Template placeholder with Chapter 14
Chapter 14:
With a silent motion, Marc indicated Amelia should pull up her sleeve. The marks left by Jaxton’s grip were already blooming into deep, ugly bruises. Since Amelia bruised easily, her arm looked alarming.
Marc reached for a medical swab and dabbed on ointment, but then stopped midway. He shot a glance at her arm before standing up and walking out of the office.
Left behind in the room, Amelia stared after him, utterly baffled. Before long, a nurse stepped inside to handle her treatment instead. With her gaze fixed on the floor, Amelia didn’t notice the surveillance camera pointed directly at her chair.
Meanwhile, at the Stewart Group, a video call ringtone echoed through the conference room, making everyone tense. Sitting at the head of the table, Wyatt glanced around coldly. “Isn’t there a policy to keep all phones on silent during meetings? Who left their phone on p>
A sudden chill swept through the room as Wyatt’s voice cut in, drawing lowered gazes and furtive glances from everyone present. Curiosity burned behind every stare, searching for the person bold enough to cross him. Finally, every gaze landed on Davin.
Wyatt frowned slightly, and before he could speak, Davin hurriedly produced a yet-to-be-released phone. “Mr. Stewart, it’s your phone.” He placed it next to Wyatt and took a step back.
Marc’s name flashed across the screen. Wyatt didn’t hesitate; he ended the call in a blink. “Let’s continue the meeting p>
But the silence didn’t last. A message notification sounded from his phone almost immediately. Intent on ignoring it, his attention snagged on the incoming image, and curiosity got the best of him. The image expanded under his fingertips, revealing unmistakable bruises marring Amelia’s arm.
𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘰𝘯
People in the conference room noticed that Wyatt’s expression turned cold in an instant.
Marc didn’t make another appearance until after Amelia had left the hospital.
Amelia had wanted to ask him about her grandmother’s situation, but the nurse explained that Marc was swamped. She could only leave disappointed.
“Amelia, over here p>
Stepping outside the hospital, Amelia spotted Carlee Larson waving at her from across the sidewalk. Carlee was one of the few close friends Amelia had. The Larsons might not have had deep pockets, but as an only child, Carlee grew up surrounded by affection and learned to see the silver lining in everything. Her cheerful grin, paired with her youthful features, swept away the heaviness Amelia felt.
Smiling, Amelia made her way over. The moment she got close, Carlee grabbed her arm, making her wince from the sudden sting.
Worry flickered across Carlee’s face as she instantly released her grip. “Amelia, what’s wrong p>
“It’s nothing important,” Amelia replied with a casual shrug.
She tried to brush it off, but Carlee refused to let it go. That left her no choice but to roll up her sleeve and reveal the bruises. Carlee’s jaw clenched when she caught sight of Amelia’s arm. Her voice trembled with anger. “So that’s why you wanted me to come pick you up. Who hurt you? Was it Jaxton again? You really shouldn’t put up with him anymore, Amelia. He never deserved you, and you p>
“Don’t worry about it. I’m done with him,” Amelia interjected as she settled into the passenger seat.
This made Carlee pause as she was about to fasten her seatbelt. She turned to Amelia, eyes wide with excitement. “Wait—what do you mean? Is Jaxton calling off the engagement p>
“No, that’s not it. I plan to call off the engagement myself,” Amelia replied, her voice gentle but certain.
Because she knew Carlee would never let go of the subject, Amelia explained her new arrangement with Wyatt, though she kept his identity a secret. She didn’t want to startle Carlee. News of Amelia’s decision to leave Jaxton had Carlee grinning ear to ear. But hearing there was someone else, her shock grew, and she reached up to check Amelia’s forehead.
“You don’t have a fever, do you? This is so wild. I would have never imagined you would do something like this p>
Not wanting Carlee to bombard her with questions endlessly, Amelia gently pulled her friend’s hand away. She let out a tired sigh and asked her to start the car. With Amelia urging her on, Carlee turned the key and drove off—but not toward Amelia’s apartment. Instead, the car headed in the opposite direction.