Zoe cast a sympathetic glance:
"Poor Amelia, once this job is done, I'll give you a vacation. You really need to rest. Look at those dark circles under your eyes."
Amelia assured her it was fine, that she had weathered much bigger storms before, and this was nothing, just a trivial matter with Chloe. She could handle it.
After making some final adjustments to the design draft in the studio, Zoe reminded her it was time for lunch, and they headed to a nearby restaurant together.
During lunch, Zoe couldn't help but voice her confusion:
"Amelia, why does Chloe have such animosity towards you? You're a top designer, and yet she still finds fault with your work. Is there any conflict between you two?"
Initially, Zoe didn't believe there was any connection between Chloe and Amelia, but after catching a glimpse of the design draft on Amelia's desk—such a perfect piece that Chloe still complained about being unsatisfied—she couldn't help but suspect something was amiss.
Amelia didn't want to reveal her unsavory relationship with Oliver and vaguely replied:
"Well, I know her from a previous studio where we had some issues. She might be holding a grudge, and now that she sees me in a downfall, she's coming after me."
Zoe didn't doubt this and instead complained on Amelia's behalf:
"These rich people, how can they be so vile, making things difficult for us who work hard for a living? It's their twisted pleasure!"
Seeing Zoe's indignation on her behalf, Amelia couldn't help but smile. It felt good to have a friend who stood up for her.
After the meal, Zoe, feeling sorry for the dark circles under Amelia's eyes, insisted she go home and recuperate.
Amelia couldn't argue with Zoe and went home, but she didn't rest. She kept modifying the design draft and sending it to Chloe for review, who, still upset, was naturally not satisfied and continued to deliberately make things difficult for Amelia.
Exhausted, Amelia understood that no matter how much she revised the design, Chloe would not be pleased, but she still worked hard on it. She was determined not to let Chloe become the only failure in her professional career.
While racking her brain for ideas, Oliver's call came inopportunely:
"Where are you?"
"At home."
"Get out, I'm taking you to a place."
Before Amelia could refuse, Oliver hung up, always leaving her no room to object.
Furious, Oliver used their "maintenance" agreement to disrupt her plans again and again. Yet, Amelia couldn't do anything about it; the humble canary was on the verge of a breakdown...
Oliver's words were vague—get out? Walk? She needed to clarify. "How am I supposed to get there? You have to send someone to pick me up."
Oliver had apparently forgotten this detail and instructed his driver to pick up Amelia from her villa.
He didn't tell Amelia that today was a family banquet for the Maxwell and Cooper families, and as a power-holder in his family, he naturally had to attend.
And today's main attraction was not him. The reason for calling Amelia was obvious—to make her give up any hope and stay by his side, being his canary.
Amelia arrived at the entrance of a high-end club, confused, and was led inside by the staff. She went up to the second floor and entered a room where Oliver sat at the main seat. The room was empty except for her and Oliver.
The table was filled with delicious dishes, all of Amelia's favorites. She couldn't figure out what Oliver was up to today.
Oliver gestured for her to sit beside him and then spoke leisurely.
"Do you know who's sitting downstairs?"
Baffled, Amelia wondered why she should care, but she smiled and patiently asked, "Who are they?"
"Today is the engagement banquet of Lucas and Natalie Cooper, the Cooper family's daughter. Natalie Cooper and Lucas have been childhood sweethearts. She has liked Lucas for many years. She doesn't know about you, and she doesn't need to know in the future since both families have agreed to this marriage."
Amelia thought to herself, so this was the trap. What kind of reaction did Oliver want from her?
With an indifferent expression, Amelia picked up a piece of boiled shrimp with her chopsticks and chewed it.
She didn't hurry to respond to Oliver, who was unusually patient today, just watching her eat.
He understood that Lucas wouldn't dare to go against his father's wishes, and his father wouldn't dare to go against his own.
As the one at the top of the food chain, he looked down on the entire game.
"Oh, what does it matter to me? I have no relationship with Lucas anymore."
"Lucas and Natalie Cooper are a perfect match, and as his uncle, I think they are very suitable. You shouldn't fantasize that he can give you anything now. To be honest, he can't give you anything. On the contrary, I can give you everything you want, except marriage."
The last four words were extremely ironic, and Amelia gave a self-mocking smile:
"I don't dare to fantasize that he can give me anything. You don't need to keep testing me. I'm already in your hands, and my grandmother is too. I can't and don't want to resist. I'll be honest, my grandmother can get better medical care in your hands. It's a good deal, why not?"
Oliver was very satisfied with her answer and was in a great mood as he picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs for her.
Amelia didn't hesitate to eat it. Oliver looked at her from the side and saw her cheeks puffed out like a pufferfish, which was oddly endearing.
Oliver took control and forcefully turned her head, not waiting for Amelia to swallow her food before he kissed her.
But this word wasn't very cool, the domineering kiss was somewhat restrained, like a dragonfly touching the water, pecking at Amelia's face.
Sometimes it was her eyes, sometimes her nose, and most of the time it was her mouth.
Perhaps tired from kissing, Oliver stopped and told Amelia to kiss him back:
"You performed well today, and you have the opportunity to kiss me. Go ahead, kiss wherever you want."
Amelia forcibly endured her inner helplessness, leaned in and kissed him, copying Oliver's actions, leaving a dense pattern of light kisses on his face.
She made a bolder move and kissed Oliver's sexy Adam's apple, a sensitive spot for him. As expected, when Amelia's lips touched his Adam's apple...
Oliver took control again, but this scene was just seen by Lucas, who came upstairs for some fresh air.
"Uncle, Amelia, what are you doing?"
Oliver was in a bad mood, his pleasant moment interrupted by this unwelcome guest. He was about to get angry when Amelia blocked his lips.