Chapter 18 What Does She Count For
"You!"
Kismet's eyes widened, stunned that Amelia would dare to say such a thing. For a moment, she was completely speechless.
Her chest heaved with anger, clearly infuriated.
Who did this Amelia think she was? A country bumpkin, an illegitimate daughter with no standing, and she had the audacity to talk back to her like this?
And suggesting she take it up with Vaughn? If she could convince him, would she be wasting her breath arguing with Amelia here?
Ridiculous.
Kismet's gaze turned icy.
She had thought Amelia would be easy to manipulate, that a few words would be enough to trick her into breaking off the engagement. Clearly, she had underestimated Amelia.
After all, it wasn’t easy for someone from such a remote, impoverished place to make it to a big city like River City. This marriage could elevate her from an illegitimate daughter to the revered mistress of the Williams family.
Anyone in her position would see the value in this opportunity and wouldn’t give it up easily.
"Amelia! How can you talk to Mrs. Williams like that?" Jenny glared at Amelia, her voice brimming with anger.
Seeing Jenny's furious expression and the loathing in her eyes, Kismet calmed down.
Her cold gaze revealed a calculating glint.
It was normal for Amelia not to want to break off the engagement. But did Amelia really have the final say in this?
As an illegitimate daughter with no support, she had to listen to Jenny in the Martinez family. Jenny had plenty of ways to make her suffer.
Moreover, even if Vaughn didn’t agree to break off the engagement, how long could his frail body last?
Once Vaughn was gone, Kismet would decide who Quentin married.
Then, if Amelia still dared to dream of marrying into the Williams family, Kismet could easily have her thrown out.
At that moment, someone came from the inner hall, saying that Vaughn had finished resting and wanted to see Amelia.
"Sorry, Mrs. Williams. I’m used to the countryside. If I said anything offensive, please forgive me."
Amelia stood up, her tone polite and innocent. "Since Mr. Williams wants to see me, I’ll head inside."
Kismet felt even more stifled watching Amelia turn away.
But Amelia didn’t even glance at Kismet, heading straight into the house.
Truth be told, Quentin was the kind of person Amelia wouldn’t even consider, even if he were the last man on earth.
Quentin and Rachel were actually quite well-matched.
For Amelia, who had just come to the Martinez family using Amelia’s body, she hadn’t yet found her footing. The only person in the Martinez family who seemed to care for her was Kevin.
She needed something to rely on, and the engagement with Quentin was a convenient excuse. Otherwise, Jenny would likely find ways to get rid of her.
Once she no longer needed this excuse, she would find an opportunity to tell Vaughn that Quentin had no feelings for her and that she didn’t want to settle either.
Going back to the countryside wouldn’t be so bad. After all, Amelia had lived in seclusion before.
But there was a difference between choosing to live in seclusion and being forced back to the countryside.
She was always someone who valued her freedom and independence. Anyone who tried to mess with her wouldn’t have an easy time.
Moreover, by borrowing Amelia’s body to be reborn, she not only inherited Amelia’s memories but also felt the lingering emotions.
Amelia had died with deep confusion and resentment, not even knowing who had strangled her or why.
If she left the Martinez family easily, wouldn’t that be exactly what Rachel wanted?
Rachel, who feared Quentin being taken away and wanted to be the only daughter of the Martinez family, worried that Amelia would divide Robert and Kevin’s affection. So, she sent a killer to strangle her never-before-met relative.
Rachel, with her angelic face but malicious heart, had no right to enjoy others’ love so comfortably.
As Amelia had told Rachel before, she would make sure Rachel paid back everything she owed her.
The Williams family’s inner hall was decorated in a traditional, classical style.
The air was thick with the scent of medicine, which seemed to have permeated the expensive rosewood furniture over the years.
As Amelia walked into the room, she heard a few suppressed coughs.
Looking up, she saw Vaughn, dressed in a navy suit with graying temples, sitting on the bed. His eyes lit up as soon as he saw her.
"Amelia? You must be Amelia."
Vaughn looked excited and immediately beckoned her over. "Come here, sit with me, let me take a good look at you."
"Mr. Williams," Amelia responded promptly, sitting on the stool by the bed and greeting him politely, "Hello, Mr. Williams. I’m Amelia."
"Good, good." Vaughn grasped her hand excitedly, tears glistening in his eyes. "The last time I saw you, you were just a little girl of three or four. I can’t believe how much you’ve grown, and so beautiful too."
"I’ve wanted to bring you and Rupert to River City for a long time, but Rupert refused. She said she just wanted a peaceful life without any disturbances."
"I knew Rupert was stubborn, but I never imagined she was so stubborn that she wouldn’t tell anyone even when she was sick, and then just..."
Speaking of Rupert’s death, Vaughn sighed deeply.
Amelia lowered her eyes and said softly, "Mr. Williams, for my mother, death was a kind of release."
Vaughn was taken aback. "Rupert told you everything?"
"Yes," Amelia nodded. "Before she passed, she called me to her bedside and told me many things."
"She said my grandmother committed suicide after discovering my grandfather’s affair. My mother couldn’t forgive him and cut ties with him, moving alone to River City."
"Once in River City, she met and fell in love with Robert, my father, who was struggling at the time. She stood by him, encouraging him and helping him rebuild his life."
"But as the Martinez family’s business started to recover, my father began secretly seeing Jenny from the Jenkins family, hoping to leverage their influence for further success."
"My grandfather and Robert’s infidelity left my mother disillusioned with men and marriage. She chose to divorce my father and live alone in the countryside. But one day, Robert came and forcibly..."
"I was an accident, but my mother didn’t abort me. She raised me, and we had a simple but happy life in the countryside."
"It wasn’t until later that I found out my mother had been diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer months ago. The chances of recovery were slim, and she didn’t want to pursue treatment."
"Before she died, she told me she had contacted you. She said you were friends with my grandmother and had made a childhood marriage pact, so she wanted me to come to River City."
Amelia continued, "I could tell my mother truly resented my grandfather. She would rather have me come to River City than return to Border Ridge City, and she trusted you deeply."
"I know my mother worried that after she was gone, I would be alone and helpless in the countryside. She thought if I could come to River City and marry into the Williams family, at least I would have your protection."
"But Mr. Williams, I’m not a child anymore. I appreciate your commitment to the promise, but marriage shouldn’t be forced."
Vaughn was taken aback. "Amelia, you mean..."