Chapter 9

Luke Carter stared at Amelia, his expression dripping with disdain. "I really don't get why she even came here. Is she just trying to make herself seen?"

Christopher's gaze swept over Amelia coldly, but he didn't say a word.

Compared to Nicole, who was being fawned over by everyone, Amelia's striking looks didn't help her at all. She seemed out of place, dull even, standing beside Nicole's radiant brilliance.

"I think I understand why you never want to go home. If I were you, I'd prefer Nikki too. Smart, capable, ambitious—she's better at everything than Amelia.

"She just sits at home spending your money and does nothing else."

Luke had always been part of Christopher's circle, and ever since their marriage, he'd looked down on Amelia. She was a scheming woman who wormed her way into a man's bed, so how good could she really be?

And now she had shamelessly chased Christopher all the way here.

It was utterly absurd.

"What's she standing there watching the interview for? Like she even understands a word of it. Anyone who didn't know better would think she's about to join the aviation industry too."

Christopher shot Luke a sharp look. "Enough."

Luke finally went silent.

Nathan watched Nicole basking in all the attention, and couldn't help feeling a little proud by association. If only Nicole were truly his mommy.

No matter. As long as Nicole liked him best, that was enough.

Amelia watched as Nicole introduced herself to the crowd, radiant and full of confidence. She spoke with striking clarity and deep understanding of the industry.

Amelia took a deep breath and lowered her gaze.

No wonder Christopher liked Nicole.

Faced with a woman who could do nothing but play house and a fiercely capable career woman, the choice was obvious.

And somehow, in her past life, Amelia had never grasped this simple truth.

Evelyn's big, round eyes followed Nicole, who was surrounded by people. She listened carefully to the conversation, her mind absorbing every detail.

So Nicole had designed this aircraft herself. No wonder Nathan looked up to her like that.

Just then, Amelia's phone rang. It was Jasper, telling her he'd arranged a viewing stand with a perfect vantage point to watch the fighter jet demonstration.

She took Evelyn and headed straight there.

In Luke's view, Amelia's action implied that she knew she couldn't compare to Nicole. So, she took her daughter and quietly left.

After Nicole's interview ended, Nathan ran straight into her arms. "Ms. Nikki, you're amazing!"

Nicole scooped him up and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, sweetheart."

Nathan's smile grew even brighter from the affection.

Nicole turned toward Christopher, one arm holding Nathan, the other stretched out toward him. "Buddy, I'm so brilliant and successful. Aren't you going to hold me and celebrate a little?"

Luke walked over, his grin half sarcastic. "What? Am I not your buddy anymore?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Luke didn't wait to see if Christopher agreed. He simply pulled him in for a hug with Nicole.

When they let go, Luke looked at Christopher. "How about we all go grab a meal to celebrate?"

Nicole, still holding Nathan, draped her other arm over Christopher's shoulder. "Sure. It's my treat!"

From a distance, the three of them looked like a close-knit little family.

Evelyn and Amelia hadn't gone far.

Evelyn kept glancing back at her father. Seeing the three of them together, she bit her lip tightly and turned away, refusing to look again.

If only she were more like her brother and more capable, maybe then her father would accept her.

Her daddy didn't like her, and that was likely why he didn't like her mommy either.

She couldn't hold her mommy back.

The seats Jasper arranged for Amelia and Evelyn were truly first-class. It was right at the center of it all, with an unobstructed view of the entire venue.

"You can stay here. The show will start soon," Jasper said with a smile. "Try not to wander off. There are a lot of people, and it's easy for the little one to get jostled."

"Thank you," Amelia said. "You go ahead, don't worry about us."

"Call me if you need anything."

After Jasper left, Amelia settled into the stand. With the view stretching out before her, her gaze fell on a jet in the distance.

The Eos X7 looked flawless in its flight, and it was already nominated multiple times at the exhibition.

There were a lot of people being interviewed today. The prime spots filled up quickly with prominent figures from the industry, all recognized names.

From a distance, Evelyn saw her father holding Nathan, with Nicole walking beside him.

"Why are you also here?" Nathan's face twisted into a look of disdain when he spotted Evelyn.

How did his sister and mother get here?

"This is for people with credentials only. You sneaked in, so don't be surprised if they kick you out later," Nathan whispered.

"What happened to your manners?"

Christopher frowned, his voice calm but firm, exuding authority.

Though he doted on Nathan, deep down Nathan still feared his father. He immediately fell silent, casting a pitiful glance at Nicole.

Nicole smiled gently. "Chris, he's just a kid, and he'll learn in time. No need to scare him with that cold look."

Amelia gave them a cool, indifferent glance, not bothering to respond, as if they weren't even worth her attention.

Luke sneered inwardly, rolling his eyes. Amelia had the audacity to follow Christopher here and somehow managed to sneak into the inner area. Who knew what tricks she'd pulled? And now she had the nerve to put on that aloof act, as if no one could see right through her.

Amelia settled into a seat further inside, while Evelyn took one closer to the edge. Christopher glanced at them, then sat down right next to Evelyn.

Nathan quickly plopped down beside Christopher and patted the empty space next to him. "Ms. Nikki, sit with me here!"

Nicole smiled and sat down without hesitation.

Seeing her father sit down next to her, Evelyn nervously gripped her dress. She watched him carefully, studying every expression.

But Christopher didn't look at her once. His attention stayed entirely on Nathan and Nicole. Slowly, a sinking feeling grew in Evelyn's chest.

The fighter jet demonstration began. The display was grand and spectacular, the roar of the crowd filling the air.

The children were all completely captivated.

"Ms. Nikki, are you going to design jets like these in the future? They're so cool!"

Nicole laughed. "You like them? I can make you a little model of one."

"Yay!"

Evelyn felt a pang of envy. She liked them too, but she kept her feelings buried inside, saying nothing.

When the demonstration ended, performances on the stage began.

All the adults in front stood up, and Evelyn could barely see. She frowned.

Christopher scooped Nathan up in his arms. Nathan grinned mischievously and made a face at Evelyn.

Evelyn huffed and stood on the stool. "Short people need to be carried. I can see just fine like this!"

Nathan huffed back. "So what? I'll grow taller someday. You? You don't even have a daddy!"

The words hit Evelyn like a punch to the chest, and her excitement for the show evaporated instantly.

Amelia frowned, then she turned to Nathan and coldly said, "Right. You don't have a mommy either."

Nathan froze, utterly stunned.

Nicole's eyes widened, shocked that Amelia would actually say something like that.

Christopher's brow furrowed, clearly displeased. "Amelia, why are you picking a fight with a child?"

Amelia let out a mocking laugh. "And why are you picking a fight with a woman?"

She didn't bother with him any further and instead reached down to ruffle Evelyn's hair. "Mommy's here."

Evelyn pressed her lips together for a moment, then smiled and nodded.

Christopher remained expressionless the entire time.

Maybe it was just his imagination, but Amelia seemed unusually hostile toward him lately.

Until the performance ended, Christopher and Amelia didn't exchange a single word.

He set Nathan down.

Evelyn spoke up. "Mommy, I need to go to the bathroom."

"Okay."

As she jumped off the stool, she misjudged her footing, twisted her ankle, and began to fall.

"Ah—"

She squeezed her eyes shut.

The sharp pain she expected never came. Instead, strong arms caught her securely.

When she opened her eyes, she realized she was in her father's embrace. His arms were warm and wide, comforting in a way she hadn't expected.

She froze for a moment, her nose tingling.

Her daddy still cared about her, didn't he?

Instinctively, she said, "Thank you, Daddy—"

Christopher's dark eyes narrowed, and his expression turned cold. "What did you just call me?"