Chapter 17 Don't Even Think About Hitting Her
Amelia held her phone and kept messaging Sophie: [I wanted to call out to you, but you guys were bidding so fast.]
[But it's okay, the proceeds are going to charity, so that $15 million is going to a good cause.]
As Amelia chatted with Sophie, Kelly suddenly glanced over and looked surprised.
"Hey, everyone, check out Amelia's phone. It's ancient!"
Kelly's shout drew everyone's attention to Amelia, and they all looked equally surprised.
"You're right," Grace almost laughed, "Isn't that brand from, like, a decade ago? Where'd she even find that relic?"
"Probably only people in the boonies still use those. That phone can only make calls and send texts. I've seen our housekeeper use one."
"That piece of junk? Even if you left it on the street, no one would pick it up. She's poorer than I thought."
Kelly clicked her tongue, "You know, I almost feel sorry for Amelia now. She and Rachel have the same dad, but their lives are totally different."
Kevin, sitting nearby, noticed Amelia using such an outdated phone and frowned. But it wasn't out of disdain; he was curious about what kind of life Amelia had before coming to River City that she could only afford such a phone.
"Is that your phone?" Kevin asked.
Amelia, still chatting with Sophie, looked up and nodded.
"Stop using that phone," Kevin said. "Tomorrow, I'll have Tobias take you to the mall to buy a new one. And get some clothes too; you'll be starting at Prestige High School soon."
"Prestige High School?" Amelia looked at him, puzzled.
"Since you're here in River City, you'll be studying here. Dad spoke with the principal of Prestige High School and got you a spot."
"Prestige High School is the best private school in River City. Rachel and Zander Tobias both go there. But you'll need to pass an entrance exam, and your scores will determine your class placement."
Kevin looked at Amelia, "I've seen your grades from your old school in the countryside. They're just average. The Prestige High School exam might be tough for you."
"But don't stress too much. Rachel is a top student, always second in her class. There are three days before school starts, so I'll have her help you study. I'll also talk to the principal again."
"Rachel is second?" Amelia asked, "Who's first?"
"Zander. But he's abroad for a math competition and will be back after school starts."
"I see," Amelia nodded obediently, "Don't worry, big brother. I'll study hard with Rachel."
After talking to Kevin, Amelia turned her attention back to the auction stage.
The auction was nearing its end, with only one item left. After the blood-red ginseng sold for a staggering $15 million, only Michael's top-quality jade bracelet had fetched over $10 million. Most other items went for a few million.
Everyone expected the final item to be something extraordinary, but when the host unveiled it, it was just a seemingly ordinary luminous pearl.
Though the pearl was nice, the wealthy attendees were used to rare treasures and weren't very interested.
Among them, only Amelia kept her eyes on the pearl. It wasn't that the pearl was special, but it reminded her of Shadow, who loved playing with glowing things.
The starting bid was $100,000, a bargain compared to previous items. But Amelia, feeling a bit regretful, looked away. She didn't have the money or the means to bid.
A few people bid, and it reached $300,000 before stopping.
Then, Eric's voice rang out from the back: "One million dollars."
Amelia instinctively turned to look and met Michael's intense gaze.
She blinked and then smiled, her eyes lighting up.
That smile made Michael's heart skip a beat.
Did she guess that he had Eric bid because she was staring at the pearl?
Impossible.
Michael's eyes narrowed, but Amelia soon turned away.
After the auction, guests mingled. A well-dressed waiter approached Amelia and Kevin.
"Miss Martinez, Mrs. Williams invites you to the inner hall. Mrs. Martinez is already waiting. Please follow me."
Finally, it was time.
The main event of the night was to meet the Vaughns and discuss Amelia's engagement to Quentin.
Amelia told Kevin and followed the waiter to the inner hall.
As she entered, she saw Jenny chatting happily with a well-maintained, elegant woman, who must be Quentin's mother, Kismet Williams.
"Mother," Amelia greeted Jenny, then turned to Kismet politely, "Mrs. Williams, hello. I'm Amelia."
Amelia's voice was pure and clear, her gaze innocent and easy to read.
"So, you're the Amelia who just arrived in River City yesterday?" Kismet straightened, her eyes cold and disdainful. "You don't look as rustic as I imagined."
With just one sentence, Amelia felt the clear hostility.
Kismet must have looked down on her from the start, thinking she wasn't worthy of the Williams family or Quentin.
Who knows what Jenny had said before Amelia arrived, but it couldn't have been good.
"Mr. Williams is resting after taking his medicine. I had you brought here because I have something to say."
"I see," Amelia's expression remained unchanged, her voice still soft, "What would you like to say, Mrs. Williams?"
"Then I'll be blunt." Kismet didn't bother with pleasantries.
"Even though you've been in the countryside, you must know the Williams family's status in River City."
"Not just anyone can join a noble family like ours, especially someone with your background. If Quentin marries you, the Williams family would become a laughingstock."
Kismet's voice was cold, "To be honest, Mr. Williams is old and confused, but I won't let Quentin marry a country-bred illegitimate child."
"Besides, Rachel is the one I want for Quentin. They love each other, and you wouldn't want to be the third wheel, would you?"
"So, if you have any sense, you'll tell Mr. Williams to cancel the engagement. The Williams family will owe you a favor, and you can ask for any compensation."
Kismet's words hit every sore spot.
She belittled Amelia's background, said she wasn't worthy of the Williams family, and labeled her a homewrecker.
First, she attacked Amelia's self-esteem, then used moral pressure, and finally, she offered a bribe.
Kismet, a noblewoman, was no small player.
But Amelia, hearing this, blinked and said, "But Mrs. Williams, my mother said my engagement to Quentin was arranged many years ago."
"If anyone's the third wheel, it should be Rachel, right?"
Kismet and Jenny both frowned and looked at Amelia, "What do you mean?"
"I mean, I don't want to cancel the engagement, at least not now."
Amelia tilted her head, "Maybe you should talk to Mr. Williams. If he agrees to cancel it, I won't object."