hapter <b>18 </b>
Amelia rushed to the police station, her heart racing with dread but the moment she stepped into the cold, sterile she saw was Jacob’s lifeless body, sprawled on <b>a </b>gurney.
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Nearby, the Kingsley family’s trusted attorney, Oscar Reed, was calmly providing <b>his </b>statement to the officers, hisposed sdemeanor a stark contrast to <b>Amelia’s </b>growing unease.
Her face paled, and a mixture of frustration and shock churned in her chest. She swallowed hard before asking. “Did Dr. Green say anything before he died?”
Oscar shook <b>his </b>head solemnly. “Nothing, Mrs. Kingsley,”
<b>Amelia’s </b>hands clenched into trembling fists<b>, </b><b>anger </b>flickering in her gaze. “He <b>wasn’t </b>the mastermind. Yet he chose to take all the me with his death. Was it worth it?”
Aaron, standing quietly beside her, spoke gently, hoping to ease her turmoil, ‘Mrs. Kingsley, in some way, this does bring you a measure of justice.”
Justice?” Amelia scoffed, her voice <b>sharp </b>with indignation. The one pulling the strings is still out there. Jacob was bribed- he wasn’t the instigator. The real mastermind is the one who paid him off.”
Determined, she surged forward, intent on speaking to the police. But Oscar quickly stepped in her path, his voice measured and calm. “Mrs. Kingsley, I’ve already investigated his ounts. Over the past six months, there haven’t been any significant deposits.”
What?” Amelia froze, disbelief shing in her eyes. “That’s impossible.
“It’s likely the transaction was in cash,” Oscar exined<b>, </b>his tone steady. The money might’ve been hidden. Without concrete evidence, there’s no way to pursue charges
As Kingsley Group’s trusted legal advisor, his wealth of experience told him this was no ordinary scheme. Whoever orchestrated it was meticulous, leaving <b>no </b>trail. Oscar figured that if <b>Zachary </b>truly was behind this, then the man was far more cunning and dangerous than he appeared.
Amelia bit her lip, her frustration mounting, “Mr. Reed, isn’t there any other way?” Her voice cracked with desperation.
Her mind seethed with bitter thoughts. “Zachary and Sandra are the ones responsible for my suffering, and yet Jacob, their aplice, is the one paying the ultimate price of death. Meanwhile, <b>those </b>two snakes walk free.
Oscar’s gaze was steady but firm. “Mrs. Kingsley, <b>this </b>case is closed for now.”
Tears glistened in her eyes as she protested, “Mr. Reed, <b>I’m </b><b>not </b>lying…”
The memories burned vividly in her mind–two lifetimes of them. She knew exactly what had happened
It was Sandra, driven by jealousy and insecurity, who fabricated lies to have Amelia undergo surgery to remove her left breast before the wedding. Sandra had only done that because she feared that Zachary night desire Amelia after their marriage. And Zachary, ever eager to please <b>Sandra</b>, had agreed without hesitation
Oscar exhaled slowly. “Mrs. Kingsley, <b>the </bw requires evidence. Do you have any other leads we can pursue?”
Amelia racked her brain but finally <b>shook </b>her head, her <b>voice </b>below. “No… <b>nothing </b>else.”
Then we’ll leave it for <b>now</b>. If new evidence surfaces, we’ll revisit. Oscar gave Aaron a pointed look.
Aaron also tried tofort her, his tone encouraging, “<b>Mrs. </b>Kingsley, you’ve already humiliated them thoroughly today. Don’t let this weigh you down. There will be plenty of <b>chances </b>to settle the score in the future.”
13:08 Sun, <b>Dec </b>22 G
<b>Chapter </b>18
But <b>Amelia </b>couldn’t quell the storm inside her. Her jaw tightened as she thought, Zachary is truly ruthless. To manipte Jacobs into <b>abandoning </b>his family and <b>taking </b>his own life just to shield <b>him</b>? That’s a level of cold–blooded calction I won’t
underestimate.
I’ve taken the property at Stonefield from him today, but there’s no way he’ll let this slide. Moving forward, I need to tread carefully. I can’t afford to be careless, I don’t fear <b>him</b>, but I’d be a fool not to prepare for what’sing?
The weight of the day lingered with her, dragging her mood into a somber haze. Even as the world continued on around her, Amelia found herself haunted by the events. For the rest of the day, her heart was heavy, and her thoughts refused to
settle.
Landony stretched out under the warm sun, basking in its glow while quietly waiting for Amelia to speak to him.
In just three days, he’d grown oddly dependent on her presence Somehow, life only felt normal, whole even, when she was around. When she left, even for a few hours, unease would creep into his chest, simmering until it boiled over into irritation Yet today, for a long time, she hadn’t spared him so much as a word–not even theforting distraction of her massages.
Inside, he couldn’t help but mentally call out to her, ‘Amelia<b>, </b>what’s wrong with you?”
Her response came, muted and heavy. “Dr.
Greenmitted suicide to escape his guilt.”
If he was guilty, then his death was deserved. Landon dismissed it without much thought..
But Amelia, clearly not in the mood for his indifference, pinched him hard enough to make him wince internally. “He didn’t confess to anything about Zachary or Sandra,” she snapped, her toneced with frustration.
Good, Landon chuckled inwardly at her boldness, ‘Well, aren’t you brave? You’re actually daring to take it out <b>on </b>me now! Amelia <b>shot </b>him an irritated re. “Good? What’s good about it Jacob only took 700 grand. If he’d just spilled the truth and returned the dirty money, he’d have been out of prison in a few years. Instead, he threw his life away-
<b>“</b>That of
only means he faced a threat worse than death, Landon interrupted, his mental voice calm but firm.
The truth was<b>, </b>he had already anticipated this oue the moment Amelia mentioned suing Jacob.
Though the Kingsley family had no direct dealings with the Foster family, Landon was all too familiar with Zachary’s character. The man might have looked like the picture of civility, but behind that polished veneery a schemer–cold, calcting, and utterly ruthless when it came to achieving his goals.
When Landon had first discovered Amelia with Zachary, he’d been stunned, wondering why she would choose such a conniving, heartless guy.
“It must’ve been Zachary who threatened him,” Amelia murmured, her words sharp as she dug her fingers into Landon’s thigh with surprising force, leaving a noticeable dent in his muscle.
Landon couldn’t help but remind her, I may not be able to move, but that doesn’t mean I can’t feel pain
Amelia immediately released him, her expression softening with guilt. “Oh, sorry.”
From now on, don’t meet Zachary alone. Landon cautioned, histone serious.
She hummed <b>in </b>agreement<b>, </b>her demeanor shifting <b>as </b><b>she </b>refocused on massaging his legs.
The sun was generous today, warming <b>his </b>clothes to a cozy heater <b>hands </b>moved in a steady rhythm, kneading from his calves upward, her touch growing more confident <b>and </b>skilled with each stroke.
Landon found himself sinking into the sensations, his heightens senses savoring the soothing pressure <b>until </b>it lulled him into <b>a </bfortable haze. Just as he was on the verge of drifting off, a sudden jolt at <b>his </b>inner thigh yanked him back to
alertness.
What the hell are you doing? he demanded, his mental voice sharp with shock.
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Amelia froze, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment. “Uh… I might’ve pressed a little too high by ident…” She stuck out her tongue yfully, thought her sheepish tone betrayed her.
ident? Are you sure it wasn’t deliberate? he asked in their minds, his disbelief clear..
“I was thinking about something, and my hands just… forgot to stop, she mumbled, her eyes darting away.
Landon exhaled deeply, trying to rein in his irritation. <b>And </b>what exactly were you thinking that it led your hands there?”
Amelia hesitated before admitting. “Your mom transferred the property at Stonefield to me. But don’t worry, I’ll give it back to you as soon as you wake up.” She quickly moved behind him, avoiding his gaze <b>as </b>she started working on his shoulders.
Landon blinked, momentarily stunned by her confession. He had no idea that thend was what had her so distracted. A faint chuckle echoed in his mind as he thought, It’s just a piece ofnd. If you want it, keep it
“Don’t underestimate that piece ofnd. In three months, its value will skyrocket to 3 billion dors, Amelia dered, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. She tilted her chin up triumphantly, a satisfied grin ying on her lips. “Landon. I just made you 27 billion dors in profit
Landon couldn’t bring himself to dampen her excitement, though inwardly, he was far from convinced. The Stonefield property had been on the market for ages, with not a single buyer willing to take the plunge.
The <b>reason </b>was simple. Its value just <b>wasn’t </bpelling enough. The idea that it could leap from 300 million dors to billion in a mere three months seemed, at best, wishful thinking in his eyes.
He figured she was just talking big. But still, he didn’t see any harm in it and didn’t feel the need to burst her bubble. To <b>him</b><b>, </b>her happiness mattered more than the facts.
“Landon, why aren’t you saying anything? Don’t you believe me? Amelia pouted, her lips forming a petnt curve as she leaned closer, her bright eyes seeking his reaction.
Landon chuckled softly in their heads, I believe you. Once we make that money, I’ll split it with you, fifty–fifty”
Amelia’s expression lit up as she batted hershes yfully. “You said it, not me.” But a flicker of doubt crossed her mind, quickly reced by determination. “He <b>doesn’t </b>really believe me does he? Fine. Just wait. When it’s time to split the profits, let’s see if he doesn’t feel the pinch.
Little did Landon <b>know</b>, in just three <b>months</b>, the Stonefield property would indeed skyrocket to billions in market value.
“Oh, by the way,” Amelia said, shifting the conversation, “Aaron asked me to remind you to talk more about work. He’s barely holding things together.
Landon paused, considering her words for a moment before asking, Amelia, what was your major in college?”
*Finance and Management, she answered, tilting her head curiously.
Then, would <b>you </b><b>dare </b>step in and take charge at Kingsley Group for me?”
“Wha–what?” Amelia’s eyes widened <b>in </b>shock, and she nearly bit her tongue.
The very thought made her nervous. Sure, she had studied finance and management, but theory was one thing–real–world experience was another. Kingsley Croup wasn’t just anypan
It was a corporate giant, a beast of an organization. For a beginn like her, who had never managed more than her personal budget, the idea was daunting to say the least.
13:08 Sun, <b>Dec </b>22 GG.
It’s simple, Landon said, histone calm but with <b>a </b>subtle edge. You have two choices join the board or have a baby. He threw out the challenge not only to corner her into a decision but also to gauge her true intentions for staying by his side
Amelia froze, her mouth opening and closing as she processed as words. Her voice trembled as she asked, “Do I really have to <b>choose</b>? Is there a third option?”
“No, he thought, his mental tone <b>final</b>.
Then… She bit her lower lip, the conflict etched across her face. After a long moment of hesitation, she finally muttered. T’ll join the board. But don’t me me if I run yourpany into the ground.”
Her <b>answer </b>surprised Landon, though it also brought him a quiet sense of relief. It confirmed she was still the same straightforward, sincere girl he’d met–someone who had <be </b>to him seeking shelter, not power.
Don’t worry, heforted her, a hint of amusement flickering in his mind. ‘You could try for years, but you wouldn’t even make a dent in my fortune.