Chapter 0166
Melissa’s arm was twisted in a way that defied the normal skeletal structure of a human being, looking grotesquely out of place.
Amelia swallowed hard. “Quick, quick, fix it back!”
Melissa nonchalantly readjusted her arm as if it was a party trick, showing no sign of discomfort.
Lucas couldn’t help but touch his own arm, shuddering at the thought of it happening to him.
He quickly snapped back to reality when the house was momentarily empty, fixing a glare on Amelia. “What brings you back home?”
Amelia gave him a fake smile. “Sadly, I too bear the Brooks name. So I visit when I please. What’s it to you?”
Lucas gritted his teeth at her retort.
Undercover on behalf of her dashing employer, Amelia wasn’t about to start a row with this weasel and risk him storming off-then who would she spy on?
Changing her tune, Amelia prodded, “Looks like business isn’t booming, huh? Got enough time to lounge at home, I see.”
The Brooks family had grown accustomed to the siblings’ verbal jousting, as long as it didn’t escalate to fisticuffs.
Lucas, couldn’t be bothered to indulge her. “What’s it to you?” he shot back before walking away.
Amelia snorted at his back, then floated to the kitchen, all smiles.
“Mom.”
No matter how disgruntled she felt, Amelia’s face always wore the right smile-call it a professional habit or being diplomatically shrewd.
Lucas’s mom was cooking, and upon seeing Amelia, she remarked, ” You’ve lost weight again. Haven’t you been eating properly?”
Her daughter, a workaholic pilot, hardly ever touched down at home, and the family had grown used to her absence.
Amelia sidled up to help in the kitchen. “I’m hardly thin-in my crew, I’m on the plump side…”
“How long are you home for this time?” Lucas’s mom inquired, “I can clear my schedule to spend time with you.”
Amelia promptly refused, “No need at all! Don’t trouble yourself for me. Besides, isn’t…” she glanced around, “…Brother also here? I’ll hang out with him.”
Lucas’s mother thought she was hallucinating. Since when had the siblings’ relationship thawed to such companionable terms?
But she didn’t pry where she wasn’t wanted, simply commenting, Fine. Your brother’s been idle lately.
“Planning to mooch off the parents, is he?” Amelia popped a piece of carrot into her mouth.
Lucas’s mom started stir-frying as she replied, “No, it’s just that…”
Amelia perked up, eager for any juice on that weasel.
“He got divorced again.”
Amelia feigned shock. “What happened?!”
Though inwardly, she could have thrown a party.
Lucas’s mother sighed heavily, her movements slowing down, her face a mask of discomfort and disapproval.
215
“It’s okay, you don’t have to talk about it. Let’s chat about happier things,” Amelia offered, playing the empathetic daughter.
But Lucas’s mother didn’t want her daughter to feel excluded from
home matters.
Choosing her words, she finally said, “I never liked that Sophia. We tried to stop it, but they got back together, causing unrest for everyone involved.”
She sighed again, looking suddenly aged.
Amelia tenderly smoothed her mother’s hair, keeping up her supportive daughter act.
Lucas’s mother began to ramble, filled with emotion, “All that back. and forth, they finally reunite, but before the wedding….”
“It went wrong.”
“The child wasn’t even Lucas’s.”
Inside, Amelia was ecstatic, though she had to suppress a burst of laughter, feigning a pained expression. “How could that be? How did… Brother find out? The baby wasn’t due yet, right?”
“Lucas overheard Sophia on a call. At first, she tried to deny it, but eventually admitted it and even threatened him with taking a share of his wealth if they divorce.”
After dinner, while simmering the dishes, Lucas’s mom took Am
aside to chat over tea.
Amelia was all ears for any tragic tales of Lucas.
Lucas’s mother glanced toward the living room to ensure he couldn’t overhear. “Lucas and Sophia had a fight, and the baby was lost.”
“What?!” Amelia gasped. “He hit her?”
“Sophia struck first. Lucas just pushed her away. She was far along, and it wasn’t a light fall. The baby didn’t make it.”
The mother continued, “Without the child to bind that other man, Sophia turned all her fury on Lucas. She won’t grant a divorce now. Lucas came home to escape her.”
Marvelous news!
Lucas’s mother sighed, “She shows up every few days, making a
scene if she can’t find him. Your grandmother was so upset she fell
ill.”
“Why couldn’t he just stay put with Madison? Why all this mess?”
You could see the frustration etched on Lucas’s mom’s face. Amelia did her best to provide solace.
“What’s his plan now? With Sophia’s temper, peace isn’t an option. She’ll likely cause a stir at the company.”
“Likely?” Lucas’s mom bristled. “She’s already done it.”
“The company’s not doing well, and your brother talked about a partnership, but who knows with whom? He assured me this morning it was a sure thing.”
At this, Amelia’s eyes sparkled.
“Mom, you have to press him. Given his impulsive nature, it’s a matter of concern. You have to intervene.”
“How am I supposed to ask when he won’t tell?” Lucas’s mom wa overwhelmed.
Amelia suggested, “You’re his mother. Assert your authority. Why not check his phone?”
“Check his phone?” Lucas’s mom was puzzled.
“Yeah, check his phone.”
After supper.
Lucas’s mom was out dealing with company troubles, having dismissed Amelia’s suggestion earlier.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to inspect her son’s phone, but asking for it outright might not go over well.
Surely, she couldn’t just snatch it from him?
The task, naturally, fell to Amelia.
“What’s on your mind, Teacher Zhuo?” Melissa inquired bluntly.
Amelia looked solemn. “I need to figure out a way to get Lucas to show me his phone.”
“???,” Melissa was puzzled. “Isn’t that easy?”
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