Chapter 54 Don't Be So Anxious
The person who pushed the door open was none other than Amelia.
She wore a white evening gown, looking like a blooming white rose that made people want to hold her in their palms and cherish her.
But Samuel didn't dare hold her in his palms.
Because this rose had way too many thorns.
"Amelia, you're here."
"Mom." Amelia walked forward a few steps, glanced warily at Samuel, then turned to Natalie and said, "Uma told me you were tired and going upstairs to rest, but when I went upstairs I didn't see you. I didn't expect you'd be here."
Natalie smiled and pulled her to sit down.
"Samuel's mother and I are good friends. Since it's rare to see him today, I chatted with him for a bit."
Amelia forced a smile and said, "You can chat anytime, but you must be tired today. You should go upstairs and rest first."
Natalie was indeed having trouble sitting still - her lower back had been aching.
Thinking she'd already said everything she needed to say, she nodded. "Alright, I'll go rest upstairs then. Help me see Samuel out."
"Okay."
After Amelia agreed and called Uma in to help Natalie upstairs, the smile on her face immediately disappeared.
She looked at Samuel expressionlessly and asked, "What did you talk to my mom about?"
Samuel slowly turned the teacup in his hand.
"Nothing much, just cleared up some misunderstandings."
"What misunderstandings?"
Samuel gave her a meaningful look.
"Some misunderstandings between you and me."
"What misunderstandings do we have?"
"Plenty. For example, that I have a girlfriend."
Amelia frowned. "You do have a girlfriend. What did I misunderstand? Mr. Crawford, I know you're getting close to me just to get me to help cure your father's illness. Don't worry, since I promised you, I won't go back on my word. But please don't say random things in front of my mom."
"What random things did I say?"
"How would I know?"
"If Ms. Richardson doesn't know, how do you know I said random things?"
"You!"
Amelia choked, telling herself not to stoop to Samuel's level.
She took a deep breath and asked Samuel, "I don't care about anything else. Just tell me - you didn't mention the Combat Arts Association thing to my mom, did you?"
Samuel raised an eyebrow slightly. "You just reminded me - I haven't had a chance to mention it yet. I'll go tell Mrs. Richardson right now how excellent her daughter is, single-handedly taking on the entire Combat Arts Association. She doesn't need to worry about you at all."
With that, he got up to leave.
Amelia immediately panicked.
She grabbed Samuel's sleeve, but didn't expect that she'd use too much force and actually pulled his jacket half off.
It even pulled off a button from his black shirt underneath, revealing his sexy yet restrained collarbone.
Amelia froze and quickly let go.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to."
Samuel's eyes showed no anger, only a meaningful smile.
"Ms. Richardson."
He curved his lips and said, "Although we have an engagement, you don't need to be in such a hurry. Some things are better done when everything's official and proper. Don't you think?"
What did she think?
She thought he was talking nonsense!
Amelia said with a dark expression, "I told you, I didn't mean to. Just put your jacket back on!"
If someone saw them pulling at each other like this, there'd be trouble.
But Samuel wasn't in a hurry.
He said, "One of my shirt buttons fell off."
"So?"
"So you need to sew it back on for me. Otherwise if someone sees, my virtue will be ruined."
Amelia gritted her teeth. "You're a man - what virtue do you need?"
"Who says men can't have virtue? Ms. Richardson, that's a rather narrow-minded thing to say."
Amelia clenched her fists, telling herself not to stoop to his level.
She took a deep breath. "Then wait here, I'll go get Uma."
"You can't call her. If she finds out, won't my virtue still be ruined?"
"Uma isn't the type to gossip. Besides, we're completely innocent - there's nothing to be afraid of being misunderstood about."
"Is Ms. Richardson really not afraid of being misunderstood?" His deep eyes fixed on her.
Amelia inexplicably felt something was off.
Like he had some scheme up his sleeve.
But she had nothing to hide since her behavior was proper, so she said, "Of course not."
"Alright then, no need to sew it. I'd better hurry and find Mrs. Richardson to tell her about your glorious deeds, so she won't worry every day that you'll be bullied."
Amelia's eyes widened suddenly.
"You can't tell anyone! Not only can't you mention the Combat Arts Association thing, you also can't say anything about Felix getting hurt."
"What?" Samuel raised an eyebrow. "I can keep quiet, but if I'm helping Ms. Richardson keep this secret, Ms. Richardson needs to help me with something too. That's only fair, don't you think?"
Amelia realized that ever since learning her identity, Samuel especially liked calling her Ms. Richardson.
But hearing him call her that made her uncomfortable.
It felt like someone had her by the handle.
She suppressed her anger again and again, asking, "What do you want me to help you with?"
"It's simple. In a couple days, the Crawford Group is hosting a charity art exhibition. We'll be displaying works by many famous painters, but I'm still missing a female companion."
Amelia frowned. "You want me to attend as your companion?"
"Didn't expect Ms. Richardson to be not only beautiful but also quick-witted. That's right."
Amelia couldn't take it anymore. "Can you please stop calling me Ms. Richardson?"
"Then what should I call you?" As he spoke, he moved a step closer. "Should I call you Amelia?"
It was a perfectly normal name, but coming from his mouth, it somehow carried a hint of intimacy.
Amelia got goosebumps all over.
"Just call me Ms. Richardson!"
Samuel's lips curved slightly. "But I suddenly feel that 'Amelia' sounds quite nice."
Amelia completely realized that Samuel was very good at being unreasonable.
She was no match for him at all.
She simply gave up struggling.
"Call me whatever you want! But if you want me to attend the art exhibition, what about your girlfriend? Shouldn't you take your own girlfriend? Aren't you afraid she'll be upset?"
"I don't have a girlfriend, so how could I be afraid she'd be upset?"
Amelia frowned. "Are you going to deny it? Won't your girlfriend be angry if she knows you're saying you don't have a girlfriend at all?"
Samuel was puzzled.
"Who told you I have a girlfriend?"
"I heard it from her herself, of course."
"Who's 'her'?"
"Your girlfriend."
"I don't have a girlfriend." They seemed to be going in circles.
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't care who told you - it's all rumors. From birth until now, I've never had a single girlfriend."
Amelia looked at him. "You seem pretty proud of that?"
"Isn't staying pure something to be proud of?"
"Whatever. I can go, but you must keep your promise and watch your mouth. My mom's health isn't good and she can't handle shocks. Whether it's about Felix or the Combat Arts Association, you can't say a single word."
"As long as Ms. Richardson shows up as agreed, I guarantee I won't reveal a single word."
"Fine, I agree. But you'd better explain things clearly to your girlfriend. I don't want unnecessary trouble, and I especially don't like being slandered."
"I told you, I really don't have a girlfriend."