LOGINWinona continued, "From now on, remember this: don't reach out to him, and don't contact him. If he comes around, pretend you don't see him. If he wants to play happy couple with Samantha, let him. Whatever he does is none of your business."Winona's words hit Amelia like a splash of cold water, slowly clearing the fog in her mind.After a few seconds of silence, she gave a small nod. "Yeah. I understand now. Thanks, Winona."After hanging up, Amelia took a deep breath. The moment she stepped out of the break room, she heard her coworkers talking nearby."Look, Mr. Zephyr's here. He actually came to have lunch with Ms. Bloom!""Seriously, I'm so jealous. Mr. Zephyr treats Ms. Bloom so well. He's that busy and still made time to eat with her.""Well, of course. They're engaged. Of course, they're all lovey-dovey!"Following everyone's gaze, Amelia saw Christopher walk into the office carrying a carefully packed lunch, heading straight for Samantha's desk.The second Samantha l
By the time Amelia arrived at the Academy of Aerospace, the parking area outside was already packed with cars.The moment she stepped out of the vehicle, she spotted Samantha standing near the entrance to the office building, as if she had been waiting for her.As soon as she saw Amelia, Samantha hurried over with concern written across her face."Ms. Sinclair, are you okay after last night? You drank so much that I was really worried." She smiled gently. "That's why I specifically asked Chris to stay behind and take care of you. I was afraid you'd feel sick in the middle of the night with nobody there to help."The words "specifically asked Chris" instantly made Amelia uncomfortable.Samantha's tone carried a subtle emphasis, as though Christopher staying behind to care for her had happened with her permission. The concern felt less like kindness and more like charity."Thank you for your concern, Ms. Bloom. I'm fine." Amelia's voice remained calm and detached. "And I appreciate
Christopher looked at Evelyn, and his entire expression softened instantly."Yes," he said gently. "I promised I'd bring you to school, and I keep my promises."Amelia turned toward her daughter. The bright excitement on Evelyn's little face made the refusal stuck in her throat.After a few seconds of silence, she tried softly, "How about I take you instead? Daddy still has work to do.""But Daddy already promised me!" Evelyn puffed out her cheeks and grabbed Christopher's hand tightly. "Daddy, are you leaving again?"Christopher crouched down and rubbed her head, his tone steady and certain."No. I took time off today just to take you to school." Then he looked up at Amelia. "I already promised Evie last night. I'm not going to break that promise."Amelia looked at Evelyn's hopeful eyes, then at Christopher. The defenses she had spent so long building quietly collapsed.She knew she couldn't refuse anymore. She couldn't let her own emotions disappoint her daughter, and she cou
Amelia leaned against the headboard, gripping the bedsheets tighter and tighter until her knuckles turned white.Looking at Christopher still standing there without moving, she suddenly let out a low laugh filled with sarcasm and self-mockery."What are you doing exactly?" she asked hoarsely. "Feeling sorry for me? Trying to throw me a little charity?"Her voice was rough from the alcohol, but every word landed sharply in the air like ice."I don't need it. Just leave already! Stop standing here and being an eyesore."Christopher remained where he was, tall and motionless. His face showed almost no emotion, but he made no move to leave either.He only looked at Amelia with unreadable eyes, as though countless words were trapped behind them, only to dissolve into silence in the end.The sight of him like that only made the anger inside her burn hotter. She opened her mouth to say something else, but a wave of dizziness suddenly crashed over her.The alcohol surged through her sy
Christopher noticed something was wrong almost immediately.He glanced sideways at Amelia and saw her flushed cheeks, unfocused eyes, and the thin layer of sweat covering her forehead.His chest tightened, and he stepped harder on the gas."How are you feeling? Do you feel any discomfort?"Amelia shook her head weakly, her voice rough and unsteady."I'm okay... Just really hot..."Christopher frowned and reached over to touch her forehead. The burning temperature beneath his palm made his expression darken instantly.He knew Amelia couldn't handle alcohol well, but he hadn't expected her to end up like this, especially with a fever on top of it.After that, he stopped talking and focused entirely on driving, wanting only to get her home as quickly as possible.The car finally pulled into her apartment complex and stopped downstairs.Christopher got out, opened the passenger door, and carefully helped Amelia out of the car.She leaned heavily against him, too weak to stand on
Lawrence's expression darkened immediately, and his tone turned forceful."What's this, Ms. Bloom? You won't drink with me? Or do you just not think our company's funding matters?"The moment Amelia saw the situation shifting, she immediately picked up her own glass and stood with a smile."Mr. Palmer, Ms. Bloom really isn't feeling well tonight. I'll drink in her place. Don't worry. The Academy of Aerospace is absolutely serious about this partnership."With that, she tilted her head back and drained the glass in one shot. The harsh liquor burned down her throat, making her frown slightly.Lawrence's smile instantly returned."Now that's what I like to see, Ms. Sinclair. I'll drink with you!"He emptied his own glass, then immediately refilled Amelia's. "One more. Finish this one, and we'll sign the letter of intent."Amelia knew perfectly well this was deliberate pressure, but she had no choice except to endure it. One glass after another disappeared down her throat.Her c
Nicole was glad to hear Amelia knew her place well, unlike the way she was in the past. Back then, she was always overestimating herself.Nicole surmised that Amelia had finally realized her place in Christopher's heart.Christopher looked at Amelia in silence.Nicole glanced at Christopher and s
At Lucia's words, Christopher halted in his footsteps."That's a doctor from the hospital. Amelia's uncle is sick, and they're discussing his treatment plan." He looked calmly at Lucia and asked, "Do you have some sort of prejudice against her?"Lucia was stunned by his question.She mumbled unde
Amelia was making it clear that she wasn't here for Christopher. Why would she wear a gown he prepared for her?Christopher's outdated mindset assumed that she liked something conservative. However, that wasn't true. Amelia used to dress that way to adhere to the expectations of the Zephyr househ
Amelia knew that Gerald was a fair and righteous man.However, she also knew the tricks that Christopher was capable of.Gerald couldn't always come to her defense. On the other hand, Christopher could make a move on her anytime he wanted revenge. They even had a binding agreement.There was no n







