The phone call was from Mark. After Amelia answered, he wasted no time asking about her whereabouts over the past few days and whether she had picked up the children as she had mentioned she would. Amelia felt a bit caught off guard. She had casually told Mark that Liam and Ella were returning, but she hadn’t expected him to remember or take her words so seriously. “Yes, I picked them up. I’ll come to the office right away,” she replied reluctantly. Mark let out a soft laugh. “No need to rush. You haven’t seen your kids in a while. You should spend today with them. They just got back, and there’s probably a lot to catch up on. Why don’t you take the day off? I’ll take care of things at the office.” Amelia hesitated, unsure if she should accept the offer. “Is that okay?” “Of course. There’s nothing pressing today. Besides, if you need help with anything—like finding schools for the kids—I’ve got some connections. I can help you out.” A wave of guilt hit Amelia. She knew th
Leo's deep voice resonated, “Miss Smith, you've rubbed my skin off.” Amelia froze, realizing she had indeed rubbed the skin on his back until it was red, covering a large area. Embarrassed, her face flushed immediately. “Oh, um, should I help you rinse off?” she asked, trying to recover. Leo raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Do you only wash one side when you shower?” Reluctantly, Amelia moved to the front to help him rinse his chest. Leo’s physique was strikingly balanced—tall, well-built, and muscular without being overly bulky. She tried to focus as she carefully wiped him clean, her throat tight as she swallowed. She avoided his face but still felt the intensity of his eyes on her. Finally, after what seemed like forever, Amelia let out a sigh of relief. “Done.” Leo gave a nod of approval. “Alright, you can leave.” Feeling like she’d been given a reprieve, she tossed the towel into his hands and turned to make her escape. But just as she was about to step out, a sudde
Upon hearing this, Liam furrowed his brows. Some individuals had perished that day, while others had managed to flee. He had already dispatched James and Brian to track their whereabouts and identities, but despite the passage of time, they still had no solid leads. Aside from knowing that these individuals were involved in illegal activities, there was no actionable information. He felt a deep sense of guilt about it. “Not yet, but I will keep sending people to investigate. I’ll get back to you with an answer eventually,” he said. However, Amelia shook her head. “There’s no need. This issue wasn’t your concern initially. I only asked for you because those people hurt you too. Since we haven’t found anything, let’s move on. I’ll take it from here.” Leo’s expression darkened immediately. “What did you just say? It’s not my problem?” “No,” Amelia said plainly. “They came after me originally. Even Liam and Ella were kidnapped because of me. So, it is connected to us.” Leo struggl
The tone of Black Cobra's voice became heavy upon hearing these words. “What do you mean?" he inquired. “I've been clear. The rest is for you to figure out,” she replied before disconnecting. Moments later, several of his subordinates emerged from the house. “Boss, what did she say?” they asked. Black Cobra’s gaze was icy as he responded, “What else could she say? If we don’t manage this properly, we’re all done for.” Fear spread across their faces. One of them snapped, “She’s so heartless. After all these years of working for her, she just wants to discard us?” “Is it surprising?” Black Cobra retorted. "Our work is harsh, and betrayal comes with the territory. It’s tough, but we have to accept that being deceived by someone is part of the job.” “Hmph! If she weren’t a Jones, I’d have dealt with her myself.” Black Cobra raised his hand to silence them. “I’ve made up my mind. That woman has to go. Whether it's from nine years ago or six, she’s tied to it all. As long as she’
Amelia returned to her apartment after a busy day of grocery shopping. Lately, she had been too busy taking care of Leo to spend time with her two children, Liam and Ella. She felt extremely guilty about leaving them at school all the time. Finally, she was able to pick up the two little ones and she naturally wanted to cook them a delicious meal as a treat. She started by making soup and prepping vegetables for dinner. Once everything was set, she checked the time and headed to pick them up. The school she chose for Liam and Ella was considered one of the best in the area, not only because of its highly qualified faculty and top-tier education but also because it was known as a cradle for elites and a prestigious school. Amelia could tolerate anything for herself but when it came to her children, she would not compromise at all. As a mother, she naturally wanted to give her children the best. Therefore, even though the tuition for this school was extremely high, Amelia gritted
Amelia stood up and turned to face both Principal Hunter and Teacher Rita with a calm but firm expression. "Principal, Ms. Rita, I believe you've heard everything. My children had no part in Noah's accident. They were the first to alert a teacher and helped save him. They didn’t commit any wrongdoing; if anything, they acted responsibly." "This matter shouldn’t be blamed on them," she continued, her voice unwavering. "I hope the school will handle this matter fairly and ensure my children receive the justice they deserve." Mrs Wayne immediately shot back, her irritation evident. "What do you mean, they did nothing wrong and even did something good? Just because they said so, we're supposed to believe them? Are you telling me that your children don’t lie?" Amelia’s tone was cool and steady. "I trust my children. I raised them to be truthful. So yes, I believe them. If I don't believe them would you?" "You!" Mrs Wayne fumed, clearly upset by Amelia’s response. She turned to
Even the school board members wouldn't dare provoke someone like him, let alone the principal. The principal's gaze toward Amelia hardened. Mrs. Wayne sneered. “Well, you do have some backbone. In that case, Principal Hunter, shouldn't a parent with such despicable, unrepentant behavior—just like her child—be disqualified from attending this school? As a principal, shouldn’t you set an example?” Principal Hunter’s forehead was slick with cold sweat as he hurriedly replied, “Yes, we should punish them.” “I don't think punishment is enough. People like them won’t listen no matter what you say. It’s better to just expel them,” Mrs. Wayne suggested. “Ah, well…" Principal Hunter hesitated. After all, Liam and Ella were usually well-behaved at school, and more importantly, they were bright students. If it weren’t for offending Mrs. Wayne and Noah, he would have liked having such intelligent students in his school. Mrs. Wayne’s displeasure deepened as she saw the principal's h
Principal Hunter's feelings toward Amelia had grown increasingly bitter. He was reluctant to criticize Mrs. Wayne and Noah due to their powerful backgrounds. Offending them could have significant consequences, and he was all too aware of their influence. His frustration was directed solely at Amelia, whom he held responsible for the escalating tension. To him, a straightforward apology could have resolved the issue. However, Amelia's insistence on making things difficult had only served to complicate matters further, leaving everyone in an awkward position. Trying to maintain his composure, Principal Hunter forced a smile and said, “What do you suggest we do now?” Amelia, her voice steady, responded, “This woman has twisted the truth and tarnished the reputations of my son and daughter. I want her to apologize to them.” Principal Hunter’s expression faltered. “Is an apology truly so critical? Couldn’t we simply shake hands, smooth things over, and move forward? It might even h
Leo claimed her mouth in a kiss that was rough and filled with longing, devouring her like a hungry wolf that had been starved for days. Amelia matched his intensity, intertwining her fingers in his hair while moaning between the kisses. His hands moved up her body, exploring every inch as if he had been waiting for this moment forever and had finally gotten the opportunity. She gasped when his fingers brushed her nipple, which was already hard and longing to be licked and devoured by his mouth. She could feel the hardness of his desire pressing against her, only intensifying her own need. “You drive me crazy Amelia Smith,” he murmured against her lips. “I miss you and I don’t want to hold back tonight. I want every part of you baby girl.” “Then don’t hold back,” she quickly replied, her voice barely more than a whisper. “I’m all yours, claim me, Daddy.” Her words made his hormones rise even further. Without breaking the kiss, he hurriedly lifted her and carried her t
The next day, the news spread online that Sophia committed suicide by hanging herself in prison. It felt strange and heavy but for Amelia, it meant a bitter-sweet relief. She woke up with a slight headache, the sunlight streaming through the curtains. Last night memories flooded through her mind—Leo's warm embrace, his apology and reassurance, the soft kiss that stirred long-hidden feelings. Her cheeks warmed and the color turned a shade of pink. She reached out for Leo who was already awake, sitting against the headboard with a look of concern etched on his face. “Morning, beautiful,” he said softly, studying her face for any signs of distress. “Morning,” Amelia replied, blushing and rubbing her temples. “What happened last night? I remember bits and pieces.” That was a lie, she remembered every single detail but just wanted to play innocent. Leo smiled gently. “You had a little too much fun celebrating your aunt's recovery. But it was a good night for us.” Ame
A month later, Aunt Elsa’s condition had stabilized. The surgical wound had nearly healed, and all that was left was some aftercare. Once home, she could take her medication and recuperate slowly without needing further hospitalization. Early that morning, Amelia went to the hospital to handle Aunt Elsa’s discharge procedures. In the hospital room, Aunt Elsa was sitting on the bed, watching TV. Seeing Amelia come in, Aunt Elsa smiled and said, “You’re just in time. Come and see this.” She pointed to the TV. Curious, Amelia looked over and saw the news playing. A familiar face appeared on the screen, and the host’s flat, detached voice filled the room. “Recently, the sensational murder case has concluded. The primary culprit, Sophia Jones, has been found guilty of her crime." "Due to the severity and serial nature of the case, she has been sentenced to life imprisonment.” Amelia blinked rapidly, her thoughts swirling as she tried to process the news. Life imprisonm
That night, Aunt Elsa woke up. Blake checked on her and found her condition better than he had expected. Perhaps Amelia’s persistence had truly moved the heavens, as the cancer cells had cleared, and even the memory loss Blake had anticipated wasn’t present. It all seemed too good to be true. When Amelia heard the news, she was naturally overjoyed. Leo also heard about Elsa’s successful surgery. He didn’t say much, but that night, he quietly ordered the kitchen to prepare a few extra dishes, silently celebrating Elsa’s recovery. Amelia had agreed to marry Leo to secure Blake’s help for Aunt Elsa. Now that Aunt Elsa was nearly healed, Amelia realized her relationship with Leo was a temporary fix. She knew she had to find a way to completely cut ties with him. That night, Amelia decided to cook a few dishes herself. To prevent anyone from interrupting her plan, she sent the children out with Eleven for the night. Then, she dismissed the household staff Leo had hired for th
As Inspector Ralph led Sophia to the police station, her heart raced with a mix of fear and disbelief.Soon, they arrived, and one of the officers led her into the interrogation room and gestured towards a chair, "Miss Jones, please take a seat. Inspector Ralph will be here shortly."With that he left, leaving her all alone in the room. The cold, bare room did nothing to calm her racing heart it only made her heart beat faster with each passing second.The walls were painted a dull gray, and the only light was a flickering fluorescent bulb that buzzed overhead. The smell of cleaning products filled the air, making her even more anxious.She never imagined that one day she would end up in this kind of situation. She stood up to reduce the pacing of her heart and her trembling fingers.Soon, the door opened and Inspector Ralph walked in. Sophia sat down, trying to stay calm and composed. "What kind of nightmare is this?" She thought. "Can I wake up already?" She pinched herself and
She said in a calm voice, “You didn’t do anything wrong, and I don’t need your apology.” Once, those words had been what she wanted most, but now they meant nothing to her. The bitterness of the past clung to her like a heavy fog. She’d never considered forgiving him, so how could she accept it? After Amelia finished speaking, Leo felt a tightening in his chest. He ran a hand through his hair, frustration coursing through him as he processed the weight of her words. “Don’t say that. We were all kept in the dark before. Now that the truth is out, you know I didn’t do those things on purpose, right?” he said quickly, his voice rising slightly. Amelia sneered. “Yes, you didn’t do it on purpose, but can the pain I suffered over the years be forgotten? Leo, you didn’t personally send someone to kill us, but back then, you did divorce me because of Sophia, didn’t you?” “I can’t hate you, but I can never forgive you. We can’t pretend those years never happened. Neither you nor I c
The sentence made both Amelia and Leo furrow their brows. They exchanged curious glances, wondering what could prompt Black Cobra to say such a thing. Leo’s gaze hardened as he made a decision. “Pardon the living, punish the dead.” With those words, he signaled his agreement to Black Cobra’s condition. Black Cobra breathed a sigh of relief. At least he had a chance to keep living to protect his family. He knew his death would endanger their lives, and he couldn’t risk it. He then revealed the secret he’d been hiding. “The accident that led to your best friend Damien's death had nothing to do with Amelia. She wasn't the one responsible." The revelation left them both stunned. Relief washed over Amelia. Damien’s death had nothing to do with her; while surprising, Black Cobra’s words intrigued her even more. Still, she was curious to know who had caused the accident that led to Damien's death and why they’d framed her. With questions swirling in her mind, she looked at
After getting out of the car, James opened the door, and they walked into the building. As soon as they entered, Amelia’s first impression was the smell of blood. The lights turned on, revealing a man lying on the marble floor of the living room, covered in blood. His hair clung together with sweat and blood, and both of his hands hung limply, possibly broken. His legs twisted in an unnatural position, making him look grotesque. Amelia felt as if she had seen him from somewhere. Leo gestured to James, who stepped forward and brushed away the hair covering the man’s face, revealing the person who had kidnapped her before. “How did he end up here?” Amelia asked in disbelief. Leo glanced at her. “What do you think?” It suddenly dawned on Amelia that Leo’s promise of a show tonight referred to this. Her eyes turned cold. She wasn’t a saint and wouldn’t sympathize with someone who had tried to harm her. “Who sent you to kidnap me?” she asked, her voice icy. Black Cobra had
On the ground, lay a mobile phone from which Sophia's voice echoed. “Have you taken action? This is your last chance Cobra, I won’t allow any more mistakes,” Sophia said sharply. Black Cobra replied coldly, “Don’t worry. This time, either she dies or I perish.” After several failures, Black Cobra’s patience had worn completely thin. Combined with Sophia’s relentless pursuit and threats, he felt trapped with no way out. He knew that failure was not an option this time, the future of his family hung in the balance, and the pressure weighed heavily on him. After speaking, Black Cobra picked up the sniper rifle. He believed that as long as Amelia dared to come out, he could kill her. Even if he was caught afterward, he would not regret it. Sophia listened to the commotion on the other end and breathed a sigh of relief before hanging up the phone. Meanwhile, at Wilson’s Domestic Group, Amelia was about to leave the office when her assistant informed her of Leo’s presence in t