Amelia recalled Landon’s teachings: “Never show weakness. If you have one, keep it hidden.” If she gave in to threats today, there would…

Having made up her mind, Amelia strode to her office door and instructed her secretary, “Call the police.”

“Amelia, are you really willing to give up your mother’s pendant?” Pamela asked in disbelief.

A cold glint seemed to flicker in Amelia’s eyes. “What good is a diamond pendant? Will it bring my mother back?”

“But it’s all you have left of her,” Pamela protested desperately, holding up the pendant one more time.

“My mother left these belongings as a memento, not as leverage for your threats.” Amelia’s voice was cold, her delicate features hardening into steel. “Go ahead, destroy it if you want. I’ll have you charged with extortion and property damage faster than you can dial your lawyer.”

Despite her small stature, the sheer intensity radiating from her made it clear this was no empty threat. She meant every syllable.

Pamela finally realized Amelia would rather see the diamond pendant destroyed than give in to blackmail. She knew exactly how Amelia had managed to put Walter and Melissa behind bars. If Elizabeth hadn’t intervened, Zachary would be in prison, too.

Pamela, as a high society lady, would never allow herself to be saddled with such accusations. Her fingers tightened around the diamond pendant, but the courage to destroy it faltered.

“Mrs. Kingsley, the police have been notified,” her secretary informed her.

“Good, I’ll wait.” Amelia returned to her executive chair, resuming her work. Even if her mind was elsewhere, she had to maintain a facade of composure.

Today, it was either Pamela backing down or Amelia losing. And losing was not an option for Amelia.

As expected, Pamela wavered. Her voice softened. “Amy, why are we letting things get so ugly?”

“My mother’s belongings were left to me. Melissa had no right to give it to you–that’s theft. And knowing that, you still accepted it? You’re just as guilty.” Amelia’s words were like sharp ice, piercing Pamela’s composure.

Pamela’s face went pale, the diamond pendant suddenly burning hot in her hand. After a hesitant moment, she decided to concede, if only to save face. “Fine, give it back,”

“No need to wait for the police, then?” Amelia arched an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips.

“Since Matthew’s situation has nothing to do with you anymore, I’ll return this to you. You can take back that order you just gave. We’re both Noravans after all–we’re bound to run into each other again, right?” Pamela said through gritted teeth.

“Alright,” Amelia replied, accepting the diamond pendant with barely concealed relief. Thanks to Landon’s guidance, she’d managed to recover her mother’s memento without making any compromises.

But she wasn’t finished. Her eyes glinted as she pulled Sandra’s birth certificate from her drawer. “Mrs. Foster, I believe in fair exchanges. Here’s something in return.”

“What’s this?” Pamela muttered as she examined the document. Her face went pale. “Sandra’s illegitimate?”

“I don’t know anything about it,” Amelia replied quietly.

“She was born before you.” Pamela’s expression darkened. All her life, she’d looked down on children born out of wedlock, and now her son had married…

The thought of this scandal reaching her social circle made her stomach turn. Her fellow socialites would have a field day with this piece of gossip.

Chapter 64

“Mrs. Foster, I’m afraid I have other matters to attend to,” Amelia said firmly, her polite dismissal clear.

Clutching the birth certificate, Pamela stormed out, determined to confront Sandra.

Once she’d left, Aaron walked in with an amused smile. “Well played, Mrs. Kingsley. One fake police call and she couldn’t get out of…”

“Kingsley Group’s secretary was sharp enough not to actually call the police,” Amelia said, her fingers tracing the diamond pendant as tears welled in her eyes. “Mom,” she thought silently, her heart aching.

“Mr. Kingsley himself was once blackmailed by Henry with family heirlooms too,” Aaron smiled.

Amelia shook her head in disbelief. Why does everyone resort to the same trick? Picturing Landon’s reaction in her mind, she asked curiously, “So what did he do? Did he give in to the blackmail?”

“Mr. Kingsley handled it exactly the same way you did today, Mrs. Kingsley,” Aaron said with a knowing smile. “You two really are a perfect match.”

Amelia froze for a moment, her cheeks flushing. “Oh, stop it,” she protested. “I just learned from the best.”

Aaron just smiled without saying a word.

“Did you get everything I asked for?” Amelia asked, tucking away the diamond pendant and getting down to business.

“Everything’s been purchased. Here’s the list,” Aaron replied eagerly, handing over the gift list with a broad grin.

Amelia rolled her eyes. “Wipe that smile off your face. I’m not pregnant.”

“Huh?” Aaron’s eyes widened in confusion. “Then what’s all this for?”

“It’s a gift for someone else,” Amelia replied coolly.

Aaron stood there dumbfounded, his mind racing with questions.

“Well, I’m heading out,” Amelia said, grabbing her car keys. ‘Not bad for a day’s work at two million dollars,’ she thought with a smug grin.

Aaron watched her leave, disappointed that Landon wasn’t about to be a father.

Following the address Landon had given her, Amelia found herself in front of a house in Greenville, on the east side of the city. The garden was a riot of climbing roses, their sweet fragrance drifting through the air, lending an artistic charm to this residence.

Moments after Amelia knocked, the door swung open.

“Can I help you?” The elderly woman who answered appeared to be in her seventies, but her eyes sparkled with vitality, and her cheeks glowed with health.

Amelia hesitated, thinking she’d gotten the wrong house. After double–checking the house number, she said, “Hi, um, Landon sent me!”

“Oh, I see.” The older woman’s face broke into a warm smile as she gave Amelia an appraising look from head to toe.

Amelia shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny, wondering if this woman was related to Landon’s mistress or perhaps a caretaker he’d hired to look after her.

Amelia walked in carrying several shopping bags full of maternity supplies, only to find an elderly woman in the house. ‘Where’s the woman who’s carrying Landon’s baby?” she wondered.

“What’s your relationship with Landon?” the elderly woman asked.

“I’m his legal wife,” Amelia replied, glancing around the room. “And you are…?”

Chapter 64

“Landon calls me Diana, and you may do the same.”

Diana Gaskell said.

“Diana,” Amelia smiled as she set down her bags. “Is she out at the moment?”

Diana gave her a puzzled look. “What?”

“You know, Landon’s… The baby’s mother.” Amelia felt proud of her tactful wording, believing she was living up to Landon’s generous paycheck.

“I live here alone,” Diana replied. “I think there might be some misunderstanding.”

“Wait. What?” Amelia stood there dumbfounded. It finally dawned on her that the old friend Landon had asked her to visit was Diana herself.

Diana suddenly burst out laughing, making Amelia’s face flush with embarrassment. All the gifts she’d brought were maternity supplies. Realizing her mistake, Amelia shifted uncomfortably, at a loss for words.

“Sweetheart, didn’t you think to ask about who you were visiting beforehand?” Diana asked, looking through the gifts.

“…forgot to ask,” Amelia lied awkwardly.

Diana’s eyes softened with amusement. “Landon’s a good boy. If he chose to marry you, he wouldn’t be running around with other women. You should have more faith in your husband.”

“I’m so sorry about the mix–up,” Amelia said. “I'll come back tomorrow with more appropriate gifts.”

Diana waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m just an old woman, I don’t need much. You’re Debra’s daughter, aren’t you?”

Amelia’s heart skipped a beat. “You knew my mom?” Her voice trembled.