Chapter 57
Amelia called out to me enthusiastically, "ZeroSpecter."
Compared to her familiarity, my attitude toward her was distant. "Madam, I don't know you. Please don't act like we're close and try to buddy up to me."
The smile on Amelia's face froze instantly, but she still pushed herself to chat with me. "ZeroSpecter, we sincerely want to work with you. Please give us a chance."
I laughed sarcastically. "Madam, you don't look like an idiot. You should be able to hear and understand what I just said."
"I don't know you, and I don't know anything about you people. Why would I work with you?"
Afraid my voice would be recognized, I deliberately changed it.
Amelia's face turned bright red.
James had already realized something, and his look toward Amelia grew colder. "ZeroSpecter, it's our fault for offending you. I apologize on her behalf. If you're willing, we can find a place to talk now."
I said nothing.
Andrew waved his hand. "I'm really sorry, she's not available today. Another time."
He helped me leave.
Perhaps seeing me limping, Amelia came forward and grabbed me.
Before I could react, she pulled off my mask.
A flash of schadenfreude crossed her eyes as she pretended to be surprised. "I thought it was too much of a coincidence. So it really is you."
"Sophia, why aren't you at home recovering from your injury? What are you doing here? And working with Mr. Anderson to deceive us—what are you two really up to?" Her suspicious gaze went back and forth between Andrew and me.
I crossed my arms with amusement. "I'm just here attending a party on behalf of ZeroSpecter. How does that make me scheming?"
I raised an eyebrow at her, my tone mocking. "But you're the one playing the thief crying 'thief.' Don't you feel ashamed?"
Amelia looked at me with contempt. "Sophia, even if you want attention, you shouldn't lie to people."
A mocking smile curved my lips. "Didn't you lie too?"
"I really didn't lie this time!" Amelia defended herself urgently, her voice rising several notches. "I really did arrange to meet ZeroSpecter. He must have been delayed by something. He'll be here soon!"
Hearing this, the people around started whispering and laughing, their eyes full of mockery as they looked at Amelia.
After all, most of the people here were business folks with sharp minds.
Amelia's little schemes couldn't fool anyone.
Amelia's face turned bright red. Angry and anxious, she could barely hold back tears and could only look to James for help. "James, you believe me. I really did contact ZeroSpecter. I'm not lying..."
James glanced at her, his eyes indifferent and completely cold, saying only, "Whether you're lying or not isn't proven by words."
His words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing Amelia's last hope.
Her body swayed, and her face turned deathly pale.
Amelia blinked rapidly, probably thinking of how to get out of this. I wasn't going to let her off. "Amelia, you can't even prove yourself. How can we believe you?"
Amelia pointed at me. "Sophia, we're family. If I lose face, what good does it do you?"
I clicked my tongue. "Please don't. Right now, don't you dare count me as part of your family. Too embarrassing."
Amelia was so angry she fainted, conveniently falling toward James.
I could tell right away she was faking it.
I called over a waiter, took a glass of wine from his tray, and poured it directly on Amelia's face.
Amelia woke up screaming.
She raised her hand to wipe the wine off her face, looking pitiful. "Sophia, do you have to humiliate me to feel satisfied?"
"I saw you faint and kindly tried to help you. How can you be so ungrateful?" I sighed. "No good deed goes unpunished. I should have just left you alone."
Amelia's face went through more colors than a paint palette, and people around pointed at her, talking among themselves.
She bit her lip and took James's arm.
James removed her hand. "Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough? Leave now."
Amelia completely lost face. Tears finally fell, and she was so ashamed and angry she wanted to disappear immediately.
James looked at Amelia without any sympathy, his face cold as frost. "Amelia, you really disappoint me."
With that, he didn't spare Amelia another glance and walked straight to my side, his gaze falling on my leg, his tone carrying a hint of barely noticeable concern. "Is your leg okay? Doesn't it hurt standing for so long?"
I ignored him and just turned to Andrew. "Andrew, let's go sit over there for a bit."
Andrew nodded and helped me walk toward the lounge area in the corner.
Seeing this, James silently followed and sat in the seat next to us without speaking, but his eyes kept falling on me.
Amelia stood there, watching the three of us walk away, the jealousy and resentment in her heart growing deeper.
I figured she never expected that everything she carefully planned would be ruined by me like this. Not only did she fail to show off in front of everyone, but she lost all face and earned James's disgust.
I glanced at her clenched fists—her nails had probably dug deep into her palms.
Amelia wiped away her tears and quietly left the hall. Who knows what she went to do.
A waiter walked up to me. "Madam, someone asked me to give you this note."
I opened the note and looked at it.
It was from Amelia, asking me to meet and talk, saying she wanted to resolve our recent conflicts.
If I didn't go, she didn't know what she might do.
She was threatening me with Indigo.
I crumpled the note into a ball, sneering inwardly. She definitely had bad intentions asking me to meet alone—she must want to use the opportunity of apologizing privately to harm me.
But I wasn't afraid of her. I actually wanted to see what tricks she was planning.
I told Andrew I was going to the restroom.
Andrew wanted to come with me, but I shook my head at him. "I want to go alone."
James immediately said, "Your leg isn't good. It's not convenient for you to go alone. You need someone with you. I'll go with you."
"No need." I stopped him, my tone cold. "My leg isn't good, but I'm not disabled. You don't need to worry about me."
James wanted to say something, but I had already left with my crutch.
The corridor was dimly lit, and footsteps echoed particularly clearly in the quiet space.
I found the room Amelia mentioned in her note but didn't go in right away.
But someone behind me pushed me, and I stumbled into the room.
The door was slammed shut and locked from outside.
I knew calling for help now would be useless, so I calmly looked around the room.
The room looked normal, but there seemed to be a faint strange smell in the air—very faint, almost unnoticeable unless you paid attention.
I understood—Amelia had indeed tampered with the room, most likely drugging it.
She was ruthless enough. To harm me, she locked the door and drugged the room, afraid I'd escape.
She really went to great lengths!