Chapter 68 We Are Family

Chapter 68 We Are Family

"So, how do you want me to thank you?" Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Food, drinks, or clothes? Pick one."

Henry scoffed, leaning back in his chair with a hint of disdain. "Do you really think I need any of that?"

Amelia thought for a moment and started the car. "How about I give you a ride home? Does that work for you?"

"Sure." Henry didn't make it difficult for her, lightly tapping his fingers on his knee.

Just as the car left the Phillips Villa neighborhood, Henry's phone rang.

Lon's name flashed on the screen. Henry answered, his tone instantly casual. "Hey, what's up?"

"Henry, where are you?" Lon's loud voice came through, tinged with the smell of alcohol. "Come over to my place for a drink. I just opened a bottle of my best wine, waiting for you."

"Not a good time right now." Henry glanced at Amelia driving, his tone a bit helpless.

"Not a good time?" Lon's voice rose, teasing. "What, is Amelia keeping you on a short leash? Come on, it can't be that bad."

Henry didn't argue; instead, he handed the phone to Amelia, his tone probing. "Want to join? Lon's inviting us over."

Amelia glanced at the phone screen, then at the road, her tone calm. "I can drop you off and then head home."

"Don't be like that, Amelia!" Lon's voice came through, excited. "You should come too. It's been a while since we all hung out. My place is just around the corner."

Amelia didn't give a clear answer but steered the car towards the address Lon provided.

Twenty minutes later, the car stopped in front of a standalone house. Lon was leaning against the doorframe, dressed in loose loungewear, his cheeks flushed from drinking, and his speech slightly slurred. "Finally! I thought you guys were going to bail on me."

Lon approached Amelia first, his tone a bit aggrieved. "Amelia, you need to keep Henry in check! Last time at karaoke, he won a lot of money from me and kept teasing me. It was too much!"

"Don't bother her." Henry swatted Lon's hand away, his tone warning.

"Bother? Amelia was my desk mate back in school." Lon retorted, patting Henry's shoulder. "Show me some respect, and I'll teach you how to win Amelia over. How about that?"

Henry scoffed, giving him a disdainful look. "You? The guy who got a drink thrown at him while trying to hit on a girl? And you think you can teach me?"

Lon's face turned red, and he raised his hand to hit Henry. "You dare bring that up? That was ages ago!"

After a bit of banter, Lon remembered Amelia still in the car and quickly walked over, his tone enthusiastic. "Amelia, come on in! My place just got renovated. You have to check it out and tell me what you think."

"Give Lon a break." Henry chimed in, his tone teasing. "He's a bit of a fool, but he's being really hospitable. Come on up."

"You're the fool!" Lon glared at Henry, then turned to Amelia, even more eager. "Come on, I have good tea and desserts. You'll love it."

Amelia couldn't refuse such hospitality and got out of the car to follow them inside.

The living room was decorated in a simple yet elegant style, with a black, white, and gray color scheme complemented by warm yellow lighting, making it feel especially cozy.

Lon invited them to sit and busied himself making tea and pouring drinks, muttering, "Make yourselves at home. I'll grab the good wine and show you my collection."

When Lon returned with the tea, the conversation naturally turned to Uriah.

"How's Uriah doing lately?" Lon asked, his tone concerned. "The doctor I recommended has a lot of experience and should be able to help."

"Much better, thank you." Amelia's tone was sincere. "I'll treat you to a big meal to thank you properly when I have time."

"No need to be so formal." Lon waved it off, his tone casual. "We're like family. Helping each other is what we do."

"Exactly, we're all family here. No need to be so distant." Henry added, with a hint of deliberate teasing.

"I'm talking to Amelia, not you!" Lon glared at him, secretly pleased.

Finally, he had managed to shut Henry up. This was a small victory, proving that revenge is best served cold.

The conversation then shifted to their college days, with Lon reminiscing about classroom antics and club activities, carefully avoiding any inappropriate topics.

Henry sat nearby, not saying much, but occasionally stepping in to deflect Lon's teasing of Amelia.

After a while, Henry suddenly spoke up. "Where's that good wine you mentioned? Hiding it away?"

Lon slapped his thigh, realizing. "Right! Almost forgot. Let me get my prized wine. I usually don't even drink it."

"I thought you might have changed your mind." Henry teased.

The two of them went to the wine cabinet to get the wine.

Lon poured two glasses, handing one to Henry. He was about to pour one for Amelia, but she waved it off. "I'll pass. I need to drive home later."

"Why go home?" Lon raised an eyebrow, his tone coaxing. "I have plenty of vacant rooms here. You can stay over. I'll show you around. It's more comfortable than a hotel." He reached out to take her hand.

"No, really, I can't drink." Amelia quickly refused. "I'll just have tea and keep you company."

Henry backed her up. "Don't push her. She has a sensitive stomach and can't drink. I'll drink with you."

Seeing both of them insist, Lon gave up, sat back on the couch, and clinked glasses with Henry, continuing their conversation. Amelia sat nearby, holding her teacup, listening to their banter, occasionally laughing. The living room felt warm and familial.

Lon was carefully turning the wine bottle's cork when Henry's phone suddenly rang urgently. The screen showed it was Ursa, Lily's mother. He paused, glanced at Amelia and Lon, and without saying much, took the phone to the balcony.

The atmosphere in the living room instantly cooled.

Lon, still holding the corkscrew, watched Henry's retreating figure and muttered, "Must be Lily causing trouble again. Ursa wouldn't call this late otherwise."

Amelia didn't stop sipping her tea, her fingers gently rubbing the warm cup, her tone calm. "Let's wait for him to come back before opening the wine."