Chapter 229: Proposal
The group quickly arrived at the supermarket and bought three large bags full of beef.
Natalie asked Amelia to send Samuel a message, inviting him to come home for beef stew that evening.
Amelia agreed.
She sent Samuel a message, but he didn't reply.
She didn't think much of it, knowing Samuel had important business today and probably didn't have time to check his phone.
If Marlon's replacement was someone from The Porter family faction, everything would be fine. They would just give the person a warm reception.
But if the replacement came from The Hays family, there would be trouble again.
If the person was neutral, it would take a lot of effort to win them over.
In any case, Amelia guessed that Samuel probably wouldn't have time to come for dinner.
But unexpectedly, when dinnertime came, Samuel showed up.
He brought lots of gifts—lately he'd been coming to The Richardson Manor for meals occasionally, and each time he brought a trunk full of presents.
Natalie told him not to spend so much next time, then asked Amelia to invite him to sit down for coffee while she went into the kitchen to help Faith cook the beef.
Soon, only Amelia and Samuel remained in the living room.
Amelia immediately asked, "Who's replacing Marlon? Which side are they on?"
But Samuel didn't answer, only saying, "I've been tired all afternoon. Let my brain relax. We'll talk after we eat."
Amelia nodded, "Okay."
But she had a bad feeling.
Because if the new mayor was Micah's person, Samuel wouldn't drag it out—he would have happily told her as soon as he walked in.
So this meant this person was from The Hays family faction.
Just their luck!
They had finally gotten rid of Marlon, and now another one comes!
Amelia felt a bit resentful toward Micah.
Couldn't Micah use his influence in such an important place as Goldenvale to get the government higher-ups to appoint one of his people?
If not that, at least someone neutral would do.
Amelia stopped asking, and didn't even want to know anymore—it would just ruin her mood!
Soon Mason and Grant came home.
There were fewer and fewer people at home now. Liam had gone to work at the Thornfield Security Bureau, Lucas had already joined the film crew—the one Amelia had personally selected for him—and Felix was still on the island, who knew when he'd return.
So only Mason and Grant were left at home.
Samuel chatted with Grant for a while about the company's new energy vehicles, with Mason occasionally chiming in. The atmosphere was quite relaxed.
Both brothers treated Samuel like family.
Especially Grant.
The more he interacted with Samuel, the more he admired him.
So now the people he admired most, besides Amelia, included Samuel.
Just then, dinner was served.
Since Amelia didn't like herbs, the beef stew was made in two versions.
One with herbs, one without.
This small detail showed how much everyone cared for her.
By the time dinner ended, it was already 8:30 PM.
They had eaten for two and a half hours.
Amelia took Samuel for a slow walk around the manor while also walking Lyric.
Samuel chatted with her about many topics, but never mentioned Marlon's replacement.
Amelia was puzzled, she couldn't help but stop and ask, "Who exactly is replacing Marlon? Someone from The Hays family? It's not Francis, is it?"
Samuel looked at her deeply, momentarily unsure of how to respond..
In fact, from arriving at The Richardson Manor until now, he'd been thinking about how to say it.
"Amelia," he suddenly opened his arms and asked, "Can you hug me? Hug me once, and I'll tell you."
Amelia blinked in confusion. She stepped forward and reached out to touch Samuel's forehead.
"You don't have a fever."
"Then I won't tell you." Samuel turned away, looking offended.
Amelia stared at his back, thinking he was really acting strange.
When they were alone together, he occasionally acted childish like this, but today he was even more childish.
Whatever, he was her man, she had to indulge him.
"Turn around," Amelia said.
"No. You won't hug me anyway." Samuel replied stubbornly.
Amelia laughed, "How can I hug you if you don't turn around? Should I hug you from behind?"
The next second, Samuel turned around swiftly.
Amelia's smile widened as she reached out and hugged Samuel.
His waist was firm, the result of years of working out.
She felt his back stiffen, then he hugged her back tightly.
The two did nothing but hold each other close.
The autumn wind blew past them, carrying a scent of flowers.
They'd been officially together for more than a month, and this was the first time they'd embraced for so long.
Close enough to feel each other's heartbeat.
After a while, when Amelia felt her feet going numb, Samuel finally slowly released her.
But they still stayed very close.
He finally spoke, "It's Finn."
Amelia froze, taking several seconds to understand what Samuel meant by "It's Finn."
Her eyes widened in shock.
"Him?"
She said only one word, not knowing what else to say.
But now she understood why Samuel had been so unusual tonight.
Usually when she asked him something, he answered immediately.
But today he had been avoiding the topic, and now she knew why.
Because it was Finn, her ex-boyfriend, so he felt insecure.
"Samuel."
Amelia took a step back and looked seriously into his eyes, saying, "Actually, you don't need to worry. There's no one in my heart now except you."
Her heart could only hold one person.
Once Samuel came in, there was no room for anyone else.
Samuel's eyes brightened, but worry remained.
"I'm afraid he'll take you back."
"He won't." She said, "Just like you said, no one can separate us anymore."
Samuel's eyes deepened.
Though his expression didn't change much, only he knew how moved he was by what Amelia said!
"Amelia."
"What?"
Samuel suddenly stepped back two steps, then reached into his pocket, searching for something.
The next second, he knelt down on one knee before her and held out his hand..
In his broad palm lay a diamond ring, sparkling brilliantly in the moonlight.
Amelia was stunned, then heard Samuel say, "Amelia, will you marry me? I'm not good with sweet words, but after you marry me, I'll give you all my money. If I ever let you down, you can take all the money and leave, and let me starve on the streets."
After speaking, he pulled out a document from inside his coat.
"This is all my money."
He knew Amelia didn't really believe in vows. She believed people's hearts could change at any moment.
But he couldn't pull out his heart to prove it wouldn't change.
So he pulled out all his assets instead.
Amelia didn't know what to say for a moment. She wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.
All she could say was that what Samuel did was something no ordinary person would think of.
"Marry him!"
"Marry him!"
Cheering suddenly erupted.
Amelia was startled and looked toward the sound.
She saw her family members standing not far away.
They had come to see why Amelia and Samuel hadn't returned yet—they'd been walking for almost two hours.
And they happened to witness this scene.
Samuel's proposal speech stunned not only Amelia but them too.
Who proposes with a trust fund?
They'd seen grand proposal scenes, but such an expensive yet simple proposal was a first.
He had changed the beneficiary name on the trust to Amelia.
Truly giving her all his assets.
Amelia didn't know how she accepted Samuel's proposal. When she came to her senses, the ring was already on her finger.
Her family ran over to congratulate them.
Amelia felt like pink bubbles were floating everywhere.
Amid their cheering, Samuel kissed her.
That night, Amelia couldn't fall asleep for a long time.
But Samuel slept very well .
He felt he'd accomplished something remarkable.
From now on, he didn't have to worry about random people taking Amelia away.
Amelia was his.
The two of them just needed a wedding now.
Early the next morning, Samuel came over excitedly with two wedding planners.
"Let's first choose where to hold the wedding," he said. "Then we can plan everything else slowly."
"Do you want it in Goldenvale or somewhere else?" He asked her.
"Either is fine." Amelia replied.
"How about an island?"
Amelia thought for a moment and asked, "Can we do it on the island where Felix is?"
"Of course, but that means the wedding might have to be next year. There's probably not enough time this year. Felix hasn't finished organizing things there for me yet."
"That is fine," Amelia replied. "I don't want to rush either. Next year is perfect—it gives us enough time to handle everything."
"Okay, next year it is."
Samuel added, "Should we go see Dad today? Tell him the good news."
Samuel had already started calling Quinton "Dad" on his own.
Amelia glanced at Natalie and said, "I want to bring Mom along. Is that okay?"
Her instinct told her that Quinton wanted to see Natalie more than her.
Because compared to their child, Quinton really cared more about Natalie.
"Of course. I'll arrange it."
Samuel moved quickly. By afternoon, the three of them were at the detention center entrance.
Quinton's case remained unresolved, so he was still in the detention center rather than being moved to prison.
When the four met, Samuel explained their purpose first.
Quinton was stunned.
After a while, he finally came to his senses, realizing that Amelia, whom he hadn't even had a day to raise, had become Samuel's fiancée.
"Samuel." He spoke seriously, "Do you know what will happen if you ever betray Amelia? Our family may not have much , but we have many people. We will kill you."
"I know. That day will never come."
Natalie also spoke well of them, and the marriage was finally settled.
Amelia knew Quinton and Natalie had things to discuss, so she took Samuel out first, leaving them space.
The two waited outside the detention center. Just then, two official vehicles drove up.
The car door opened, and a familiar face stepped out.
It was Finn.