantly. Daniel got the hint right away. "You want to find mommy?"

Amelia nodded.

"Let's go." Daniel took her hand and walked out the door.

But they had no clue where Monica had gone. The empty VIP ward floor was pretty deserted, with just a few nurses on duty.

Alexander happened to come out of his grandfather's ward and saw them walking ahead. He called out sternly, "Daniel, Amelia!"

The kids froze.

Hearing his dad's voice, Daniel closed his eyes, a complex expression crossing his face. How could it be so coincidental?

When he opened his eyes again, he didn't look back and ran with Amelia.

But there was no way they could outrun Alexander. He caught up with them in a few steps and lifted Daniel by the back of his collar. "You even tried to run?"

Daniel turned to face his dad's icy face and grinned. "Dad, what a coincidence."

"Coincidence?" Alexander laughed coldly. "Don't give me that cheeky smile! Didn't I tell you to stay home and practice piano with Amelia? And now you've run off with her again. Tell me, who brought you here?"

"I heard great-grandpa was sick, so I brought Amelia to see him!" He grinned again, clearly not planning to disclose the truth.

"So, no one brought you here, and you ran away from home again?"

Alexander was instantly furious, and without hesitation, he smacked Daniel on the butt twice.

"Mr. Smith, please don't hit him, he's still young." Joseph quickly signaled to Daniel. "Mr. Daniel Smith, please apologize to Mr. Alexander Smith."

"Apology won't help." Alexander gave him two more slaps. "If I don't discipline you, you'll get more and more out of hand."

He couldn't imagine what would happen if something went wrong with so many cars on the road while they ran all the way from home to here.

He was really furious this time, but Daniel gritted his teeth, refusing to plead for mercy.

Seeing Alexander's hand about to come down again, Amelia quickly grabbed his hand. "Daddy..."

Alexander was startled, looking at Amelia in disbelief. Did she speak again?

But she couldn't say more, shaking her head anxiously, her eyes turning red, about to cry.

Alexander's heart softened, he put down his son and picked up his daughter, comforting her, "Alright, daddy won't hit him anymore, Amelia, don't cry."

Amelia hugged his neck, burying her little face in his shoulder, silently seeking comfort.

Alexander was immediately rendered helpless by his daughter, but still glared at his son, warning, "I'll let it go this time, but if I find out you ran away from home again, you're in big trouble, got it?"

Daniel crossed his arms and turned his face away defiantly.

Seeing him misbehave like he used to, Alexander suddenly felt a headache coming on.

"Joseph, keep an eye on him!" Alexander was too angry to talk to him anymore, so he carried his daughter and walked ahead.

Joseph took Daniel's hand and spoke in a low, pleading tone, "Mr. Daniel Smith, please don't cause any more trouble. Mr. Alexander Smith is already in a bad mood today."

Daniel thought for a moment and asked, "Is there anyone who dares to upset him?"

Joseph nodded repeatedly.

"Who?" Daniel asked curiously.

Joseph held up three fingers.

"Three people?" Daniel couldn't believe it, looking excited. "Quick, tell me, who are they?"

He wanted to spar with them.

Joseph blurted out, "Your great-grandpa, your mom, and you."

Daniel covered his mouth and giggled.

Alexander turned back and glared at them. "Shut up!"

Daniel immediately shut his mouth. William and Sophia were still at Alexander's home, so he needed to find a way to inform them quickly.

Meanwhile, Sophia was practicing piano under the watchful eye of the piano teacher. She had never done this before, so sitting on the bench made her feel uneasy.

The piano teacher, Ruby Hill, was a sixty-year-old lady with white hair. She had been teaching Amelia piano for two years. In her impression, Amelia was a quiet and well-behaved girl, not hyperactive, and had a special talent for music. But the one in front of her was restless, playing the piano like making noise.

"Miss Smith, what's wrong with you?" Ruby asked curiously.

"I'm itchy."

"Itchy? Where?"

Sophia couldn't explain, looking at William for help, hoping he would save her.

William shrugged and spread his hands, not helping.

Because he had never seen Sophia being disciplined before, and he enjoyed watching her being tormented.

Sophia glared at him angrily, then turned to Ruby and said, "Ms. Hill, I need to go to the bathroom."

"Bathroom? Alright, go ahead, take a break, we'll continue in fifteen minutes."

Sophia quickly ran off, returning to the room with William.

"Why didn't you help me? I'm not talking to you anymore." Sophia crossed her arms and sat on the bed angrily, ignoring him.

"You only have fifteen minutes. Are you sure you want to spend it being mad at me? When Alexander comes back and hears your wailing piano sounds, what will he think?" William smiled mischievously.

Sophia was instantly devastated, lying on the bed, feeling hopeless. "Mommy, please come save me!"

As soon as she finished speaking, William's phone rang. It was Daniel calling.

William answered, "Daniel, what's up?"