Chapter 108

“Amelia, where’s your gift?” Elaine looked arrogant, acting as if she were the lady of the Kingsley family.

Amelia didn’t even glance at Elaine, quietly standing behind Landon. She thought, ‘Right now, Landon is the best gift.’

“Amelia, didn’t you hear me talking to you?” Elaine, clearly irritated by the cold shoulder, raised her voice.

Guests were everywhere. Everyone curiously glanced at Elaine, then at Amelia.

Amelia was exasperated about being put on the spot. She was ready to snap back, but Landon beat her to it. “You’re in no position to criticize the lady of the Kingsley family.”

Elaine was stunned. After a few seconds, she stomped in frustration. “Landon, today’s Mrs. Donna Kingsley’s birthday. Not bringing a gift is disrespectful to her.”

“I am the best gift.” Landon shot Elaine a stern look before turning to Donna. “Grandma, if it hadn’t been for Amelia, I wouldn’t have woken up.”

“Really?” Though fond of Landon, Donna didn’t have much affection for Amelia. When Landon had been unconscious, she’d thought Amelia was only after the Kingsley family’s money. Now that Landon had woken up, she was even more convinced that Amelia wasn’t worthy of their family.

“Grandma, if Amelia hadn’t carefully looked after me and kept talking to me, I never would have come around,” Landon said.

Amelia felt a bit uneasy. She thought, ‘I did talk to Landon often, but carefully look after him… That’s pushing it. I’ve barely kept him from feeling worse. Every time he made progress, it was usually because I got him worked up.’

“Well then, take good care of Landon from now on. As for everything else, don’t bother thinking about it,” Donna said, her expression softening a bit.

Amelia nodded. “As long as Landon is well, I’ll be happy.”

“Landon, do you think my new dress looks good?” Shyly, Elaine spun around in front of Landon like a lovesick girl.

Donna couldn’t miss Elaine’s intentions, but she simply raised an eyebrow and then pulled Amelia aside. “I need to talk to you.”

“Honey, wait for me,” Landon called, pushing his wheelchair to catch up.

Elaine was eager for a rare moment alone with Landon. She said, “Landon, don’t leave…”

“Ms. Atkinson, I don’t have time for you,” Landon said, his expression darkening.

Brooke immediately stepped in and pulled Elaine aside. Landon followed Amelia, his gaze cold and determined.

“Landon, why are you following us? Stay with Ms. Atkinson,” Donna asked, clearly displeased.

“Grandma, it’s Amelia’s first time at Kingsley Manor. She’s unfamiliar with the place, and I need to stay with her,” Landon said, his tone soft as he waved to Amelia.

Amelia remembered Landon’s earlier warning to never leave his sight. She couldn’t help but frown, thinking, ‘Even in front of Donna?’

“Landon…” Donna was furious, but seeing how recently Landon had woken up, she held back, unwilling to be too harsh.

“She clearly comes from humble beginnings and doesn’t belong here. How old is she? She still needs Landon’s company?” Elaine huffed.

Guests passed by, some eager for gossip. All eyes were on Amelia, neglected by her parents, nearly losing her fiancé to her stepsister because of a misdiagnosis. With such a background, Amelia certainly seemed unworthy.

When Landon was in a coma, Gloria married Amelia to Landon on Landon’s behalf. Now that Landon was awake, he probably didn’t care for Amelia anymore.

Meanwhile, Elaine, from the wealthy Atkinson family, might catch Landon’s eye.

“Elaine, watch your words.” Landon’s tone was cold, his presence commanding.

“Did I say something wrong? The Edwards family is beneath me, not even fit to polish my shoes… Ah!” Elaine gasped as Landon suddenly grabbed her wrist, squeezing painfully, “Landon, what are you doing? You’re hurting me.”

“Apologize.” Landon’s tone was icy, his gaze like a dagger.

“What?” Elaine was stunned. She thought, ‘Is Landon asking me to apologize to Amelia? Why should I?’

“Apologize to Amelia,” Landon repeated firmly.

“You… Landon, you clearly don’t know what’s good for you.” Elaine was embarrassed. She spun around and stormed out of the living room.

It was clear to everyone who had won this battle. Throughout it all, Amelia stayed silent, winning without uttering a word. They realized that a woman who could have Landon defending her at every turn was someone not to be underestimated.

The guests quickly dropped their biased views and began flattering. “Mrs. Amelia, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m from the Lloyd family and in the steel industry…”

Another said, “I’m in the import–export business from the Bates family…”

Suddenly, Amelia was the center of attention. Fortunately, she was well–versed in socializing.

Donna watched from the side, her expression softening slightly. “Landon, Amelia isn’t completely hopeless, after all.”

“Grandma, she’s wonderful,” Landon said with a fond smile. He thought, ‘Looks like I’ll need to give her a raise – handling high-society ladies has just become part of her job.’

The atmosphere in the living room remained friendly until dinner was ready. Only then did the ladies let Amelia go.

“That was exhausting,” Amelia muttered. “Landon, you’ve got to give me a raise.”

“Okay,” Landon chuckled, shaking his head. He thought, ‘See? My prediction was spot-on.’

The dinner was a buffet-style spread. Amelia, already hungry, grabbed several plates and sat down to eat with Landon.

“Honey, I want some wine,” Landon said, eyeing the drinks station in the distance, his craving evident. It had been almost six months since he’d had a drink. Today, he wanted to toast with Amelia.

“Okay.” Amelia went to fetch the wine but ran into Elaine again. Amelia thought, ‘She just won’t leave me alone.’

Amelia was about to leave with the wine when Elaine stepped in her way, whispering, “Amelia, don’t get too smug. You won’t be Landon’s wife for long.”

“Is that so?” Amelia replied, unimpressed.

“Of course. The Kingsleys prefer me as Landon’s wife,” Elaine declared.

Amelia smiled, not buying a word of it. The immature, beautiful girl wasn’t Landon’s type.

“You don’t believe me?” Elaine was irritated.

Amelia shook her head. “If he had even the slightest interest in you, he wouldn’t have publicly scolded you.”

“That’s just him trying to upset me.” Elaine smirked. “But you’ll be the one who gets scolded much worse than I did.”

“If you think so, then fine.” Amelia didn’t want to waste time with someone so childish. She was about to walk away with her drink when Elaine suddenly grabbed her wrist.

Then, Elaine screamed, “Amelia, how could you throw wine at me?”

Everyone turned to look. Elaine’s chest was splattered with red wine, and Amelia’s glass was empty. The direction the wine had splashed was directly on Elaine.

Everyone assumed Amelia had thrown the wine and silently shook their heads. They thought, ‘How could someone from a wealthy family act so classless? Throwing wine at a guest during an elder’s birthday celebration – unbelievable!’

“What’s going on?” Cynthia rushed over.

“Mrs. Cynthia, she threw wine at me,” Elaine said, her eyes red with tears. “This was the new dress I bought yesterday for Mrs. Donna’s birthday party. This is the first time I’m wearing it.”

“Oh no, what do we do now? This wine stain is impossible to get out…” Cynthia rushed to smooth things over. “Why don’t you go change? I’ll have her pay for the dress.”

Elaine said, “How’s she going to pay? This dress is the only one Norava has.”

“What do you suggest then?” Cynthia hesitated. “Pay you in money?”

“Does the Atkinson family lack money?” Elaine lifted her chin haughtily. “Amelia, didn’t you buy a new dress yesterday, too? Just give me that one to compensate.”