Chapter 962
Amelia explained in time, "If it were not for Nora who warned them not to leave the room until they finish their
homework, | guess they are more than happy to cdownstairs looking for you." This tPatrick did not know
what to say.
Sensing his embarrassment, Amelia had not continued to say anything else out of kindness.
She invited him again, "Cupstairs with me. Ashley said that she is not motivated to study without you."
"I don't have to be responsible for her grades!" Sulking, Patrick said.
Amelia looked at him and said, "Are you sure? You're also the one who complained that I deprive you of your
privilege to concern their study, aren't you?"
Patrick was completely speechless.
He thought of taking the opportunity to give Amelia a lesson so that she would not simply show face at him.
However, it turned out that this was completely useless for her.
Her face was saying "It is totally fine if you are not coming". He was stuck in an embarrassing dilemma.
But neither could he bear to go extremely harsh on her nor ignore her completely.
Eventually, Patrick had chosen to follow Amelia upstairs.
This time, Amelia did not knock on the door. Instead, she reached out to the doorknob right away.
Glancing up, she called out to the kids who were waiting earnestly near the study table, "Tada! Look! Who's
here!"
"Uncle Pattrick!" Ashley immediately jumped on his feet as if she was meeting her idol.
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Patrick was not moved by her enthusiasm. He reminded her solemnly, "Ashley, | remember that we had just met
last night."
Ashley immediately stopped cheering. With her expression earnest, she said, "Uncle, don't you know that
seconds feel like hours when I'm not with you?"
Upon saying this, she threw herself in direction of Patrick enthusiastically.
Patrick was not moved at all. He shoved her away ruthlessly.
Ashley did not seem angry at all even if Patrick had made it clear that he did not want to hug her. Instead, she
chuckled as if she thought that Patrick was playing hide and seek with her. Again, she threw herself into him.
Over time, Patrick either dodged away from her attack or he shoved her away. Amelia began to feel sorry for
Ashley, "Patrick, why not you just hug her."
Not only she saw Ashley was covering in sweat, she had noticed that the kid had begun panting. Amelia felt that
there was a need for her to say something.
She could tell that Ashley would not be able to focus on her homework later if she continued to play with him.
Patrick stunned for a while upon hearing what Amelia had said.
It was also right at this tthat Ashley had grabbed the opportunity and hug his thigh. She exclaimed in
excitement, "I catch you! Finally, | catch you! | win this time!" Patrick could not bother of his niece right this
moment. Instead, he squinted at Amelia and sneered coldly, "I never know that you're such a generous person."
"Generous? What does he mean?"
Amelia was puzzled. However, she did not want to ravel herself with this confusion.
After all, Patrick's mood was unpredictable. She did not want to seek any more problems for herself.
She glanced at Ashley who was overwhelmed with excitement, "Ashley, now that you've seen your uncle. Aren't
you supposed to return to your seat and solve your mathematic questions?" "Huh?" Ashley looked up with her
face reddened. It took her a while to respond to Amelia, "Amelia, can | play for a while more?"
Amelia knew that it was not possible to reason with this kid all the time. Hence, she put up a disappointed look
and said, "Ashley, we cto agree that you're going to study once you see your uncle." If you go back on your
words now, this isn't any different from cheating on me. Are you really fine with doing this to me?
Had | known that you will not keep your promise, | won't call your uncle here for you."
Hearing this, Andrew who had always taken a side on Amelia hurriedly said, "Ashley, listen to Amelia."
"Fine! Will do!" Pouting, Ashley let go of Patrick's leg and sat on the floor. She then mumbled, "I'm going to finish
my homework now. Auntie Amelia, you know what? You're stricter than my dad. Even mommy doesn't nag as
much as you do... Ouch! Who is this?"
Just as Ashley was making a complaint of Amelia's cruelty, someone struck her head from behind. She stood up
right away from the floor in shock.
Enraging, upon turning around and seeing who was the culprit who had hit her, she was stunned. She then said
cheekily, "Oh, it's you, Patrick! Can you be a little more gentle next twhen you want to touch my head? I'm
timid after all. | will suffer a shock if you patwith your full strength."
Touch? Pat?
The corners of Amelia's mouth twitched. She guessed that she had underestimated Ashley's affection towards
Patrick. This kid was not only admiring her uncle, but she was also blindly obsessed with him! Apparently,
Patrick's strike was a painful one for her. However, as soon as she realized that it was Patrick who hit her, not
only her anger faded right away, she even looked for an excuse for him hitting her! Patrick was immune from
Ashley's trick. He ordered sternly, "Apologize."
His words had sent Ashley into puzzlement. She asked, "Apologize? For what? To whom?
Patrick swept a glance at Amelia. The message in his eyes was clear enough even for a kid to understand.
"Ohhhh!" Grinning, Ashley said, "Now | see! | said that aunty nagged more than mommy did. That's why uncle
touched my head, am I right?"
Amelia was dumbfounded. Even until this moment, Ashley had refused to admit that Patrick had hit her.
"Hold on!
According to what Ashley said just now, does that mean that Patrick is speaking for her?"
Amelia could not help thinking.
Patrick's gaze that fell on Ashley was getting sterner. At first sight, it seemed like he was giving her a warning
but upon closer inspection, one would realize that he was impliedly urging her to apologize. Meeting his gaze,
Ashley immediately turned around and flattered Amelia, "Amelia, | shouldn't have said that you nag more than
mommy does!
What I'm trying to say is that you concern about my study more than my mom does! You're the role model of all
the stepmothers out there! Ouch! Patrick! Why are you hitting- wait, touching my head again?" Meeting Ashley's
eyes which were already tearing up, Patrick said sternly, "No more jokes, Ashley. Apologize properly to your
aunt."
Ashley was already on the verge of crying after getting hit by her beloved person two times in a row. In fact, it
was wholly heartbreaking for her.
"Patrick! You used to lovethe most! Mommy toldthat you always huggedto sleep when | was small.
But ever since you got married, you've changed! You beca bad person.
You only have Auntie Amelia in your eyes. Aren't young girls are more attractive to men in this society? You have
such a bad taste!"
Squinting, Patrick raised his hand in silence.
Ashley seemed to have foreseen the upcoming strike this time.
As soon as Patrick raised his hand, she immediately covered her head and said, "No! Patrick! Please don't touch
my head anymore! I'm already having trouble solving math questions. If you touch again, | don' think I'll be able
to solve any of them anymore!"
A few seconds later, Patrick's hand did not land on her head as expected. Ashley plucked up her courage and
sneaked a glance at him. She then said sheepishly, "Seriously, Uncle Patrick. | feel like every tyour
appearance cheersup."
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