Chapter 37 Family Feud
Someone's out to get Michael.
It couldn't be a coincidence; there was only one conclusion.
At the Williams family party that day, Amelia overheard people talking about Michael.
They said he was only twenty-five and already controlled the vast Johnson Group, a business empire that everyone in River City envied.
Who would want to harm him?
And who had the ability to mess with his pillow while he slept, right under his nose?
Moreover, rare herbs like blood-red ginseng are incredibly scarce and not something just anyone can get their hands on.
Listening to Amelia, Eric immediately furrowed his brows, clearly thinking of something.
"Do you know who wants to harm him?"
Seeing Eric's expression, Amelia said, "If it were the servant who bought the pillow, they wouldn’t have the motive or the guts, let alone access to such rare herbs."
"So, it must be someone who wants to quietly damage his brain."
"Is it a business rival? But how could a competitor get their hands inside the Johnson Mansion?"
"No, to be precise," Eric looked up, "if someone wants to quietly harm Mr. Johnson using this method, it must be Mr. Michael Johnson's uncle, Mr. Efrain Johnson."
Eric had been by Michael's side for over ten years.
He was originally the son of a gardener for the Johnson family. After the gardener died suddenly of a heart attack, Michael, who was around the same age, kept him by his side.
Later, when the Johnson family faced turmoil, Eric became the only person Michael trusted. When Michael took over the Johnson family as an adult, Eric became his assistant and has been ever since.
"Mr. Michael Johnson's uncle, Mr. Efrain Johnson?" Amelia frowned slightly.
"Mr. Johnson mentioned to Miss Martinez that his legs were paralyzed in a car accident."
Eric paused and continued, "That accident happened ten years ago. Mr. Stefan Johnson and his wife, Mrs. Kennedy Johnson, both died in it. Only fifteen-year-old Michael survived because Mrs. Kennedy Johnson shielded him."
"Mr. Domingo Johnson always favored Michael and intended to groom him as the heir to the Johnson family. But with the deaths of Mr. Stefan and Mrs. Kennedy Johnson, the entire Johnson family business fell to Michael's uncle, Mr. Efrain Johnson."
"However, when Michael turned eighteen, the shares in the trust fund set up by his parents were transferred to him, making him the majority shareholder of the Johnson Group, and he took over the company."
"In the following five years, Michael and Efrain battled for control. Two years ago, Efrain finally conceded, gave up some shares, and moved abroad, allowing Michael some peace."
"But Efrain is the only other heir to the Johnson family besides Michael. If something happened to Michael, everything would fall back into Efrain’s hands."
"From what I know of Efrain, he's extremely cunning and ambitious. He won't easily give up on the Johnson family's vast empire."
Family feuds.
Eric's words, along with Michael's situation, reminded Amelia of her previous life as Rosie.
The Simmons family was a top-tier family in Border Ridge City, but like the Johnsons, they were also small in number.
As Rodolfo's eldest daughter, Rosie took over the Simmons Group at twenty and was highly respected.
But in reality, Rosie had suffered from depression since Isadora's death and Rodolfo's remarriage to Natalia.
She had no interest in managing the family's business, no desire for money or power, and was tired of the constant scheming with Natalia for profit.
So ten years ago, twenty-three-year-old Rosie didn’t go missing while traveling in Novaria; she actually jumped into the sea to escape her unhappy world.
When Amelia took over Rosie's body, it was just as Rosie was being rescued. She felt Rosie's lingering emotions.
Rosie didn’t want to live as she had before. She wanted to escape the Simmons family’s power struggles and longed for peace and freedom.
So Amelia fulfilled that wish for her.
For the next ten years, she lived freely.
After spending many years in Novaria, she traveled to many other countries and cities, met a variety of people, and did things Rosie had never tried.
Until last week, when a persistent Demon Hunter found her and pursued her.
She had to destroy Rosie's body and wandered the world for a long time before finally finding Amelia's body, which was a perfect match for her soul.
Everyone thinks that having money and power brings happiness.
But in reality, people like Rosie and Michael, born into noble families and envied by others, might also envy ordinary people.
In the face of interests, blood ties often become thin. The human heart is deep and human nature can be sinister.
Ordinary people's lives may be plain, but they can have the most sincere family, friendship, and love, and a simple happiness.
As Amelia was lost in thought, Michael came out of the bathroom and was startled to see the pillow torn open. "What happened?"
Eric repeated what Amelia had said.
Michael's eyes darkened for a moment, a flash of ruthlessness passing through them.
"You can go now," Michael said to Eric, who then left the room, leaving Michael and Amelia alone.
Amelia walked up to Michael, frowned, and asked, "Is it really Efrain who wants to harm you?"
Meeting Amelia's gaze, Michael's deep eyes softened. "I was indeed careless. I didn't expect him to use such a method. I'll be more vigilant in the future."
"I know Efrain well and won't give him a second chance. So don't worry, I'll handle it."
"Okay." Amelia nodded.
Just as Michael trusted her to handle the Martinez family affairs, she had no doubt about Michael's abilities.
"Now, lie down on the bed, and I'll give you the acupuncture." Amelia said.
After the last acupuncture session, Michael could barely stand.
Once he lay down, Amelia picked up the needles Eric had prepared.
Dozens of needles pierced the skin and acupoints, and the sharp pain hit instantly. However, for Michael, this pain made him feel a certain reality.
This time, the heat, pain, and numbness in his legs were even stronger than before. Michael's chest heaved slightly. As Amelia finished the last needle, she leaned closer to his face.
"This will hurt a lot."
"I'll help you distract yourself."
With that, Amelia lifted her head and pressed her lips to Michael's.
Their lips and tongues intertwined, breathing heavily. Deepening the kiss, Amelia raised her hand to Michael's temple, gently massaging.
"It's been a long time since you had a good sleep, hasn't it?"
Amelia spoke softly. The power of her soul flowed through her fingertips, gradually penetrating Michael's brain.
A strong yet gentle force enveloped his consciousness, making Michael close his eyes in a daze.
"Sleep well, my dear." Amelia's gaze was tender as she kissed Michael again before straightening up.