Chapter 451 Ms. Davis Is Really Understanding
With Amelia in the car, Felix had no choice but to wait outside. He kept glancing her way, looking all worried and unsure. Noticing his hesitation, Amelia gently asked, "Felix, is there something on your mind?"
Felix quickly shook his head and forced a smile. "No, Ms. Davis."
Amelia nodded and settled quietly in the back seat. Time seemed to crawl, and about half an hour later, Felix spoke up again, "Ms. Davis, Mr. Hastings might take a bit longer. Do you want to head back first? I can tell him to call you when he’s done."
Amelia shook her head. "No need. I've waited this long; a little more won't hurt."
Felix just nodded awkwardly and stopped trying to convince her.
Amelia wasn't sure how long she had been waiting; she only noticed that the restaurant's patrons had gradually departed, yet Frederick still hadn't emerged from the establishment. As the clock neared eleven, Amelia's phone buzzed. It was Anna, asking when she’d be home.
"Mommy, come home soon. I can't sleep," Anna's small voice sounded distressed.
Guilt gnawed at Amelia. Frederick's neglect of Anna had been tough enough on her, Amelia's own absence was only making it worse. "I'm coming home now, sweetie," she assured her.
"I'll wait for you, Mommy," Anna softly said before hanging up.
Amelia put away her phone, opened the car door, and got out. Felix stood a respectful distance away. Seeing her emerge, he asked, "Ms. Davis, are you leaving?"
Amelia nodded. "Yeah, I'm heading back."
As she started walking toward her car, she noticed Frederick and Nancy exiting the restaurant. Nancy was chatting animatedly with a middle-aged man, her confidence radiating. Her demeanor somewhat resembled Rachel's.
Amelia furrowed her brows and halted her steps.
After bidding farewell to the guests, Nancy placed her hand on Frederick's shoulder, her steps slightly unsteady. "Mr. Hastings, thank you for your help today. Without you, joining the Kasfee Chamber of Commerce would have been impossible."
Frederick removed Nancy's hand from his shoulder. "You're welcome, Ms. Wright. Consider it repaying your kindness," he said, his tone measured.
Nancy's lips curved into a sly smile as she looked up at him. "Mr. Hastings, do you really want to keep your distance from me?"
Frederick didn't answer, and a hint of disappointment flashed in Nancy's eyes. She softly said, "I thought after spending time together, you might have some feelings for me. Don't you?"
Amelia watched the way Nancy and Frederick spoke, and her heart tightened. Nancy and Rachel were ultimately different. Nancy had business acumen and a delicate demeanor in front of men. Such a woman was hard to ignore.
Nancy's cheeks were a bit flushed from the drinks. Without getting a response from Frederick, she said, "You're right. Love is a luxury for people like us. We should focus on work. I'm new to Kasfee and don't know many people here yet. I'll need your help with business matters in the future."
Nancy looked away from Frederick, took a step down the stairs, stumbled, and leaned toward him. Frederick had to reach out to support her. Nancy took the opportunity to hold onto Frederick's arm.
"I drank too much tonight and can't stand steadily. Mr. Hastings, could you please take me home?" she asked softly.
Felix quickly moved to assist. "Ms. Wright, let me help you."
Nancy smiled at Felix. "What? Afraid I'll cling to Mr. Hastings?"
Felix awkwardly smiled. "Of course not."
As Felix answered Nancy, he subtly signaled to Frederick. Frederick turned and saw Amelia standing not far away. Amelia quietly watched him, her eyes calm.
Frederick frowned slightly. Nancy smiled. "Mr. Hastings, you don't need to worry about me. Go with Ms. Davis. Ms. Davis seems to need you more."
Frederick didn't answer her and walked toward Amelia.
Seeing him approach, Amelia's earlier tension eased a bit. Just as she was about to speak, Frederick asked first, "Did Billy leave?"
Amelia nodded, about to explain, but Frederick interrupted, "Why didn't he take you home?"
She stared, momentarily at a loss. "Mr. Rodriguez has an early flight tomorrow and tonight..."
"Did you drive here yourself?" he cut her off again, his tone flat.
Amelia stared at him in a daze, unable to resist furrowing her brows.
His brusqueness was jarringly familiar, reminiscent of their early marriage. Amelia fought the urge to lash out, instead responding calmly, "Yes. I drove myself."
Frederick's expression remained unchanged as he said, "Then drive yourself home. I have things to do."
Amelia bit her lip lightly, frowned at Frederick, and saw a hint of restraint in his deep eyes. She glanced at Nancy, who Felix had helped into the car, took a deep breath, and calmly answered, "Okay."
Frederick nodded and turned away, leaving Amelia standing alone as he walked back to his car.
Nancy, from her vantage point, watched with an amused glint in her eye.
Settling into the car, Nancy remarked, "Aren't you going to take Ms. Davis home?"
Frederick coldly replied, "She drove herself."
Nancy's smile was almost predatory. "I'll have Felix take me home. If Ms. Davis takes issue with you because of this matter, wouldn't I be the one to blame?"
Frederick's voice was detached. "She won't."
Nancy raised her eyebrows slightly and smiled at Amelia. "Ms. Davis is really understanding," she said, her words barbed with underlying implication.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
