Chapter 59 Let Me Hear You Call Me Honey
Chapter 59 Let Me Hear You Call Me Honey
Lily said something on the other end of the line that made Henry's tone even colder. "I don't have time for this crap. That's out of the question." He hung up abruptly and shot a message to Aiden, [Terminate Lily's contract, now.]
The living room went dead silent.
Everyone knew why Lily had called. She was trying to use her childhood friendship with Henry to plead for Cecilia and make herself relevant. But no one expected Henry to be so blunt, not only shutting her down but also deciding to terminate her contract on the spot.
People exchanged glances, but no one dared to speak.
After all, this was a Phillips Group matter, and they were outsiders.
After dinner, Emma pulled Amelia aside to wash dishes and quietly asked, "Ms. Martinez, do you think Mr. Phillips will help Cecilia? Lily seemed really upset..."
Amelia paused while drying a plate, her tone neutral. "I don't know. He never consults anyone when making decisions."
"What about Aurelia?" Emma's eyes were full of worry. "She's so innocent, and Cecilia really messed her up this time. Can we help her? We can't let her reputation be ruined like this."
"I'll do my best." Amelia placed the clean plate in the sterilizer. "I'll have the PR department issue a clarification statement tomorrow to set things straight."
She didn't linger, heading back to her room. Just as she changed into her loungewear, there was a knock at the door. Thinking it was Dahlia with some documents, she opened the door and was surprised to see Henry standing there, carrying a thermal bag and still carrying the cool night air from the balcony.
Amelia stepped aside to let him in, her tone emotionless. "Mr. Phillips, what brings you to the women's dormitory so late?"
Henry didn't respond, closing the door behind him.
The soft click shut out the hallway light, leaving only the warm glow of the bedside lamp, casting long shadows of the two of them.
He walked closer, his black leather shoes making soft yet imposing sounds on the floor, until he had Amelia cornered. His left hand braced against the wall, and his right hand rested on the wardrobe door behind her, creating a confined space.
Amelia looked up, her nose almost touching his shirt buttons, catching the scent of his cologne. She didn't back down, instead speaking first with a hint of anticipation. "Are you here to plead for Cecilia?"
Henry looked down at her, his eyelashes casting faint shadows under his eyes, a playful smile on his lips. "Take a guess."
"Hard to say." Amelia turned her face away, avoiding his intense gaze. "Mr. Phillips's thoughts are harder to read than the Phillips Group's financial reports."
Her words seemed to hit a nerve, and Henry chuckled softly, his breath brushing her ear, deliberately tickling. "Let's change the question. Who do you want me to help?"
Amelia met his gaze, her eyes clear and cold. "You're not my subordinate. I don't think you'll help whoever I want you to help, will you?"
"Why not give it a try?" Henry leaned in closer, their breaths mingling. "What if I can give you whatever you want?"
His fingers lightly traced her waist, the touch both testing and heated, his eyes full of possessiveness. He seemed certain that Amelia would compromise, knowing he could sway Aurelia's reputation and Cecilia's fate with just a word.
Before Amelia could respond, Henry stepped even closer, his voice dropping to a seductive whisper. "Let me hear you call me 'Honey.' If you do, I'll clear Aurelia's name, teach Cecilia a lesson, and even keep Lily in line."
His proposition was blatant, like a sugar-coated hook, yet his face was serious, his pupils reflecting Amelia's image.
Amelia didn't follow his script. Instead of retreating, she leaned in, her nose brushing his jawline, her tone mocking. "Want to hear it? Dream on. In reality, I don't have time to play the loving wife."
Henry paused, then laughed softly. "Amelia, you're making me think you're frigid."
"Don't doubt it." Amelia straightened, pushing his arm away and stepping back to create distance, her tone calm. "I'm definitely not interested in you."
The room's atmosphere grew tense, the bedside lamp's glow flickering between them. Henry saw the determination in her eyes and dropped his playful demeanor. "I'll help Cecilia."
Amelia wasn't surprised, just nodded slightly. "I'll help Aurelia."
"I figured." Henry raised an eyebrow, a hint of admiration in his voice. "But I trust you'll handle it well. My secretary never disappoints me."
He didn't linger, turning to the door. Just as he touched the handle, he looked back at Amelia. "Don't stay up too late. We have PR matters to handle tomorrow." With that, he gently closed the door, his footsteps fading down the hallway.
Amelia leaned against the wall, touching her flushed ear. She took a deep breath, walked to her desk, and opened her laptop, her fingers poised over the keyboard: Draft a clarification statement for Aurelia, then have Dahlia contact the police about Cecilia's interrogation progress.
Meanwhile, in the interrogation room at the Silverlight City police station, the cold white light made the walls gleam. Cecilia sat in an iron chair, her hands cuffed to the table, her hair disheveled and sticking to her face, her eyes full of frustration and defiance. She had been detained for two hours, the police repeatedly asking, "Why did you spread rumors?" and "Did you have accomplices?" She either stayed silent or shouted, "I did nothing wrong," until even the officers lost patience, leaving a young officer to take notes.
The door suddenly opened, and Lily walked in, her high heels clicking on the floor. She wore a champagne-colored dress, her makeup flawless but unable to hide the fatigue and anger in her eyes. She had rushed over from a film set, still in costume. Seeing Cecilia's disheveled state, she frowned, her tone full of reproach. "Are you out of your mind? How could you spread rumors and ruin someone's reputation? Do you know the whole internet is cursing you, and you've dragged me down with you!"
Cecilia looked up, her eyes instantly red, her voice trembling with grievance. "Lily, I did it all for you!"
"For me?" Lily was taken aback, then sneered. "Do I need you to fight my battles? You wanted to target Aurelia, don't drag me into it!"