Chapter 99 First Meeting, Amelia
Michael definitely heard it.
With his strikingly handsome face and commanding presence, Michael sat composed in his seat, maintaining a calm demeanor.
But what others didn't know was that his breath hitched the moment his eyes met Amelia's.
It felt like something had struck his heart, causing it to beat wildly like never before.
Michael had no idea that Amelia, aside from being Royce's final and most important disciple, also had a mysterious and unknown identity as Rosy.
Moreover, that afternoon, he had listened to Amelia compose and play a piece all the way through. She hadn’t told him the title, nor mentioned that it was written for him.
Amelia always managed to surprise him in the most unexpected ways.
How could he not be moved?
On stage, an unexpected turn of events had occurred, delaying the announcement of the competition results.
After all, they needed to investigate Rachel’s plagiarism before revealing the winner.
As soon as the competition ended, Amelia was swarmed by the media and reporters before she could even step off the stage.
Many thrust microphones and cameras in her face, bombarding her with questions.
These reporters had originally come for Osborne, but with Amelia revealing her identity on stage, she clearly had more news value.
At that moment, social media was buzzing with discussions about Amelia and Rosy, and Rachel's plagiarism scandal was trending.
Netizens were fervently discussing the events.
[This piano competition tonight was as thrilling as a movie, with twist after twist!]
[Who would have thought that Amelia, who was almost crucified online for allegedly sleeping her way into the competition, is actually the globally renowned Rosy, Mr. Stevens' confidante.]
[Some professionals have enhanced that hotel photo, and the man in it is indeed Mr. Stevens. Plus, the hotel surveillance footage shows Amelia leaving right after helping Mr. Stevens check-in.]
[It was just an innocent photo, only those with dirty minds would see something dirty. Those who insulted her must feel so embarrassed now!]
[Rachel should be the one feeling embarrassed. She was touted as a musical prodigy, but she stole Rosy's piece and even denied it, copying Rosy's signature too. How humiliating!]
[Remember when Rachel tried to take credit for saving Rex from under that truck? It was Amelia who saved him, but Rachel pretended it was her until Rex pulled off her mask on camera.]
[Wait, what? I thought the comments said Amelia set her up. Rachel must have a team behind her, constantly slandering Amelia.]
[Am I the only one curious about who Rosy likes? The title "Mich Drowning" has the name of the person she likes.]
[I can't figure it out, but your comment made me think of a very influential person.]
[Me too! And this influential person is also from River City. Could it really be him?]
[I know who you're talking about! Isn't it said that this influential person never appears in public because he's wheelchair-bound? Would Rosy like someone disabled?]
[So what if he's disabled! With his family background and wealth, I'd marry him even if he were a vegetable. Becoming Mrs. Johnson with billions in assets sounds great! And Michael is reportedly super handsome, even more so than movie stars.]
---
Michael definitely heard it.
With his strikingly handsome face and commanding presence, Michael sat composed in his seat, maintaining a calm demeanor.
But what others didn't know was that his breath hitched the moment his eyes met Amelia's.
It felt like something had struck his heart, causing it to beat wildly like never before.
Michael had no idea that Amelia, aside from being Royce's final and most important disciple, also had a mysterious and unknown identity as Rosy.
Moreover, that afternoon, he had listened to Amelia compose and play a piece all the way through. She hadn’t told him the title, nor mentioned that it was written for him.
Amelia always managed to surprise him in the most unexpected ways.
How could he not be moved?
On stage, an unexpected turn of events had occurred, delaying the announcement of the competition results.
After all, they needed to investigate Rachel’s plagiarism before revealing the winner.
As soon as the competition ended, Amelia was swarmed by the media and reporters before she could even step off the stage.
Many thrust microphones and cameras in her face, bombarding her with questions.
These reporters had originally come for Osborne, but with Amelia revealing her identity on stage, she clearly had more news value.
At that moment, social media was buzzing with discussions about Amelia and Rosy, and Rachel's plagiarism scandal was trending.
Netizens were fervently discussing the events.
[This piano competition tonight was as thrilling as a movie, with twist after twist!]
[Who would have thought that Amelia, who was almost crucified online for allegedly sleeping her way into the competition, is actually the globally renowned Rosy, Mr. Stevens' confidante.]
[Some professionals have enhanced that hotel photo, and the man in it is indeed Mr. Stevens. Plus, the hotel surveillance footage shows Amelia leaving right after helping Mr. Stevens check-in.]
[It was just an innocent photo, only those with dirty minds would see something dirty. Those who insulted her must feel so embarrassed now!]
[Rachel should be the one feeling embarrassed. She was touted as a musical prodigy, but she stole Rosy's piece and even denied it, copying Rosy's signature too. How humiliating!]
[Remember when Rachel tried to take credit for saving Rex from under that truck? It was Amelia who saved him, but Rachel pretended it was her until Rex pulled off her mask on camera.]
[Wait, what? I thought the comments said Amelia set her up. Rachel must have a team behind her, constantly slandering Amelia.]
[Am I the only one curious about who Rosy likes? The title "Mich Drowning" has the name of the person she likes.]
[I can't figure it out, but your comment made me think of a very influential person.]
[Me too! And this influential person is also from River City. Could it really be him?]
[I know who you're talking about! Isn't it said that this influential person never appears in public because he's wheelchair-bound? Would Rosy like someone disabled?]
[So what if he's disabled! With his family background and wealth, I'd marry him even if he were a vegetable. Becoming Mrs. Johnson with billions in assets sounds great! And Michael is reportedly super handsome, even more so than movie stars.]
[More handsome than movie stars? Ryan is the most handsome!]
Amelia was unaware of the rapidly spreading discussions on social media.
As she struggled to move through the crowd of reporters, a group of burly men, looking like bodyguards, pushed their way in.
They handled the situation with professional ease, forming a protective circle around Amelia. The lead bodyguard cleared a path and explained as they walked, "Ms. Amelia Martinez, we are Mr. Ryan Martinez's bodyguards."
"Mr. Martinez is waiting for you in the car outside. He's already informed your other brothers, and you'll meet them at the restaurant. You'll ride with him."
Ryan?
Only a top-tier celebrity, constantly pursued by fans, would have such professional bodyguards who could swiftly extract her from the reporters' blockade.
However, Amelia hadn't seen Ryan in the audience during her performance and had no idea where he had been watching from.
"Restaurant?" Amelia asked.
"Yes," the man nodded, "Mr. Martinez said you'd be hungry after your performance, so he reserved a table. After dinner, you'll all go back to The Martinez Mansion together."
"Got it," Amelia nodded.
As they walked out of the venue, she took out her phone and sent Michael a text: [Ryan and his team are taking me to dinner.]
Seconds later, a notification popped up: [Okay, take care of that first.]
Amelia didn't reply immediately, prompting Michael to send another message.
[I'm sorry for what you saw earlier. It must have upset you.]
Before taking the stage, Eric had already messaged Amelia, explaining the situation.
That Anna, whom Amelia had seen eyeing Michael with obvious interest at The Williams Mansion, had tried to cling to Michael today using some petty tricks. It wasn't surprising.
Amelia had turned away not because she thought there was anything between Michael and Anna, but because she felt a tight, uncomfortable feeling in her chest. In retrospect, she realized this emotion was jealousy.
Seeing no response, Michael sent two more messages.
[From now on, no matter the reason, I won't let any woman get close to me or touch me. I promise you.]
[I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?]
Without waiting for her response, Michael apologized twice, not offering any excuses, just sincerely asking for forgiveness and making a promise. It was quite thoughtful.
Amelia replied: [Okay, I forgive you.]
Jealousy and little arguments with someone you like—after turning off her phone, Amelia felt more human than ever.
Escorted by the bodyguards, Amelia finally saw a car. As she approached, Ryan stepped out.
Tall and long-legged, wearing a black hoodie and casual pants with high-top Martin boots, and a blue diamond earring in his right ear, Ryan looked effortlessly cool.
Amelia looked up and met Ryan's exquisitely handsome face and his smiling, almond-shaped eyes.
Ryan beamed, naturally opened his arms, and pulled Amelia into a warm hug.
"Nice to meet you," Ryan's voice was magnetic and affectionate as he looked down at her, "Amelia, you're even more amazing than I imagined."
---
[More handsome than movie stars? Ryan's the real deal!]
Amelia had no clue about the whirlwind of chatter blowing up on social media.
As she struggled to move through the crowd of reporters, a group of burly men, looking like bodyguards, pushed their way in.
They handled the situation with professional ease, forming a protective circle around Amelia. The lead bodyguard cleared a path and explained as they walked, "Ms. Amelia Martinez, we are Mr. Ryan Martinez's bodyguards."
"Mr. Martinez is waiting for you in the car outside. He's already informed your other brothers, and you'll meet them at the restaurant. You'll ride with him."
Ryan?
Only a top-tier celebrity, constantly pursued by fans, would have such professional bodyguards who could swiftly extract her from the reporters' blockade.
However, Amelia hadn't seen Ryan in the audience during her performance and had no idea where he had been watching from.
"Restaurant?" Amelia asked.
"Yes," the man nodded, "Mr. Martinez said you'd be hungry after your performance, so he reserved a table. After dinner, you'll all go back to The Martinez Mansion together."
"Got it," Amelia nodded.
As they walked out of the venue, she took out her phone and sent Michael a text: [Ryan and his team are taking me to dinner.]
Seconds later, a notification popped up: [Okay, take care of that first.]
Amelia didn't reply immediately, prompting Michael to send another message.
[I'm sorry for what you saw earlier. It must have upset you.]
Before taking the stage, Eric had already messaged Amelia, explaining the situation.
That Anna, whom Amelia had seen eyeing Michael with obvious interest at The Williams Mansion, had tried to cling to Michael today using some petty tricks. It wasn't surprising.
Amelia had turned away not because she thought there was anything between Michael and Anna, but because she felt a tight, uncomfortable feeling in her chest. In retrospect, she realized this emotion was jealousy.
Seeing no response, Michael sent two more messages.
[From now on, no matter the reason, I won't let any woman get close to me or touch me. I promise you.]
[I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?]
Without waiting for her response, Michael apologized twice, not offering any excuses, just sincerely asking for forgiveness and making a promise. It was quite thoughtful.
Amelia replied: [Okay, I forgive you.]
Jealousy and little arguments with someone you like—after turning off her phone, Amelia felt more human than ever.
Escorted by the bodyguards, Amelia finally saw a car. As she approached, Ryan stepped out.
Tall and long-legged, wearing a black hoodie and casual pants with high-top Martin boots, and a blue diamond earring in his right ear, Ryan looked effortlessly cool.
Amelia looked up and met Ryan's exquisitely handsome face and his smiling, almond-shaped eyes.
Ryan beamed, naturally opened his arms, and pulled Amelia into a warm hug.
"Nice to meet you," Ryan's voice was magnetic and affectionate as he looked down at her, "Amelia, you're even more amazing than I imagined."