Chapter 268

"Emmalie?" Thea asked tentatively. Kindness was a virtue she prized, and besides Emmalie, no one would employ such cruel tactics against her. Amelia’s eyes offered no insight; she was utterly useless, her only talent being acting.

"We've only met a few times when necessary, Thea," Amelia said. "You're eager to involve her. Are you using me to eliminate rivals?"

"You're right," Thea admitted candidly.

Amelia sneered. "Shameless as ever, using me for your dirty work? No chance."

Amelia was stubborn, a fact Thea understood but refused to acknowledge easily. She maneuvered her electric wheelchair, the wheels seeming to have a will of their own. They rolled repeatedly over Amelia's hand. Regardless of Thea's weight, the pressure caused Amelia immense pain.

"Does it hurt?" Thea asked, unsympathetically. "When you ran into me, my injuries were far worse." Amelia's wails elicited no sympathy. "Your stubbornness is fortunate. Let's see whose endurance is greater—your mouth or my tires." Thea continued to press down, cold sweat beading on Amelia's forehead. Outside, Amelia's cries were painfully audible. Darwin trembled. "Mr. Hendrix, Mrs. Hendrix wouldn't actually kill her, would she? I'm worried about the police."

Nicolas scoffed coldly. "A nobody? What's to fear? If Thea wants to play, let her. I'll handle the consequences."

Darwin resigned himself. They were both lunatics, concerned only with their amusement.

Half an hour later, Thea still reveled in her actions. Amelia's hand was numb, yet Thea showed no sign of stopping. Amelia's other hand remained unharmed; Thea doubted Amelia drove one-handed. Amelia had hit her; now she'd face the consequences.

Amelia's mental defenses crumbled under the relentless pain. Her lips were pale and trembling. "Emmalie is irrelevant. You only act tough with me. If you're so skilled, why not target April? She's the mistress of the Viper's boss. Do you dare confront her?"

'April? She's involved in the murder?' Thea thought, a cold smile curving her lips as she raised Amelia's chin. "How did you two connect?"

Their eyes locked. Amelia realized with horror that Thea, having been with Nicolas, had absorbed his chilling intensity. Thea's presence was overwhelming; Amelia felt helpless. "She approached me. Thea, it's your fault! You're shameless, enticing other people's boyfriends. You even targeted the Viper's boss."

"The rumors have spread that far? The Viper?" Thea immediately connected it to Corey. 'Those siblings are lunatics.'

Just then, Nicolas opened the door. 08:19 Mon, Nov 18 GT

Chapter 268

The bright light seemed to offer Amelia hope. "Mr. Hendrix, don't be fooled by Thea's innocent facade. She's a promiscuous bitch. Since high school, she's been manipulative. She stole my boyfriend and caused my mother's death. She deserves hell."

A torrent of curses filled the air, prompting unpleasant memories for Thea. "Boyfriend? Amelia, are you referring to that thug from sophomore year? The one who cornered you in the restroom after your breakup?"

Amelia screamed, "Don't twist it! He was testing my loyalty. If you hadn't interfered, we'd be married."

The mention sent Amelia into a frenzy. "Because of you, his parents sent him abroad. I don't know if he's alive… I've waited all these years." Thea understood. Good intentions had backfired.

Thea first met Amelia in the high school girls' restroom, after Emmalie’s return to the Rowland family. The Rowlands’ attitude toward Thea had plummeted. Enraged, Thea confronted girls harassing a soaked Amelia. Then, Thea was untouchable. She never claimed to be good, but rescuing Amelia was one of her few decent acts. She never imagined it would fuel Amelia’s hatred.

"Stop pretending to be confused. I saw you messaging him. You were seducing him! You latch onto any man," Amelia said. Before Thea could respond, Nicolas silenced Amelia with a firm hand over her mouth. He never hit women unless they crossed a line, and Thea was his line. He wouldn't tolerate insults directed at her.

"The man you're obsessed with isn't worth it," Thea said with difficulty. "He texted me first. Amelia, do you know why he was sent away? He asked me out under your name and drugged me, nearly ruining my reputation."

Ivy, furious about the perceived family shame, sent him abroad without investigation. Those were Thea’s darkest days. Saving Nicolas was a bright spot, even after his later betrayal. She'd retained her kindness.

"Ivy might not care for me, but she wouldn't let that thug tarnish my reputation or the family name. His disappearance is hardly a loss," Thea said flatly. Given everything, he could die a thousand times without her pity.

"You're lying. He only has eyes for me," Amelia replied confidently.

Even with a makeover, Amelia couldn't compare to Thea. Thea was weary. As exhaustion set in, Nicolas tightened his grip on the wheelchair's armrest. "Cameron said you need rest. Leave this to Darwin." Amelia deserved consequences.

The final sentence about the lack of warning signs seems out of place and unrelated to the preceding text. It should be removed or placed in a different context.