At the church supper, Lucas was always on the lookout for conversation topics, with Amelia occasionally chipping in, but mostly maintaining a distant and indifferent demeanor.
Undeterred, Lucas persisted in his efforts to keep the dialogue flowing, ensuring that the silence didn't settle between them.
As a result, Amelia had a pleasant enough experience, though she didn't let it show on her face; this would be the last time.
After the meal and preparing to descend the mountain, having endured the climb, Amelia couldn't help but tremble at the sight of the steep stairs.
Lucas, perceptive to her discomfort, preemptively suggested, "Amelia, let's take the cable car down. These stone steps are rather precipitous; it's better to be cautious."
Amelia remained silent, which could be taken as her consent. As they enjoyed another moment alone, Amelia's face remained composed as she admired the view from the heights. The wind on her face made her feel the pulse of life, and she knew she had to keep striving to survive.
Lucas attempted to engage her again: "Amelia, let me drive you home later. I've got my car, and you can rest on the way." "No, thank you," she replied succinctly, "I'll go back on my own; it'll help me digest the meal."
Lucas couldn't hide his disappointment as his confidence took a hit, and he fell into self-doubt. Was he truly inferior to his uncle, just like his father had always been overshadowed by him? Was he even incapable of protecting the woman he loved, leaving her as helpless as a fish on a chopping block?
Upon reaching the base of the mountain, the staff led them to the entrance. Lucas wanted to press his case further, unwilling to believe that Amelia felt nothing for him. "Amelia, let me give you a ride; it's not easy to hail a taxi here..."
His unfinished sentence was interrupted by a speeding vehicle, a black Maybach with a license plate unique to the Maxwell family. Instinctively, Lucas pulled Amelia back into his arms.
Amelia, regaining her senses and recognizing the license plate number, felt a sense of dread. Oliver, tall and lean, emerged from the driver's seat with an eerie calmness across his face. Only Amelia understood that this was the calm before the storm.
Quickly, she pulled Lucas behind her, her eyes wide with fear, terrified that Oliver might harm Lucas in broad daylight. To her surprise, Oliver remained calm, not uttering a word, but forcefully pulled Amelia from Lucas's side.
The force was so strong that Amelia felt a piercing pain in her wrist. Her delicate face contorted, showing her displeasure. Oliver opened the passenger door, ignoring Amelia's resistance, and closed it. Only then did he turn to warn Lucas.
"Lucas, this isn't the first time. Stay away from her; she's mine. If I catch you near her again, I won't hesitate to reclaim the shares from my brother's hands."
Lucas wanted to retort, but Oliver left without waiting. In the car, Amelia felt as if she was sitting on pins and needles, holding back her outburst, waiting for the right moment.
"Amelia, you've really grown bold. Coming to church to pray was just a cover; there was another motive, wasn't there?"
These words were uttered by Oliver, one by one, as he was clearly furious. Amelia tried to explain, "It was a coincidence on the way, not intentional."
Her feeble words hardly explained anything, and Oliver wasn't listening. "You might not have intended it, but Lucas is another story!"
Oliver didn't care whether she intended it or not; he had just seen Lucas holding her, and the rage in his heart needed an outlet.
Back at the hotel, Amelia sensed danger approaching. When Oliver carried her from the passenger seat, she resisted with all her might.
"Oliver, calm down, there's really nothing between Lucas and me!" Oliver ignored her explanations and proceeded with his actions.
Once inside the elevator, Oliver was like a raging beast, launching a fierce assault. Before they even reached the room, Amelia was already struggling to cope.
"You... calm down... Lucas..."
"Mention his name again, and I'll take your life."
His warning effectively silenced Amelia, who had witnessed Oliver's threats were not empty.
Once inside the room, Oliver became even more brutal, his kisses wandering with abandon across Amelia's body.
Amelia tensed up, pushing against the man's chest: "Oliver... don't do this."
Oliver's anger was sky-high, his eyes darkening as he grabbed her slender waist: "Did he touch you here just now?"
Oliver's large hand covered Amelia's slender waist, pinching it mercilessly, leaving a mark on her. After the frenzy, Amelia felt like she had survived a disaster, gasping for fresh air instinctively.
Her chest heaved violently, and she couldn't help but murmur:
"Water... water..."
In the end, Oliver couldn't be completely heartless. Seeing Amelia's near-death state, he felt no guilt; this was her punishment. Nevertheless, he brought her a glass of water and fed her some water mouth-to-mouth.
Looking at the marks on Amelia's body, Oliver carried her to the bathroom. The intense activity had made Amelia sweat, and her hair was sticking to her forehead; she had already passed out.
Oliver looked at her in silence for a while, then exhaled a murky breath. He had indeed lost control today.
He had always known his possessiveness towards Amelia, but the thought of someone touching her was like a fire in his heart that could not be extinguished.
He glanced at the sleeping Amelia, and after a while, he reached out and carried her to the bathroom.
The next day, Amelia's consciousness cleared first. She tried to get up, but the pain in her body made her gasp involuntarily.
He truly was a madman.
Feeling refreshed, Amelia rubbed her sore waist. It seemed he had a bit of conscience after all, and for some reason, Amelia's mood improved slightly.
She endured the pain and sat down at the table, where Oliver had prepared breakfast.
Oliver, in his study, saw Amelia's figure at the dining table and put down his work to sit beside her.
Amelia wore a stern expression, not wanting to give him a good face to see.
Oliver was not annoyed. After a few bites, Amelia felt a sudden nausea and began to dry heave.
An ominous premonition was felt by both; they had done this many times, but there were a few exceptions.
Oliver paused, his dark eyes fixed on her: "Go to the hospital."
Amelia's lips pursed slightly, about to refuse, but when she met his gaze, she swallowed her words.
Oliver picked up Amelia and rushed to the hospital. He couldn't quite discern his emotions, whether it was joy or relief.
Amelia's heart was a mix of feelings; with a child, she would be truly trapped.
Fortunately, the hospital's examination revealed a false pregnancy.
Amelia let out a sigh of relief, but Oliver couldn't laugh; instead, he saw Amelia's relieved expression and felt angry.
This woman, did she not want to have his child at all?