Back at the villa, Oliver was dealing with documents in his study, and Amelia did not disturb him. She had no desire to have any contact with Oliver unless it was absolutely necessary.
The night passed peacefully, and the next day, Amelia woke up again without seeing Oliver. His absence was a relief; no intersection was a blessing.
Arriving at the garden, Amelia was in high spirits, humming a tune as she watered the flowers. Lost in thought about her grandmother, a familiar figure approached from a distance.
"Amelia, you are truly shameless," Chloe's voice cut through the air, her anger unmasked as she knew Oliver was not at home. She thrust the photos she had taken yesterday into Amelia's face. "You're playing both sides, aren't you? You think everyone is blind to your schemes?"
"You hypocrite, playing the victim. Look at yourself in the mirror before you dare to lecture me," Amelia retorted, her displeasure evident as she glanced at the phone screen showing the picture of her entanglement with Lucas yesterday. "So what? What do you want to do about it?"
Thinking Amelia was intimidated, Chloe taunted, "Just wait, I'll show these to Oliver and let him see your true colors. He'll discard you like he did before, and you'll never be the one chosen."
Hitting a nerve, Amelia didn't back down. "Go ahead and run to Oliver. I don't care. Please leave. You've ruined my good morning, and that's quite an ill omen."
With that, she raised the hose to chase Chloe away. Caught off guard, Chloe screamed and dodged, ending up soaked and disheveled. "Just you wait, your days are numbered!"
Amelia scoffed, watching Chloe leave with indifference. After the minor disturbance, Amelia put it all behind her and focused on preparing for her new job.
At noon, when Oliver returned for lunch, he informed Amelia in an irresistible tone, "We're going on a business trip to Washington this afternoon. Pack your bags after lunch; you're coming with me."
Stunned, Amelia stood up abruptly. "Why do I have to go?"
The man's piercing gaze swept over her, exuding an overwhelming pressure. After a pause, Amelia finally conceded.
It seemed her appointment with Zoe for her new job would have to be postponed.
After lunch, as Amelia packed her luggage, she made a phone call to Zoe to express her apologies. "I'm sorry, but I need to delay my start date. Something unexpected has come up, and I need a few days."
"No problem, you're welcome anytime," Zoe's easygoing response made Amelia feel a bit better, hoping that after the trip, Oliver would have no further demands.
At the airport, walking beside Oliver, Amelia attracted numerous envious glances. In the business class cabin, Amelia dozed off, and Oliver covered her with a blanket, gazing at her sleeping face for a long time.
He couldn't understand why Amelia, who seemed so obedient, was so disobedient. It seemed only coercion would keep her by his side.
Holding Amelia's hand, Oliver led her off the plane. Still a bit drowsy, Amelia was about to notice something when Oliver, following her gaze, turned her face towards himself.
"Where are you looking? Am I not pretty enough?"
Oliver was taken aback for a moment, then his large hand rested on her slender waist, pulling her close and kissing her deeply.
Amelia's pupils constricted, but her heart fluttered inexplicably, losing herself in the kiss and forgetting about Lucas behind them. He must have seen and would hopefully start to give up.
At the hotel, Amelia was surprised that Oliver had booked only one king-sized bed. It seemed the beast was ready to pounce again.
But soon, Oliver was off to deal with work matters.
Amelia proposed to go for a walk, and Oliver, eyes shifting, tried to discern her intentions, wondering if she was plotting an escape.
"I'll assign some bodyguards to you."
"No need, that's an overreaction. I'm not a celebrity, and I don't have any blood feuds. Don't worry, I won't run away."
This last statement reassured Oliver, and he allowed her to go out alone.
However, before leaving, Oliver made passionate love to Amelia once more, leaving his mark on her body as a silent declaration.
Amelia felt a strange mix of emotions.
"Well, you better get going," Amelia urged.
They parted ways, and Amelia set out to explore.
Washington was a popular tourist destination with many attractions, the most famous being a historic church.
Wanting to pray for her grandmother, Amelia took a taxi to the location and saw a mountain in front of her.
The church was located halfway up the mountain, undoubtedly a test of the faithful's sincerity.
Not wanting to suffer, Amelia considered taking the cable car, but it was the peak of the tourist season, and the crowds were too much to handle.
Giving up, Amelia decided her wish would be more likely to come true this way.
The Lord, seeing her sincerity, would surely bless her grandmother with a long life.
However, the steep stairs ahead were daunting, and Amelia swallowed hard, encouraging herself.
"Amelia, you can do this. For grandma, keep climbing."
The first half went smoothly, with Amelia being very cautious, not daring to let go of the handrail or look down.
But in the second half, a mother and son were on their way back.
The child was quite naughty, dashing around, causing Amelia to worry.
Suddenly, the child ran straight towards her, and before she could react, Amelia lost her balance.
Seeing herself about to fall down the stone stairs, Amelia thought she was done for; such a fall would surely disfigure her.
Wishing the Lord would see her sincerity and avert this disaster, she closed her eyes in despair just before impact.
But instead of hitting the hard stones, she landed in a warm embrace.
Opening her eyes, she saw Lucas's enlarged face.
"How come you're here?"
"Amelia, are you okay?"
Lucas avoided answering, only concerned about whether Amelia was hurt.
Amelia understood; Lucas had been following her, always staying not far behind.
Only when she was in danger did he step forward to catch her from falling.
Amelia felt helpless, not wanting to hurt Lucas's sincere heart, feeling she wasn't worth it.
"You shouldn't be here. If Oliver finds out, it won't end well for you."
Standing up straight, Amelia stated the facts seriously.
Lucas was stubborn, unwilling to accept it:
"Amelia, believe me, I will take you away."
Amelia didn't want to argue further and continued climbing.
Lucas pursued.
Amelia, annoyed, said, "We've already broken up, Lucas. Why are you so persistent?"
Lucas's eyes turned red as he stood still: "I can't accept it. We were together for so long, and just because of his sudden appearance, we're over. Amelia, come with me."
"I will treat you well. Let's leave here together, okay?"
His pleading gaze made Amelia's heart tremble, but thinking of Oliver's methods, she looked down and refused: "No, I don't want to leave with you."
Lucas rushed forward, grabbing her wrist and pulling her into his arms: "Amelia, are you afraid he will cause you trouble? It's okay, I have a way..."
Amelia frowned, trying to push Lucas away, but the man's embrace was tight, unyielding.
"Lucas, let go of me," Amelia resolutely said, "I won't change my mind. You should go."
Lucas's eyes turned scarlet, as if he had given up, his large hand on Amelia's waist, pressing her towards himself: "Amelia, I truly love you..."
As long as he could take Amelia away, there was still time.
He leaned down to kiss her, and Amelia also noticed his action, resisting in shock: "Lucas? Are you crazy! Let go!"
The difference in strength between men and women was vast; Amelia couldn't push the man away with all her might.
Their lips were just a few centimeters apart; she could even feel Lucas's hot breath.
Just as Lucas was about to kiss Amelia, a cold and gloomy voice came from beside them:
"What are you doing?"