Chapter 18 A Strange Atmosphere

Since they were in middle school, Amelia knew that Courtney was a good-looking girl who came from a rich family. When they were studying in university, Courtney had many suitors. Eventually, she ended up with Kent. Unfortunately, no matter how much she thought that Kent was the right one for her, her father did not approve. Because of this, Courtney and Kent had come a long way to fight for their love.

"If you have to choose between your father and your boyfriend, who would it be?" Amelia sighed and continued, "As long as you and Kent love each other, there's nothing anyone can do. What's more, no one cares about family background now. If Kent gets a better job, he'll be able to get to your level and I'm sure your father would approve of him by then."

"Oh Amelia, that's what I was thinking! Sometimes I think you're really my long lost sister." Courtney nodded her head approvingly. Her sad face instantly brightened up.

"Don't put too much pressure on Kent. Try to understand him. Try to persuade your father calmly. After all, your father has done a lot of things for you." Amelia was at the same age with Courtney, their birthdays just a month apart. Generally speaking, Courtney was elder, but sometimes, when Courtney behaved willfully, she seemed more wayward than Amelia.

But she knew that although Courtney was a little impetuous, she was very kind to her.

"Well, speaking of the devil..." Courtney said as she pointed to someone behind Amelia. Then, she waved with big, bright smile that would put a blooming sunflower to shame.

Amelia turned around and saw Kent in a suit walking towards them with a smile of his own. He seemed to have some good news to share.

"Wow, Kent. I haven't seen you for only a few days and you look like a completely different person!" Amelia exclaimed. Kent looked mature and sharp in his suit and leather shoes, like a shiny new penny.

"That's true, I guess. Whereas you have a completely new identity," Kent said jokingly with a wink.

Amelia's face suddenly flushed, but she just shrugged it off. She looked up and down at Kent as she rubbed her chin in thought. "So what's with the suit? Are you going to propose to Courtney?" Amelia quipped.

"I'll propose when the time's right. In the meantime, the top priority is to pacify our wavering hearts as soon as possible," Kent chuckled. Then, he walked over to Courtney, his eyes filled with love and sincerity. "Courtney, I know that you have suffered a lot because you're with me. Today I went to the Zhan Group for an interview as their sales director. I thought it was a long shot, but... I actually passed! I got the job, Courtney!" Kent was beaming from ear to ear as he held Courtney's hands in his, "From now on, our life will get better."

'The Zhan Group? Did I hear that right?

Does he mean Lucian's company?' Amelia thought.

Just then, Courtney asked the question in Amelia's head, "You mean Lucian's company?"

"Yes," Kent said in an affirmative tone.

Amelia was surprised. Although she was happy for Kent, she also felt panic inside.

"I am now an employee of your company. Hope to get on well with you," Kent turned around and said to Amelia in a formal tone.

Amelia smiled awkwardly.

"From what I know, the Zhan Group's standards are incredibly high! Those who work there are highly capable people. How exciting, my darling! I'll treat you to a nice, big meal tonight!" Courtney was very excited as she held on tightly to Kent's hands. It was as if she was just told that she was the one who had gotten the job at Zhan Group.

They kissed passionately as if no one else was around.

At the sight of this scene, Amelia couldn't help blushing. She coughed lightly to conceal her embarrassment. Then they separated.

"Amelia, I heard from Courtney that that bastard Jasper was a scumbag. But seeing that you are so happy now, Courtney and I are relieved. We are happy for you!" Kent sat down and said with smile.

Happiness... What they saw was only the surface.

But she didn't feel sad really. Lucian and she were both on good terms when they were together. How could she not be happy?

It was time for dinner, and Courtney suggested they go out and eat at a restaurant that just opened downtown. Just before Amelia could reply, her cell phone rang.

'What does he want now?' Amelia thought irritably as she saw Lucian's name flashing on the screen.

"Who is it, Amelia?" Out of curiosity, Courtney ran to the Amelia. When she saw the words flickering on the screen, Courtney couldn't help but tease her.

Amelia's face turned red. She wanted to ignore Lucian's phone call, but then she remembered the words Lucian had said to her earlier. With a sigh, she pressed on the answer button.

She didn't want to become the headline of tomorrow's newspapers just because of a call.

Although she didn't know Lucian that well yet, she was sure that he was a man of his word.

"Did you have a good time, Mrs. Amelia?" Lucian said softly.

There was a hint of banter in his low voice, which made Amelia frown unconsciously.

"Yes, I was, in fact. But thanks to you, my good mood has been ruined!" Amelia complained.

"Since you are in a bad mood, let's go home." It was hard to tell whether Lucian was angry or not from his indifferent voice.

"I... I was actually

planning to have dinner with some friends," Amelia said nervously.

"Okay. Since they are your friends, they are also mine. Wait for me!" "No, Lucian—!"

But before she could say anything else, he had already hung up the phone. With an annoyed grunt, Amelia threw her phone back into her bag.

"Amelia? What's wrong?" Courtney came over and saw the frustration on Amelia's face.

"What on earth does the guy want to happen? I just can't understand what's going on in his head!" Amelia said in a furious tone, gritting her teeth in annoyance.

Before Kent could open his mouth, a mellow male voice came from the small milk tea shop. "Amelia..."

Amelia stood up and stared stiffly at Lucian. 'Well that was quick...' she thought remorsefully.

"Oh my god... Is that Lucian? He's so handsome! It looks like he walked out of a painting!" Courtney exclaimed quietly behind Amelia, "Kent... Pinch me! Am I really seeing this right?"

Amelia was not surprised at all that Courtney would get all flustered seeing Lucian. When Amelia first saw Lucian, she also thought that the man was painstakingly good-looking, like he was carved by the hands of God — handsome with an arrogant air, emanating with unparalleled dignity.

But ever since Lucian took photos of her while she was drunk, Amelia had never seen him the same. As a result, her good impression of his appearance was greatly reduced, and she thought that he was just a vulgar man with pretty face.

"Courtney, don't you think it's a bit inappropriate for you to drool over another man while you're in front of me?" Kent looked at Lucian with a little jealousy. When Kent thought that he had to work in this man's company, he was overcome with an unease.

"Don't be so narrow-minded. He's already Amelia's husband. All I'm saying is that he looks so handsome! I won't have any improper thoughts, especially since I have you," Courtney smiled lovingly at Kent。 "Thanks, I guess," Kent mumbled to Courtney with a half-smile.

"Hello." Lucian naturally reached out his hand and greeted Kent, who was standing behind Amelia.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Lucian." Kent felt flattered and shook hands with Lucian.

"Oh my God! You are so polite! And so easy-going!" Courtney exclaimed, not hesitating to reach out her hand and introduce herself, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Lucian. My name is Courtney. I'm the best friend of Amelia so you are like my brother-in-law. Of course, I will still treat you respectfully!"

Just a while ago, Courtney was mad at Lucian when she saw the news report about him. But now she was all smiles, which made Amelia a little angry.

'And she's even calling him brother-in-law! What's up with that!' Amelia thought.

Then she remembered Courtney called Jasper this before.

Thinking of this, Amelia couldn't help rolling her eyes at Courtney.

"Hello," Lucian said lightly, then turned to look at Amelia with a raised eyebrow. "Are you unhappy to see me?" he asked with a smile.

Amelia could tell that Lucian was trying to imply something else.

Courtney and Kent smiled at each other in tacit agreement, and then turned their curious eyes to Amelia.

With all their eyes staring expectantly at her, Amelia's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "W..why would I be unhappy?" she said with a forced laugh.

"Mr. Lucian, my name is Kent Jiang. I just got a job at your company yesterday as the sales director. I hope to learn more from you in the future, sir," Kent said with an honorable smile.

"Kent?" Lucian narrowed his eyes and thought for a while. Then he smiled and said, "Very well then. Welcome to the Zhan Group."

"Brother, thank you for taking care of my dear boyfriend here!" Courtney said with a cheeky grin.

Upon hearing this, Amelia frowned. 'I never expected that Courtney would say something like that for the sake of her boyfriend's career,' she thought bitterly.

"The Zhan Group always value people of excellence and ability," Lucian said seriously with a cold face.

The lively atmosphere suddenly became cold and awkward, and the smile on Courtney's face also gradually faded away, as if she was shocked by Lucian's strong spirit which could not be ignored.

"We were just about to go out to get something to eat," Amelia said to Lucian with a slight smile.

"Of course," Lucian shrugged and put his arm over Amelia's shoulders. "Would you maybe prefer to have dinner with us tonight?" he asked Kent and Courtney.

"It's... There's no need. I just suddenly remembered that Kent and I still have something else to do! You go on and have dinner without us," Courtney explained with a small laugh, seeing the sour expression on Amelia's face.

"That's a pity. Maybe next time, perhaps? See you until then," replied Lucian. Then he turned to look at Amelia. "Let's go," he gently said

Lucian's sudden appearance destroyed the light and cheerful mood.

'That's weird. Lucian started acting all weird when Kent introduced himself...' Amelia thought."Hey, let's meet another day!" Amelia called out to Courtney before going out the door.

"Alright! Bye, Amelia!" A dazzling smile appeared on Courtney's face as she waved goodbye to Amelia, as if nothing had just happened.

Maybe Courtney saw Lucian as someone who was perfect for Amelia — a guy who personally took her home and was 'easy-going'.