Amelia's guess was way off.

As things between her and Lucius kept getting 'worse', word spread in their social circle, and people started taking shots at her.

At first, some folks would just pop into the gallery to insult the staff or to provoke Amelia in various ways, calling her a pathetic homewrecker who was unwanted and unloved.

Amelia was unbothered and didn't let it get to her. But as the attacks got louder, the media jumped in, stirring up trouble and painting her in a bad light.

"Did you hear? This Bella chick is actually Amelia, the same Amelia her mom sold off for a good price."

"Holly shit! It confirms my suspicion that she is similar to Amelia. Maybe Lucius found out and that's why he dumped her."

"I heard her paintings are rip-offs too."

Amelia could handle the usual gossip. But one day, a somewhat famous painter accused her of plagiarism.

Amelia was dealing with some difficult customers when Irene Thomas barged in with her crew and ordered her bodyguards, "Smash all these paintings!"

Amelia felta chill run down her spine. She couldn't imagine that these people were incredibly mean.

It was clear they wanted to kick her while she was down.

"What are you doing? Stop!" Wendy stepped up to confront them.Worried for her safety, Amelia quickly pulled her back.

Irene glared at Amelia, "Bella, right? A painter? With this crap? You even have the audacity to run a gallery and sell your junk at outrageous prices?Shame on you!"

"I know you were sent by Leila," Amelia said calmly. "Should I remind you that this is illegal?"

Amelia's face was still healing, the bandages off but the bloodstains visible.

She knew Irene, who was obsessed with painting to the point of madness.Irene thought her work was the only real art, and everyone else's in Pinecrest was trash.

Irene had shown up with Leila a few timnes before.

Irene's face tightened, but she kept glaring, "Your painting 'Sunflowers' is a blatant copy of mine. You owe me an explanation!"

By now, Irene's crew had trashed most of the gallery, turning tables and chairs into rubble.

"Call the cops," Amelia said to her assistant firmly.

Just then, a guy in black stepped up and snatched Wendy's phone.

"Call the cops? Do you know who I am?" Irene sneered, mockery in her eyes.

"Yeah, you're from the Thomas family. You studied impressionist painting abroad and opened an art gallery, but it's not doing so hot," Amelia said clinically, not fazed by the chaos.

Irene's face turned blue with anger, "You, who'll do anything dirty for fame, don't deserve to stay in Pinecrest. Get the fuck out of here as soon as you can!"

So, Irene wanted to drive her out completely.

"Why doesn't Leila show up herself? Is she so scared I'll hurt her?"Amelia changed the subject, giving Irene a half-smile.

The vibe got a bit awkward.

"Don't stop, smash everything!" Irene, her face red with rage, yanked down several paintings and slashed them with a knife.

"What should we do?" Wendy was on the verge of tears,totally freaking out.

By the time the cops showed up, Irene and her crew had already bailed.Before leaving, they warned that if Amelia reopened the gallery,they'd come back and wreck everything again.

But with the store's surveillance trashed and not many witnesses around,Amelia, Wendy,and the other employees' statements weren't enough for the police to nab Irene.

Instead, the whole thing spread like wildfire, and Amelia got mocked even more.

Everyone was betting on how long she could hold out.

That night, Leila showed up at the gallery.

Amelia was directing workers to fix the damaged walls when she noticed a stunning figure walk in. She turned her head instinctively.

Their eyes met, and Leila smirked, "Busy, huh? Not scared they'll tear it down again?"

Amelia dusted off her hands, "What do you want? Just spit it out."

"I'm here to commission a painting. Despite your rep going down the drain, the fact that I still remember you is quite a favor." Leila plopped down on the sofa, looking smug.

Amelia waved the workers away and sat down too.

"You sent those people, didn't you?" She said in confidence.

Leila raised an eyebrow and smiled, "You know, that's slander."

She'd heard that despite Amelia's recent troubles, she hadn't broken down.Seeing her now, it was true.

But she came today to see Amelia's despair and anger firsthand.

"Ms. Ross, you play dirty." Amelia stood up, poured herself a glass of water, and took a sip. "Without lifting a finger, you managed to crush me."

The corner of Leila's mouth ticked higher, almost unable to suppress her laughter.

Suddenly, Amelia splashed the water in her face.

Leila was stunned.

"What the hell are you doing, you..." Before she could finish, Amelia lunged and grabbed her by the throat, teeth gritted, "You dare to do it but won't admit it? It was you. You are so vindictive that you won't be satisfied until you've destroyed me."

Leila's face went pale. She tried to struggle, but Amelia's grip was like iron.

Leila struggled, staring at Amelia,"Are you looking for death?"

Amelia sneered. "You pushed me!"

Suddenly. Leila kicked Amelia in the stomach, making her stumble back,almost hitting the table.

"Yeah, it was me. Irene's my friend. I'just said a few words, and she did it for me. Do you think I'd waste my time on a bitch like you?"

A bruise formed on Leila's neck, but in her thrill and rage, she became hysterical.

"I knew it." Amelia smiled slightly and slapped her.

Leila lost it and lunged at Amelia, but Wendy and the security guards arrived just in time to stop her and kick her out.

That night,Amelia went to find Chris.

"What do you want? Can't handle it anymore, so you came to me?" Chris lounged lazily on the semicircular sofa in the club, his sharp features looking especially striking under the flickering lights.