Chapter 119 The Public Fall of Anna
The last time Amelia had seen Anna was two days ago, in the VIP reception lounge on the second floor of the River City Piano Competition venue.
She had pushed open the door, only to catch Anna deliberately spilling water down the front of Michael's shirt, leaning in so close she was practically pressed against him.
Later, Eric had messaged her to explain. The moment Amelia left, Michael had shoved Anna away, telling her to get out in front of everyone. He had stripped off the jacket and vest she'd touched, his expression one of pure disgust.
Michael hadn't spared Anna an ounce of dignity. She'd stormed out on the verge of tears.
He had defended Amelia openly that day, and since then, never hid the fact that he cared about her. Amelia knew Anna must have kept that humiliation close, letting it fester into something darker… and she was now aiming it squarely at her.
Just moments ago, Anna had stood in front of the store staff and declared Amelia was nothing more than a country-born illegitimate daughter, clinging to Michael for status and spending his money to shop in a luxury boutique she could never afford on her own. She'd even sneered the word "shameless" like it was a title Amelia deserved.
The sales associate at the door, who had earlier been intimidated into silence by Amelia, straightened her spine at once. So that was the truth, then. She had thought Amelia might be some low-profile heiress, and had worried she'd offended someone important. But no—apparently Amelia was just a kept girl, selling herself for money at an age when she should still be in school. And an illegitimate one at that.
The thought made the associate's lip curl. That kind of cheapness must run in the family. Doing something so sordid was bad enough, but to strut around flaunting it? Where did she get the nerve?
The woman shot Amelia a look so sharp it could have sliced glass.
Belle didn't know the smug, mocking woman on the sofa, but she could read the hostility in Anna's eyes. She tugged at Amelia's sleeve, a silent warning.
Amelia's gaze cooled instantly. She looked straight at Anna. "Who told you I spend Michael's money when I shop?"
Anna let out a short, derisive laugh. "What, are you going to tell me you pay with your own?"
"You're a country-born illegitimate girl still in high school. Where would you get that kind of money? Forget a million dollars—do you even have ten thousand?"
Her tone dripped with contempt. Around them, the other sales associates leaned in, eager for the show. They didn't know Amelia, but they knew Anna, and believed she was the true socialite here.
Anna had already swept up every item Amelia had chosen, paying for them before Amelia could. No matter what happened now, Amelia would be leaving empty-handed. The staff could almost feel the embarrassment for her.
Anna sat back on the sofa, arms folded, waiting to savor Amelia's humiliation.
But Amelia laughed. Just a quiet, unexpected sound.
Anna's brows knit. "What are you laughing at?"
In a situation like this, anyone with a shred of pride would want to disappear. Yet Amelia stood there, smiling.
She lifted her eyes to Anna, unflinching. "I'm laughing at you."
Anna's expression hardened. "Excuse me?"
"I'm laughing because you've spent years telling the media you're a symbol of the modern, independent woman. You claim your presence shatters the stereotype that women can't be industry leaders."
Her voice was calm, but each word cut. "But in reality, the one most tamed by those stereotypes… is you."
Anna's eyes widened. "…What did you just say?"
"Why do you assume I latched onto the Johnson family? Because you think Michael's wealth and status are unmatched in River City, and that a Martinez family illegitimate daughter like me would only be with him for money, protection, or to leap social classes.
"Why do you assume that my million-dollar shopping trip today must be funded by him? Because in your mind, a girl from the countryside, still in high school, couldn't possibly have that kind of money. And if she did, it must have come from a man."
"In your worldview, my relationship with Michael can only be defined by dependence on his fortune."
"Poor women can only be ornaments to rich men. Women without power must sell themselves to survive. And a minor like me has no legitimate way to earn."
She tilted her head slightly. "Those judgments come from your own narrow scope. They're not entirely wrong… but they are painfully sad."
Her gaze held Anna's.
No insults. No raised voice. Just facts, spoken with a cool detachment that landed like a slap.
Anna prided herself on being one of the most capable, worldly women in her social circle. Amelia's words stripped that self-image bare in front of an audience.
Whether Amelia was spending Johnson family money or not, Anna's actions today had been small-minded. A corporate president snatching purchases from a high school girl just to make her look bad, then mocking her in public—it was petty, and everyone could see it.
Amelia's composure only made Anna's spite look uglier.
Anna's mouth opened, but no words came. The sales staff were glancing at her now, their curiosity impossible to hide. Color rose and fell in her cheeks. She snapped, "What are you looking at? Don't you have work to do?"
She turned sharply, ready to fire back at Amelia—but Amelia had already walked to the front counter.
"Earlier you said the store's items are one-of-a-kind, and higher membership tiers get priority," Amelia said to the receptionist. "What level is Anna's membership?"
The receptionist hesitated, then checked the screen. "Ms. Williams is a level four member."
Amelia knew The Thorn Birds' rules better than anyone. Membership tiers were based on total spending: one million dollars for level one, two million for level two, four million for level three, eight million for level four, and sixteen million-plus for level five.
So Anna had spent at least eight million here. No wonder she strutted around like she owned the place.
"I'm also a member," Amelia said evenly. "Let me give you my card number and enter my password."
Anna's eyes widened. Becoming a member required spending at least a million dollars, and even then, it took a month after applying to be officially enrolled. Amelia had only been in River City for a few days. A month ago, she hadn't even met Michael. Meaning she couldn't have joined using his money.
The receptionist typed in the number Amelia recited. Amelia entered her password.
When the screen refreshed, the receptionist's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
Her voice trembled. "Elite VIP? Ms. Martinez, you're one of our most exclusive Elite VIP members… and your account balance is… thirty million dollars."