Chapter 20 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 het . 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 . 1/4 Chapter 20 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 . 3 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 . 2/4 Chapter 20 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 . 3/4 3:35 am Chapter 20 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 ? "