Chapter 51

Landon said leisurely to himself, "Edwards Group has already fallen. Walter will definitely hand over the remaining 30% of the shares to Sandra. If she takes those shares into her marriage with Zachary, it means the Foster family will get involved in Edwards Group’s operations. Do you really think you’re a match for the entire Foster family?"

When Amelia heard that, her expression turned icy. Her smooth, delicate fingers unconsciously gripped the strap of her bag tighter.

In her previous life, she had spent three years as Mrs. Foster and deeply understood the true nature of Robert and Pamela.

Outwardly, they posed as an intellectual and cultured family, constantly flaunting their refinement. In reality, they were the type to chew someone up and spit out the bones without hesitation.

They had basked in the benefits Amelia brought to the Foster family but, at the same time, constantly belittled her due to her sterility.

That had led to her being looked down on wherever she went. Later, when Sandra married into the family with her illegitimate child, they praised her as if she were a gift from the heavens.

As the saying goes, "When the house collapses, every nail plays its part." Every single one of them was guilty of driving her to Amelia’s death.

With all that flooding Amelia’s mind, her eyes burned with intense hatred. "No. I don’t want that to happen."

Landon narrowed his eyes, feeling a wave of discomfort. He thought, "With such intense hatred for losing him, how deeply must she love Zachary? Suddenly, I don’t feel like helping her anymore."

Amelia turned back to him and asked, "Landon, what’s your brilliant idea this time?"

"I’m tired. I’m going to sleep now," Landon replied in his head, closing his eyes.

Amelia was baffled and wondered, "Playing hard to get, huh?" She blinked mischievously, a plan forming in her mind.

In reality, Landon wasn’t tired. He just didn’t want to deal with her. With his eyes shut, he was deep in thought when he suddenly felt a cool sensation on his abdomen. Her soft fingers were teasingly brushing against his stomach.

"Amelia," he warned inwardly, his body instinctively tensing up. His abs became more defined under Amelia’s touch, which only made her more delighted with the sensation.

Amelia gave his abs a firm squeeze before stopping. "Now, tell me what you’re planning."

Landon was furious, thinking, "Damn it. She’s actually using this tactic to threaten me? I won’t give in." He stayed silent and simply pressed her hand down with his left hand.

"Oh? Not letting me touch? Then spill the plan, and I’ll stop," Amelia said, easily overpowering his hold with her hands and legs. She then continued her mischief. She wasn’t planning to stop until she "felt" the plan out of him.

She teased with a sly grin, "You know, you’re not supposed to see abs when someone’s lying down. So how did I feel them, Landon? Are you nervous?"

Landon was rendered speechless. His breathing grew heavier, and his body tensed up more. Irritated, he pondered, "Damn it. She’s just using her hands, and I’m already losing control. If she moves further, I’ll—"

The thought alone made his handsome face visibly flush red, his frustration practically seeping out of his pores.

Amelia hesitated slightly, a little scared. Her hand paused for a moment before continuing to tease him, "Losing control again, huh? Then just tell me already."

Landon had had enough. His breathing became so labored that his chest rose and fell dramatically, but he refused to give in. Not now, not ever.

"Not talking, huh? Well, don’t blame me for being ruthless…" Amelia half knelt at the edge of the bed, her thighs clamping tightly around his left hand, making it impossible for him to resist.

With one hand braced against the bed, she used the other to lift his shirt.

When Landon’s firm eight-pack abs came into view, Amelia couldn’t help but swallow hard. She took a deep breath and thought, "Oh, I need to control myself. I can’t end up seducing him and losing focus instead."

"Landon, if you don’t talk, I’ll move on," Amelia teased, her small hand slowly sliding downward. Her touch was like a feather brushing against his skin, driving Landon insane. And to make it worse, her legs clamped him even tighter.

Landon was on the brink of losing it. In a sudden move, he yanked his hand free and grabbed her waist, pulling her down hard against him.

Before Amelia could react, she found herself sprawled on top of him. To her utter embarrassment, her lips landed squarely on his chest…

"Hiss-" Landon sucked in a sharp breath.

In his mind, he panicked, "I was just trying to scare her. How did it end up like this? And now…I want her even more. Oh no… I can barely hold back."

"Landon, are you crazy?" Amelia shouted, startled, scrambling back to the edge of the bed. Her face burned crimson.

Landon took several deep breaths, forcing his desire under control, and slowly opened his eyes. Seeing her flustered face and watery eyes, looking soft and beautiful, finally made him feel a bit more balanced.

"Weren’t you trying to take advantage of me? Well, I gave you what you wanted," he mocked inwardly.

"Who’s trying to take advantage of you?" Amelia snapped, her face turning an even deeper shade of red. She glared at him, equal parts ashamed and annoyed. "I was just–I was just…"

"Just what?" he pressed on in his mind.

Amelia stomped her foot. "You know. I was just trying to make you spill your plan to deal with Zachary."

"I don’t know anything about that," Landon thought coldly. "What I do know is that some woman couldn’t keep her hands to herself and decided to grope me."

Amelia gasped, "You-"

"Guess my charm really is irresistible," Landon mused smugly.

Seeing his self-satisfied expression, Amelia was so angry she nearly exploded. She shot back, "Oh, yeah, sure. Irresistible charm, right? Completely useless if you can’t do anything with it." Her words left Landon speechless.

"What’s wrong? Feeling attacked? Get up and prove me wrong, then," she taunted boldly, knowing full well Landon’s body hadn’t fully recovered yet. So, she wasn’t afraid.

Landon stared straight at her. His eyes, filled with a mix of anger and desire, suddenly gleamed with a mischievous smile. "You’re right. I can’t move. But you can."

Amelia froze for three whole seconds before realizing what he meant. Her mind buzzed as heat rushed to her face. "Landon, you shameless jerk."

"Women who grope men don’t get to talk about shame," he retorted in his mind.

"Oh, shut up," Amelia shot back, unable to win the argument. Instead, she grabbed the blanket and threw it over Landon, covering him tightly from head to toe. Then, without another word, she stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Bang–the door shook with the force of her exit.

Landon pulled the blanket over himself, feeling elated. He pondered, "Next time she teases me, I’ll tease her back. Let’s see who outsmarts who."

But as his gaze swept over the bedside table and landed on the two brand-new pregnancy tests, his face darkened.

Landon couldn’t deny it–Amelia’s influence over him was immense. He reflected, "Before, I couldn’t move, so there was nothing I could do. But now that I can move my hands and head, if she pulls another stunt like that drug-induced night… I might lose control. I need to figure out a plan…"

The next morning, Gloria was already waiting at the door, impatiently urging, "Amy, did you check yet?"

Amelia jolted awake on the sofa, staring at the two pregnancy tests like they were two ticking time bombs. She glanced at Landon, who was already awake and casually scrolling through the latest news on his phone. "What should I do?" she asked nervously.

His thoughts were calm but firm. "Just go ahead and get tested."

"What? If I test, it’ll expose the whole lie." Amelia was beside herself with worry.

She thought, "We didn’t even sleep together–what am I supposed to be testing for? But if I don’t come up with something today…my future’s doomed." She shuddered at the thought. There was no way she’d survive another drugged encounter.

"Landon, how about you tell your mom that you’re not ready for kids yet?" Amelia suggested hopefully.

Landon’s inner voice was blunt. "Do you think my mom would just drop it?"

Amelia murmured, "No."

"Exactly," Landon said in his head.

"Then…what if I told her you can’t have kids?" Amelia asked.

Landon almost choked at her words. "If anyone’s infertile here, it’s you, not me," he thought indignantly.

"That won’t work. If rumors spread that I can’t have children, my reputation as an innocent, marriageable woman will be ruined," Amelia protested sharply.

The mere idea struck a deep nerve. In her previous life, she had been hurt too deeply by similar accusations. She refused to bear that burden again in this life.

Landon frowned as he studied her, mulling over her words, "Wait…she’s still a virgin?"

"Let’s go with this–you’re the one who can’t have kids," Amelia concluded decisively. After all, since he couldn’t speak, the narrative was entirely hers to control.

Landon’s eye twitched in frustration. He stopped her in his mind. "I’ve already prepared something. Just take it and get this over with."

"Huh?" Amelia blinked in confusion.

"The pregnancy tests. They’re on the table," Landon thought, his tone resigned.

Amelia looked over, and sure enough, there were two used pregnancy tests lying on the table. Picking them up, she inspected them carefully and pondered, "Wait a minute… Two lines? One faint and one dark? Isn’t that the typical sign of an early pregnancy?"

Her jaw dropped in shock, and an inexplicable bitterness welled up in her chest. "Where did you even get these?"