Chapter 72
Kingsley Group headquarters bustled with over two thousand employees. The cafeteria was massive and divided into several distinct sections. Amelia and Patrick made their way through the lunchtime rush.
Wherever Amelia went, the employees gave her a warm welcome. Patrick, on the other hand, reveled in the attention, waving to everyone like a politician on the campaign trail. Dressed in a sharp suit, he exuded an air of authority.
His resemblance to Landon was striking, and those who didn’t know him well often mistook him for the CEO. One employee even approached them, beaming, “Mr. Kingsley, you’re finally back on your feet. Congratulations.”
“Indeed,” Patrick replied with a grin, making no effort to correct the man.
“I should clarify,” Amelia cut in, “this is Patrick, Landon’s cousin.”
A collective “Oh” rippled through the crowd, followed by disappointed murmurs. “I thought Mr. Kingsley had recovered,” someone whispered.
“Three months in a coma…” An employee shook his head. “What are the chances he’ll wake up at this point?”
A senior staff member leaned in, lowering his voice. “Slim to none, I’d say. Why else would they send Patrick to oversee things?”
“So, the company’s changing hands?” another employee frowned and then quickly added. “Though honestly, I wouldn’t mind if Mrs. Kingsley stayed in charge.”
It finally dawned on Amelia why Patrick had insisted on joining her in the cafeteria. He was making a statement, marking his territory. The worst part was that she couldn’t even tell anyone that Landon was already awake and recovering.
“Let’s just get this over with,” Aaron muttered under his breath. “Feed him and send him packing.”
“Why is everyone so on edge around him?” Amelia asked, keeping her voice low.
Aaron’s face darkened. “He’s… a bit twisted.”
“Care to elaborate?” Amelia arched an eyebrow.
“It’s complicated.” Aaron hesitated, glancing around. “I’ll fill you in on the details later.”
“Henry’s people are absolutely shameless,” Amelia muttered under her breath, her teeth practically grinding together. Despite her fury, she forced a smile, maintaining her composure in the public setting. ‘Oh, for crying out loud,’ she thought, ‘will someone please come and take this Patrick away?’
Finally reaching the private dining area, Amelia focused solely on her lunch, eating in silence.
“Amelia, you work so hard managing the company. You should eat more,” Patrick said with a smile, sliding a plate of meat to her.
Amelia set down her utensils and pushed the plate away. “I’m sorry. I have a bit of a thing about germs.”
A flicker of coldness crossed Patrick’s eyes but quickly vanished. “I haven’t touched that food.”
“Still, no thank you.” Amelia shook her head, her appetite completely gone. “Mr. Patrick, you go ahead and eat. I’m going to get back to work.”
Amelia got up and left, Aaron and Brooke trailing behind her. Patrick, left alone in the small dining room, didn’t seem fazed. He began to leisurely enjoy the lunch prepared by the cafeteria staff.
Even though the CEO’s meal was no different from anyone else’s, it held a special significance for Patrick. It had been years since he’d tasted Kingsley Group’s cafeteria food.
Ever since Landon took the helm of Kingsley Group, Henry and his family barely had a foot in the door. Now, with Landon in a coma, Patrick wasn’t about to let Amelia share power with any of them.
Chapter 72
Rhea Rollins, the restaurant’s manager, hovered nearby.
Patrick finally set down his utensils after a long meal and glanced at Rhea. “Ms. Rollins.”
“Mr. Kingsley, how can I help you?” Rhea stepped forward attentively.
“The food was excellent. I’m finished here,” Patrick declared.
Rhea let out a subtle sigh of relief. “Very good, Mr. Kingsley.”
“I heard your father is quite ill,” Patrick inquired.
Rhea’s head shot up in surprise. Patrick pulled a card from his pocket and slipped it under his napkin. “Take good care of him.”
Rhea’s heart pounded like a drum. She waited until Patrick was out of sight before daring to approach. ‘Did Mr. Kingsley give me this card and ask about my father because he’s interested in me?’ she wondered.
A flush crept up Rhea’s neck, flooding her cheeks. Excitement thrummed through her veins. She felt like she’d finally struck gold.
Making sure no one was watching, Rhea tucked the card away and pulled out a small mirror. “I really am beautiful,” she murmured, admiring her reflection. And it was true.
She was strikingly attractive, but her father’s long illness had scared off potential suitors. Now, finally, a man had taken notice. And it was not just any man, but Patrick, the wealthy and powerful newcomer.
While Rhea was bursting with glee, Aaron was in his office giving Amelia the lowdown on Patrick’s peculiarities. “He’s bisexual and is into some pretty kinky stuff. Mr. Kingsley has reprimanded him a few times about it. Brooke was even one of his targets, which is why she’s so wary of him.”
“Doesn’t Brooke beat him up?” Amelia asked, incredulous.
“She can’t,” Aaron sighed. “Patrick’s a legitimate badass, not like his pushover brother Kenneth.”
Amelia felt a shiver crawl down her spine. ‘If even Brooke can’t take him, how strong is he?’ she thought. ‘If I ever crossed Patrick alone, I wouldn’t stand a chance.’
The thought terrified her. Amelia immediately bought two cans of pepper spray for good measure.
“Mrs. Kingsley, Mr. Patrick has made his move.” Tiana Myers, a secretary, entered the office, a worried expression creasing her face. She held a tablet displaying surveillance footage from the staff cafeteria–Patrick, in the act of bribing Rhea.
“He’s trying to tamper with your food?” Aaron’s eyes narrowed. “Mrs. Kingsley, you absolutely cannot eat anything from the cafeteria from now on.”
“Okay,” Amelia murmured, her grip tightening around her pen, her face pale. Fear coiled in her stomach.
“Mrs. Kingsley, shall I take care of Rhea?” Tiana asked.
“No,” Amelia said, shaking her head and taking a deep breath to steady herself. “Getting rid of Rhea won’t solve the problem. He’ll just find someone else.”
“Understood. I’ll be extra vigilant and keep an eye out for anything suspicious,” Tiana assured her. A woman nearing forty, she was a long–time employee of Kingsley Group and fiercely loyal.
With Tiana taking charge, Amelia felt a wave of relief wash over her. “Thank you so much,” she said sincerely.
“Mrs. Kingsley,” Aaron interjected, his brow furrowed with worry. “Shouldn’t we try to contact Mr. Kingsley about this?”
Amelia considered this for a moment. “Yes, you’re right.”
Landon’s reply came quickly: [Stay away from him. Refuse all contact. Keep Brooke with you at all times.]
9031 Chapter 72
It was clear that even Landon was wary of Patrick. Amelia hadn’t felt this strong a sense of danger since she first married into the Kingsley family.
Amelia couldn’t focus on her work that afternoon, her mind a whirlwind of anxieties. She decided to head home early. Gloria, having already learned of Patrick’s return through Landon, was also on high alert.
“Amy, if you’re scared, just don’t go back to the office,” Gloria said, her voice laced with concern.
“Someone needs to hold down the fort,” Amelia replied with a wry smile, glancing at Landon.
Landon beckoned her over. She obediently approached, and he immediately took her hand.
‘Don’t worry. He’s only back because of the bet,’ Landon said in his mind.
Amelia’s eyes widened in surprise. “But he bribed someone at the restaurant,” she blurted out, forgetting for a moment that their conversation was private.
“Amy, who are you talking to?” Gloria asked, her brow furrowed in confusion. Amelia’s responses sounded like she was having a conversation, but Gloria hadn’t seen anyone else speak.
Gloria stared intently at Landon, suspicious that he had somehow managed to speak without her noticing. Frustration gnawed at her.
“Just…letting my imagination run wild, I guess,” Amelia said, blinking innocently, though her eyes betrayed a hint of guilt. “Gloria, Patrick came to the office today and insisted on having lunch with me. I took him to the cafeteria, and he bribed the manager.”
“That slimy snake. Henry’s family is rotten to the core,” Gloria fumed. “From now on, be extra careful with what you eat at the office. Don’t touch anything unless it’s prepared by Tiana or the other trusted staff.”
“Okay, Gloria. I will,” Amelia said with a nod. “Actually, I’m feeling thirsty. Could you get some apple juice?”
“Of course, sweetie,” Gloria smiled and headed off to fetch the juice.
Amelia pretended she wanted some juice, sending Gloria away. Then she crouched beside Landon, gently massaging his leg muscles. “Is there any way to get rid of him?” she asked.