Amelia's eyes went wide. "What? No way!"

She couldn't believe it. Had Chris lost his mind? How could he ask for something so ridiculous?

Chris didn't get mad. Instead, he just smiled and lifted her chin. "What other choice do you have besides being with me?"

A cold flash crossed Amelia's eyes, and she was seriously pissed.

"You're disgusting," she spat through clenched teeth, glaring at him.

Chris seemed pleased with her reaction. "You know better than anyone that only I can protect you now. You kissed me in front of that assistant.Imagine how Lucius will react if he finds out you and I have already..."

"Shut up?" Amelia grabbed a throw pillow and chucked it at him. "You're disgusting and shameless. You forced me."

Chris's smile turned even more wicked. "Whether you were forced or not,it happened. You can't change that."

He added after a moment of pause, "So you better stay with me."

Amelia rolled her eyes, enduring the discomfort of her body, and got ready to head to the gallery.

Sophia came over, telling her that Diana had visited Owen a few days ago and warned her to be careful.

Amelia's face changed instantly, and she grabbed Owen, who was playing with a puzzle. "Did Mrs. Spencer come to see you alone?"

Owen shrugged. "Mom, chill. The crisis is over."

Both Amelia and Sophia were stunned. "What do you mean by that?" they asked together.

Owen dusted off his little hands. "Mrs. Spencer probably has proof I'm not Dad's biological kid, so you don't need to worry. Nothing's gonna happen.That day,someone came to the kindergarten to collect my DNA, and I swapped my hair with Raymond's. Easy peasy."

"But for a paternity test, they need hair with follicles," Amelia said,shocked.

Owen stayed calm. "Yep. I pulled it out from Raymond, but I promised to do something for him in return."

Amelia and Sophia exchanged glances, both surprised and impressed.

Owen was quite a smart boy!

"So, relax," Owen grinned,showing his cute little canine teeth.

Amelia hugged him. "Sweetheart, you're amazing."

"Amelia, Mr. Howard is here," Sophia reminded her.

Amelia quickly got up and saw Lucius standing there in a perfectly tailored black suit, looking all serious.

He usually preferred white because of his slight cleanliness obsession,so seeing him in black was rare.

Sophia took Owen outside, leaving just the two of them in the reception room.

"Have you made up your mind?" Lucius asked directly. "Leaving me for Chris."

His voice had a strange mix of emotions, like he was regretting something.

Amelia nodded. "Yes. I've worked hard to get here. I have to keep moving forward."

Lucius was silent. The air felt like it froze.

"Then I wish you success." After a moment, Lucius suddenly stepped forward and hugged her. Before Amelia could react, she heard him whisper, "Chris is here."

Amelia got it instantly.

"We're impossible." she said loudly, trying to push him away.

But Lucius held her shoulders firmly, speaking each word with force. "No.I won't let go. I've waited for you for so many years!"

"Stop!" Chris burst in, his face livid.

He stormed forward, shoving Lucius away and landing a heavy punch on his face.

Amelia was shocked. "What are you doing?"

She rushed to help Lucius, but Chris yanked her back.

Chris glared at Lucius, teeth clenched. "She's mine."

The tension between them was thick, and word quickly reached Victor.

They were summoned to The Spencer Mansion.

"What is going on, Chris? Are you out of your mind?" Victor was trembling with rage, his cane striking the ground repeatedly, as if he might swing it at Chris any second.

Chris stood there, eyes downcast, showing no sign of guilt. "It's exactly as you see."

In other words, 'Deal with it however you want.'

"She's my girlfriend," Lucius spoke up, his face still bearing the marks of the fight. Always meticulous, he now looked a bit disheveled but mostly angry.

Victor looked at Lucius with particular helplessness. "You two have been making a scene recently. It's said that you had broken up."

Hearing this, Chris was delighted and pretended to be nonchalant. "That's right. You've already abandoned her. We're both single. Why can't I pursue her? Besides, she was mine to begin with. It's you who..."

"Shut up!" Victor swung his cane, hitting Chris's shoulder hard.

It wasn't a light hit, and Chris groaned in pain, almost dropping to one knee.

"You have no bottom line. Go to the prayer room and reflect. I'll deal with you later," Victor said, suppressing his anger.

Chris turned and walked away, his steps casual and unhurried. After a few steps, he turned back and said, "No matter what you decide, she's mine."

"You should be ashamed of yourself, get out!" Victor's face twisted with anger.

After a moment of contemplation, he calmed down and looked at Lucius."What do you think?"

Lucius lowered his eyes and remained silent.

After a long time, Lucius said, "I won't give up."

Victor held his head, almost fainting.

Victor waved his hand. "You go too. I'need to talk to Bella."

In the large study. only Victor and Amelia were left.

Amelia kept her head down, not daring to say a word, afraid that Victor would see through all her thoughts.

"What, you made a mess and now don't dare to look at me?" Victor sneered coldly. "Raise your head!"

Amelia was startled, her face pale, and she had to look up at him as instructed.

At this moment, Victor's old face had an expression so familiar, just like she had seen many times in the past years, making her tense up.

"Amelia, you acted well. Have you had enough revenge?" Victor sneered.

Amelia's heart trembled even more, a chill rising from her feet, almost overwhelming her.

Victor had indeed recognized her long ago, but he hadn't discovered her true intentions.

That was a small blessing in misfortune.

Amelia didn't intend to hide anymore. She abandoned the pretense and said to Victor, "Grandpa. I know I was wrong."

"Do you? Seriously?" Victor glared at her. "You've become quite capable during the years, almost fooling me."

Amelia's face turned awkward, and she lowered her head again.

"Why did you have to get involved between those two?"Victor sighed deeply. "Do you hate Chris that much?"