Chapter 181

With Henry's grandson falling ill, Gloria lost her smugness and had to keep quiet about Amelia's pregnancy.

"Amelia, it's not that I don't want to make it public. It's just that I have to be careful around Cynthia," Gloria said.

"I get it, Gloria," Amelia replied.

Amelia didn't care much. 'As long as I'm happy on my own, that's enough,' she thought. There was no need to upset Henry's family at a time like this.

"This is my most precious treasure, and now I'm passing it on to you," Gloria said, taking out a mother-of-pearl lacquer box that held a set of emerald jewelry.

It consisted of a bracelet, earrings, necklace, and a bangle—the whole set.

"Landon's father gave this to me after he made it in life. I was going to save it for Kayla's wedding, but after all these years, I doubt Kayla will ever come back…" Gloria said.

"You're my daughter-in-law, and honestly, you're like a daughter to me. So, I'm giving it to you," she added.

Gloria was torn between sadness and happiness.

Amelia's presence was like a soothing comfort, easing much of the sorrow in Gloria's heart.

Now, she could finally talk about her daughter Kayla with a sense of calm.

"I can't take this, Gloria," Amelia said, shaking her head.

Landon was still looking for Kayla, and Amelia truly believed they'd find her someday.

Since this belonged to Kayla, it should be kept for her.

"Amelia, I hope you don't mind me mentioning Kayla…" Gloria said softly.

"Of course not, Gloria," Amelia reassured her.

Amelia closed the jewelry box and returned it to Gloria with both hands, her gesture careful and respectful.

Gloria frowned. "Amelia, does this make you feel uncomfortable?"

"Of course not," Amelia replied with a smile. "Gloria, why don't we wait a bit longer? Maybe Kayla will come back to us."

Gloria froze, a lingering pain surfaced in her eyes. "It's been so many years…"

She had already lost hope.

But Amelia's words gave her a glimmer of hope again.

"Gloria, let's just try to stay calm about it, okay?" Amelia said gently.

"Okay," Gloria replied softly.

Gloria hugged the jewelry box to her chest, letting out a series of long, weary sighs.

Amelia started to second-guess herself. 'Did I say something wrong?' she wondered.

She let out a sigh. 'I really don't know what's wrong with me,' she thought.

Every time she thought of Gloria, Landon’s face would involuntarily pop into Amelia’s mind, and no matter what she did, she just couldn’t shake it.

"Gloria, what's wrong with Fraser?" Amelia asked, trying to change the subject.

"I'm not sure. It sounds like some kind of blood disease, and it's not easy to treat," Gloria replied.

"Marrying close relatives is never a good idea," Amelia said, shaking her head.

She sighed, thinking, 'The adults make mistakes, and the kids end up suffering.'

'Camila must be out of her mind. Not only did she fall in love with Patrick, but she also had a child with him!'

'I just hope Patrick can keep his head down and stay out of trouble this time around!'

Just then, Amelia's phone rang. It was Edith.

"Amelia, I heard you're pregnant, so I came to see you. I'm already outside your house," Edith said.

"Okay," Amelia replied softly.

She lit up with joy and hurried to open the door herself to welcome Edith.

Gloria was also delighted and followed right behind her. "Slow down. Let me get the door."

Edith had brought some fruits and Landon with her.

"Daniel told me you're pregnant. Congratulations!" Edith said with a warm smile.

She was wearing a light yellow cotton and linen dress that was simple yet refreshing. It not only flattered her slightly plump figure but also gave off a cozy, rustic vibe.

Ever since Amelia helped her with some style advice, Edith's fashion sense had been getting better and better.

"Ms. Edwards," came a small voice from behind Edith.

A little one poked their head out from behind her.

Amelia was surprised.

'It's Landon again!' she thought.

"Oh, whose adorable kid is this?" Gloria's eyes lit up the moment she saw Landon. "Come here. Let me have a look at you."

Landon wasn't shy at all. He went right up to Gloria and snuggled into her arms, giving her a warm, affectionate hug.

The two of them instantly clicked like they'd known each other forever.

Amelia watched them, but she couldn't help but wonder what Paloma actually looked like.

"Edith, what does Paloma look like?" Amelia asked.

"I don't know. I've never actually seen her face. But her eyes and her voice are both so gentle. I bet she's gorgeous," Edith replied.

"Landon's eyes don't look like Aiden's. They look more like Paloma's, right?" Amelia asked.

"Yep. Their eyes are exactly the same," Edith replied.

Amelia thought for a moment, then pulled up a photo on her phone of Landon when he was looking especially gentle. She blurred out his face and body with a mosaic filter, leaving only his eyes visible.

"Edith, check out these eyes," Amelia said.

"They're the same!" Edith cried out in surprise. "Whose eyes are these? They look so much like Paloma's.."

Amelia's heart was thumping wildly, like a little puppy running up and down the stairs—she just couldn't calm down.

"No way! I can't take it anymore. I'm dying of curiosity!" Amelia thought.

'I have to meet Paloma in person!' she told herself.

"Edith, could you introduce me to Paloma?" Amelia asked.

"Sure! But she's not in Norava right now," Edith replied.

"Let's go find her in Dreicean!" Amelia suggested.

Edith's eyes went wide in disbelief. "Amelia, are you serious? What's gotten into you?"

"Nothing, really, I just have this weird feeling like I already know her, so I just have to meet her," Amelia said, a little embarrassed but determined.

Amelia couldn't really explain the confusion swirling inside her to Edith, so she just managed a weak, awkward smile.

She had no idea that Landon was secretly watching her the whole time.

"Alright, Landon's heading back to Dreicean soon. When the time comes, we'll go together," Edith agreed.

Amelia secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"The moment I see Paloma, I'll know if she's really Kayla," Amelia thought.

Of course, she definitely wasn't going alone—she'd make sure to bring Landon with her.

"But how am I supposed to bring this up to Landon? Should I just come right out and say, "I suspect Landon might be your sister's child?" she wondered.

"That's way too direct. If I'm wrong about this, it would only leave him disappointed and hurt!"

Amelia and Edith made small talk, but Amelia was totally distracted, her mind wandering off somewhere else.

In the living room, Gloria hugged Landon so tightly, as if she just couldn't get enough cuddles. "Landen, your Nusminish is amazing! Who taught you to speak so well?"

Landon replied, his voice soft and sweet, "My mom taught me."

"Oh? Is your mom Nusminish?" Gloria asked curiously.

"No, my mom has blond hair. But she grew up in Nusmin when she was little, so her Nusminish is really good," Landon explained.

"Hair?" Amelia blinked, a sudden idea popping into her mind.

"Yep, that's it!' she thought. "If I can snag a strand of Landon's hair and compare it with Gloria's for a DNA test, we'll know…"

The test would tell them right away if they were actually related.

So, while Landon wasn't paying attention, Amelia slyly pulled out two strands of his hair…

Soon, the butler came in and announced, "Ms. Meyers, Mr. Kyle is here to pick you up."

"Okay," Edith replied softly.

Edith took Landon by the hand, said their goodbyes, and headed out.

Gloria said reluctantly, "Landen, come play with us again soon!"

"Okay, Mrs. Kingsley, see you!" Landon waved his little hand, clearly not wanting to leave either.

Amelia watched Aiden, her heart a whirlwind of emotions.

It felt like this man was deliberately showing up in front of her—and just as deliberately making sure she ran into Landon.

But she had no proof.

"Mrs. Kingsley, you've been staring at me this whole time. Have I charmed you with my looks?" Aiden puffed out his chest, posing like a model.

Amelia was left speechless.

She curled her lips and said, "Mr. Kyle, you do have the looks, but without a suit, you totally lose that CEO aura."

"Who says a CEO has to wear a suit? That's so uptight," Aiden grinned, his smile full of mischief. "If you ask me, a successful guy should know how to keep up his style."

"True, you're not married yet. Gotta dress flashy if you want to turn those young girls' heads," Amelia shot back, her tone half-mocking, half-amused.

Aiden winked at her. "What's so special about young girls? Personally, I think someone mature like you, with real life experience, is way more attractive."

Amelia couldn't even force a smile.

'Now that was actually kind of offensive!' she thought, feeling a little offended.

"Mrs. Kingsley, do you happen to have any sisters?" Aiden shot her a flirtatious look, making his intentions all too obvious.

Amelia took a deep breath, giving him a sly, knowing smile. "What a coincidence! I do have a sister. Let me hook you up right now."

Then, without missing a beat, she pulled up Sandra's number on her phone.