Chapter 54 Childhood Entanglements
Chapter 54 Childhood Entanglements
Henry chuckled softly, a hint of playful arrogance in his voice. "Of course, my wife was with me. Why? Do you really need all the details about us cuddling last night?"
Lon's voice shot up, filled with disgust. "Dude, that's gross! Can you not? Seriously, that's nasty!"
Henry stepped out onto the balcony, the mountain breeze carrying a chill as it blew past. He gazed at the distant tea garden, his tone becoming more serious. "Do you think Amelia will feel sorry for me when she meets my mom?"
Lon scoffed on the other end of the phone. "Maybe. Considering your dad doesn't care and your mom doesn't love you, abandoned since childhood, even someone as cold-hearted as me feels sorry for you. Amelia, being the soft-hearted person she is, probably will too." He was just teasing, not expecting Henry to take it seriously.
Unexpectedly, Henry fell silent for a few seconds, his tone becoming particularly earnest. "Do you think that would really make her feel sorry for me?"
Lon was stunned, then burst into laughter. "No way, Henry! Are you serious? You wouldn't be trying to use a woman's sympathy to make her fall for you, would you? That's pretty sneaky!"
"It's not using," Henry's voice deepened, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the balcony railing. "I want her to... feel sorry for me bit by bit, and then slowly fall in love with me."
Lon's laughter abruptly stopped, his tone full of shock. "If you don't like Amelia, I'll walk out and get hit by a car! This is so sneaky! I'm calling Amelia right now to tell her all about your little scheme, let her see your true colors!"
Henry, however, remained calm, even with a slight smile on his lips. "No need for you to say anything. I'll let her discover my true nature slowly." He paused, then added, "After all, I want her to fall in love with all of me, not just a facade."
Lon was so uncomfortable with Henry's deep affection that he cursed, "You're crazy," and hung up the phone. Henry put away his phone, turned to look towards the room, the smile in his eyes gradually fading.
As he turned back inside, he made sure to ask the front desk to pack a light porridge, thinking Amelia hadn't had breakfast, and he could bring it to her.
Meanwhile, just two minutes after Henry left, Amelia's phone rang, and Olivia's messages kept popping up in the pinned chat: [Amelia! Guess what! I saw a male model at the bar last night, with eight-pack abs and dimples when he smiles. I wanted to rush up and ask for his WhatsApp right then!] Followed by a string of fangirl emojis and a few sneakily taken side profile photos.
The guy was wearing a black tank top, his arm muscles smooth, looking quite eye-catching as he mixed drinks at the bar.
Amelia looked at the screen and smiled helplessly, typing a reply: [You're fangirling again? Last time, you barely spoke to that rapper before getting annoyed with him. Now you're into a male model?]
Olivia replied instantly, her tone full of determination: [This time is different. I found out! He's here until the weekend. I'm going back tonight, and if necessary, I'll pay for his company. It's just money, I have plenty!]
Seeing "pay for his company," Amelia's brows furrowed instantly. Olivia was always carefree, spending money lavishly, acting on whims without considering the mixed crowd at bars. What if something ugly happened?
She quickly typed: [Get a grip! Bars are chaotic places, and you're willingly putting yourself out there? What if he's just after your money or has other intentions?]
Olivia was nonchalant: [What intentions could he have? I'm just looking for eye candy! I'll bring a few people with me, he won't dare mess with me!]
[It's not about messing with you.] Amelia took a deep breath, patiently explaining, [Remember that rich, handsome guy last time? He turned out to be a fraud, trying to scam you into investing. Most people in these places have motives. Don't act impulsively just because it's new and exciting.]
She paused, recalling how Olivia often suffered from her impulsive decisions, and added: [If you really like this type, I'll keep an eye out for reliable ones for you. Forget about the ones at bars. If you really want to drink, I'll go with you to a quiet bar, much better than those chaotic places.]
Olivia was silent for a few seconds before sending a pouty emoji: [Got it, got it. You're like my mom! Fine, I won't go, happy now?]
Amelia sighed in relief, just about to say more when Olivia's message popped up again: [Amelia, I've been eyeing a film project recently. Can you ask about the Phillips Group's resources for me?]
Amelia replied: [I mainly handle Mr. Phillips' schedule and project coordination, not familiar with the talent department, but I can ask. No guarantees, though.]
Olivia replied instantly: [I knew you were the best! By the way, you mentioned visiting Uriah. How did it go? Any clues about his leg injury?]
Amelia paused, her fingers hovering over the screen. Uriah's leg injury involved too much; even Henry only knew bits and pieces. She didn't want to drag Olivia into it, so she replied: [Still investigating, I'll let you know if there's any news.]
Putting down her phone, she walked to the window, looking at the path through the bamboo forest below, suddenly recalling events from long ago.
Back then, she didn't know Henry's identity; she only thought he was a relative of the Phillips family, wearing a faded shirt and standing timidly in the corner of the Phillips Villa. She felt sorry for him, shared her snacks, took him to the backyard to pick apples, and taught him her favorite puzzles. Henry spoke little then, but would quietly follow her, and when she fell, he would be the first to reach out to help, silently handing her his handkerchief.
Later, something changed; Henry became silent and distant, rejecting even the snacks she offered. Eventually, she learned he was Finn's illegitimate son, her parents had an accident, and they gradually drifted apart.
"What are you thinking about?" Henry's voice suddenly came from the doorway.
Amelia turned to see him holding a breakfast bag. "Nothing." She walked over, taking the bag, "Let's go back to the show."
Henry nodded, his gaze sweeping over her slightly red eyes, not asking further, naturally opening the passenger door for Amelia.
Just as she was about to get in, Amelia, biting into a sandwich, her phone suddenly rang, the caller ID showing her assistant Dahlia. She glanced at Henry, walked to the roadside, and answered the call, "Hello, Dahlia, what's up?"