"Chris, what do you mean?" She quickly set down the bowl and grabbed his arm gently. "I can't just leave you here alone."

"None of your business," Chris muttered, closing his eyes, clearly done with the conversation.

Leila knew it was time to go.

She barely managed to stand, wobbling on her high heels as they caught on the thick carpet.

"Chris, why?" Her voice trembled, tears brimming. "Why are you treating me like this? Was I just a pawn to you? Are you still hung up on Amelia?She doesn't care about you anymore. She's moved on, flirting with other guys."

"I said, get out," Chris snapped, his patience wearing thin.

The tension in the room was palpable.

Leila ran out, tears streaming down her face.

Amelia wasn't having a great time either. Ryder had dragged her back to her old home.

"Mrs. Spencer, you need to stay here until Mr. Spencer returns," Ryder said firmly. "Otherwise, we can't ensure your father's safety. His health is unstable and he needs care."

Amelia shot back, "You're using my dad to blackmail me?"

How absurd.

"I have no other choice," Ryder sighed. "Please, don't make this harder for me."

He even bowed to her.

Amelia stood there, feeling like her blood had turned to ice.

But what could she do? Her father was still under their control.

Fine. She'd take it one step at a time.

There wasn't much in this house that felt like hers anymore, buIt remnants of her past lingered.

The beige carpet in the living room, the pink dishes in the kitchen, the green plants on the balcony, and the designer bags in the three-story walk-in closet that she never used.

She never thought she'd be back here.

Life was full of surprises.

"Mrs. Spencer, the bath is ready. Would you like to take one now?" The maid asked with a smile. "Dinner is also prepared."

Amelia was taken aback. Since when were they so nice to her?

She used to be invisible in this house.

But she did need a good soak.

As soon as she sank into the bathtub, Amelia felt like she had been standing forever and finally found a placeto sit.

The warm water enveloped her tired body, relaxing her limbs,and slowly

lowering her guard as she slipped deeper into the water without realizing it.

She was so exhausted, she just wanted to stay like this.

She even closed her eyes, letting her arms drape over the edge of the tub.

She didn't notice when the door creaked open.

"Asleep?" Chris stood at the bathroom door, looking at her peaceful face with a hint of mockery.

Damn Amelia, she was so careless she could drown herself.

Chris walked in slowly.

Watching her slide further into the water, with her neck and chin submerged, he felt a twisted sense of amusement.

It would be interesting to see her choke on water.

She deserved it for her mistakes.

In just a few seconds, Amelia really slipped under.

But in that moment, Chris reached out and pulled her up.

Amelia was nearly scared to death. When she saw who it was, she was even more shocked. "Chris, what are you doing here? Let go of me."

She shoved him away, then quickly crouched back into the bathtub,covering her chest with her hands,her face turning bright red.

Chris's clothes were soaked, and after being pushed, he staggered back a few steps, his leg wound reopening painfully.

"Damn it. Amelia!" He gritted his teeth, glaring at her. "Ungratefu fool!"

"I didn't mean to. You barged in suddenly, and..."

She stopped mid-sentence, noticing his pale, pained expression.

She swallowed the rest of her words, but the concern stuck in her throat,unable to come out.

When she saw the blood seeping from his leg wound again, she hurriedly said, "You're bleeding again. Go out and let Ryder bandage you."

Chris sneered, "What does my bleeding have to do with you? Haven't you already hooked up with Lucius? Why care about me?"

Amelia rolled her eyes.

"Turn around so I can put on my robe." Her legs were going numb from crouching.

Chris looked impatient. "I've seen you in every possible way,stop pretending to be shy."

With that, he suddenly stood up, bracing himself against the wall, and staggered towards her.

His tall, slender figurecast a suffocating shadow like a demon.

Amelia's face turned pale, and she kept holding her ground without retreating. "Chris, you're bleeding. Go out."

Before she could finish, he grabbed her shoulder, his hand like a vice,almost crushing her bones.

Amelia winced in pain, her face turning pale, but she gritted her teeth,

refusing to beg for mercy. "Release me, you..."

He suddenly lifted her horizontally, turned to the bedroom, and threw her onto the bed, then pressed her down.

Their eyes met, and Amelia could see the flames of anger and her own pale face in his eyes.

"What are you doing? Are you crazy?" She instinctively looked at his leg. "You're still injured."

Chris's eyes flashed with irritation, and he kissed her lips.

Finally, the world was quiet.

Amelia's eyes widened, her mind in chaos.

He was kissing her? Had he suffered from a mental disability?

Gradually, he tried to pry open her lips, going deeper, while his hands roamed her wet, naked body, easily finding her breasts.

Amelia's mind went blank, and in her struggle,she slapped him.

Chris stopped abruptly, his ears ringing.

"Amelia!" His voice was filled with murderous intent.

Amelia was almost paralyzed with fear, her legs trembling as she crawled away.

"Stop!" His face turned red with anger, but his wound reopened, causing him intense pain.

Amelia quickly hid in the guest room, locking the door and pushing a half-

height cabinet and a leather sofa against it.

At this moment, this was the only way she could avoid him. He was too terrifying, like he wanted to devour her.

There were plenty of people outside to take care of him.

As she expected, after Chris threw a fit, he gradually calmed down.

Ryder gently persuaded him to treat his wound to avoid any lasting effects.

"Mr. Spencer, you need to rest and avoid strenuous activity and stress," the doctor advised earnestly.

Chris just gave a cold smile and spat out a violent sentence, "Amelia,just wait!"