Ch. 131..135: My Sugar And Your Spice Chapter 131-135
Chapter 131
Outside the building, Jodie was crying by the car. “I swear to God, Leo, Amelie set this up just to make me look bad. It was obvious that she wanted to humiliate me when she asked Bria to sing on stage. Not only did she humiliate me, but she even humiliated the Alston Family and you!”
When Elyse saw them talking, she stopped walking and gave them space to talk. At the same time, she was looking at Leo’s expression, not wanting to miss his emotions.
She caught sight of Leo pursing his lips as he stood there. “How could she have humiliated you if you did not show up?” he said while looking at her profoundly.
“Why are you helping her, Leo?” Jodie stomped her feet and looked unhappy.
When Leo heard her words, his face turned cold and serious. “Did you come here to pick a bone with her?”
“I…” Seeing that Leo had realized her plan, Jodie was pale in the face as she clutched her dress. Then, she found an excuse and said, “That’s because I don’t like her. Ever since you guys divorced, she and Starlight Media have been going against us. Now, everyone in Clouson City is saying that we mistreated her; some even claim that you made the wrong choice. I’m doing all of this for you, Leo.”
“I don’t need your help with anything!” Leo cut her off sternly. “From today onward, you are not allowed to
leave the house and go elsewhere!” Then, he ordered the driver. “Take Miss Jodie home and ask Mrs. Alston to keep an eye on her!”
“Leo!” Seeing that Leo was persistent, Jodie was anxious. However, he was more of a father figure to her than a brother. Hence, she didn’t dare fight back and could only get into the car.
Then, the driver started the car and drove off. On the other hand, Leo stood in place without moving.
Seeing that he looked alone, Elyse lowered her hands which were perfectly manicured. She didn’t say much as she slowly walked up to him. “Jodie is young and full of pride, so she might not think things through before she acts. You shouldn’t be so stern with her when she’s already embarrassed.”
Then, she sighed and wrapped her arms around Leo. “I know I shouldn’t be saying this, but I still want you to know about my opinion, Leony. Bria is still a child, yet she was being arranged to perform in front of adults. This is bad. I know that Miss Dillion might have wanted to advertise Starlight Media through this opportunity. but a child should act as one; she shouldn’t be a tool used by adults. Moreover, Bria live streams. Wouldn’t her life be affected if she were introduced to this platform at such an early age? Children are the future of a family. As a parent, we should think thoroughly before deciding what path they should take. If Miss Dillion doesn’t treat her well, I can quit my job and take care of Bria!”
As Elyse spoke, she raised her head and looked at Leo. Her eyes were filled with devotion, and she was willing to make sacrifices for Leo and Bria. “Don’t worry, Leony. I will treat her as my own. To be honest, Ashton’s words made me think that a child needs happiness the most. Thus, I will do whatever it takes to make Bria happy!”
Although Elyse seemed to be thinking about helping Leo solve his problems through her determination, she was also secretly depreciating Amelie.
After hearing what she had said, Leo lowered his eyes and said nothing.
When Elyse saw his reaction, a glint flashed across her eyes, and she knew not to bring it up now. Hence, she changed the subject and said, “I’m feeling hungry, Leony. Why don’t we grab a bite?”
Since Leo didn’t refuse, they decided to go to the restaurant right across the road. At that moment, they encountered two janitors sitting by the roadside.
They were talking loudly.
“Oh my, how cruel of them! I’ve witnessed Starlight Media’s mentor forcing the little girl to sing and dance countless times. If she did not meet their expectations, they’d whip her! It was tough.”
“Did such a thing happen? Why didn’t you call the police on them for child labor?”
“I wished I could! To be honest, I hoped that the police would arrest them when I saw how miserable the girl was. However, the mentor told me she was the boss’ child, so it would be useless even if we called the police.”
“Goodness. These rich people act like madmen just to earn more money.”
“Well, I think there is more to it. They might want their child to be successful as soon as possible. After all, the
more successful the child is, the prouder the parent would be. Every rich person has this mindset, don’t you think? However, I feel like it’s still too much since that girl looks like she is only three years old. I heard that
she needs to be live streaming after she is done crying.”
“How cruel!”
“That’s why I quit my job. It broke my heart to see such a sight.”
As they kept on talking, they walked further.
At that moment, Elyse stopped walking and looked at Leo. “Leony.”
Leo had also stopped walking as he watched the two janitors thoughtfully. However, he soon began walking
again.
Seeing his reaction, Elyse looked at him darkly and thought, Although he didn’t say anything, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t care. Everything will go as planned as long as he takes their words to heart.
As Elyse thought about it, she quickly walked up to him and said, “I didn’t plan this out, Leony. I was with you the whole time, so I wasn’t the one who arranged for those janitors.”
Hearing her words. I po turned and looked at her “Why did you think that I would be suspicious of vou?”
Looking at him. Elyse laughed dryly and said, “I know that you don’t trust me after everything that has happened. Moreover, they appeared as soon as I expressed my doubts about Miss Dillion. I would also be having second thoughts too.”
Then, she took hold of his hand. “I’ve done all these because I love you. I don’t want to see you having time between Bria and me. You have protected me for four years, and it’s time I do the same to you too.”
As Elyse spoke, Leo lowered his eyes and looked at her.
hard
If Elyse had been willing to sacrifice everything for him four years ago, he would be grateful for her. However, at this moment, he felt like something in him had changed, and he didn’t feel anything as he heard her words.
To be honest, Leo felt that Elyse was the same as four years ago. Four years ago, she was selfish and arrogant, and she had always done unreasonable things while ignoring how he felt.
Nonetheless, he endured all of it since he was touched by her actions and loved her with all his heart back then. Thus, he was able to look past her mistakes no matter how severe it was. However, something seemed to have stayed inside his heart other than her. He didn’t have the same feelings as he had before.
After some time, he said, “You don’t have to put up with me, and neither do I need you to.”
Before Elyse could say anything more, he pointed forward and said, “Let’s go.”
At that moment, disappointment filled Elyse’s eyes. I thought he would have said something since I’ve almost
devoted all of myself to him, but he didn’t…
Then, they had a meal at the restaurant. When they were almost done with the meal, Elyse fiddled with her fingers and suggested, “Let’s get married, Leony. We can get engaged if you think it’s too fast.”
Elyse knew that they couldn’t postpone this matter any longer. In the past, she kept waiting for Leo to bring the subject up, but he seemed to have forgotten about it. However, Elyse would take the initiative to do so if Leo
wouldn’t.
Just as Elyse was waiting for an answer, she realized that Leo was not responding to her. At that moment, she was surprised and looked at him. Then, she saw that he was looking through the window behind her.
This was the first time she had ever seen him so immersed in something. His eyes seemed to bave darkened, and there was a strange look in his eyes. At that moment, Elyse couldn’t help but follow his gaze.
Chapter 132
Outside the window stood two figures under the dim light. One was an adult, while the other was a small child, and they were dancing like it was only the two of them in the world. Their bodies were as light as feathers as they danced, and their faces glowed as the light shone on them, brightening their smiles.
Although they were far away from the crowd, one could still sense the happiness between them. At that moment, Elyse squinted her eyes to get a closer look at them. When she recognized who they were, she tensed up. It was none other than Amelie and Bria, who had outshined everyone on the stage!
“W-Why are they here?”
Elyse’s voice was filled with surprise and disgust!
Leo didn’t respond to her words and kept his eyes on the duo. When Elyse turned around and looked at him, she saw that his eyes softened as he looked at them. She had seen those eyes countless times, so she knew what they meant.
Once again, she panicked, and her words slipped out of her tongue. “They must have done it on purpose! They are trying to grab your attention since they knew we would dine here, so they chose to dance there! Amelie is trying too hard, Leony!”
At that moment, Leo finally averted his gaze and looked at her. As Elyse’s pitiful eyes were met with his, she was unfamiliar with the emotions in his eyes.
He is looking at me like I’m a stranger.
As she thought about it, her heart sank. Then, she heard him saying. “Even if they did it on purpose, how did they know where we would be seated? Moreover, how did they know that we were sitting by
this window?”
“About that…” In a split second, Elyse’s face turned palek
Leo got up and walked toward them, and Elyse’s heart tightened as she watched him. After he walked out of the door, she saw him go straight toward Amelie and Bria’s direction.
“Leony, are you in love with Amelie?” Elyse quickly pulled his arm as she didn’t know what to do.
Hearing her words, Leo lowered his eyes and looked at her hand that was grabbing onto him. “I was going to see if Amelie is anything like you said. Why? Don’t you want to figure it out?”
“I….” Elyse didn’t know what to say. After all, she had made it all out, including those janitors; although she wasn’t the one who called them herself, it still had something to do with her.
However, Leo didn’t approach them closely and just stood behind a tree. The tree was huge, so it covered him well, and he could also see them.
singing.”
All the time, Amelie was dancing along with Bria. Bria knew she didn’t like to be in the spotlight, so she pulled Amelie to a quiet place. Initially, she told Amelie that she was going to dance for her. However, as the music started, she began to ask Amelie to tag along. Since Amelie treated Bria as her precious, she would do anything Bria asked as long as it didn’t go overboard.
They didn’t have expensive speakers, and the music came from Amelie’s phone, which she placed by the roadside. Seeing that Amelie didn’t refuse, Bria ran over to her phone and picked an indie pop song. Then, she
grabbed onto Amelie and told her to sing. Not being able to refuse her, Amelie opened her mouth and sang.
At that moment, her voice was amazing.
Elyse, who was behind the tree, was in disbelief when she heard the woman’s voice. Amelie’s voice… It’s so clear. Not only did she execute all those high notes and pitches perfectly, but she even expressed the feeling accurately! This is so professional of her! How did she do it, though? How can she sing so well?
Elyse was an actor, and she used to publish records. If she were to compare her voice with Amelie’s, she would have lost! Initially, when Elyse found out that she was Dash, she felt terrible but didn’t think much about it. After all, singing and acting were her main focuses. No matter how talented Amelie was, she could only win against Elyse by racing cars. However, Amelie overpowered her since she knew how to sing and dance as well!
As Elyse thought about it, she felt her blood run cold. On the other hand, Leo stiffened too, and his eyes were
filled with surprise and… something else.
“Her voice…” She’s Big Eyes!
Although Elyse was not in the right mood, she didn’t miss Leo’s reaction. At that moment, she was shocked since the Leo she knew wouldn’t have such a reaction, no matter how talented Amelie was! Then, she realized that since Leo had met Amelie when he was blind, he must have recognized something from her voice!
When Elyse thought it through, cold sweat trickled down her face. Before Leo could take a step forward, she quickly pulled him back and said, “Her voice is quite similar to mine, Leony. You know, I used to cover this song. It seems like she is good at imitating people.”
Hearing her words, Leo turned to look at her as he slowly snapped out of his trance. Then, he nodded silently. After all, how could Amelie be Big Eyes when she didn’t even sound like this daily?
As Leo thought about it, his eyes slowly turned cold. Then, he kept his eyes on Bria instead of Amelie.
At this moment, Bria was singing and dancing lively. When Leo saw her on the stage, he could only see that she was confident. Now that he looked at her, she was happy and lively, which was what a child would be. Listening to her giggles, he could tell she wasn’t pretending to be happy when one could hear her voice miles
away.
After Amelie had sung two songs, she said to Bria, “Alright now. It’s getting late. Let’s go home.”
Hearing her words, Amelie sighed and poked her nose. “Aren’t you tired from singing all day long while live
streaming?”
“No. I love to sing and dance, so it is never enough!” replied Bria as she shook her head.
At that moment, Amelie laughed heartily. Then, she bent down and picked Bria up as she spoke. “However, it’s too late now, cutie-pie. Moreover, your Aunt Julia must be looking for us. Let’s go.”
“Alright.” Then, Bria naturally wrapped her arms around Amelie’s neck and kissed her on the cheek.
Although Amelie was used to their sweet moments, she was still in awe when Bria did so. Then, she kissed
Bria back.
As the duo walked away, their voices became distant.
Meanwhile, although Elyse had stopped Leo from approaching Amelie, she was still shaken up.
Tonight was a terrible night for her. After all, everything seemed to have panned out nicely for Amelie to show
off her talents! All those things that Elyse pretended to be were ruined. Not only did she fail to make Leo hate her even more, but she also even embarrassed herself. Even though Leo didn’t say anything, Elyse still felt
humiliated.
“Let’s go,” said Leo in a low voice. Just as he turned around, he saw another figure by a tree.
The person was wearing all-white and stood there with his lips pursed. Leo noticed that he was also looking in
the direction where Amelie had left.
Chapter 133
The signature put-together short hair and classic-looking face came into sight-it was none other than Toby
Walsh.
Leo stiffened, and his eyes turned profound while the surrounding temperature dropped when he saw Toby, who also saw the pair before approaching them with a plain smile. “What? Have you guys been enchanted by the mother and daughter’s performance too?”
“No, we were just passing by.” Elyse fixed her image with breakneck speed and returned to her typical fair maiden look, smiling ambiguously at Toby while hinting, “I guess you weren’t lying about what you said, Mr. Walsh. You do have feelings for Miss Dillon.”
Toby smiled in response, and the smile pierced Leo’s heart, suffocating him as he reminded icily, “Have you forgotten that she’s now the first lady of Starlight Media?”
Nevertheless, Toby remained silent and only shifted his gaze to Leo as his smile deepened.
“It’s getting late. Let’s go,” Elyse interjected and hooked her arm around Leo’s.
To that, Leo said nothing but only turned to his vehicle.
“Do you not regret it, Leo?” Toby’s voice came from behind, causing him to stop in his tracks.
He stood with his head drooped and hands balled into fists on his sides. It was only a loose grip, but it made
him look inexplicably lonely.
Elyse’s heart skipped a beat, and she bit the corner of her lip when she saw him like this. Just as she was about to say something, he began walking ahead.
After dropping Elyse off, Leo returned to the Alston Residence.
However, he stopped at the gates, leaving the vehicle stalling for a long time.
The dim, cold lighting cast on his obscure countenance made him look aloof and lonely.
It wasn’t after a long while that he finally pulled his phone out and made a call. “How much do you know about
Amelie?”
“Not much, just that she only began living like a normal, vivid human being after leaving your house,” Toby said plainly.
His words were practically a slap on Leo’s face.
If it were any other time, Leo would’ve just snorted disdainfully and sniffed about how the life Amelie lived in
Toby remained quiet about the fact that Amelie was Foxy and only said, “Leo, has it ever occurred to you that the Amelie we’re seeing now is her original self?”
“Are you accusing me of breaking her wings and turning her from a glamorous woman into the Alston Family’s anonymous and invisible Mrs. Alston?” Leo caught the underlying message right away.
“I’m just letting you know that she used to love you deeply. Since you never reciprocated her feelings back then, there’s no reason for you to appear in her world now,” Toby reasoned.
Leo had wanted to retort that he didn’t care about entering her world at all. However, his chest suddenly felt inexplicably stuffy, and he had trouble uttering even a single word.
In the end, be just hung up in low spirits.
After Amelie and Julia exited the car, the latter took Bria from Amelie without a word and quirked her chin. “This one’s mine. Go and park the car.”
Amelie was rendered speechless. Did you just steal my daughter?
At that, she shook her head resignedly and watched the two leave before getting into the car to park it in the
garage.
However, she had just pulled the door open when another hand pushed it, slamming the door shut.
Startled, Amelie looked up to find a countenance seething with rage.
“Miss Clayton?” She quirked her brows, somewhat surprised by the young woman’s appearance. Of course, Elyse’s expression hadn’t gone unnoticed by her either, and she kindly reminded, “Though it’s in the middle of the night, your image will be affected if someone captures your intimidating look.”
However, Elyse’s expression only twisted further. “You did it on purpose, didn’t you?!”
Amelie quirked a brow in response, made baffled by the woman’s inexplicable question.
Elyse, on the other hand, was currently seething with rage, so she clenched the hem of her skitt tightly and snapped when she saw Amelie reacting impassively to all of this. “Do you honestly think pulling Bria out to perform in front of Leo, singing and dancing where we would certainly pass by will get Leo to
look at you?! Huh, stop dreaming! He will never like you! Anything you do will only repulse him and make him hate you
even more!”
Amelie was taken aback. Did Leo see Bria and me dancing and singing? “In that case, why have you come all the way here?” she asked plainly after coming to herself.
Elyse was rendered at a loss for words, and a silent chuckle escaped Amelie as she thought the young woman
She didn’t know Leo would pass by at all! Besides, if she wanted to get back together with him, why would she claim herself to be the first lady of Starlight Media?! It wouldn’t be a bright idea, would it?
Slowly, Elyse came to her senses and also realized it wasn’t wise of her to come here at all. If anything, it would only send Amelie the message that Leo cared about her.
At that, she straightened her clothes and regained her fair maiden look. “Don’t get the wrong idea. Leo only showed up tonight because I begged him to. I’m happy for you that you’re able to meet the CEO of Starlight Media and even gain his trust. Having Leo appear will convince others that you two are on friendly terms, and the road ahead will be easier.”
“Well, thank you very much, Miss Clayton.”
Pigs could fly if Elyse was that nice. However, Amelie didn’t burst the former’s bubble and thanked her instead, causing a pang of inexplicable guilt to rise within Elyse.
Very quickly, she realized her words were tantamount to exposing herself, and humility enveloped her face.
Thus, she simply threw her facade away and spoke her heart out. “Since you’ve gone to Halport, Dillon, then I hope you and your child stay there for good. Think about it. You, wandering around with your daughter in front of Leo all the time… If he wants to take custody of Bria, you’re no match for him. I’m doing this for my future and also serving you a gentle reminder. I suggest you think it through!”
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Amelie standing rooted to her spot for a long while before she finally wiped the sweat rolling down her forehead.
She had to admit that Elyse was right to remind her of that.
It was her mistake for bringing Bria there and even letting Leo see her.
Indeed, she had to do something to cover up Bria’s brilliance a little.
The following morning, Amelie was making breakfast while pondering how to tell Bria not to live stream anymore when rushed footsteps traveled to her ears, followed by Julia’s dramatic screeching, “I swear to God, these people sure are amusing. Can you believe they’re comparing you to her?!”
Amelie looked up dazedly to find Julia approaching her with her eyes glued to her phone while swiping the screen non-stop.
“Look at this. Your dance from last night had been uploaded onto the internet, and now, it’s blown up. Most of them are saying the way you dance is very similar to Foxy.”
Amelie lowered her head to check the comments section, and sure enough, there were over ten thousand comments mostly revolving around her and Foxy.
Some said her style was identical to Foxy’s, while others said they were two different individuals.
“What did I say? There are still a lot of people who aren’t blind.” Julia smiled affectionately while scrolling down the comments. “They can already tell you’re Foxy just from this clip alone while those
Alston b’stards were completely oblivious to it throughout the four years you lived with them!”
To that, Amelie only smiled plainly. She had long gotten over the issue. That said, she was rather surprised that everyone was butting heads over something so minor.
“Why don’t we take this chance to let the world know who you are?” Julia suddenly suggested, causing Amelie to shake her head. “I don’t want to bring my private and online life too close together.”
“Touché.” Julia nodded in agreement. “Now, the only thing to do is let them fight amongst each o—what the
heck is this?!”
Julia shouted so suddenly that she startled Amelie, who reflexively looked at her while she brought a comment
to Amelie. “Look at how shameless this woman is!”
Chapter 134
Seeing how livid Julia was, Amelie couldn’t help looking at her phone.
It was a comment from Elyse, saying, ‘All-round development remains undefeated.”
“What is she trying to say? That you’re beneath her? That you’re only good at singing and dancing and nothing else?! What is she, blind?! Has she forgotten how you destroyed her on the racetrack?!” Julia scowled in anger. “Blabbering like a true b*tch who blows her own trumpet!”
“She’s trying to use me to make herself popular again.” Amelie smiled as she saw through the woman’s schemes.
Sure enough, comments flooded in beneath Elyse’s comment within a few minutes.
Some agreed with her, while others compared her to Amelie. A few also dug out her past works one by one.
Meanwhile, Julia scrolled speedily while skimming through them. She snorted before saying, “Surprise, surprise! Clayton sure knows how to promote herself.”
“She was considerably sought after four years ago, but sadly, she barely made a name for herself abroad since then, so the public gradually forgot about her very quickly. Plus, new celebrities are popping up one after another. She is long a self-proclaimed A-lister.” Amelie analyzed Elyse crisply and accurately.
She hadn’t said all that to devalue Elyse but was merely stating facts through data analysis.
“Are you saying that she plans to regain popularity by trampling over you? Huh, shameless woman!” Julia couldn’t help grumbling. At the same time, she spit on her screen. “She wants to get popular by
trampling over you, eh? Fine, I’ll help her out!”
With that, she got down to work, her fingers darting across the screen.
Amelie, on the other hand, wasn’t bothered by Elyse’s ridiculous move and didn’t care what Julia was doing either. She just went back to what she had been doing earlier.
After finishing breakfast and cleaning up. Amelie checked the news and found a pinned clip. More accurately, two clips were put into one.
One was a snippet of the TV show Elyse had starred in, and the other was a clip of Amelie’s acting. She had reenacted Elyse’s scene on the spur of the moment when she was bored.
The only difference was that she wasn’t wearing a costume, so anyone could tell it was casual filming.
The user who uploaded the clips merely left a caption that read, ‘No comparison, no harm.”
scoring. In the end, apart from props and costume, Amelie’s score in the other three categories was way above Elyse’s.
Just like that, the comments all shifted to Amelie, and those who commented about Elyse all began criticizing her for being just eye candy.
In fact, some even dug up quite some dirt about Elyse, all of which were complaints from directors or fellow actors who had worked with her, saying she either tried too hard or was just expressionless.
The number one comment she got was, ‘She could act a thousand characters, but all of them share one soul.”
Following that, a wave of netizens scoffed at Elyse for being shameless, making snide remarks about other people, and pretending to be a mentor when she was just average.
Amelie skimmed through the comments and shook her head. She didn’t need to ask to know that the clips were Julia’s handiwork.
Meanwhile, compared to Amelie’s calmness, Elyse was already on the verge of breaking down.
She posted the comment for two reasons; one, to slander Amelie, and the other, to boost her exposure, but who’d have thought she would be berated in less than an hour?
She clenched her phone in anger as she read the chain of blunt and harsh comments. She was so livid that her lips trembled violently while her usually stunning face was in a grimace.
Meanwhile, the comments were still flooding in, and the accusations and criticisms were making her mad.
Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore. She dropped her phone and covered her ears tightly.
Suddenly, her ringtone blared, but she remained motionless, refusing to answer it.
Hence, her landline rang in no time.
At that, Elyse rushed to answer it, for only Leo and her manager knew her landline number. “Hello?”
“What the heck are you trying to do, Elyse?!” Her manager flipped out.
Elyse’s heart sank in response. She thought Leo had called to ask about her.
In the past, he would always be the first to call her whenever she was in trouble.
But now, she could only swallow her disappointment and whimper, “It was just a casual comment. How would I know someone would use it against me?!”
“Just a casual comment? How would you feel if someone did this to you?!” her manager scolded angrily.
Indignation overcame Elyse as she listened to her manager caterwauling.
Back when she was still the apple of Leo’s eyes, her manager would have never dared to speak to her like this.
These people treat others by how powerful and influential they are!
“How do you plan on sorting this out, then? You can’t let them yell at you forever. Why don’t you ask Mr. Alston to back you up, then announce something to divert everyone’s attention?” her manager suggested, and this naturally implied Elyse’s engagement or marriage to Leo.
However, Elyse felt downhearted after hearing it.
She had already groveled to Leo, but he never said anything about it.
Could she reveal that to her manager? Of course not! In the end, she just said, “He has such a packed schedule. How can I bear to have him step in for something so minor? Later, I’ll have the assistant tweet and clarify that she used my account to post that comment, and this will be over.”
Being a tricky one, her manager could naturally sense a shift in Elyse and Leo’s relationship. However, she didn’t point it out but only said, “We’ll do that, but you and Mr. Alston haven’t been showing much PDA online since your return. Elyse, you have to seize the moment and capture more of your loving moments.”
“I got it,” Elyse mumbled before hanging up.
Following that, she called her assistant and gave some instructions before flopping onto her bed and burying her face in a pillow.
Nothing had been going smoothly for her since returning home, and it was mostly thanks to Amelie.
At that, she flipped around, sat up, and twisted her bedsheets in anger like it was actually Amelie for a moment before feeling a little better.
“Never mind. Everything will be fine after Dillon returns to Halport,” Elyse mumbled.
She could tell Amelie genuinely felt nothing for Leo anymore, and once the latter took Bria away and disappeared from Leo’s sight, she would have all the time in the world to amend her relationship with Leo
Two days later…
Though it was already past midnight, the lights in Alston Residence remained brightly lit as Melissa sat on the couch grimly.
“What is the meaning of this, Leo?!” She shot up from her seat and questioned Leo the second he returned.
Chapter 135
Melissa had always behaved cautiously around Leo over the years, and it had been what felt like forever since
she last lashed out at the young man.
At that, Leo lowered his head and checked Melissa’s phone to find it was none other than the clip of Jodie losing to Bria in a singing match.
“Have you asked Jodie what exactly happened?” Leo asked with slightly furrowed brows.
“Do I even need to?!” Melissa still felt resentful about the way Amelie treated her after divorcing Leo. “This must be Amelie’s handiwork! She put this online to humiliate our family!”
“Starlight Media was celebrating their anniversary that day, and Jodie showed up with an invitation she bought from someone at a high price. She was the one who caused a disturbance at a party she wasn’t invited to.” Leo had only found out about it later as well.
However, Leo’s answer only upset Melissa further. “Even so, Jodie must’ve only gone to congratulate her! She, on the other hand, put Jodie in a humiliating position because of her hatred for our family!”
Her words were so biased and ridiculous that Leo didn’t even want to say anything, and Melissa realized how deeply flawed her caterwaul was after calming down too.
At that, she took a deep breath and said, “Leo, no matter whether Jodie provoked Amelie intentionally or not, Amelie shouldn’t have posted the clip online when she had already humiliated Jodie using Bria. Now, everyone knows how chaotic our family is; a niece provoked and humiliated her aunt. How do you expect Jodie to face the world from now on? Also, what about my dignity?! Back then, you promised I
would live a glorious life as long as I stayed out of your business. Shouldn’t you be doing something now that I’m being humiliated?!”
Melissa had been competitive and prideful her whole life, and the issue made her feel so humiliated that she didn’t even work out or do a facial during the day.
“Everyone has their eyes on our family. Who knows how they’re laughing at us now that they not only know that Amelie and we are on bad terms, and the CEO of Starlight Media will also be raising a child of our family! I can overlook everything else, but Bria has to return to us!” Melissa demanded and flipped out with bloodshot eyes, seeing how Leo only rubbed his temples silently the whole time. “I mean it, Leo. I won’t live anymore if you can’t get custody over Bria! It’s on you to decide whether to protect Dillon or fulfill your mother’s wish!”
With that, she turned to the coffee table and slammed a knife against it.
“I’ll talk to Amelie.” The man finally spoke up.
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It wasn’t because Melissa’s threat worked, though. Rather, he didn’t need anyone to raise his child.
young man obliged happily.
“Sorry, my dad’s a little too much sometimes. He doesn’t know you’re busy,” Amelie apologized.
Toby now regarded Steven as his master, so he couldn’t turn the elder down now that they had established this level of relationship.
“I’ve got time. Besides, I’m more than happy to stay and taste Mr. Steven’s cooking,” said Toby with a smile as his eyes sparkled when looking at Amelie, who looked away, pretending not to have seen it.
“Amelie, it’ll be a while before lunch is ready. Why don’t you show Toby around and also pick some of the vegetables I recently planted while you’re at it?” Steven suggested, to which Amelie nodded resignedly and headed outside after taking the basket from her father.
Steven’s vegetable patch was originally a hanging garden, which Amelie deliberately bought when she first purchased the house, thinking that Bria would have another space to play in.
Later on, Steven bought some soil after moving in, and just like that, ridge after ridge was piled up.
Right then, some vegetables had just sprouted while others had already grown, and vegetables like tomato, squash, and pumpkin were ready for picking. All in all, it was a thriving vegetable patch.
“Mr. Steven sure is diligent,” Toby couldn’t help marveling as he looked at the vegetable patch.
Amelie smiled in response before going in to pick some tomatoes.
Toby, on the other hand, just watched her from outside.
Amelie had put her hair up into a simple ponytail. Coupled with her green and white striped shirt and capris, she looked petite and lively, unlike a woman who had a child but rather a graduating high schooler.
She moved nimbly as her fingers traversed the tomato vines.
The fruits dropped gently onto her tiny hands one after another before being put gently into the basket.
Her fingers brushed against the tomatoes, and Toby suddenly thought it would be amazing if he became one of the tomatoes in her hands as he would be treated tenderly.
That said, he noticed a subtle issue-Amelie’s vision seemed somewhat offset.
A normal person would first notice what was in front of them, but she would always go for the tomatoes on her right every time she picked one.
Is her left eye… damaged? Toby’s heart skipped a beat as an outrageous idea came to him. Could it be that Amelle was the one who donated the cornea?!
Back then, Leo recuperated in Quinn Town, and she was a local. Then, four years ago, she married Leo without hesitation. If the two had no connections, given her achievements and abilities back then, she wouldn’t even need to cling to the Alstons. But if the two had connections, why would Leo have no memories of her and even feel nothing for her after marriage?
Toby deduced and wondered, only to feel more and more baffled. As such, he stopped and went between the
ridges.
“You can’t see from your left eye, can you?” he asked as he held a vibrant red tomato on her left.
As Amelie had been focused on picking the tomatoes, Toby’s sudden question caught her off guard and startled her. She dropped the tomato in her hand onto the ground.
“Why would you ask like that?” She quietly put the fruit into the basket and looked at Toby. Years of experience helped her recollect her composure in two shakes.
Toby, on the other hand, gazed into her eyes as he told her his deduction.
Chills ran down Amelie’s spine as she reeled in surprise that the man would observe so closely and deduce so
accurately.
At the same time, she felt somewhat bitter.
Leo was completely oblivious to her blindness during the four years of their marriage, while Toby, an outsider, had already noticed it during their short interaction.
She was certain she would be deeply miserable for a while if she hadn’t already put all of it behind.
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At that, she gently shook her messy thoughts away and nodded with a smile. “I do have a bit of a problem. I injured it during a fall but said nothing about it because I was worried my dad would worry. Just like that, missed the best treatment period. Please don’t tell my dad about this. He will be devastated.”
“You injured it during a fall?” Toby repeated mechanically. That was all he heard Amelie say.
“Yeah, a fall.” The young woman nodded firmly.
Was her relationship with Leo not a fall? It was a pretty serious fall, after all.
At that, she changed the subject, not wanting to talk about the issue at length. “I’ve looked through the partnership projects your company sent over. They’re pretty good. Why don’t you swing by Starlight, and we’ll get the contracts signed when you have the time?”
Toby nodded silently in response, and Amelie headed out of the garden patch after seeing that they had just about enough vegetables.
“You’re changing the subject, aren’t you?” Toby blurted dazedly as he looked at her back.