Template placeholder with Chapter 329

Chapter 329:

Seeing Ricky storm out, Amelia knew he wouldn’t let her off so easily, and her senses sharpened with alertness.

Moments later, the sharp stench of gasoline hit her.

She watched as Ricky reentered, a fuel can in hand, dousing the floor as he moved. Her voice trembled with alarm as she demanded, “What are you doing p>

“Can’t you see?” Ricky sneered, hurling the now-empty can aside with a clang.

He pulled a lighter from his pocket and flicked it on, its faint glow sparking terror in Amelia’s eyes.

𝖥о𝘭l𝗈𝗐 𝘂𝗌 𝗼ո ѕ.𝖼o𝘮

Taking a steadying breath, she softened her tone, saying, “If you burn me to death, you gain nothing. We’ve been family for over twenty years, Ricky. Can’t we find a way to reconcile p>

“Reconcile?” Ricky laughed, as if she had just told a joke. “Amelia, do you think there’s any room for reconciliation between us? You’ve ruined everything I built and cornered me. You think you can talk about reconciliation with me now p>

“I can restore what you’ve lost. With my influence, I can make it happen. And if I can’t, Wyatt will,” Amelia said.

Though Ricky sensed she was stalling, her offer stirred his greed. He stepped closer, his voice probing. “What if I want the Flynn Group p>

“Granted. If you don’t trust me, we can draw up the share transfer papers now. I’ll sign them,” Amelia replied without hesitation.

Ricky’s expression wavered, caught between temptation and doubt. “You know the police are looking for me. And you’re still trying to fool me with these lies p>

“A letter of forgiveness from me could fix that,” Amelia said calmly. “The police won’t go after you then p>

Ricky’s fierce glare softened at her words.

Pocketing the lighter, he leaned down, scrutinizing her. “You would really write that letter p>

“Yes, but on one condition,” Amelia said quickly. “You can’t touch the shares my mother left me p>

Ricky’s face darkened, but the suspicion in his eyes began to fade.

Amelia’s refusal to yield everything made her offer seem more genuine.

Amelia knew Ricky well and banked on his inability to resist such a deal.

Originally, Ricky had planned to use Amelia as leverage against Colton. But her proposal made him reconsider everything; returning to his former status was far better than a life in hiding.

“To prove I’m serious, I’ll write the forgiveness letter first,” Amelia said.

Ricky hesitated after hearing that, but the promise of gain ultimately overpowered his doubts. He turned to leave.

Minutes later, he returned to the basement, clutching a piece of paper and a pen.

“Untie my hands so I can write. If you’re worried about me escaping, only free my hands,” she said.

“Don’t try anything, Amelia, or you’ll regret it,” Ricky warned, loosening only the ropes on her wrists.

Amelia massaged her sore wrists, took the paper and pen, and began writing the letter under Ricky’s watchful gaze.

As the words formed, a spark of triumph flickered in his eyes.

“Hurry up!” he urged.

“My wrists are sore. Don’t rush me,” she replied coolly.

Hearing her response, Ricky became enraged but refrained from pushing her further.

When Amelia finally handed him the letter, Ricky snatched it eagerly, scanning the words.

His face soon twisted with rage as he realized her deception, and he raised his hand to strike her. “How dare you trick me p>

But before his hand could land, Amelia clutched the pen and drove it into his chest.

Ricky let out a guttural scream and fell to the ground.

Having subtly worked the ropes on her ankles loose earlier, Amelia sprang toward the exit, only to find the basement door locked from outside, the air near the door thick with gasoline fumes.

As flames began to lick the walls, smoke choked her lungs.

Glancing back at Ricky, she saw panic in his eyes and realized he had been betrayed.

It dawned on her that Ricky wasn’t the mastermind behind all this — someone else was pulling the strings.

Clutching his chest, Ricky staggered to the door, exclaiming, “Colton, how could you set me up? Open this door p>

His shouts echoed uselessly against the unyielding door.

Amelia retreated to a corner, yanking off her jacket to cover her mouth and nose against the smoke.

At that moment, she was somewhat grateful for the bucket of water Ricky had doused her with earlier.

Watching him pound futilely on the door, she said, “If you want to survive a bit longer, get away from the door p>

She cared little for Ricky’s fate but needed him alive to testify against Colton.