Chapter 75

Amelia sneered inwardly, ‘Sick pervert. Like hell I’ll take his help.’

“Patrick, why are you taking their side?” Donna demanded, swinging her cane. Patrick didn’t flinch, taking the blow without resistance.

“Patrick,” Cynthia cried out, her heart aching.

Patrick stumbled forward, landing beside Amelia. He lowered his voice, concern etched on his face. “Are you alright?”

“Such a knight in shining armor, Mr. Patrick,” Amelia said, a brittle smile plastered on her face. ‘Disgusting phony prince,’ she thought to herself.

Patrick chuckled and turned back to Donna, trying to soothe her. “Grandma, come on now, let’s not make a scene. Let’s head back home.”

“You… You…” Donna sputtered, clearly furious.

“Mom, let’s just listen to Patrick and go,” Cynthia chimed in, trying to mediate. “We can always talk to Gloria when she wakes up.”

Donna hesitated. Kenneth was her favorite among her three grandsons.

With a look of deep sympathy, Patrick added, “Grandma, Gloria is already sick, and Amelia is so young. Just let it go. It’s not easy being a widow.”

Landon felt a surge of frustration. Though trapped in his own body, he could hear everything going on. And he knew Patrick well enough to picture the dramatic performance he was putting on, complete with the sorrowful expression and the heartfelt tone.

‘Is Amelia actually falling for this?’ Landon fumed, the urge to open his eyes growing stronger. He fought it back, focusing all his energy on sending a telepathic message. ‘Amelia, wrap this up quickly.’

“Oh, honey, please wake up.” Amelia rushed back to Landon’s side, tears streaming down her face. Her performance was a convincing display of distress and devotion. “Look how they’re treating us.”

“Shut up,” Donna snapped. “Who’s treating you badly? We’re here to discuss serious matters. And don’t think I’ve forgotten about your little fake pregnancy stunt.”

“I didn’t know I wasn’t pregnant,” Amelia retorted, indignant. “The pregnancy test said I was.”

“Well, what about the threatened miscarriage diagnosis from the hospital?” Cynthia couldn’t help but interrupt. If Amelia hadn’t faked the pregnancy, Henry wouldn’t have been able to use it against Amelia, ultimately sending Kenneth to jail. They blamed Amelia for everything.

“I had an online consultation,” Amelia retorted. “Dr. Harrington must have misunderstood. If you have an issue with it, take it up with him.”

Cynthia practically choked on her indignation. They couldn’t afford to offend the Harringtons.

Landon, who was still “unconscious,” cracked a smile at Amelia’s quick wit. ‘Well done,’ he said.

Amelia lifted her chin, waiting for Landon’s next instruction.

‘Tell them that although you can’t conceive, you love me deeply and will remain a Kingsley for life,’ Landon continued.

Amelia almost choked at the telepathic message, her delicate eyebrows furrowing. ‘Loves him deeply?’ Who could say such a thing with a straight face?

‘Amelia, it’s the only way to get them off your back about having a baby,’ Landon urged.

Amelia shuddered, remembering Patrick’s knowing look in the office earlier. “Fine,” she said, “Even though I can’t have children, I love Landon. I’ll stay with the Kingsleys forever. And if anyone tries to cause trouble, they’ll regret it.” She paused, then added with a sneer, “Like last night, for instance.”

Henry’s expression hardened. He stared at Amelia, realizing she was the one behind it all.

“You… You little witch.” Donna shrieked, spitting in Amelia’s direction. The butler, quick as a flash, raised a pot lid to deflect the projectile.

Amelia almost burst out laughing at the sheer absurdity of it all.

“Mrs. Amelia, Mrs. Gloria’s having another spasm. What should we do?” Emma cried out in a panic.

Amelia instantly snapped back into her weepy facade. “Gloria, don’t scare me like that.”

Patrick let out a long sigh. “Amelia, take good care of Gloria.” He then practically dragged Donna out of the room.

Throughout the entire charade, Henry didn’t utter a single word. Perhaps losing Kenneth after last night’s fiasco had taught him a lesson. Or maybe Patrick had given him a heads-up, and his role today was simply to play along, further emphasizing Patrick as the sole beacon of righteousness in that crooked family.

With everyone gone, Amelia breathed a sigh of relief. She wiped away the fake tears she’d forced by pinching her thigh, and a sly smile curved her lips. “Gloria, they’re all gone. You can get up now.”

“It worked like a charm. You’re so clever, Amy.” Gloria sat up, a delighted grin spreading across her face. “I never knew how to handle your grandma before, but now I’ve got it. Next time she shows up, I’ll just faint again.”

“Gloria, you really went through a lot,” Amelia said sympathetically, brushing some dust off Gloria’s clothes. It was a strange sight that one of Norava’s most esteemed socialites resorted to playing the damsel in distress to protect her family.

“Oh, it was nothing.” Gloria chirped, clearly pleased with her performance. “By the way, don’t believe a word Patrick said back there. He’s the worst of the bunch.”

“I know, Gloria.” Amelia nodded. “Why don’t you go freshen up?”

“Sure.” Gloria ran a hand through her messy hair. “I’m gonna go shower and change.”

Amelia walked over to Landon’s bedside and gently took his right hand. “Get well soon,” she said softly.

‘Amelia, thank you.’ Landon lifted his hand and placed it on her head. He let it linger for a moment, then slowly slid it down her hair, brushing her cheek with a feigned casualness before finally letting it rest on her shoulder.

At that moment, Landon desperately wanted to caress her face. But he restrained himself.

“Well, if you really want to thank me,” Amelia said, clearing her throat, “just make sure I get a decent chunk of the money in the divorce.”

Landon chuckled, ‘Two million dollars a day, and that’s 60 million dollars a month. Not enough?’

“Well, money talks, right?” Amelia said with a sly wink. “Besides, now that Edwards Group’s debts are all cleared up, it’s time to run it properly.”

‘Who says I want to run it?’ Landon shot back.

Amelia blinked, surprised. “What else would you do? Buy it just to let it sit there?”

‘Wait,’ Landon said, his eyes narrowing with a glint of cunning.

“Wait for what?” Amelia asked, curious.

‘Wait for Sandra to give up her shares,’ Landon replied with a smirk.

“Oh, I get it now,” Amelia exclaimed, the realization dawning on her.

Sandra held shares in the company which was a gift from Walter. It wasn’t a huge percentage, but every dime Edwards Group earned put two cents in her pocket. If Kingsley Group made Edwards Group a success, Sandra could live comfortably without lifting a finger.

It had taken a monumental effort for Amelia to finally untangle herself from the Edwards family drama. The thought of supporting Sandra now made her stomach churn.

“But will Sandra really give up her shares?” Amelia frowned, doubting it would be that easy.

A glint of ruthlessness flickered in Landon’s eyes. ‘She will.’

“Alright then.” Amelia knew Landon was about to make some moves. She’d just sit back and enjoy the profits. It amazed her how he could orchestrate everything with just a few texts from home. She couldn’t help but wonder just how formidable he must have been before his illness.

‘The one–month deadline for the bet with Henry is almost up. From now on, I want daily reports from both the finance and project departments,’ Landon stated.

“Okay.” Amelia felt her chest tighten. Despite working diligently this past month, giving it her all, she couldn’t shake the fear of potential losses. If she failed, she’d have to step down as CEO–and worse, forfeit 20 percent of Gloria’s shares.

‘Don’t worry, I’ve got everything under control,’ Landon assured her.

Amelia nodded, though her confidence was still shaky. Now that she knew Patrick had been trying to misdirect them all along, she’d make damn sure to go through those financial records with a fine-toothed comb tomorrow. There was no way she’d let Gloria’s shares slip through her fingers.