Chapter 216
‘What’s happening to me?’ Landon thought, his handsome features twisted in pain as he was forced to pull his hand back. He slumped over the sink in front of the mirror, gasping for breath in agony. It felt like forever before the pain finally faded away.
“Honey, where are you?” A woman’s sweet voice called out, followed by the sound of the door opening from the outside.
Landon quickly plastered on a gentle smile and turned to face the door. “Monica, weren’t you supposed to be out?”
“I got bored. I’d rather stay home with you,” Monica said, her voice dripping with sweetness as she leaned against him.
Monica was a stunning mixed-race beauty with golden hair and dark eyes. She was also Aiden’s cousin and the pampered princess of the Kington Gang.
“I’m at home,” Landon replied with a gentle smile, looking nothing like the intimidating boss he was back in Norava.
“Honey, don’t you get bored staying home all the time?” Monica smiled sweetly as she asked.
“Not at all.” Landon gently rubbed his forehead, continuing, “You know my health isn’t great. I need to rest a lot.”
Watching him rub his forehead, Monica asked worriedly, “Is your head hurting again?”
“Just a little…” Landon said nonchalantly.
“Hubby, don’t worry. You’ll be completely fine in a few days. Let me help you!”
With that, Monica moved behind Landon and pretended to blow gently on his head.
Seeing that the wound under Landon’s short hair had completely disappeared, Monica felt relieved. As she gently blew on his head, Landon looked at his reflection in the mirror, smiling, “See? It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“Honey, did you remember to take your meds and get some rest like the doctor said?” Monica asked.
“I took my medicine, but I haven’t had my nap yet,” said Landon.
“Then I’ll nap with you!” Monica chirped.
As she spoke, she began taking off her clothes, preparing to climb into bed. Her pretty face was tinged with a rosy blush, her eyes sparkling with bashful anticipation.
“No need, I can sleep by myself,” Landon said, getting into bed without even changing. He even fell asleep in under a minute.
At this, Monica was at a loss for words.
‘That medicine is way too effective! Every time I try to get close to him, he knocks me out cold,’ she fumed inwardly. So frustrating!
But Monica wasn’t in any hurry. Landon’s body did need time to recover, and she had a whole lifetime to be with him.
‘I’ve got all the time in the world to wait for you, Landon. A whole lifetime, if that’s what it takes,’ Monica thought to herself. But there was that woman back in Norava, Amelia–Monica just couldn’t stand her and wished she could get rid of her for good.
But her cousin Aiden just wouldn’t let her.
‘I wonder if Sandra managed to rattle Amelia this time,’ Monica thought. As she was an impatient person, once she had an idea, she wanted to act on it right away. With that thought in mind, she left Landon’s room and called Sandra. “How did things go?”
“Miss Montgomery, is that you?” a man’s unfamiliar voice came through the line.
Hearing the voice, Monica’s face paled. “Who is this?”
“Daniel,” answered the voice.
“Mr. Zuckerberg?” Monica blurted out, her hand trembling as a bad feeling crept over her.
“Why do you have Sandra’s phone?” she snapped.
“Because she’s dead,” Daniel replied coldly. “Miss Montgomery, if you ever lay a hand on my sister again, I swear you’ll regret it.”
“Ha! Big words, Mr. Zuckerberg. What do you think you can do to me?” Monica shot back, completely unfazed.
“I can make sure you’ll always be nothing but the other woman,” Daniel snapped.
“You-!” Monica was so furious that she was at a loss for words.
It was true that Landon was engaged to her, but it was also true that he already had a wife back in Norava. That was why Monica had sent Sandra to provoke Amelia, hoping both Amelia and her baby would die, just to fulfill her goal of becoming the real Mrs. Kingsley. But it seemed her plan had failed.
“Miss Montgomery, don’t go too far,” Daniel said coldly, then hung up the phone.
Amelia, who was standing nearby Daniel, asked nervously, “How did it go? Did you hear Landon’s voice?”
“No,” Daniel shook his head, then smiled reassuringly at Amelia, “We’ll head back to Norava tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay.” Amelia managed a smile, then turned away to quietly wipe the tears from the corner of her eyes. She had to return to Norava and take over Kingsley Group herself. First, to keep up appearances and establish herself as a strong, single mother. Second, to hold down the fort and protect the Kingsley family business for Landon.
“Aaron’s injuries are almost healed. He can come back with us,” Daniel said as Amelia was deep in her thoughts.
“Is he the right person for this?” Amelia hesitated.
Everyone knew that Aaron was Landon’s right-hand man. If Monica got suspicious…
“He knows the Kingsley Group business better than anyone. We’ll need him in the days to come,” Daniel said. “We've already come up with a story.”
“What is it?” Amelia asked, curiosity piqued.
“He betrayed his boss for love,” Daniel said with a sly grin.
“What?” Amelia was stunned. ‘Aaron’s as single as they come; where’s this so-called love supposed to be?’ she thought.
“I’ll keep you guessing for now. You’ll find out when we get to Norava,” Daniel said, playing mysterious, but Amelia was practically gnawing at the bit.
‘What kind of woman could possibly make Aaron turn on his boss?’ Amelia thought to herself, unable to imagine it.
Meanwhile, back in Norava at the Kingsley Group headquarters…
Henry and Patrick were lounging in the CEO’s office, acting like a pair of shameless bullies as they tried to force Gloria to hand over control.
Gloria’s face darkened with rage. “Even if Landon doesn’t come back, I still have my grandson!”
“Aunt Gloria, Amelia already knows she’s been dumped. She’s never coming back. And as for your precious grandson, he’s probably long gone by now,” Patrick retorted with a sinister grin.
Ever since he got injured and became disabled, his whole personality had twisted right along with his body. He was moody as hell, blowing up and yelling at his subordinates for the smallest things. Behind his back, everyone in the company secretly called him a walking disaster.
“You’re lying! Amelia would never do something like that! If she was upset, she’d tell me herself!” Gloria’s eyes filled with tears. She was desperate to call Amelia right then and there. But she was under strict watch, with no freedom at all.
“Aunt Gloria, just sign the papers and hand over the company seals already,” Patrick said coldly.
He’d already used force to bring most of the shareholders and executives to heel. Now, all that was left was for Gloria to sign and surrender all the Kingsley Group seals. That way, Kingsley Group would be his for the taking!
‘So what if I’m disabled? Nothing can break my spirit!’ Patrick thought to himself. ‘In the end, I’ll get everything I want!’
“I won’t sign anything until I see Amelia,” Gloria said through gritted teeth, her resolve unshakable as ever.
Henry, growing impatient, slammed his ashtray down. “You’re driving me crazy! Patrick, just rough her up already!”
“Okay.” Patrick managed a smile, driving his wheelchair towards Gloria.
At that, Gloria felt a wave of fear wash over her as she was utterly alone, with no one to help her and no way to fight back.
“So, how do you want to play this?” Patrick sneered.
Just then, the door to the CEO’s office was kicked open with a loud bang, and a group of men in black rushed in, their presence commanding and intimidating.
“Who the hell are you people?” Henry jumped to his feet, startled.
“Uncle Henry, long time no see,” Amelia said as she entered, Daniel at her side.
“Amelia, you’re finally back…” Tears welled up in Gloria’s eyes as soon as she saw Amelia.
“Oh, please. Stop acting like the perfect mother-in-law. Your son dumped her, remember? She’s probably here with her own family to settle the score,” Patrick sneered confidently, turning to Amelia.
He’d heard all about everything that had happened. But Amelia would never forgive Patrick. Just like she’d never forgiven Zachary. As deep as her love ran, so did her hatred.