“Nice meeting you, Dr. Harrington. Now pleasee over and give me a hand, Amelia called out, her voice tinged with exasperation as she struggled to prop Landon up. She was wrestling with his limp body, trying to get his shirt over his broad shoulders.
Landon, for his part, remained utterly motionless, his eyes shut as if he were simply asleep. He leaned against her like <b>a </b>rag doll, helpless but somehow dignified even in his vulnerability.
Wesley, watching the scene, felt his chest tighten with indignation on Landon’s behalf. Unable to <b>contain </b>himself, Wesley barked. “Step aside. I’ll handle <b>it</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
Amelia, relieved to be spared the physicalbor, immediately moved out of the way. “That’d be great. Thank you so much,” she said with a small sigh, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
Despite his polished, schrly appearance, Wesley was surprisingly strong. He swiftly dressed Landon, his movements efficient yet forceful, as though venting his frustration through the task. Finally, he turned to Amelia with a frosty re “What’s going on between you and Landon?”
Amelia hesitated, coughing lightly to mask her nervousness. “Well, it’s… a long story. Maybe I’ll just… skip it for now.”
Wesley’s disdain was palpable. Figures. Just yesterday at noon she <b>was </b>Zachary’s fiancee, and by the afternoon, she’s suddenly Landon’s wife.
Unaware of the full story, Wesley couldn’t help but think of Amelia as nothing more than a frivolous gold digger, unworthy of the highly esteemed Landon in his eyes.
I’ve got time,” he said icily, folding his arms with a long face. His mind churned with resentment. How does a married–or almost–married–woman waltz into the Kingsley family and end up sharing Landon’s bed? This can’t be <b>real</b>.
Amelia frowned, clearly impatient, “I’m in a bit of a hurry… She had no time for this<b>–</b><b>her </b>mind was already on the inheritance she needed to im
Wesley’s jaw tightened. “Was it intentional?” he questioned through clenched teeth.
Amelia blinked, confused. “What?”
He continued, “Did you deliberately take advantage of Landon while he’s defenseless! Sleep with him while he couldn’t stop. you?
Amelia choked on her breath, coughing violently. “<b>What</b><b>? </b>No. Absolutely <b>not</b>.”
“Then how do you justify marrying him?” Wesley’s voice rose with usation.
Before Amelia coulde up with an answer, Landon<b>, </b>stirred awake when they dressed him up, had heard enough of Wesley’s nonsense.
Though his body was still unresponsive, Landon’s inner <b>voice </b>was as sharp andmanding as ever. Tell <b>him </b>we’re acquaintances, and that I reached out to you before the ident
Amelia nodded eagerly<i>, </i>her expression brightening with sudderinspiration. Today, her sober mind was firing <b>on </b>all cylinders. In <b>a </b>tactful tone, she <b>said</b>, “Dr. Harrington, Landon and I have known each other for quite some time. Before <i>the </i>ident, he specifically told me that he wanted me to marry him
Wesley froze, staring at her in disbelief. “What?”
Landon’s voice echoed again <b>in </b>Amelia’s <b>mind</b>, <b>calm </b>and resolute. If anyone else asks, <b>stick </b>to the same story”
“Got it,” she murmured under her breath.
89%■
Wesley finally snapped out of his daze, but his eyes narrowed suspiciously as he stared at Amelia. “Who are you <b>talking </b>to?”
“You, Amelia replied with an awkwardugh, trying to brush it off. “Dr. Harrington, it’s really great that you’re here.”
Wesley scoffed, his contempt for her evident. To him, she still seemed far beneath Landon’s worth..
Gloria’s cheerful voice floated into the room as she entered. “Oh Wesley, you’re here.”
“Mrs. Kingsley.” Wesley greeted her, his tone softening. Then he asked with a frown, “What happened to Landon? Why is he like this all of a sudden?”
“It’s… a long story,” Gloria said with a heavy sigh.
Wesley’s lips twitched in frustration. Why does everyone <b>insist </b>on calling it a long story? Can’t someone just give <b>me </b><b>a </b>straight answer for once?‘
“Amy, go handle your business,” Gloria said warmly, handing Amelia a document. I’ll talk to Wesley.”
Amelia nced at the paper–a marriage license. Her name and Landon’s were printed in bold letters, apanied by all her personal details.
As she took it, she couldn’t help but marvel once again at the sheer power of the Kingsley family. They’re as omnipotent as ever, she thought, shaking her head in awe.
Following her memories from herst life, <b>Amelia </b>stepped into Pinecrest Litigation Firm.
Thewyer, William Smith, was a man in his fifties, with sharp eyes and a kindly demeanor etched into his weathered face. The moment he spotted her, his expression shifted slightly, a flicker of recognition in his eyes. “You must be Debra’s daughter, right?” he asked, his voice steady yet tinged with a trace of emotion
“Mr. Smith, hello, Amelia replied, her voice trembling with a sadness she couldn’t suppress.
That he recognized her at a nce meant only <b>one </b><b>thing</b>–she bore <b>an </b>uncanny resemnce to her mother, Debra. The thought was like a knife to her heart. ‘How ironic. I look so much like her, yet I’ve forgotten herpletely because of that damned fever.”
“You’ve finallye. I suppose you’re here to im Debra’s inheritance?” William said as he reached for a ss, pouring her water with his own hands–a gesture of respect he rarely extended.
Someone of his status didn’t need to do such a thing himself. The fact that he did showed just how much he valued her visit.
Amelia managed a faint, grateful smile as she pulled the marriage license from her bag. “Yes, that’s right. I got married yesterday, so I should meet the requirements for iming the inheritance now,”
“Congrattions on your marriage,” William chuckled warmly, gancing toward the door. “Where is your husband?
Amelia’s smile froze. “He… didn’te.”
“Well, that’s a problem,” William said with a sigh, shaking his heal regretfully. To <b>im </b>the inheritance, both of you need to sign <b>and </b>take a photograph together, It’s a requirement,”
For a moment, Amelia was struck speechless.
In herst life, she hade here with <b>Zachary </b>to handle the inheritance, and she’d paid little attention to the specifics of signatures or photographs. She had assumed <b>that </b>the marriage license would suffice.
Now, however, she was staring at a dead end. Landon <b>was </b>in no condition to appear in person since a man in a vegetative state couldn’t possiblye here to sign or take a photograph. This is a disaster!
“Ms. Edwards,” <b>William </b>said, his tone turning light but probing, “you wouldn’t have entered a sham marriage just to im the inheritance, would you?”
“… I wouldn’t,” Amelia stammered, but her face betrayed her unease, flushing with guilt.
Her impulsive agreement to marry Landon wasn’t just about securing the Kingsley family’s protection–it was also tied to this inheritance.
William’s <b>brow </b>furrowed as his years of experience painted a clearer picture of the situation. He sighed, his voice heavy with earnest advice, “Ms. Edwards, your mother thought things through carefully before arranging this inheritance. Her intention
to protect you. If you married solely to get the inheritance, you’re letting her down.”
was
“No, that’s not… Amelia’s eyes reddened as her voice cracked. “My marriage is real and legitimate. I’m iming the inheritance to protect something my mother left behind–her diamond hairpin
William softened slightly but remained firm. “Ms. Edwards, you may go now. Please return with your husband next time. It’s the only way.”
“Mr. Smith.
“We must follow the proper procedures. I’m sorry. Please understand.”
Left with no choice, Amelia stood up and forced herself to leave, frustration weighing heavily on her heart.
Little did she know, as soon as she stepped out of thew firm, William was kidnapped.
Dejected, Amelia returned to Norava. Her mind churned with thoughts of her next steps when someone darted out of nowhere, blocking her path.
“Amy, I’ve finally found you,” Zachary <b>said</b>, <b>his </b><b>voice </b>dripping with feigned emotion as his eyes locked on hers. His expression <b>was </b><b>a </b>carefully crafted picture of remorse <b>and </b>longing “Amy, let’s stop this foolishness. Come home with me.”
Amelia’s face darkened instantly. She took a step back, her gaze sharpening into something icy and unforgiving. “Get out of my way,” she said coldly, her voice like the crack of a whip. All she could feel was disgust as her eyes raked over him with unmasked disdain.
Zachary’s voice spilled out in a rush, his tone frantic, almost desperate. “Amy, it’s not what you think between Sandra and me. I <b>was </b>drunk that night. I thought she was you.
“Amy, I swear, I’ve made it clear to Sandra that I have no feelings for her. The only person I love is <b>you</b>. <b>She’s </b>already agreed to terminate the pregnancy, so you don’t have to worry. Nothing and no one wille between us again<b>.</b>”
As he finished, Zachary looked at Amelia with wide, pleading eyes, a <b>far </b>cry from the usual arrogance of the heir to the Foster family. In this moment, he’d transformed himself into a picture of pitiful vulnerability.
Amelia stared at him, her lips curling into a humorless <b>smile</b>. Does he really expect me to believe such a flimsy, hole–ridden lie? What does he take me for, an idiot? Sure, in my past life, I was a lovesick fool. But now? Listening to his apologies only makes my stomach churn‘
“Amy, please, Zachary implored, stepping closer and reaching for her hand. <b>Just </b>forgive me this once, won’t you?”
Amelia dodged his grasp with practiced ease, her expression colder than ice.
“<b>Amy</b>?” Zachary froze, his hand <b>hanging </b>in <b>midair</b>, disbelief clouding <b>his </b><b>face</b>.
Her voice, sharp and unyielding, cut through the tension like a de. “<b>Sandra </b>is pregnant. Whether it’s out of moral
<b>D </b>
obligation or basic decency, you should take responsibility for her and the child. Don’t evere near me again.
89<b>% </b>
“Amy, that night was a mistake. I was drunk and stupid,” he protested earnestly, <b>his </b>tone strained with frustration. “I love you,
not her.
But even as he spoke, his thoughts betrayed his irritation. What with her today? Why is she so damn difficult?”
Amelia let out a cold, mirthlessugh. “None of that matters anymore. I’m with the Kingsley family now, and you…. you’re the father of Sandra’s child.”
Zachary’s brows furrowed in agitation. “Amy, are you still angry he asked, his tone almost coaxing. Inside, however, his patience was wearing thin. So, this little affair with Sandra really hit a nerve, huh? If I’d known. I wouldn’t have let Sandra get pregnant so soon in the first ce!
“Angry?” Amelia tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing as her voice dropped to a deadly calm. “Why would I waste my energy on <b>that</b><b>? </b>You and I are strangers now. With <b>that</b>, she turned on her heel, ready to leave him in her past where he belonged.
But Zachary wasn’t done. In a sh, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her sharply into his arms. His grip was firm, almost possessive, and his lips descended toward hers in one swift, audacious motion.
His mind raced. ‘She’s upset because I never touched her, but I slept with someone else. Fine, I’ll throw her a bone. Even if she’s married now, she’s still stunning. Taking the initiative for once won’t kill me–hell, it might even work out in my favor.
His smug train of thought came to a screeching halt with the loud, resounding p <b>that </b>echoed through the air. Before he could even make contact, Amelia’s palm met his cheek with enough force to snap his head to the side.
Zachary stumbled back, his hand flying to his face as he stared at her in utter shock. His cheek stung, but the hate in her <b>eyes </b>cut even deeper. “Amy…” he whispered, his <b>voice </b>trembling with disbelief. For once, words failed <b>him</b>.