Amelia had just stepped out of the restroom when she saw an intern from the marketing department rushing toward her in a panic.
“Miss Clarke, it’s bad—Lily just got into a fight.”
Amelia’s brows furrowed instantly.
“What happened?”
The intern hesitated.
“She overheard someone talking trash about you.
She couldn’t take it, so she went over to argue…
but things escalated, and they got into a physical fight.”
“Where is she now?”
“Called into Mr.
Johnson’s office.”
Taking a deep breath, Amelia turned and walked straight toward the upper floor.
Outside the CEO’s office, the executive assistant was clearly waiting for her.
“Miss Clarke.”
Amelia gave her a slight nod.
“How’s it looking inside?”
The assistant gave her a look.
“Might be looking at a resignation.”
A cold thud hit Amelia’s heart.
She’d been at the company three years, and Lily had been with her that entire time.
She knew Lily’s background too—her mom was sick, and she had younger siblings to care for.
If Lily really lost her job just because she stood up and said a few words in her defense…
Amelia would never forgive herself.
Amelia pressed her lips together and asked, “What kind of mood is Mr.
Johnson in today?”
The secretary shook her head.
“Not great.”
Amelia took a deep breath.
“I’ll go in and check on him.”
“Okay.”
She knocked, but there was no answer for a long while.
Clearly, Simon wasn’t in the mood to see anyone.
She knocked a few more times before a lazy voice finally came from inside, “Come in.”
The moment Lily saw Amelia step in, her eyes, already red and swollen from crying, filled up with tears again.
“Boss…”
Amelia walked over and gave her shoulder a reassuring pat, then turned her gaze to Simon.
“This whole thing started because of me.
It has nothing to do with them.”
Simon sat behind his desk, eyes lifting a bit, expression dark.
“So you told her to fight?”
“I didn’t tell her to fight, but I am the reason it happened.
Mr.
Johnson, I’ll take full responsibility.”
He glanced at Lily and the other employee.
“Well, since Miss Clarke insists, you both can go.”
Lily froze, then looked anxiously at Amelia.
Amelia gave her a faint smile.
“It’s okay.
Don’t worry.”
Once the two of them left the office, Simon chuckled lightly.
“So, Miss Clarke, how exactly do you plan to take the blame?”
“Whatever punishment you see fit, Mr.
Johnson.
But before that, I think I need to clarify something.
Not sure if you’ve caught wind of the rumors floating around the office, but Lily just stood up for me.
That’s all.”
Simon leaned lazily against the doorframe, that flawless face of his wearing a faint, unreadable smile.
“What rumors?”
Amelia paused for a beat.
“That Miss Collins has been giving me a hard time because… The source of this chapter is g.com.
I supposedly slept my way to the top.”
“Did you?” Simon asked, tone purposefully nasty.
Her lips twitched slightly.
“Yeah, I did.”
“Then what’s there to argue about?”
She met his gaze, unflinching.
“Sure, I slept with you.
But that’s got nothing to do with Miss Collins.
I didn’t steal anyone’s man, didn’t cheat, and I sure as hell didn’t do anything shady.
What happened between us was mutual.
Even if someone had to be lectured about it, it’s definitely not her job.”
Simon’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Well, Amelia, you sure make a bold case for climbing into my bed.”
Amelia gave a faint, bitter smile.
“At least I’ve got a clear conscience.”
Simon let out a faint snort.
“Come here.”
Amelia didn’t budge.
His face darkened.
“Do you still care what happens to Lily or not?”
She bit her lip but eventually walked over.
Simon grabbed her and pulled her into his lap without another word, kissing her directly.
When Amelia stepped out of the CEO’s office, Lily rushed over to her with tears in her eyes.
“Boss, how did it go?”
Amelia gave her a small smile.
“It’s all handled.
Go back to work.”
Lily broke down crying.
“Boss, you’re amazing.
I’ll follow you anywhere after this!”
Amelia chuckled, looking a bit helpless.
“Please don’t.
I don’t need your loyalty in a warzone.
Just stop being so impulsive at work, alright?”
Lily pouted.
“But the things they said were so horrible!”
Amelia let out a low laugh.
“Let them talk.
That stuff doesn’t touch me.”
Lily’s eyes reddened again.
“Still, they can’t just say all that!
And that Vivian, seriously, she’s just a fake sweet girl.
Totally two-faced.
Can’t believe Simon’s into that kind of thing—he must be blind or something.”
Amelia looked over and warned, “You better be careful next time.
If Mr.
Johnson hears anything again, even I won’t be able to help you.”
Lily instantly zipped her mouth shut.
Then, suddenly, she exclaimed, “Boss, are you okay?
Your lips…
they’re chapped or something!”
Amelia touched her lips subtly—it was from earlier when Simon had bitten her.
Keeping a straight face, she replied calmly, “Yeah, probably just didn’t drink enough water.”
…
Right before clock-out, Amelia got a call from Olivia.
They met up at a coffee shop.
As soon as she sat down, Olivia pushed a cup of chamomile tea toward her.
Amelia looked a bit upset.
Olivia gave her a pointed look.
“Don’t even start.
Be grateful I’m letting you have tea at all.
Honestly, with your stomach, you’d be lucky if I only gave you tap water.”
Amelia gave a small laugh.
“Did you bring the meds?”
Olivia nodded and pulled them out of her bag.
“They’re really effective for nausea.
Has it been that bad?”
Amelia slipped the pills into her purse.
“Not terrible, it only hits me when certain smells pop up.”
“Then try not to take them unless you have to.”
“I’m just worried that Simon might start suspecting something.”
That night, after she’d thrown up, he checked her meds again.
Knowing Simon the way she did, Amelia figured he’d started to get suspicious.
Still, with the earlier pregnancy report covering for her, he probably had doubts but didn’t dwell on it too much.
But let’s be real—she couldn’t keep blaming it on a bad stomach forever.
That’s why she had Olivia bring her some anti-nausea pills again.
Just the mention of Simon made Olivia a little irritated.
“Seriously, Vivian was really his first love?”
Amelia gave a small nod.
“Seems like it.”
Simon had never openly admitted it, though.
When it came to personal stuff, he was tight-lipped.
How they met?
Why they broke up?
She didn’t even have a shot at asking.
But thinking logically, it kind of made sense.
The Collins family wasn’t that big of a deal in Velmira, but Vivian was undeniably attractive.
She’d always been one of those go-to names in the rich kid circle.
With all those trust fund guys flocking around her on the daily, it wasn’t too far-fetched that she’d cross paths with Simon.”
Ugh, seriously?
A scumbag and a fake angel?
Could they be any grosser together?”
Olivia suddenly chuckled, “Hey, do you think if Vivian found out you’re pregnant with Simon’s kid, she’d totally lose it?”
“I don’t know about her, but if she does find out, I’m probably dead meat.”
“Come on, just imagine it for fun.
Doesn’t it feel great to think about?”
Amelia thought for a moment.
“You know what, yeah—it kind of does.”
The two looked at each other and burst out laughing.
As they were chatting, Amelia’s phone started ringing.
It was Simon calling.
She glanced at the screen and picked up the call.
“Come home for dinner tonight,” his voice came through as soon as she answered.
“I’m really not in the mood to cook.
Can we just order something?”
But Simon wasn’t having it.
“Miss Clarke, I spend a ton of money on you every month, and now you won’t even make dinner for me?
Or are you saying you’re rolling in cash now and don’t need me anymore?”