Chapter 144 Carrying Her Back to the Room

Chapter 144 Carrying Her Back to the Room

Dorian looked at Amelia defending Everett, and his anger turned into a cold, mocking smile. "Friends? Bringing friends to my house, isn't that a bit inappropriate? This Serenity Retreat is mine."

He deliberately emphasized "mine," his sharp gaze sweeping over Everett as if declaring his sovereignty.

Amelia's face turned even paler, and she bit her lower lip, stubbornly meeting his gaze. "If Mr. Talbot doesn't want to continue renting to me, I can move out and find another place."

She turned to Everett, "Everett, let's go."

As Amelia turned, the movement aggravated her ankle injury, and she couldn't help but let out a small hiss of pain.

It was only then that Dorian noticed the thick cast on her ankle, and his anger quickly cooled as if doused with cold water. "What happened to your foot?"

"Thanks to Mr. Talbot, I twisted my ankle and fractured a bone," Amelia replied coldly, each word hitting Dorian like shards of ice.

Dorian's brows furrowed tightly, and the image of Amelia falling while chasing after him flashed through his mind.

At that time, he was only focused on leaving and didn't notice how badly she was hurt. A wave of guilt washed over him, and his tone softened. "Don't go yet."

He looked at Everett, his tone relatively polite, "Mr. Stevens, since you're here, why don't you come in for a glass of water?"

Everett was taken aback, not expecting Dorian's sudden change in attitude, and hesitantly nodded.

"Why didn't you answer my call?" Dorian changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of concern that was hard to detect.

Amelia didn't think much of it and answered casually, "I fell asleep in the car and didn't hear it."

Everett, however, reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, quickly raising his head with a flicker in his eyes. "I wanted to wait until Amelia woke up to tell her, but I forgot."

Dorian took in Everett's reaction, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He could tell that Everett had impure intentions towards Amelia and was full of hostility towards him.

A strong sense of possessiveness surged within him; he didn't want anyone coveting Amelia.

Dorian observed the two of them without showing any emotion until Everett finished his water and then stood up, saying, "Mr. Stevens, it's getting late. I'll have the driver take you back."

"I drove myself, so I'll just head back on my own," Everett said as he stood up, walked over to Amelia, bent down, and spoke with a tone of intimacy and concern, "Amelia, take care of your ankle and don't move around too much. I'll come by to check on you in a couple of days."

Dorian sat nearby, observing Everett's every move with a barely noticeable cold smile on his lips.

Amelia frowned slightly and subtly moved back, creating some distance between herself and Everett. "No need to trouble yourself, Everett. I can take care of myself."

Her tone was flat, with no discernible emotional fluctuation.

Everett seemed not to notice the distance in her words and continued, "By the way, Amelia, I haven't visited your grandfather in a while. Once your ankle heals, let's go see him together, okay?"

Amelia suddenly remembered that she hadn't visited Gerald in a long time. She nodded, "Okay."

Dorian watched their interaction, his gaze growing colder. Everett was clearly doing this on purpose to provoke him.

After Everett left, Amelia hobbled towards her room with the help of her crutches.

"Stop," Dorian said coldly.

Amelia stopped and turned to look at him, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "Is there something else, Mr. Talbot?"

Dorian didn't answer, instead walking straight to her, bending down, and scooping her up in his arms.

The sudden loss of balance made Amelia gasp, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. "What are you doing? Put me down!"

Dorian carried her towards the bedroom, his tone calm and steady, "Your foot is injured; it's inconvenient for you to walk."

Amelia, still angry with him, struggled to get down. "I don't need your fake kindness! I can walk on my own!"

"Don't move," Dorian's voice carried a hint of warning, but his steps didn't falter.

Dorian carried Amelia into the bedroom and gently placed her on the bed. Amelia immediately tried to sit up, but Dorian pressed her shoulder down.

"Do you want to fracture your other foot and end up in a wheelchair?" Dorian's voice was low, with a hint of warning.

Amelia glared at him, "You're underestimating me, Mr. Talbot. Using crutches is no problem at all; I don't need your fake kindness." She pushed his hand away forcefully, trying to sit up again.

Dorian looked at her stubborn expression, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes, but he still reached out to help her lean against the headboard. "I shouldn't have left you at the venue," his tone softened slightly, "but you shouldn't have brought a man back without saying a word. After all, tonight, you were my date."

Amelia pursed her lips, "Everett is like a younger brother I've watched grow up."

"Men understand men," Dorian interrupted her, his gaze deep, "He definitely has feelings for you." He paused and added, "You're really oblivious."

"So what if he has feelings?" Amelia said indifferently, "I don't like him." She looked up at Dorian, a hint of curiosity in her eyes, "You care so much, could it be that you're jealous?"

Dorian looked at her, his gaze complex. Amelia's question was like a stone thrown into his calm heart, creating ripples.

"Do you want me to be jealous?" Dorian's gaze locked onto Amelia, as if trying to see through her thoughts.

Amelia felt uncomfortable under his stare and turned her head away, her tone indifferent, "What does it matter to me?" She would never admit that seeing his displeasure because of Everett gave her a small sense of satisfaction.

Dorian chuckled softly; she was really stubborn but soft-hearted. "Your foot needs proper rest," he said, his tone returning to its usual calmness, "I'll give you some time off to recover."

"Time off?" Amelia's head shot up, a hint of panic in her eyes, "What about my salary?" She was counting on that money to buy things for the kids.

"Paid leave," Dorian said flatly.

Amelia finally relaxed, letting out a small sigh of relief. She leaned back against the headboard, still wearing the moon-white dress, the hem slightly spread out, highlighting her beautiful skin.

Dorian's gaze fell on her again, but his expression gradually darkened. This dress and Everett's shirt were practically matching outfits!

Thinking of this, an inexplicable irritation rose in his heart. "This dress," his tone was cold and commanding, "you're not allowed to wear it again."

Amelia was taken aback, then frowned, "Why?" She didn't understand why he was suddenly dictating her clothing choices.

Dorian's eyes flickered, and he casually found an excuse, "It's ugly."

"Ugly?" Amelia almost laughed in anger. Dorian's mood changed faster than flipping a book. "Dorian, didn't you just compliment this dress earlier?"