Chapter 184: The Peculiarity of the Precious Orchid
If it weren't for Byron's exaggerated curly hairstyle and their completely different temperaments, Samuel would have suspected this was Jeremy.
He glanced at Amelia in surprise, but seeing her calm expression, he pushed down his confusion.
"It's rare for you to introduce your subordinates to me. How about we grab a meal together? My treat," Samuel said.
Amelia replied, "I have other arrangements for them. Another time."
"Then just the two of us?"
Without a third wheel around, he was even happier.
Amelia said, "I brought you food today. It's in the car."
"Then let's not go out. We'll eat in my office."
Amelia didn't refuse.
After 'using' Samuel, she needed to show some appreciation.
Even if a person says they don't mind being used, you still need to set boundaries.
Faith and Byron left soon after.
Amelia followed Samuel to his office.
Unlike last time, Samuel's office now had more plants.
All of them were expensive orchids.
Amelia pointed at two of the pots.
"These orchids cost as much as a car."
Samuel was a bit surprised.
"Just these plants?"
"They're not just plants - they're rare orchid varieties."
"Really?" Samuel's surprised expression faded as he said, "Then they're yours! In my hands, they're just plants, but with you they'd be rare orchids."
Amelia shook her head.
"Forget it. If I killed them, I'd feel too guilty."
"If they die, they die. They're just plants."
"They're orchids..."
"Whatever kind of flower they are, I didn't buy them anyway. Someone gave them to me."
"Who gave them to you? That's quite generous."
An office full of rare orchids was worth at least a few million dollars.
Samuel was opening the insulated food containers one by one.
The array of dishes inside made his mouth water.
Samuel had no interest in flowers and plants and answered only briefly: "Yosef sent them."
Amelia asked again, "Where did Yosef get these orchids?"
Samuel glanced at her, his expression becoming more serious. Instead of picking up his cutleries, he asked, "Why do you keep asking about these plants... orchids today?"
Amelia said, "That orchid I just mentioned—it's an endangered species. Including these few orchids, and those over there, they're all endangered species."
"You already said that."
"Do you know what endangered species means? Private individuals can buy one or two pots, but you can't have this many. Especially not wild ones. If the authorities crack down, you won't be able to explain yourself."
Samuel frowned, understanding her point.
"After I finish eating, I'll ask him where they came from."
"You didn't ask at the time?"
"I thought they were just some plants, so I didn't think there was anything to ask about."
"Ask him carefully. If they came from questionable sources, turn them over to the authorities early."
"Okay."
Only then did Amelia's expression relax a bit. She said, "Go ahead and eat before it gets cold."
Samuel finally started using his cutleries.
The dishes she made were very much to his taste.
After asking if Amelia had already eaten, he started eating heartily.
The large food containers were swept clean, leaving nothing but garnishes.
"You have such a big appetite..." Amelia was stunned.
"Don't worry, after we get married, I'll hire a chef. You won't have to cook."
"Who said I'm marrying you?"
"Who knows what the future holds?"
Amelia didn't continue this topic because every time it came up, she ended up at a disadvantage.
She said directly, "Then get to work. I need to go."
"Need my help?"
"Not right now. First, deal with Yosef's situation. I suspect there might be a problem."
Samuel said, "Yosef wouldn't harm me."
"That doesn't mean he hasn't fallen into a trap himself."
Samuel said seriously, "Don't worry, I'll get to the bottom of it."
Amelia nodded.
"Call him now and ask. I can go downstairs by myself."
Samuel didn't insist and agreed.
As Amelia left, she ran into Jeremy, who had just finished his work outside.
Seeing Amelia, Jeremy's face broke into a sunny grin.
"Ms. Richardson, when did you arrive?"
"Half an hour ago." As Amelia spoke, she studied Jeremy's face.
Today, she had arranged for Byron to show up partly to let him see Jeremy.
The two looked too similar—she couldn't help but wonder.
Even though Byron said his brother was dead.
Unfortunately, when Byron was there, Jeremy wasn't.
Amelia didn't want their meeting to be too obvious. If she were wrong, it would only add to Byron's sadness and embarrassment.
Especially since it was highly likely she was wrong, she just wanted them to 'run into each other.'
Jeremyfeeling that Amelia had looked at him twice more than usual today.
Touched his face.
"Ms. Richardson, is there something on my face?"
"No, I was just thinking—you and Samuel have a good relationship. Have you known each other for many years?"
Jeremy nodded. "I've been working for Mr. Crawford since I was very young."
"Very young? How long ago?"
"I can't remember exactly, but I was only in my teens at the time."
In his teens!
The timeline matched.
"Do you have any siblings?" Amelia asked.
Jeremy shook his head. "No, I'm an orphan."
That didn't match.
Amelia nodded without showing anything and asked about York.
Jeremy answered, "He's been following Ms. Crawford, you know, those two from that day..."
"I know, Julie."
Jeremy didn't continue the introduction and said, "Mr. Crawford was worried that her coming to Goldenvale would be bad for Lucas, so he's had him following Julie. She's been quiet lately, but if there's any movement, we'll tell you right away."
Amelia thanked him and left.
Jeremy had something to report to Samuel, so he didn't see her out and went straight to Samuel's office.
As soon as he entered, he saw the room full of orchids.
His gaze fell on those valuable orchids, his brow furrowing slightly as he asked Samuel, "Mr. Crawford, where did you get these?"
Samuel was about to call Yosef to ask, but didn't expect Jeremy to bring it up too.
"You recognize these flowers too?"
"Yes, they're very rare, but I remember private individuals aren't supposed to have too many."
Samuel's expression became more serious.
When Amelia first mentioned this, he thought she was being overly cautious.
After all, these were from Yosef.
He never had his guard up around Yosef.
Likewise, Yosef held nothing back from him.
They were brothers, bound by life and death.
Later, when Amelia said Yosef might have been set up, too, he took it to heart.
Now that Jeremy also mentioned these plants, he took the matter even more seriously.
"What did you need me for?" Samuel asked.
"It's Marlon. He said he wants to select a model enterprise and thinks we're a good fit. He's coming this afternoon to inspect. I rushed over to tell you."
Samuel looked at the office full of orchids and, without another word, dialed Yosef's number.
"Come to my office immediately."
Yosef sighed on the other end. "Samuel, if you needed something, why didn't you say so this morning? I just made plans to meet a beautiful woman for coffee."
"Come immediately."
Samuel's tone was cold and stern.
"And bring the workers you called this morning to move the orchids."
Yosef finally sensed something was wrong.
"On my way."
Meanwhile.
Piper rushed home in a panic.
"Isaac! Isaac!"
Isaac was examining a new face mask that had just been delivered.
His face was already ruined.
He'd spent a lot of money at the hospital, but nothing had worked.
He began to put his faith in a few unproven treatments he came across online.
This newly arrived mask was supposedly an all-purpose medical mask he'd found online.
He was about to open it when he heard Piper's urgent calls.
"Stop shouting."
Isaac walked irritably to the living room.
Even though Piper was familiar with Isaac, seeing him appear backlit still startled her.
Isaac's face was truly frightening.
The flesh on his face had started to rot and smell, with huge pustules that made people nauseous just looking at them.
But he was still her son. Piper quickly recovered from her shock and asked with concern, "Isaac, has your face gotten worse? Should we go to the hospital?"
"Go where? How much money have I spent at the hospital? It hasn't helped at all."
Isaac waved impatiently and asked her, "You were shouting so urgently—what happened? Didn't I tell you to watch the Crawford Group during the day?"
"I just came from there! I found out something big!"
"What?"
Piper told him everything she'd heard today.
Isaac's expression changed repeatedly.
When he first heard that Amelia was actually the daughter of Goldenvale's richest man, his eyes filled with shock and jealousy.
A poor girl actually had such a good family background.
Then, hearing that Goldenvale's richest family had changed hands and the Richardson family had gone bankrupt, his expression changed again.
But Piper continued, "But her luck is too good. The Richardson family arranged a marriage with the Crawford family years ago, and Samuel actually fell for her. The two of them look very close!"
Isaac was furious.
He had witnessed Amelia being invited upstairs by Samuel's assistant.
At the time, he thought Amelia had shamelessly climbed into Samuel's bed.
He never imagined Amelia was Samuel's legitimate fiancée!
"How can her luck be this good!"
Isaac practically squeezed the words through his teeth.
"No wonder the crew I hired to teach her a lesson ended up helping her instead!"
"Damn it! That little witch! She's really struck gold now—went from rags to riches."
His words dripped with jealousy.
And resentment.
In his heart, seeing that formerly weak girl now grown so beautiful, he had long considered Amelia his possession.
Now hearing she was Samuel's fiancée, how could he possibly feel comfortable?