Chapter 10 The Entire Department Has It
Brittany saw Frederick enter the house and was visibly upset. "Why are you back so late?" she demanded.
He wasn't annoyed by her tone. Glancing at Amelia seated on the sofa, he replied, "I came to pick her up."
Brittany exhaled sharply, shooting him a displeased look before turning to Amelia, her hand extended in a gesture that suggested she was ready to defend her. "Amelia, if you don't want to go back tonight, you can stay here."
Before Amelia could respond, Frederick's warning look caught her eye. If she agreed to stay, it would inconvenience his departure. Amber was scheduled for surgery the next day, and he definitely needed to be there with her.
After a moment's thought, Amelia began, "Brittany..." However, before she could finish, Frederick interrupted. "She's used to the bed at home."
Brittany's face went cold with anger. "Shut up."
Amelia remained calm, speaking softly, "Brittany, I really am used to my own bed. Besides, I have a very important surgery tomorrow. I can't afford any mistakes. Staying here at Hastings Manor would be inconvenient for me. You should get some rest. We won't disturb you further."
As she spoke, Amelia rose gracefully from the sofa.
Seeing this, Brittany sighed softly and stood up as well, holding onto Amelia's hand tightly. Brittany appeared as though she wanted to say more, but Frederick stepped in, his hand firmly at Amelia's waist. With a slight tug, he pulled Amelia away from her.
"Grandma, we should get going. Please have a good rest," he said as they prepared to leave.
Amelia was suddenly pulled into his arms, colliding with the faint, refreshing scent coming from him which made her heartbeat quicken. Her delicate eyebrows knit together briefly, then relaxed after a few seconds.
Brittany was still upset about the day's events at the hospital. She huffed coldly and turned her back, ignoring Frederick.
Seeing this, Amelia spoke softly, her tone soothing as she tried to calm Brittany down. "Brittany, you need to focus on getting better. Once I'm through with this busy period, I'll come back to Hastings Manor to keep you company. Please, let's not be upset anymore, okay?"
Only then did Brittany turn around, taking Amelia's hand and giving her a few heartfelt words of advice.
Frederick's hand, which had been resting on Amelia's waist, hadn't moved. Her waist was slender and soft, much like the gentle tone she used while speaking to Brittany, immensely comforting.
As they left the yard and Brittany entered the house, Frederick's hand slipped away from Amelia's waist. Clearly, his affectionate behavior had been a show for Brittany.
Amelia suppressed the fleeting sense of disappointment. "I drove here," she mentioned, preparing to head to her car. Frederick caught her hand quickly. "I'll have my assistant drive you to the hospital tomorrow."
Amelia, noticing Frederick seemed to have something to say, didn't object. She bypassed the passenger door and opened the backseat door, bending down to get in and take a seat. The passenger seat, she thought, should be reserved for Amber.
Frederick narrowed his eyes at her actions, his gaze briefly flickering over the passenger seat with a hint of displeasure. "Am I your driver?" he asked.
Amelia paused, somewhat flustered. After a few seconds of silence, she offered, "Or should I be your driver?"
Without a word, Frederick got into the car with a stone-cold expression and started the engine, driving away from Hastings Manor.
Throughout the ride, neither initiated conversation to break the awkward silence.
Upon arriving back at Spring Villa, Frederick parked the car in the yard, and Amelia was the first to step out. Seeing Frederick's stern face showing no sign of leaving the car, she bit her lip softly and murmured, "The incident at the hospital with Ms. Roberts and Brittany has nothing to do with me."
Frederick looked up at her, their gazes meeting. Amelia didn't flinch.
Observing her composed demeanor, he turned away and said, "It may not involve you, but you were the one who accompanied her downstairs."
Amelia felt disheartened. She inwardly chastised herself for making unnecessary explanations in front of him.
She took a deep breath, pulled her gaze away from Frederick, and turned to enter the house.
Frederick glanced at her retreating figure, started the car, and reversed into the garage.
Amelia had just stepped through the door when she heard the engine of a car starting up in the yard. She bit her lip softly, holding back her emotions.
Frederick going to be with Amber was something Amelia had anticipated. She wasn't really heartbroken.
Mary saw Amelia returning and hurried over. "Mrs. Hastings, have you had dinner? Would you like me to prepare something for you?"
Amelia placed her purse on the cabinet and responded with a smile, "No, I already ate at the Hastings Manor."
Mary nodded gently, glancing toward the doorway.
Noticing her gaze, Amelia spoke softly, "Brittany has been under the weather lately. Mary, let's not bother her with trivial matters."
Mary gave an awkward smile and quickly nodded in agreement.
When Frederick stepped inside the house, he overheard Amelia gently instructing Mary.
His eyes narrowed slightly. Her magnanimity somehow managed to irk him.
Mary was the first to notice Frederick entering the house.
"Mr. Hastings," she exclaimed, clearly surprised to see him return.
Amelia stiffened for a moment, her eyes shifting to the man striding in through the door.
Frederick noticed her slightly surprised expression and snorted, "What? Can't I come back to my own home?"
Amelia managed a faint smile.
"Of course not."
Frederick glanced at Amelia before he walked past her without emotion, entered the elevator, and went up to the second floor.
She looked up as he exited the elevator, his tall figure heading toward the master bedroom. She was taken aback.
She instinctively took the stairs to the second floor. Upon entering the master bedroom, she heard the sound of running water from the bathroom. She paused.
Since that time last month, Frederick had not set foot in this bedroom. His taking a shower tonight clearly indicated he intended to stay.
Amelia suppressed the flutter in her heart, cursing her lack of resolve. As she turned to leave the bedroom, the bathroom door opened.
Frederick stood there with just a towel wrapped around his waist, covering the essentials. His well-defined muscles flowed smoothly down to regions left to the imagination, and his chest was sculpted.
For some reason, Nicole's words suddenly flashed through Amelia's mind, "Your husband looks like he's quite good in bed."
And indeed, he was.
With this thought, Amelia looked up and met Frederick's gaze. She was taken aback for a moment and quickly looked away.
He was watching the pink flush at the base of her ear. His hand, which was drying his hair with a towel, paused. He glanced down at the towel wrapped around his waist and gave it a slight tug.
He was somewhat on guard.
Amelia realized the implicit meaning in his actions, and her embarrassment turned to anger. “Mr. Hastings, rest assured, you’re not that irresistible to me.”
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
