Chapter 803 Endless Schemes
Amelia left the apartment and rang Eva, but it went unanswered. She grew terribly anxious as she had been searching high and low but still couldn’t find Eva.
Jolin remarked, “Mrs. Clinton, calm down, okay? I’ll report it to Boss. Boss will send some men over, and we’ll be able to find her soon.”
Amelia shook her head. Just as she wanted to say something, her phone rang. She took it out and saw that it was a call from Eva.
Amelia answered the call. Eva, on the other end of the line, uttered, “Amelia, what’s wrong? I received a call from the base saying that a new recruiter has to carry out a mission, and they need me to get back to train them urgently. Hence, I packed up and got back.”
Amelia wasn’t convinced. “Really? Have you reached there yet? Or are you still waiting for your flight at the airport? James sent me a few photos of you wearing nothing but undergarments, and there are bruises and cuts on your body. What the heck is going on?”
Eva went silent for a while and answered, “Those are just injuries I’ve suffered during the training. I just wanted to make James feel bad for me, so I let him take my photos. However, I think it didn’t affect him that much, and I felt it was rather pointless. Therefore, when the base asked me to go back, I didn’t give it much thought and took the flight. I left in a hurry and hadn’t had time to bid you goodbye. I hope you don’t mind.”
Amelia finally heaved a sigh of relief.
She was really worried that something bad had happened to Eva.
After all, young ladies were prone to making rash decisions.
Just when Amelia wanted to say something, she heard an automated female voice announcement from the other end of the line. “Are you still at the airport? Wait there. I’ll be right over.”
Eva immediately stopped her and said, “Amelia, you don’t have to come here. I’ll board the plane in five minutes. I’ll come to visit you again when I’m on vacation. Now, I feel too embarrassed to see you.” With that, she hung up the phone.
Seeing that the call was ended, Amelia couldn’t help heaving a sigh.
Eva, who was sitting at the airport, looked at the flight ticket in her hand and brushed her hand against her injured cheek. She inhaled sharply in pain when her hand came into contact with her injured cheek.
Actually, she was indeed injured after being ruthlessly wrestled multiple times to the ground by Oscar the day before. Right after she left the park, she spewed a mouthful of blood and went to see a doctor. The doctor told her that she was bleeding internally, and she was asked to stay in the hospital for a day or two for further observation. However, she merely asked the doctor to give her some medication before she left. Initially, she thought of earning James’ sympathy by appearing pitiful. Unexpectedly, James just took some photos of her placidly and left after telling her he would ask Amelia to come and see her.
It was obvious that James was heartless toward her.
Eva felt disappointed after being heartlessly rejected. Hence, she chose not to tell anyone before flying to another base. Not only did she not know how to face Amelia, but she also didn’t feel like seeing James for the time being.
Because of love, she began to hold a grudge against James. She felt as though all her efforts and sacrifices were worthless to James. That was the reason why she was furious and sad.
When the time came, Eva boarded the plane. She temporarily replaced her phone card with another, trying to cut off all communications with the people in Tayhaven.
Amelia, who stood rooted to the spot, pondered for a while before calling Eva again. However, an automated voice came from the other end of the line. “We’re sorry, but the number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later.”
Amelia furrowed her brows.
“Mrs. Clinton, she is not a child, and she knows what she’s doing. You’re not her parent, so you don’t have to be responsible for her actions,” Jolin uttered calmly.
Amelia took a glance at Jolin and put away her phone. “Let’s get back to the office. I have to complete some drawings.”
Jolin nodded and followed Amelia quietly.
Back in the office, Amelia stopped dwelling on all the negative thoughts and started working at ease.
Halfway through her work, she received a call from Shane, asking her to head to his office.
She then made her way to his office. Right after she walked through the door, she saw another man apart from Shane.
It was none other than Teddy.
Amelia met Shane’s gaze, and Shane shrugged his shoulders resignedly.
Teddy walked up to her. Stretching out his hand, he uttered courteously, “Ms. Winters, I regret that I’ve missed such a design talent like you. Actually, I would very much like to suggest you polish your skills overseas. Unfortunately, that’s not what you want, so I can’t force it on you. I have to go back soon. So, I wonder if I could have a farewell hug from you. Also, would it be possible for you to save my number? If you have a change of heart, you can give me a call. Letting you go will be my life’s biggest regret.”
Amelia’s lips twitched in response to what he said. However, she was, in fact, moved deep down.
If she didn’t have a husband and a son, she would definitely grab this chance. However, she was already a married woman and a mother. Hence, a chance to further her studies overseas wasn’t that tempting to her.
Anyway, she took out her phone and saved Teddy’s personal phone number. After that, she called him, and he saved her number.
“Ms. Winters, I look forward to your call,” Teddy said earnestly.
Amelia smiled in response and replied politely, “Mr. Rice, thank you for the offer, but I’m not as capable as you think I am. There are a lot of design talents out there. I hope you can find a suitable candidate to be your student one day.”
Teddy twitched his lips and replied obstinately, “No, you’re the talent I want. Your works are amazing. Sooner or later, you will become an exceptional designer. I really hope that you can grab this chance.”
His constant request made Amelia feel quite burdened and guilty. That said, she felt proud after being complimented by an expert designer.
“Mr. Rice, thank you for your kind words. If I want to study abroad, I’ll give you a call. But I don’t think that’s possible,” Amelia replied sincerely.
Teddy was a little disappointed to hear that, but he didn’t pressure her. Although I’ve come here several times and persuaded her sincerely, I’ve still failed to convince her. Well, I’ve tried my best.
“All right, then. It’s nice to know a young person like you before I return to my country,” Teddy said.
“Mr. Rice, you’re very young too. I once thought you were in your twenties.”
Teddy let out a hearty chuckle and exclaimed, “Ms. Winters, I didn’t know you’re also good with flattery!”
Amelia exchanged smiling glances with him.
After exchanging a few more words, Teddy finally got up and excused himself.
After Teddy left, Shane said, “Amelia, it seems like Teddy adores you. He has already visited multiple times to convince you. He’s a star in the design industry, you know? If you were to follow his guidance, I’m sure you’re going to become a world-renowned designer. However, you already have Mr. Clinton. I’m sure Mr. Clinton will find you any mentor you desire.”
Amelia shook her head in response. “I’m not interested in fame. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have chosen to be a housewife after getting married. I love my life as it is. I get to draw, and I have a loving husband and an obedient son. I’m living the dream a lot of women are yearning for. Don’t you think so?”
Shane nodded in agreement.
He then changed the topic and said, “Amelia, I plan to appoint you as the director of design in advance. I wonder if you are ready for it.” He changed the topic.
Amelia was stunned for a moment. Thinking of all the unpleasant incidents that had happened to her family recently, she replied, “Give me some time. A lot of things have happened to my family recently. I don’t think I’m ready for the position. Besides, I’m still rather inexperienced, so I plan to improve myself over the next couple of years. If I rush into it, I might make a lot of mistakes.”
Shane felt a little disappointed, but he respected her decision.
He couldn’t help responding jokingly, “While others can’t wait to receive recognition from their superiors and climb up the career ladder, you, however, chose to turn down my offer even though I’ve paved the way for you. Am I not being imposing enough as your boss?”
Amelia took a glance at him and replied, “I’ll get back to work if there’s nothing else.”
She continued working until that afternoon. Suddenly, Stephanie showed up in the design department with a lot of food.
When the employees of the design department saw her appearing out of nowhere, they all stared at her curiously.
“Hello, everyone, I’m Stephanie Clinton, Oscar’s sister. I’m here to visit my sister-in-law. I hope I’m not causing a disturbance,” Stephanie uttered with a friendly smile.
Upon hearing that, all the employees stood up at once. Some of the male employees even walked toward her to take the food she brought.
Once the employees had taken all the food, Stephanie approached Amelia with a smile and said, “Hey, Amelia! Are you done working? I brought you some snacks and coffee.”
Amelia glanced at Stephanie and asked, “Why are you here?”
Stephanie held Amelia’s hand amicably and smiled. “I haven’t had coffee with you in a while, Amelia. Hence, I got the cooks at home to prepare some pastries.”
An employee in the design department chimed in, “Amelia, it’s so rare to get a visit from Ms. Stephanie. Spend some time with her in the employee lounge, okay? She’s pregnant, so it’s quite a hassle for her to come here and bring so many things along.”
After giving it some thought, Amelia eventually agreed to it.
Upon entering the employee lounge, Amelia stared at Stephanie with a scrutinizing gaze. What on earth is she up to?
“Amelia, why are you looking at me like that?” Stephanie smiled.
Amelia twitched her lips and answered, “Nothing. I just didn’t expect you to come and look for me here.”
Stephanie walked up to her and smiled innocently. “Amelia, I would like to apologize for all the bad things I’ve done to you. Don’t be angry at me anymore, okay? I’m sincerely trying to make amends. Please forgive me.”
Amelia behaved aloofly as she pulled her hand away from Stephanie’s. “If there’s nothing else, I need to get back to work. I’ll get Jolin to send you off.”
Stephanie knew it would take time to convince Amelia, so she didn’t stay longer. “All right then, Amelia. I’ll excuse myself.”
After watching Stephanie leave, Amelia furrowed her brows and fell into deep thought.
Jolin sent Stephanie off and went back up.
“Has she left?” Amelia asked.
Jolin nodded. “Mrs. Clinton, do you want me to find out why she has changed so drastically?”
Amelia thought about it and shook her head.
To Amelia’s surprise, Stephanie got even more enthusiastic after that. She would bring snacks to the office every day. Eventually, everyone in the design department started to think that Amelia and Stephanie were close because even though the latter was pregnant, she was still attentive toward her sister-in-law.
Amelia had no choice but to be less hostile toward Stephanie. Although she knew Stephanie had an ulterior motive for being nice to her, she couldn’t just chase Stephanie away. Not only would that make her appear petty, but Olivia could end up hating her even more if she found out that Amelia had been mistreating Stephanie.
Therefore, Amelia could only accept Stephanie’s kind gestures. Meanwhile, Jolin took it upon herself to tell Oscar about how Stephanie had been visiting Amelia every day.
When Oscar heard about it, he immediately called Stephanie on the phone. “Steph, come to my office now,” he ordered.
“Okay, Oscar. I’ll go over now.” After hanging up the phone, Stephanie waved her phone in front of Isabella, who was sunbathing next to her, and said, “Isabella, you see that? Someone has taken the bait.”
Isabella took off her sunglasses and laughed. “Good job! I’ve already gotten someone to prepare some pastries. Bring the food to Oscar, okay? Soon, he’ll be mine.”
Stephanie stood up and glanced at Isabella dubiously. “Isabella, be honest with me, okay? Did you lace the food?”
Isabella’s lips contorted into a smile, but it faded within seconds. In a casual tone, she uttered, “It doesn’t matter, does it? We just need to get Oscar to distance himself from that woman, no? Steph, don’t you want Oscar to return to how he was like before?”
Stephanie mulled over it for a while and nodded.
“Okay. I’ll help you. However, if Oscar really ended up changing and being with you, don’t forget about how I’ve helped you,” Stephanie warned.
“Steph, you worry too much. Does it matter if I end up with Oscar or not? You would still be the daughter of the Clinton family, wouldn’t you?”
Stephanie nodded in agreement.
She then went inside and changed into a yellow maternity dress. She also got the housekeepers to pack the pastries Isabella had brought there. While she was on her way to Oscar, she instructed the driver to pick up the pace.
After around an hour, she finally arrived at Clinton Corporations.
She took the elevator up, and the moment she exited the elevator, Linda greeted her politely and led her to Oscar’s office. With a knock on the door, she uttered, “Mr. Clinton, Ms. Stephanie is here.”
Upon getting Oscar’s approval to show Stephanie in, Linda opened the door and gestured to Stephanie. “This way please, Ms. Stephanie.”
Stephanie smiled and entered the office with the food in her hands. “Oscar, I brought you food! Have a taste, okay?”
Oscar raised his head and went straight to the point. “Have you been bringing food to Amelia’s office recently?”
Stephanie nodded. “Did Amelia tell you about it, Oscar? I’ve been free, and now that I’m pregnant, I tend to be more considerate. I think I’ve wronged Amelia numerously in the past, and that’s why I’ve been making some food for her. It’s never my intention to disturb her at work.”
“Don’t do that again. Although her colleagues don’t say it, your visits have been making them feel uncomfortable.”
“Oscar, is Amelia resenting me?”
“It’s not like that. Just don’t create trouble, okay?”
Right away, a tinge of dissatisfaction glinted across Stephanie’s eyes.
“Oscar, have a taste of the pastries I’ve made for you. If you think they taste nice, I’ll stop visiting Amelia at her work.” Stephanie then pretended to relent and said, “I’ll bring food for you guys in the future. We’re family, right? We shouldn’t strain our relationships.”
She grabbed a fork and took a piece of pastry for Oscar. “Have a taste, Oscar,” she persuaded.
Oscar glanced at her before eating the pastry.
Stephanie took another one and said, “Another one, Oscar.”
Surprisingly, Oscar ate it.
Stephanie then closed the container and said, “Oscar, I’ll get your secretary to keep this. If you feel hungry later, get her to bring the food to you, okay? I’ll leave now.”
“Don’t visit Amelia again,” Oscar reminded.
“Got it, Oscar.” With that, Stephanie left. Her expression turned grim the moment she exited Clinton Corporations.
“Oscar, protect her all you want while you can. I think she’s running out of time,” she mumbled to herself.
Obviously, Oscar didn’t know what was on Stephanie’s mind.
