Chapter 13 He Only Softens for Amelia
After the birthday party ended, Ashley and Arthur left with Lucas. Two days later, I called them out.
Gale had recently opened a restaurant under his name that was really popular online. The restaurant was located in a theme park that brought together classic elements from over sixty games. Ashley and Arthur were like two wild horses, going crazy playing around the park.
During lunch, while I was thinking about how to get information from them, Ashley asked me mischievously, "Bella, do you want to ask about Lucas?"
I fell silent. Ashley and Arthur were way too mature for their age!
Arthur said while munching on his beef burger, "Every time Dad and Mom fight and Mom goes back to stay at Grandpa's house, they call us out separately. Dad asks if Mom's in a good mood, and Mom asks what Dad's doing."
Ashley ate a french fry and licked the ketchup off her fingertip. "After we stayed with you for a few days, Lucas questioned us about you too when we got back. Being messengers—we're experienced at this!"
Since they'd both figured it out, I just asked directly, "How are things between Lucas and Amelia?"
Ashley and Arthur frowned together:
"That bad Amelia ruined the birthday present Lucas was going to give you!"
"A beautiful orange gradient sea coral that would have looked amazing in the hotel lobby!"
"I heard it was really expensive."
"But Lucas didn't get angry."
"Really?" I raised my eyebrows slightly and unconsciously gripped my fork tighter. "He wasn't angry at all?"
Arthur looked at me carefully. "Yeah, Lucas asked her why she broke the sea coral, and Amelia cried and said she was just curious and wanted to look at it, that she broke it by accident, she didn't mean to."
"Lucas believed her?" My face darkened.
Arthur nodded. "She kept crying, so Lucas softened."
A fire rose up inside me. I hadn't had high expectations to begin with, but this result left me completely disappointed.
Anger, frustration, hurt—several emotions mixed together, and the bitter feeling almost drowned me.
That day when Lucas proposed divorce, I cried, but Lucas was unmoved, his expression cold. I thought he was naturally heartless, but it turns out he only softens for Amelia.
"Amelia being curious about the sea coral and going to the garage alone to look at it does kind of make sense, but after she broke it, she acted like nothing happened!" Ashley picked up a chicken wing and angrily bit into it. "If Lucas had given out that broken gift that night, he definitely would have been laughed at! That bad Amelia only causes trouble. I really don't understand why Lucas would forgive her."
I couldn't help but laugh coldly, my heart aching.
Arthur said, "Lucas also told us that Amelia is actually very kind. She grew up in a small town when she was little, with a simple and innocent personality. It's just that after returning to the Gambino family, she was often excluded, which made her become the way she is now."
"Anyone can tell that's a story Amelia made up to fool people, and Lucas actually believed it!" Ashley was exasperated.
Arthur lowered his voice. "Bella, I heard that in some countries there are people who have evil powers and can control other people's souls!"
He suggested excitedly, "Should we get an exorcist to perform an exorcism ritual on Lucas?"
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Your dad and Lucas will spank you silly."
Arthur was dejected. "Bella, don't you think Lucas is acting really strange?"
"Not strange." I shook my head and said very calmly, "He just loves Amelia too much."
Ashley and Arthur played all day and didn't want to go back to Lucas's place, so I had to take them home with me.
Two days later, Ashley and Arthur finally remembered their shooting lessons. I was going to take them to the indoor shooting range at Platinum Haven Hotel, but they insisted on going to Lucas's shooting range.
Lucas's shooting range wasn't in Starstream City, but on the mainland across the sea, built on an estate. You could hunt rabbits and gophers, and there was also a horse racing track with quite a few excellent breed horses.
I called Marcus to come along, and we took a helicopter to send them over. Lucas had already received word and was waiting for us at the helipad.
The sun was bright, the sky like a huge sapphire. Lucas wore a clean white shirt, light-colored casual pants and sneakers, with a pair of dark brown sunglasses. He stood in the wind with one hand in his pocket, looking a bit lazy.
His hair was blown up, revealing his full forehead. The corners of his mouth carried a faint smile as he waved at us in the helicopter.
My heartbeat quickened, and I quickly lowered my head.
I hated myself for being so weak. Despite all the hurt I'd suffered, I still felt my heart flutter for Lucas.
If there really was magic in the world that could control someone's soul, then my soul must be bound to Lucas.
Upset and distracted, I pressed the buckle several times but couldn't undo my seatbelt. A hand reached in through the open helicopter door and helped me unlock it.
"Come on down." Lucas held his palm up, indicating I should hold his hand.
I pretended not to see it and jumped down from the helicopter, pushing his hand away.
Ashley and Arthur walked down behind me, with Marcus last. Since Ashley and Arthur had been between us, he hadn't been able to help me with my seatbelt earlier. Although Lucas had helped me, Marcus wasn't happy about it.
"Why are you here too?" Marcus asked.
"I'm Ashley and Arthur's teacher," Lucas answered.
"Since you're teaching them, Bella and I will head back now." Marcus pulled me to leave.
Lucas blocked Marcus. "Since you're already here, why not stay and play? Last time at the arena, we didn't settle things. How about we compete again today?"
Marcus immediately agreed to his suggestion, full of fighting spirit and wanting to teach Lucas a lesson.
I fell silent. Marcus had so easily fallen for Lucas's deliberate provocation!
I followed them inside, and Lucas kept stealing glances at me past Marcus, Ashley, and Arthur.
Marcus said fiercely, "What are you looking at!"
After learning Marcus's identity, Lucas stopped caring about his attitude. He said, "A lot of people are watching to see what the new vice chairman of Platinum Haven Hotel will do first."
He asked me, "You haven't shown up at the hotel for several days. Quite a few people are guessing you're just a figurehead—are the other directors deliberately making things difficult for you?"
"You're overthinking it." I was too lazy to explain. "It's none of your business."
Jonas hadn't replied to me yet, so I wasn't in a hurry to report to the hotel. James could handle most matters well anyway.
Besides, I didn't know when Marcus would have to go on another mission, so I wanted to spend more time with my four siblings before he left. That was more important than making money.
What's more, I'd just won 980 million dollars gambling!
Marcus glared at Lucas unhappily. "With us three brothers around, who would dare bully Bella? Anyone who dares bully Bella, I'll kill them!"
Lucas ignored Marcus's warning and said, "I can give you a big order."
"Don't need it," I coldly refused him.
My repeated rejections completely ruined Lucas's good mood and exhausted his patience. His face darkened as he said, "Fine, forget it then!"