Chapter 171
“Amelia,” someone called out.
Amelia’s eyes fluttered open, and she was startled to find herself tightly bound with ropes.
Standing before her was a woman in her forties, still strikingly attractive with an air of mature elegance.
Amelia thought, “She looks familiar…”
Amelia studied her face, hesitating before asking, “Are you… Joanna?”
“We’re family, after all. Why do you look as if you don’t know me? It’s impolite.” Joanna curled her lips into a mocking smile as she sized up Amelia.
Joanna thought to herself, ‘She looks exactly like Catherine. No wonder Daniel recognized her as his sister after just two visits to Pinecrest.’
“Why did you bring me here? What do you want from me?” Amelia asked, her voice trembling.
“Daniel’s sick. You want to cure him, don’t you?” Joanna…
Amelia shot her a wary look. “You can cure him?”
Joanna chuckled.
“Yes.” Joanna smiled smugly. “Twenty years ago, when Daniel was critically ill and at death’s door, I was the one who saved him.”
Fully aware of her vulnerable position, Amelia bit back the urge to expose Joanna’s lies to her face. Amelia only asked, “What are your terms?”
Joanna said, “Your husband is quite something. He bankrupted the Meyers family. He’ll be paying for every cent of our losses.”
The Meyers family’s empire collapsed, with losses exceeding 20 billion dollars from Project Azureveil.
Amelia guessed the total losses must be well over 30 billion dollars.
Amelia couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Could Landon come up with that much money? And even if he could, would he be willing to? Pouring tens of billions of dollars into reviving the Meyers family would nearly cripple the Kingsley Group. The price is just too high.’
“You refuse?” Joanna sneered, letting out a cold, mocking laugh. Then, she clicked her tongue and said, “Now that you have a husband, your brother means nothing to you.”
“I have no idea how the Meyers family went bankrupt. Why should we be held responsible?” Amelia asked sharply.
Joanna replied, “If it weren’t for Landon’s meddling, the Meyers family wouldn’t have gotten kicked out of Project Azureveil. And those business partners wouldn’t have ganged up to crush us either.”
“Where’s your proof?” Amelia asked sharply.
Joanna fell silent because she had no proof.
Amelia continued, “My husband has been wheelchair-bound for years and hasn’t set foot in Lunova in ages. How could he possibly meddle in your mess? Joanna, I understand you’re desperate after bankruptcy, but you can’t just pick a random scapegoat to fill the hole.”
“Amelia, stop making excuses. It was Landon’s doing. Anyway, if you refuse to cooperate, you can watch Daniel suffer from debilitating migraines for life,” Joanna said.
Amelia said coolly, “Fine.”
Chapter 171
Amelia agreed! Joanna couldn’t believe her ears. “What did you just say?”
“After all, Daniel’s condition isn’t life-threatening. Let him suffer through it,” Amelia said sharply. “Besides, Daniel is the head of the Zuckerberg family. They’re far more concerned about his well-being than I am.”
“Clap! Clap!” Joanna struck her palms together. The sporadic, icy slaps sliced into Amelia’s heart like frozen blades.
Deep down, Amelia was very nervous.
‘If Joanna snapped and tried to hurt me, I’d be defenseless,’ Amelia thought.
Joanna sneered, holding up the recorder in her hand. “Amelia, you’ve got more than Catherine, but you’re still no match for me. What do you think will happen when Daniel hears what you just said?”
Amelia’s face paled instantly.
“Also, Landon has already agreed to pay 60 billion dollars for you and the antidote for Daniel. He’s got way more revision than you,” Joanna sneered triumphantly.
She wasn’t just after the money. She wanted Amelia’s life, too.
‘That recording would be enough to make Daniel give up on Amelia completely,’ Joanna thought. ‘From now on, Daniel will only acknowledge Maisie as his sister. Even if he refuses to marry Edith, even if he comes to despise me completely, Maisie will be set for life, enjoying all the wealth and privilege she deserves.’
“You’re so despicable!” Amelia snarled, twisting violently against her restraints.
With her hands bound, all those hidden weapons on her were useless.
‘How ruthless!’ Amelia sighed. ‘I can’t believe she drugged me in the hospital restroom.’
“Stop struggling. It’s no use. Just save your energy and wait for Landon to come with the ransom,” Joanna sneered as she settled into a chair, leisurely sipping her coffee.
Two hulking men flanked Amelia, their imposing figures looming over her.
Amelia struggled in vain, then gave up.
She looked around her surroundings and gasped, “This is the abandoned warehouse in Rosemill?”
“Exactly!” Joanna nodded smugly. “But I’ve made some special modifications. Landon has no choice but to pay up.”
Amelia’s heart pounded with dread, thinking, ‘Landon will come with the money for me. But even if they pay up, can we get out of here safely?’
Time crawled by, each second torturing Amelia like she was sitting on burning coals.
Joanna sat back, leisurely sipping her coffee as if everything was under her control.
The more assured Joanna appeared, the more Amelia’s panic grew.
“Ms. Meyers, Landon has arrived,” said one of the guards.
“Okay. Let him in. Alone,” Joanna instructed.
“Got it,” the guard replied.
Amelia wanted Landon to turn back, but her opinion didn’t matter now.
After all, Landon would never leave her behind.
Chapter 171
All Amelia could do was hope Landon had a better way to outmaneuver Joanna.
Soon, Landon wheeled himself in.
Landon immediately saw Amelia bound to the chair. A wave of relief washed over him. ‘At least she’s unharmed’
Joanna asked, “Is the money ready?”
Landon stopped about fifteen feet away, his handsome face cold and stern, as if frosted over with ice.
He said, “Yes, I’ve brought the money. Release Amy, and I’ll do the transfer immediately.”
“Honey, this place isn’t safe,” Amelia said, her voice trembling.
“I know. Don’t be afraid. I’m here with the money to get you out,” Landon said softly, his voice gentle and reassuring.
Amelia shook her head, her voice trembling. “It’s not just about money…”
“Indeed, it’s not just about the money,” Joanna sneered, patting Amelia’s head before signaling her bodyguards to keep a tight watch on her.
Joanna thought, ‘Last time, Basile failed to subdue Landon. This time, I can’t afford to underestimate him again.’
“Mr. Kingsley, sign this contract, too.” Joanna presented a contract. It explicitly stated the Meyers family would rejoin Project Azureveil and become its sole outsourcing provider.
‘Her greed is insatiable,’ Landon thought as he signed.
Landon flipped through the contract while projecting his thoughts: [Honey, I know you can still hear my thoughts. Now, follow my lead.]
Amelia’s eyes widened in shock, her mouth falling open slightly.
‘What? He knew I’d been pretending all this time?’ Amelia thought in shock. ‘So, all this time, his occasional peevish inner monologues were meant for me to hear!’
Landon set the contract aside and looked up at Amelia, a slow, knowing smile spreading across his face.
He continued projecting his thoughts to Amelia: [Honey, surprised? Bet you didn’t see this coming.]
Amelia pouted, which was her way of responding to him.
Joanna had no idea what game they were playing. But she knew that letting things drag on would only invite trouble.
“Still smiling at a time like this? You’ve got nerves of steel,” Joanna sneered impatiently.
Landon looked up and said coolly, “Likewise.”
“Cut the crap and get on with it. Sign now, or watch Amelia die!” Joanna snapped.
‘With 60 billion dollars and this contract, the Meyers family won’t just revive from the brink, we’ll reach new heights. And after this massive financial hemorrhage, Landon won’t be able to meddle in the Meyers family and the Hughes family’s business for quite some time,’ Joanna thought.
“Between my wife and my career… Career comes first.” Landon suddenly pulled out a gun and aimed it straight at Amelia.
Shocked by his action, Joanna exclaimed, “Have you lost your damn mind?”
“I hate it when others threaten me more than anything,” Landon said slowly. “Yet here I am, right where you want me. Ultimately, it’s still because I have weaknesses.”
Joanna’s heart beat violently several times. She gasped in disbelief, “Are you going to kill your wife?”
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Landon let out a cold, mocking laugh. “Why not? I’ll kill her first, then take you out to avenge her!”
“Landon!” Joanna screamed, “You’ve completely lost your mind. You’re insane!”
Landon’s men were swarming outside. Joanna realized that if she killed Amelia, her trump card, she’d never escape alive.
Joanna kidnapped Amelia purely for money. She had no real intention of killing Amelia.
Joanna exclaimed, “Landon, she’s your wife.”
“But 60 billion dollars will be plenty to buy me enough wives,” Landon sneered dismissively.
Amelia watched and listened in stunned disbelief, tears streaming down her face.
‘He’s going to kill me?’ She couldn’t help thinking. ‘A few moments ago, he comforted me through his thoughts, telling me not to be afraid. Now he’s turned completely cold and heartless? Just for 60 billion dollars? How could he change so suddenly?’