Chapter 503 Drawing Attention To Amelia
Early next morning, Vincent and Laura got off the flight and returned to their mansion in a cab with their luggage.
When they arrived home, they saw Jennifer sleeping on the couch. Laura’s worry turned into anger at that moment.
She threw her suitcase to the side and walked over quickly. Then, she pulled Jennifer up. As Jennifer had slept very late the night before, her head ached when she was forcibly woken up.
The first person she saw when she opened her eyes was her furious mother. “Mom, you’re back.”
The next moment, Laura slapped her. That woke Jennifer up instantly.
The latter cradled her cheek which stung from the slap. Her eyes were red and watery as she asked, “Why did you hit me, Mom?”
“Look at you! You’re a Larson, but you are acting in such a pathetic way. I wish you weren’t my daughter. How did I raise a daughter like you? You came back all the way here just for a man. Are you trying to drive me mad?” Laura lashed out, her chest heaving.
“I’m sorry, Mom,” Jennifer said remorsefully as she lowered her head.
Laura couldn’t help but soften her attitude when she saw Jennifer act that way. She collapsed on the ground, looking dispirited.
Putting her hands over her forehead, Laura said grimly, “Is Carter so important to you? So much so that you went against what we had arranged for you and came back. Did you know how angry I was last night? My lifespan must have shortened because I have such a disobedient daughter.”
Jennifer rubbed her temples and replied in a hoarse voice, “Mom, my head hurts. Let me go upstairs and wash my face. Then, we’ll talk. Is that okay?”
Laura looked at her and relented.
After going upstairs, Jennifer took a hot shower. She was aching all over from sleeping on the couch. After the shower, she felt much better. Then, she changed into a clean dress and went down the stairs.
Laura and Vincent were sitting on the couch together. When Laura saw Jennifer, she pointed at the opposite couch and said, “Have a seat.”
Jennifer did as she was told.
With her arms crossed, Laura asked, “Does it have to be Carter, Jennifer?”
“Mom, I love him. I feel different when I’m with him. I’ve never felt this way with any other man. I don’t think I can fall in love with anyone else,” Jennifer stated honestly after pondering for a while.
She had changed drastically in those two years she spent pursuing Carter. Before that, she used to be domineering and arrogant.
Laura took a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself down.
“This is ridiculous, Jennifer,” she said.
Jennifer looked up and refuted, “Mom, it was you and Dad who asked me to return back then.”
Laura was at a loss for words. Then, she became enraged.
“I asked you to come back just to get to know him. I didn’t ask you to go all out or beg him pitifully. I would never ask you to humiliate yourself for him!”
Jennifer chose to purse her lips. However, it seemed like she was muttering something under her breath. “Mom, I’m not humiliating myself. I’m just fighting for my happiness. Since I was a kid, you and Dad told me that I should work for things I like instead of waiting for someone to give them to me. You two even said that I should fight for what I want no matter what. I’m just fighting for my love and happiness in my own way. I don’t think I’m wrong.”
Laura laughed in frustration. “Talk to her, Vincent. I have nothing else to say to her.” She waved her hand dismissively.
Vincent patted her on the shoulder and said, “All right now. Calm down.”
Then, he turned to Jennifer and asked gently, “Does it have to be him?”
“Yes, Dad.” Jennifer was firm with her answer.
“All right then. Mom and I won’t interfere in your love life. Go ahead and do what you want. If you get hurt, come home. We will always be here for you,” he said.
Jennifer felt her tears welling up in her eyes. “Thanks, Dad.”
“We’re family. There’s no need to thank me. Although we aren’t as rich as the Scotts are, we will take good care of you since you are our only daughter. You’re my dearest daughter, Jennifer. If you can’t get Carter, come home. I’ll find you a husband.”
Jennifer couldn’t help but smile at her father’s words. She thought that he was joking.
On the other hand, Laura couldn’t hold back her anger anymore and spat angrily, “I asked you to come home to lecture her, not spoil her. You’re really pissing me off.”
“There, there. Jennifer’s a grown-up now. She can handle things by herself. Although she is having some issues in her love life now, she has been helping me at the company. Let’s just trust her and give her two to three years’ time. She will eventually know what’s best for herself. If you try to force her into something she doesn’t want now, she will grow resentful of us. There’s no need for that,” Vincent consoled Laura.
“Very well. You two are making me look like the villain here.” Laura got up and went up the stairs, feeling upset.
“Jennifer, your mom has your best interests at heart. Don’t blame her,” Vincent uttered.
Jennifer shook her head, feeling rather dumbfounded.
Romantic relationships are so complicated and confusing. Jennifer no longer knew if it was the right decision for her to hang on to her feelings for Carter for such a long time.
After all, Carter had rejected her many times, burning her self-esteem to the ground. Although she still appeared glamorous and proud on the surface, she knew that she was no longer as confident as she used to be a few years ago.
Laura had criticized Jennifer for doing too much to please Carter. Yet, she dressed up and made an appointment to meet the man.
They decided to meet at a luxurious clubhouse. Prior to their meeting, Laura went to a salon and got her hair styled. Upon meeting him, she said, “Carter, I’m meeting you here today because of Jennifer. How do you feel toward her?”
Carter poured her a cup of tea gracefully and replied, “Please have a cup of tea, Mrs. Larson. You must’ve returned not too long ago. I’m sure you’re tired.”
Laura picked up the cup of tea slowly. Then, she peered at Carter discreetly.
“Carter, let’s not beat around the bush. I want a clear answer from you.”
“Mrs. Larson, I’ve always treated Jennifer like a sister. There’s nothing between us. I’m sorry.”
Hearing his words, a hint of resentment flickered across Laura’s face.
“She’s like a sister to you? Then, why did you sleep with her? Why did you do that if you didn’t have feelings for her? Don’t tell me that it was just casual sex! How dare you treat my daughter like that. You did that to her, and now you don’t want to take responsibility?” Laura gritted her teeth as she spoke.
Carter took a sip of his tea and responded, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Larson.”
Laura tried her best to calm down and compose herself. After all, she was a wealthy woman of high social standing.
“Carter, I had a good impression of you and was happy to see you getting along well with Jennifer. But, I am deeply disappointed with you now. I know that all is fair in love and war. However, you led Jennifer on while you were sneaking around with a married woman who even has a child. That’s despicable. Of course, you can disregard all I say as I am just an outsider and have no right to criticize you. I just want to tell you to steel yourself and reject my daughter for good. Stop giving her the wrong ideas.”
Carter fell silent for a moment. Then, he nodded.
Laura let out a bitter smile. “I hope you can deal with this as decisively as you do with work, Carter.” With that, she grabbed her handbag and left.
Carter stared at his own reflection in the cup. Then, he chuckled bitterly. When my most beloved woman was in danger a few years ago, I wasn’t with her. Now, I have wronged another woman. This seems to be a pattern, huh?
Then, he downed his tea in one go, as if he was taking a shot.
After that, he left the clubhouse and drove back to his company.
When he stepped into his office, his secretary reported his schedule for the day to him. Carter massaged his temples and said, “Got it. You can go now.”
Soon after the secretary left, Carter opened his wallet and peered at the picture inside it. It was a photo of Amelia during her university days. She was very young, with her face bare and her long hair flowing. In the picture, she was smiling brightly. Although she didn’t look as sexy as she was now, she looked happier and more innocent.
Carter traced the photograph with his finger and said softly, “I wonder what you’re doing now, Amelia.”
Meanwhile, Amelia, who was in a meeting, sneezed, causing everyone to stare at her.
She rubbed her nose and smiled awkwardly. “Excuse me.”
Shane, who was chairing the meeting, announced, “All right now. Today’s meeting is about performance in this quarter. Everyone has done well, and our sales have gone up by five percent. Keep it up. You’re all carrying out your duties well, and I’m sure you know more about your field than I do.” After a slight pause, he continued, “There’s another thing I want to announce today.”
Rory, who was sitting next to Amelia, glanced at the latter. Then, her hands that were under the desk twitched slightly.
Rory lowered her head to hide the jealousy in her eyes. Amelia has everything she can possibly want. Yet, she’s still always taking things from me. I’m merely a girl from the countryside. I’ve sacrificed so much and done all I could, but in the end, I still lose to this woman who’s new to the company because she has Clinton Corporations backing her up. Since she has more money than she could ever spend, why is she competing with me for this position?
Rory felt bitter.
Meanwhile, Shane’s voice could be heard as he continued, “All of you know that there’s a vacancy for a supervisor position in the design department. I plan to promote someone in the department to that position. After discussion with Mr. Moore, we have come to a conclusion.”
Everyone glanced at Rory before shifting their gaze to Amelia.
Amelia had the support of Oscar. That was why she was the best candidate to be supervisor, no matter what Shane had in mind.
“Lydia will be the supervisor of the design department from now on.” Shane surprised everyone just as they were guessing whether Rory or Amelia would be promoted. Lydia herself was caught off guard as well as she had never expected to be the one being promoted.
After a while, she hurriedly stood up and responded calmly, “Thank you, sir. I appreciate this opportunity and perform my best.”
“Mr. Moore and I approve of your ability. Amelia has also told me before that you take your job very seriously. You’ve been working here for many years but haven’t been given a chance to showcase your ability. This is your chance now. Don’t let Amelia and I down.” Shane purposely mentioned Amelia a few times, drawing attention to her. This was so that Lydia would feel like she had owed Amelia a favor.
