Chapter 4 Who Are You Calling a Bitch? Courting Death
Jenny had seen Amelia's picture long before she arrived, and it was Jenny who agreed to bring Amelia into the Martinez family.
But now, seeing Amelia in person, Jenny felt a surge of hatred.
That face looked exactly like Rupert, that scumbag. Just looking at her made Jenny angry.
If it wasn't for Vaughn from the Williams family insisting on meeting her, Jenny would never have agreed to bring Rupert's illegitimate daughter, Amelia, into her home.
But it was good that she came.
Rachel was the child Jenny had painstakingly nurtured for over a decade, skilled in everything from music to literature, while Amelia was just a girl who grew up in the countryside.
They couldn't suggest canceling the engagement themselves, but once Vaughn saw Amelia and noticed the difference between her and Rachel, he would surely want to break off the engagement on his own.
Jenny responded coldly.
Rachel took a deep breath as she looked at Amelia's outstretched hand.
How was this possible?
She had sent someone to strangle Amelia today, and they had even sent her a photo to confirm it. Yet here Amelia was, standing perfectly fine.
Either the assassin had tricked her, or Amelia was back from the dead.
Rachel calmed herself down, instantly reverting to her usual demeanor, and smiled as she shook Amelia's hand. "Hey, Amelia. Nice to meet you."
At that moment, Tobias, standing nearby, scoffed and rolled his eyes, which Amelia caught sight of.
Kevin's assistant, Irvin Hays, had introduced the original Amelia to her five brothers. Besides Kevin, her second brother, Chris Martinez, was twenty-three and a surgeon.
Her third brother, Ryan Martinez, was a rising star in the entertainment industry, having won Best Actor at just twenty-one.
Her fourth and fifth brothers, Zander and Tobias Martinez, were twins, only a few months older than Amelia and had just turned eighteen.
Although Amelia had just met Tobias, she could clearly sense his hostility towards her.
From the way Tobias instinctively wrapped his arm around Rachel, it was evident how much he cared for her and how protective he was.
"Since you're here and Jenny is willing to accept you, you're now part of the Martinez family. You should call her 'mom' from now on," Robert said.
Robert hadn't expected Amelia to be so beautiful and obedient-looking, which lessened his initial resistance towards her.
"Your room is on the first floor. Rachel, why don't you show her?" Robert said casually. "Is that Rachel's dress you're wearing? It looks good on you."
Rachel stiffened at the offhand compliment, clenching her fists, but her smile grew even more friendly and sweet. "Come with me, sis."
Amelia's room was on the first floor.
In such a grand house, the first floor was usually reserved for servants and guests. It was clear that Jenny had arranged this room on purpose.
The room was small and simply decorated. There was a damp, musty smell, indicating it was rarely cleaned or used.
Amelia followed Rachel into the room, looking around at the sparse furnishings, when the door suddenly closed behind her.
She turned to see Rachel's expressionless face.
Rachel's demeanor now was completely different from the gentle and submissive act she had put on outside.
"I won't let you take Quentin from me," Rachel said coldly.
Amelia hadn't expected Rachel to confront her so soon, but she was intrigued.
She responded innocently, "But my mom said I already have an engagement with Quentin."
"Engagements can be broken," Rachel sneered. "Do you really think Mr. Williams' only grandson would marry a country bumpkin like you?"
"You're just the illegitimate daughter of the Martinez family. I'm the one who's been loved and pampered for over a decade. You came here and had to wear my discarded clothes."
If the original Amelia, with her low self-esteem and sensitivity, had heard this, she would have felt even more unworthy and might have considered breaking off the engagement herself.
But the original Amelia was dead.
"Is that so?"
Amelia suddenly smirked. "I wasn't interested in Quentin at first, but since the Martinez family can't accept me, I should find another place to go."
"If I become the mistress of the Williams family, I'll live a life of luxury even if I don't have feelings for Mr. Williams. I should seize this opportunity."
"You!" Rachel's head snapped up.
She had guessed right. Amelia wasn't as simple as she appeared in the living room. Otherwise, why would Kevin, who usually avoided women, have hugged her?
"You're just like your mother, a cheap woman," Rachel said, her face darkening. "Do you think you can take Quentin from me with a baseless engagement?"
"Who are you calling a cheap woman?"
Before Rachel could repeat herself or react, Amelia moved swiftly behind her and locked her arm around Rachel's neck, choking her.
Rachel hadn't expected Amelia, who appeared frail, to have such strength. As soon as Amelia's arm tightened around her neck, Rachel's airway was cut off.
Rachel struggled to breathe, using all her strength to fight back, clawing at Amelia's arm with her long nails, drawing blood. But Amelia didn't let go.
In fact, Amelia's grip tightened, as if she intended to strangle Rachel to death.
"Help, help..."
Rachel's face turned red, unable to speak. She kicked her legs in desperation, hoping someone outside would hear and come to her rescue.
But Amelia leaned in close and whispered in Rachel's ear, sending a chill down her spine.
"The man you sent almost strangled me in that alley."
Amelia's voice was eerie, like a ghost, making Rachel's hair stand on end.
"I'll remember this and repay you, my dear sister."
Suddenly, Amelia released her grip.
Rachel gasped for air, stumbling back and screaming, "Mom! Dad! Kevin! Tobias! Help!"
The people in the living room heard Rachel's terrified screams and rushed over.
As soon as they arrived, Rachel threw herself into Kevin's arms, crying, "Kevin! Amelia tried to strangle me! She tried to kill me!"
Rachel hadn't expected Amelia to be so sure she was the one who sent someone to kill her.
But she knew the assassin hadn't left any evidence. Even if Amelia accused her of attempted murder, the Martinez family wouldn't believe it.
What?
Kevin and the others gasped.
Tobias was furious, glaring at Amelia. "Are you crazy, Amelia? Bullying Rachel when we're not around? You tried to strangle her?"
"Even if you're our blood-related sister, Rachel is the one we care about! How dare you?"
But Amelia kept her head down, remaining silent. When she finally looked up, her eyes were red with tears.
"If Rachel doesn't want me to stay in the Martinez family, I can go back to the countryside."
"But it was you who grabbed my arm and put it around your neck, and you scratched me like this."
"Why would you accuse me of something like this?"
She held out her arms, showing the deep scratches and blood, a stark contrast to her delicate skin.
Kevin's eyes narrowed as he looked at the scratches on Amelia's arm. "Rachel, is this true?"
Rachel's face turned pale. "Kevin, she's lying! She's trying to frame me!"
Amelia's voice was soft but firm. "I don't want to cause trouble. I just want to find a place where I belong."
Robert stepped forward, his expression stern. "We need to get to the bottom of this. Rachel, Amelia, both of you come with me."
As they followed Robert out of the room, Rachel shot Amelia a venomous look. Amelia met her gaze with a calm, unwavering stare.
The game had just begun.