Chapter 138
"Is having poor social skills something to be proud of?" I wasn't going to go easy on Amelia. I lifted my eyelids. "Well, I guess with your terrible character, how could you possibly have any friends?"
Amelia's face fell immediately, and she bit her lip pitifully. "James, I just said that one thing to remind Sophia, and it seems like Sophia got angry."
"What do you mean by 'seems like'? I am definitely angry at you," I said bluntly. "Please stay away from me so your stench doesn't make me sick."
Amelia's expression cracked. "Sophia, what did I say wrong? Even though you and James are divorced, you were married once. It hasn't been that long since your divorce—how can you be all lovey-dovey with another man right in front of him?"
I was so angry I had to laugh.
Liliana couldn't hold back anymore either. She slammed down her glass. "Amelia, what are you being so passive-aggressive about? Sophia is having dinner with friends—what's it to you?"
"You think everyone's like you, can't live without a man, always circling other people's husbands?"
Amelia's face changed, and she looked at James with a look of grievance. "James, look at Liliana. I just said something about Sophia, and she's directly attacking me."
"I'm talking about Sophia because I'm worried she'll meet bad people and end up divorced again. One divorce isn't unusual, you can still find someone, but a second divorce is a bit..."
"Concerned?" Liliana sneered. "You're being malicious! Don't you know what kind of person you are?"
"You seduced someone else's husband, got pregnant before marriage, used pregnancy to secure your position, and now you're playing innocent?"
"Sophia isn't as despicable and disgusting as you. She has boundaries. Who she makes friends with isn't for a homewrecker like you to judge."
"You'd better mind your own business. Stop barking everywhere, polluting people's ears, and stop wandering around making a mess and polluting the environment!"
"Liliana!" James barked with a warning tone.
"James! Am I wrong?" Liliana stood her ground. "She came over to disgust us, and I'm not allowed to say anything?"
Amelia's eyes reddened, leaning on James. "James, I was just being kind... Liliana misunderstood me."
"Sophia, does your friend also misunderstand me? Why is he looking at me so strangely..."
Even if Amelia died, she'd drag a few people down with her, now dragging Andrew and Ethan into it too.
I narrowed my eyes slightly. "Who's the strange one here?"
"You had to come over and put on a show in front of us, and now you won't let us watch?"
"Free entertainment—wouldn't it be a waste not to watch? We're not the wasteful type."
Andrew spoke up too, his voice gentle but his words sharp. "Ms. Martinez, in a public place, disturbing others while they're eating isn't polite."
"You're part of the Smith family—surely you understand basic etiquette?"
Ethan was even more direct. Young and hot-headed, he scoffed. "Overdoing it."
"We were having a perfectly nice dinner with Sophia, and you come over trying to get attention? Talking about 'lively'? I think you're the liveliest one here, jumping around, looking for trouble. So much drama—why don't you become an actress?"
"Wait, you already are one. But you're terrible at it. I'm not giving you a tip."
"Could you please get away from us? We're trying to eat and fill our stomachs. We don't have time to watch your performance or play along."
Amelia's face turned red. She hadn't expected Ethan and Andrew to be so blunt either.
She tugged at James's arm, tears coming instantly. "James, they... they're ganging up on me. Help me..."
James's face had already darkened completely.
He suddenly yanked his arm back, the force making Amelia stumble.
"Enough." His voice was icy. "Amelia, have you made enough of a scene? Go back."
Amelia looked at him in disbelief. "James, how can you also... They started it..."
"I said go back," James repeated, his eyes showing no warmth. "Stop embarrassing yourself here."
Amelia froze completely. Seeing that James had no intention of defending her, and looking at our table's cold, even disgusted expressions, enormous humiliation and anger welled up.
She glared at me viciously, her eyes practically dripping with venom.
Too embarrassed to stay, she said nothing more, covered her face, and ran out of the restaurant.
James stood there, rubbing his temples, apologizing to us. "Sorry for the disturbance. This meal's on me—consider it my apology."
"James, Amelia's the one who did wrong. Let her take responsibility. Don't cover for her," Liliana said deliberately.
"Liliana, I brought Amelia out. If she causes problems, I should be responsible."
Seeing he wouldn't budge, Liliana started to dislike him too, waving her hand irritably. "Fine, whatever. If you want to be the good guy, go ahead."
James's expression darkened slightly. He apologized again and left.
The restaurant was quiet for a moment.
"Really kills your appetite," Liliana muttered. "How do we run into these annoying people everywhere?"
Andrew poured me a glass of warm water. "Don't get upset over people who don't matter. It'll ruin your mood."
Ethan quickly agreed. "Right, Sophia, let's keep eating. Ignore people like that—the more attention you give them, the worse they get."
I nodded, but the irritation in my heart wouldn't go away.
That last look from Amelia gave me a bad feeling.
I had a sense she wouldn't let this go so easily.
This worry lasted until the next afternoon.
Liliana and Ethan went skiing again. Andrew didn't go—he said he needed to handle some work emails in his room and told me to find him if I needed anything.
With nothing to do, I stayed in my room reading to pass the time.
My phone on the table rang. I glanced at it—an unknown number. I wasn't going to answer, but the number kept calling.
I hesitated, then picked up.
"Sophia!" On the other end, Amelia's voice was panicked and urgent. "Come quick! Liliana... something happened to Liliana!"
My heart tightened. "Liliana? What happened to her?"
"No! I... I was just shopping at the commercial street downstairs, and I think I saw Liliana being dragged into a car by two men!"
"Those two guys looked really rough, definitely not good people! I was scared, but I secretly followed them and saw the car heading toward that deserted road up north!" Amelia's voice trembled. "I called James, but he might be in a meeting—he didn't answer! I... I don't know what to do, so I could only call you! We need to go save her right away! If we're late, it might be..."
My mind went blank.
Was Liliana kidnapped again?
Remembering that creep from the church before, my blood ran cold.