Chapter 222
At Kingsley Group, Amelia was so busy that she felt dizzy. Tuff had been sitting there for quite a while before she even noticed him.
“What brings you here?” she asked.
“Amelia, there’s something I’ve been struggling with, whether to come clean to you about,” Tuff said, looking conflicted.
If he let Amelia see Landon, the story about Landon losing his memory and going undercover would fall apart, he thought. But if he didn’t let her go, Paloma’s plan would be stuck.
“Is it about Landon?” Amelia guessed right away, her heart in her throat. “What happened to him?”
“He’s fine, don’t worry,” Tuff quickly reassured her. “Let me put it this way: Paloma already knows who she is.”
“Huh?” Amelia blurted out in shock. “Who told her?”
“Back when you were still in Dreicean, she saw the DNA test report you guys did for her,” Tuff explained.
“That early…”
Amelia shot up from behind her desk, completely stunned. Thinking back on all the kindness Paloma had shown her, she felt her nose sting. “Is that why she brought me the datura?”
“Yes,” Tuff nodded. “She’s been searching for her true identity, but she couldn’t acknowledge you as her family.”
“Why?” Amelia asked, puzzled.
She was afraid that if she recognized her as family, it might upset her and make her health worse. But now that she already knows, she should just acknowledge her as her family!
“Someone put something in her head, so she lost her memory,” Tuff said.
At this, Amelia’s face changed drastically.
‘Is this for real? It’s like a sci-fi movie come to life!’ Amelia thought.
“But as long as it’s not fatal, it’s fine, don’t you think?” Tuff asked.
“Yes, as long as she’s alive, nothing else matters,” Amelia thought for a moment and replied.
“Now, about Landon–he didn’t go undercover. He was forced to lose his memory and forget about you,” Tuff continued.
‘What?’ Amelia’s mind went completely blank.
After hearing Paloma’s story, the idea that someone used high-tech tricks to erase Landon’s memories didn’t seem so far-fetched anymore. But she still couldn’t help feeling anxious and afraid.
“Does that mean he’ll never remember me again?” she asked, her voice trembling.
“Hard to say. That’s why Paloma thinks you should go to the Montgomery family and see Landon face to face. Maybe seeing you will spark something and bring his memories back,” Tuff said.
With that, he finished in one breath, watching Amelia closely for her reaction.
Today’s news hit Amelia like a bombshell. She sat there in stunned silence for a while before she finally forced herself to accept the truth. She gritted her teeth and said, “Alright, I’ll do as you say.”
“Amelia, you need to brace yourself. Paloma still can’t remember anything from her past, and honestly, it might be just as tough for Landon to ever get his memories back,” Tuff said seriously.
“I figured as much. Paloma had her memory wiped years ago. With how far technology has come, whatever they used on her is probably even more advanced now,” Amelia let out a bitter laugh.
“Yeah…” Tuff sighed. “But there’s still a chance.”
“If he really loves me, even if he forgets me a hundred times, a thousand times, he’ll fall for me all over again,” Amelia said, clenching her fists with unwavering determination. “But will Monica even let me see him?”
“Paloma said she’ll take care of it. She’s just really worried about your pregnancy and doesn’t want you to get too emotional, so she asked me to come talk to you first,” Tuff replied.
“Don’t worry, I’m not that fragile. I’ve been through things before that were even more hopeless than this.” Amelia gently placed a hand on her belly and smiled.
‘Back then, I was so desperate that I chose to end my own life. But now, the situation is so much more hopeful,’ she thought.
She had a kind mother-in-law, a baby on the way, and the prestigious, well-known title of Mrs. Kingsley. Now in Norava, she could walk around like she owned the place, and no one would dare say a thing. And most importantly, her beloved was still alive.
‘He’s waiting for me to help him remember and bring him home,’ Amelia thought.
“Amelia, this isn’t something to take lightly,” Tuff said, his voice laced with worry. ‘If something really happens to the baby because of this, Landon will skin me alive!’ he thought.
“I know. I’m more afraid of hurting the baby than you are,” Amelia reassured him.
Only then did Tuff relax a little.
“By the way, did Aiden find out you met with Paloma?” Amelia asked cautiously.
“Yeah, he found out…” Tuff admitted.
“Oh no!” Amelia gasped.
“Right now, I’m actually pursuing Paloma. Since she’s been cooped up and lonely, she seems to have taken a liking to me too,” Tuff admitted, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
Amelia was utterly floored by his explanation.
‘It sounds reasonable on the surface, but the more I think about it, the crazier it gets,’ she thought. The wildest part was–Aiden actually believed it!
“Anyway, Amelia, get ready. We need to leave as soon as possible,” Tuff said, clearing his throat awkwardly before hurrying out, his face sheepishly flushed with guilt.
As he left, Amelia watched his retreating figure, lost in thought. Then she turned to Aaron and asked, “He actually blushes just from acting—do you think he’s really catching feelings for her?”
“Absolutely,” Aaron snorted. “When Tuff was a kid, he used to joke about wanting Paloma to be his wife.”
“Oh, really? So there’s history there? Looks like he’s actually falling for her,” Amelia said, her eyes lit up with a rare smile.
She thought, ‘Kayla’s had a rough life. If she could find someone who truly understands her and stands by her side, that would really be a blessing.’
“Aaron, let’s put in some extra hours today and wrap up all the urgent company business. Tomorrow, we’re going to see Landon,” she said, her tone resolute.
“Okay,” Aaron nodded.
It had been ages since Amelia last saw Landon with her own eyes. Her emotions surged—nervous, excited, and full of hope for what tomorrow might bring.
‘He didn’t choose to forget me—he was forced to. He never truly left me behind,’ she thought.
‘Love is a strange and magical thing. Maybe I really can bring his memories back,’ she told herself.
Meanwhile, over at the Kyle family estate, Aiden and Paloma were going at it, voices raised in a full-blown sibling argument. The butler shrank back outside the door, too scared to even breathe.
“I’m a single mom—why can’t I have a boyfriend?” Paloma said, her expression serious. “Aiden, am I still your big sister or what?”
“Of course you are,” Aiden mumbled, looking away guiltily.
Hearing this, Paloma smiled, her usual gentle warmth returning. “Aiden, I know you’re just afraid some guy will hurt me. But relax, I’m just seeing someone—I’m not rushing into anything or getting remarried right away!”
“Paloma…” Aiden murmured.
“I’m really lonely, you know? Do you get that?” Paloma’s eyes turned sad.
Every time she played the sympathy card, Aiden would cave. This time was no different.
“Paloma, if you want to date someone, that’s fine, but it can’t be Tuff. Can’t you pick someone else?” Aiden begged.
“No,” Paloma shot back without hesitation.
She just refused flatly.
“Paloma…” Aiden murmured.
“I just like him, right now. That’s how I feel,” Paloma said firmly.
“Paloma…” Aiden murmured.
“If I told you to just stop liking a girl and pick someone else, could you do it?” Paloma challenged.
‘Seriously, what am I even supposed to say to this?’ Aiden thought, completely at a loss.
“Aiden, love’s like a tornado—there’s no stopping it, we just get swept along for the ride,” Paloma said with a grin, ruffling Aiden’s hair just then.
That classic head pat move from Paloma made Aiden give in all over again. “Alright, alright! Go ahead, date him if you want.
‘Landon and Paloma both lost their memories because of those chips—there’s no way anyone can fix that. No matter how skilled Tuff is, he can’t make any real waves. Once I throw a few obstacles in their way, I’ll definitely split them up for good!’ Aiden figured.
But what Aiden never expected was just how sweet things would get between Paloma and Tuff—the more time they spent together, the closer they became.
In just four or five days, the two of them were already planning a trip abroad, and even arranged to visit the Montgomery family as guests along the way!
Once again, Landon found himself standing in front of the mirror at the Montgomery estate, lost in thought.
Right at that moment, Monica flitted over to his side like a butterfly. “Honey, we’ve got some special guests at our place today. Let me take you to meet them.”