“No way” Amelia’s heart raced as she instinctively denied it. “I just made a mistake. Why would I need a pregnancy best before secretly old Friend?”
Her explanation sounded reasonable enough. A smile spread across Landon’s face, like spring sunshine melting winter ice, rippling with warmth.
Amelia couldn’t bring herself to meet his gare and kept her head down as she continued the massage. As she moved, her slender white neck came into view, and Landon noticed the red cord against her skin. “What’s that around your neck!”
“It was my mother’s,” Amelia said softly, carefully pulling out the diamond pendant and holding it like a treasure.
Diana gave this to you? Landon asked running his fingers over the diamond pendant with a slight frown. The rare red diamond was extraordinarily valuable, but the craftsmanship was rather crude. Landon thought it was probably an antique,
He’d heard that Walter had built his fortune by selling antiques in his early days. The fact that Debra possessed several valuable pieces made Eschury wonder about her true background.
“Landon, doesn’t it look like my mother’s heart?” Amelia said with a smile, though her eyes welled up with tears. She had forgotten her mother for seventeen years. Only now, looking at this pendant, could she recall fragments of memories. As a daughter, the guilt weighed heavily on her.
“It does,” Landon said softly as he returned the diamond pendant, gently cupping her cheek. Parents do everything they can for their children. Your mother loved you deeply!
“She did,” Amelia agreed. “During one of her rare lucid moments, she managed to secure me thirty percent of Edwards Group’s shares, and left me that 70–million dollar tiara.”
At the mention of the tiara, Amelia’s expression darkened. “Landon, when can you come with me to claim it?”
‘Do I really need to be there? Landon raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, it’s mandatory.
You need to be present to sign the documents and take photos.” Amelia nodded.
Landon studied her face, his eyes filled with sympathy, “Does Zachary know about the tiara?”
“Yes.” Amelia nodded, tears welling up in her eyes as her nose reddened. “That’s why he pretended to care about me. He was just after it all along.”
The wounds from her past were etched deep in Amelia’s heart–pain that no revenge could fully heal. Even now, thinking about it brought back the hurt and sense of injustice, especially in moments when she missed her mother so much.
“You’re smart, coming to me for help, Landon said. Just wait a little longer, and I’ll go with you to get the tiara.” He wanted to offer her a reassuring smile but, conscious of his current state, thought better of it.
“Landon, did you just smile?” Amelia exclaimed, suddenly rushing forward to cup his face in her hands.
Landon froze. Did I smile? Yes… I did. My voice carried a smile, he thought.
“Do it again, Landon, when you smile, you look absolutely incredible.” Amelia gently pressed her thumbs against the corners of his mouth, her eyes sparkling with joy as she gazed at him.
“1. actually smiled?‘ Landon blinked in disbelief. It seemed his facial nerves were finally responding to his brain’s commands.
“Yes. The corners of your mouth are still turned up. Come on, give me another smile,” Amelia urged excitedly.
After some hesitation, Landon managed to tug his lips
supward under her encouragement.
“There it is.” Amelia released his face, letting him move naturally. She quickly grabbed her phone and snapped a series of photos, then showed them to him. “You look incredibly handsome.”
08:13 Wed, JUN
Chapter 67
Landon stared at his Image, deeply moved. He had actually smiled—hit lace could show emotion again.
“This angle is perfect,” Amelia said, leaning close to Landon as they looked through the photos together. “And this one makes you look a
dashing.”
The photos were all fairly similar, some practically identical. Yet Amelia managed to find something new to compliment in each one
She leaned in so close that her lace was mere inches from bis, her loose strands of hair occasionally brushing against his forehead. The sensation sent tingles from his temples straight to his heart.
Landon swallowed hard but didn’t push her away,
“Gosh, you have such an amazing smile,” Amelia exclaimed, having lost count of how many times she’d said it. She couldn’t help hersel
Each time Amelia had seen Landon, which she could count on one hand, he’d always worn that stone cold expression, like an ice sculpture come to lifa. She never thought his smile could be so captivating.
“Now I see why you don’t smile much–it’s downright dangerous,” Amelia murmured, unable to resist flipping through the photos one more
Everyone loved a compliment. A pleased smile tugged at Landon’s lips, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Am I making you weak in the knees!”
Amelia fraze, suddenly painfully aware of both her embarrassingly obvious attraction and their proximity. One slight turn of his head and his lips would brush against her cheek.
Amelia quickly stepped back, her checks flushing, “I’m different obviously,” she stammered, her unconvincing denial only making her blush deeper. Landon couldn’t help but smile, feeling content. He’d never been one to fit before, but something had changed in him lately.
Amelia watched as his smile grew brighter, her heart racing and her cheeks burning. She had to admit, his smile was so charming. ‘Get it together she thought to hersell, flustered. “Since when did I turn into such a lovesick teenager?”
“I’m going to take a shower,” Amelia stammered, practically fleeing the room.
As Landon watched her go, a
a thought crossed his mind having her as his wife permanently might not be such a bad idea after all.
Downstairs, Gloria had finished unloading all the maternity supplied from Amelia’s car
Just as she was marveling at the new mother’s shopping enthusiasm, Henry showed up. With unmistakable suspicion in his voice, he asked, “Gloria, you absolutely sure that baby Amelia’s carrying is Landon’s?”
“Of course it is.” Gloria shot him an icy glare. “What brings you here?”
“I brought someone you might want to meet.” Henry’s lips curled into a smirk as he clapped his hands. Two security guar man between them
rged, restraining a you
Gloria instantly tensed. “Who is he?”
“Meet Lanny, Amelia’s old flame.” Henry arched his eyebrows triumphantly. “He’s already confessed that the baby she’s carrying is his.”
“That’s impossible,” Gloria snapped, her voice rising, “I’ve tracked Amy’s every movement since she married into our family. She hasn’t had contact wi any other inen.”
“You’re being naive, Gloria.” Henry shook his head. “She’s been having an affair right under our noses at the company.”
“That’s impossible.” Gloria strode toward the man. “Look at me,” she commanded sharply.
The man slowly raised his head, and Gloria snapped a photo of his face, sending it to Aaron.
08:13 Wed, 4 Jun
Chapter 67
Aaron’s response came quickly. It was Lanny Carter, a new hire in the Advertising Department. His start date coincided exactly with the day Amel over at Kingsley Group.
The color drained from Gloria’s face. Could Amy really be cheating on Landon the thought. ‘Planning to seize the company?‘
o pass off another man’s baby in Landon’s t
“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Gloria.” Lanny hung his head and said in a low voice, “I never wanted this. But Amy said it was the only way to cement her position in the Kingsley family.”
“Don’t be a fool, Gloria,” Henry urged. “Get rid of Amelia before it’s too late.”
Gloria dug her nails into her palm, lighting to keep her composure. “I can’t just take your word for it,” she said through gritted teeth
“Here’s your proof” Henry tossed a stack of photos onto the table. They s
by showed Amelia and Lanny fooling around in bed.
The shock hit Gloria like a physical blow, and she collapsed onto the sofa. “How could she do this?” she whispered, her voice breaking “This is impossible.”
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