Amelia cut him off. “Mr. Scott, if you have nothing else for me, I’m heading back to work.”
Carter could only nod.
Amelia headed back to the design department with the envelope in her hands. As if sensing her unhappy mood, Jessica didn’t pounce on Amelia for gossip but instead showed her a gesture of encouragement.
At noon, Jessica said spontaneously, “Amelia, lunch today is on me instead of your treat; I’ll call for delivery, and we can have lunch in the office. What do you think?”
This millennial is pretty caring, after all. I mean, she gossips a bit too much and knows way too many things for her own good. Plus, she tends to blurt out anything on her mind. But it’s moments of kindness like these that really touch my heart.
“Thank you, Jessica.”
“Let’s skip these formalities, shall we? Sometimes I feel like I’m the older sister taking care of you even though you’re a few years older than me.” Jessica ordered delivery and plonked herself down in front of Amelia to chat.
“Amelia, are you ok? You look kind of absent-minded the whole morning,” asked Jessica softly.
Amelia shook her head and laughed humorlessly. “I’m ok. What a rare occasion it is to see our Jessica all grown-up and showing concern towards others.”
Jessica flung her hand away lightly and pouted. “Amelia, I’m really worried about you. If you’re going to patronize me like this, I’m going to be angry.”
Amelia made a gesture of surrender. “I know you mean well, but I’m really ok. I’m just having some problems at home; I’m sure they’ll be settled soon.”
Jessica grabbed her hand and said suddenly, “Amelia, I think you’re actually having a hard time. You’re so beautiful, yet the sadness that clouds over your gaze can’t fool anyone.”
Amelia was stunned for a moment before she recovered with a laugh. “You sweet little thing! Just out of school, and you’re suddenly a relationship expert like everyone else? I’m grateful for your concern, but as I said, I’m really ok. I’m busy thanks to my baby; when my son’s born, I’ll make you his god aunt.”
“Amelia, why are you so biased? I should at least get to be the godmother.”
“I’m sorry, but someone else has reserved that honor, so you can only have the next best option.”
“Who is she? Bring her here and I’ll fight her for the spot.”
Amelia’s mood improved immensely after that chat. With someone as cheerful as Jessica, it’s pretty hard to stay upset.
After suffering through the day of work, Amelia began packing her things to leave. As she exited the design department, she bumped into Jennifer. Possibly due to the photos, Amelia felt a grudge towards Jennifer. You scheming witch! The things you’d do to fulfill your wishes disgust me.
Jennifer stopped in front of her and said softly, “Amelia, your charisma must be out-of-this-world. Does it make you feel exceptionally accomplished to be leading two men on a merry chase?”
Amelia stared at her calmly. “Ms. Larson, sometimes it’s best not to force others into a dead end, or you might find yourself receiving the bad karma you deserve.”
Jennifer’s lips curved up in a chilling smile. “Look how sharp your words are; I don’t understand how so many men are bewitched by you.”
Amelia let out an angry laugh. “That is my charm, I suppose. Since you don’t have it, I guess you can only bow down and admit defeat.”
Jennifer’s expression twisted in fury.
“Ms. Larson, if there’s nothing more to say, then I’m getting off work. I have dinner plans and won’t stay around to entertain you.”
Jennifer sneered disdainfully. “You really can’t tear yourself away from men, can you?”
Amelia merely glanced at her and walked past her as she left the office.
Jennifer swept her gaze across Amelia. She hmphed loudly before stomping away on her heels.
Amelia drove her car out of the basement parking lot.
She answered a call from Tiffany as she drove towards the latter’s neighborhood. “Tiff, I’ll be there in half an hour.”
“Babe, can you get me some cream on your way up? I’m planning to make some white sauce,” asked Tiffany.
“Got it.”
She hung up the phone and reached Tiffany’s neighborhood soon after. She remembered to get a carton of cream before heading up to Tiffany’s place.
She took the lift up to Tiffany’s floor and knocked on her front door. The door was opened quickly, and she was met with an enthusiastic hug from Tiffany. “Babe, you’re here! I prepared a feast for you; your only responsibility is to stuff yourself with food.”
Amelia removed her shoes before entering. Laughing, she said, “That’s great because I’m starving.”
Tiffany closed the door and immediately noticed the envelope in Amelia’s hand. “Amelia, what’s that in your hand?”
“It’s just some photos; I’ll show you after dinner.”
“Babe, we’re best friends. Why wait until after dinner to see the photos? I want to see them now.”
Amelia flung the envelope on the sofa and laughed. “Tiff, I’m hungry. Surely you don’t want to starve your own godson.”
Tiffany’s loaded gaze told her that she was only letting Amelia off the hook temporarily. She went into the kitchen and brought out all the food she’d prepared. Served on the table was a spread of delectable dishes and a pot of beef bourguignon stew. It was a mouthwatering feast.
Amelia smacked her lips and made a huge show of looking like she was starving. “Tiff, your cooking is always so amazing. What if I can’t eat anything else but your food next time?”
“Then don’t leave. You can come over anytime, and I’ll gladly cook for you,” replied Tiffany as she ladled a bowl of stew for Amelia. “Have some of this. I cooked it in the pressure cooker for hours. I can guarantee the beef is going to be scrumptious. I bought a ton of meat this morning too, so there’s definitely enough for you to eat to your heart’s content.”
Amelia eyed her suspiciously. “Why are you so hardworking today? Say it, are you planning something?”
Tiffany rolled her eyes. “What could I be scheming? To sell you? To eat you?”
Amelia came up with a cringe-inducing reply. “Maybe you drugged the feast, and you’re planning to have your way with me later?”
Tiffany made a show of puking. “Amelia, that’s gross.”
Amelia just smiled and ate the stew happily.
Though Tiffany was refilling her plate continuously, Amelia managed to finish almost everything Tiffany had taken for her.
The two of them almost finished the entire feast Tiffany had prepared.
Tiffany gave a thumbs-up to Amelia. “Babe, your appetite’s really grown. The baby might be shocked at the amount of food you’ve eaten.”
Amelia patted her tummy and laughed. “All the nutrients are going to your precious godson.”
Tiffany quickly cleaned up the dining table while saying, “I planned the whole menu to make sure you’re replenishing your nutrients properly. It’s great that you were able to finish all the food.”
After washing the dishes, Tiffany dried her hands and asked, “Can I finally see what’s in the envelope?”
Amelia nodded.
Tiffany opened the envelope. Once she recognized the couple in the photos, her expression morphed from one of disbelief into anger. She looked at Amelia and asked, “Amelia, what’s going on? That incident five years ago almost landed you in prison; haven’t you learned your lesson by now? Why are you still mingling with Carter?”
Amelia gave a brief explanation of the situation.
Tiffany fumed. “What’s up with that Jennifer? I could care less about how stuck-up she is, but what gives her the right to send a photographer to follow you? You always get bullied like this because you’re too kind. Just wait, I’ll get someone to teach her a lesson tomorrow! She needs to know that you have people behind you too.”
“Tiff, you need to calm down. I have some thoughts on how to deal with it. She has her own plans, but I’m not a softie who’ll just let anyone trample over me.”
“If you weren’t a softie, you wouldn’t be bullied so badly. Watching you like this is bad for my blood pressure.”
Amelia just smiled.
Exasperated, Tiffany started massaging her forehead. “You can still smile at a time like this; you must really want my blood to boil over.”
“Calm down, prenatal education is really important. If you’re spouting crude language, your godson might become a ruffian when he’s born.”
“Pfft,” Tiffany scoffed while rolling her eyes. “Here you are, changing the subject when we’re on proper topics. How do you plan to deal with these photos?”
Amelia’s smile faded slightly. “I’ll burn them.”
“She has the originals; what use is it to burn the photos? Maybe you should start worrying about Oscar’s reaction when he finds out about them?”
Amelia shrugged and smiled bitterly. “If he knows, he knows. Do you think Oscar cares about these photos?”
Tiffany rolled her eyes again. “Baby, do not underestimate how possessive men can get. You may be in a contractual marriage, but you are still his wife in the eyes of the law. Do you think a man can put up with the discovery of being cheated on?”
Amelia hugged her knees. “Tiff, what should I do?”
“Leniency for those who confess, severity for those who resist,” Tiffany said with a serious face.
Amelia rolled her eyes. “Tiff, you write novels for a living. Can’t your brain come up with something more normal?”
“Writing novels already requires boundless imagination; did you think my brain could ever come up with something normal?” Tiffany shot back.
Amelia fell silent.
Indeed, I can’t use a layman’s mindset to limit someone like Tiffany.
“Back to the topic,” Tiffany replied seriously. “I think you should meet with Tiffany regarding the photos. She wants Carter, and you’re Oscar’s wife; these things are supposed to be unrelated in the first place. As long as the situation is cleared up, it should be fine.”
Amelia didn’t share Tiffany’s optimism.
Tiffany sat down beside her and tossed the photos on a nearby table. “Amelia, what sort of person is Jennifer? I need to know how she’s like so I can teach her a proper lesson.”
Amelia pondered her question. “Stylish, beautiful, and competent at work. She’s probably a woman who represents the pinnacle of glamour in the 21st century. Then again, it might be because she’s been used to getting what she wants since she was young. She habitually takes anything she wants by force.
Tiffany sneered. “Someone like this can be taught multiple lessons, and she would still deserve what she got.”
Amelia didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Tiff, that’s the harsh reality. Heiresses like her will never be punished for anything. She has money, power, and high social status. As long as she’s not too overboard, she will always get what she wants.”
“Well, she’s gone way overboard now. I’m pretty sure bad karma’s coming her way soon.”
Well, I don’t know if bad karma will strike Jennifer, but if these photos end up in front of Oscar, I won’t even know what sort of trouble I’m in for.
I’m well aware of how possessive Oscar is, and these photos could really put me in big trouble.
Tiffany leaned back against the sofa and said, “I’ll arrange for someone to get back at Jennifer. You better stay away from Carter in the future, as he’s obviously carrying bad luck with him wherever he goes. Years ago, he let you bear his debt for him, and you almost got jailed. Now, this Jennifer has shown up, and the longer this goes on, I’m worried you may find yourself booted out by the Clintons.”
