"Mr. Spencer, we've got the scoop," Ryder Jones said, handing Chris a file."Lucius had a young lover named Bella White, and she looks a lot like Miss Tudor." Chris took the file without a word, flipping it open to see a photo that felt both familiar and strange.

"Is this Bella White?" Chris asked, holding the photo up to the light for a closer look.

The more he stared, the more she reminded him of Amelia,especially those eyes.

"Lucius is playing the replacement game, huh?" Chris sneered,flipping through a few more pages.

The file gave a quick rundown of Lucius and Bella's time in the orphanage.Lucius was often bullied, and Bella would step in to defend him. Once,she almost got molested while helping him out. Then, by some twist of fate,Lucius was adopted by Chris's grandfather, Victor Spencer. They got separated, and he lost all contact with Bella.

"Mr. Spencer, there's Miss Tudor," Ryder pointed out. Amelia was walking back with her bag.

Today was Amelia's first day as the orchestra leader, and it was a disaster.No one respected her because she was new, and everyone thought she got the job through shady means. Others had gone through tough competition to stay. Before the day ended, some even gossiped about her, and no one listened to her instructions. Amelia was feeling super anxious.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a familiar figure. She looked closer and felt a wave of annoyance-it was Chris, the troublemaker.

"The replacement is back. What's the deal?" Chris smirked, raising his chin."Lucius didn't take advantage of you, or is he planning to make you fall for him first?"

Amelia thought, 'What is he even talking about?

"Are you nuts?" Amelia snapped, glaring at him before turning to leave.Her current mess was all thanks to Chris.

"Am I wrong?" Chris took a long stride, easily catching up with her and pulling her back by the arm.

She almost stumbled,feeling a wave of embarrassment.

Chris said coldly, "Seducing one guy after another,no wonder you were so eager to get a divorce."

He wrapped an arm around her waist, leaning in close,his gaze, like a hunter's, was fixed on her, the poor, weak prey.

Amelia had no strength to fight back. She suddenly remembered what happened in the Sapphire box that day, feeling both awkward and angry.

Chris never knew how to respect her; she was just a tool for his humiliation.

"Yeah, all the guys out there are more handsome, kinder, richer, and treat me better than you. I don't know why I was obsessed with you for so long;it's ridiculous!"

Before she could finish, he was choking her, almost cutting off her air.

The strength difference left her no room to resist, so she just accepted it.The fear in her eyes faded; she realized death wasn't so scary. After all,

she had nothing left now.

Chris mocked, "Lucius doesn't even see you as a person, yet you crawl to him!"

After what felt like forever, Chris finally let go,giving Amelia a chance to breathe.

Her body instinctively gasped for air, but she didn't respond to his taunts.

Instead, she shot back defiantly, "Even so,he is better than you."

Chris's face darkened, hiseyes filled with a murderous look.

She pushed further, fearless, "What kind of good person are you? Do you see me as a person? In your eyes, I'm just a tool for you to toy with and humiliate." She gritted her teeth, glaring at him fiercely, her rage boiling over. At this moment, she wasn't afraid of anything, not even death.

"Yeah, you are a tool for me to humiliate and toy with." Chris harshly threw her hand away, causing Amelia to stumble back, almost falling.

She trembled,trying to suppress the pain in her heart.

Chris was about to speak again when a familiar voice called out from nearby.

"Amelia, there you are! We've been looking everywhere for you." It was Nina.

She rushed over, grabbing Amelia's hand as if afraid she would run away again.

Nina asked, "Where have you been? You didn't even tell us. Luckily, we...Oh, Chris,you're here too. What's going on?"

Nina glanced at Chris, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Great, your relationship is better than anything."

Chris looked at Nina with a half-smile. "We're arguing."

After saying that, he crossed his arms,ready to watch the show.

Hearing his words, Nina's face changed immediately. She grabbed Amelia's ear, gritting her teeth. "You little brat, you really have the guts to argue with Chris. You're too rebellious. Chris is such a good person; you should be pleasing him, not arguing with him."

Then, Nina lowered her voice and quickly said, "Amelia, if you offend Chris,you're dead!"

"Let go of me!" Amelia's ear hurt from her grip, and she forcefully shook off her arm. "All these years, you never considered me your daughter;I was just a commodity you raised. You sold me for a hefty sum,so you should be satisfied. I owe you nothing now!" Her voice was harsh.

Chris's eyelashes fluttered, his gaze darkening as he looked at her.

Nina couldn't believe that Amelia, this coward, would dare to speak to her like this one day.

Her face changed dramatically, looking at Amelia in disbelief. "You ungrateful bitch, how dare you? I gave birth to you and raised you for so many years. You owe me for life; don't think you can deny it!"

Seeing Amelia silent, Nina wanted to make a move again, but Amelia dodged, and she immediately became furious, commanding, "Apologize to Chris immediately; what right do you have to argue with him!"

Amelia laughed sadly. She looked at Chris, "You have won; you're really

despicable."

With a mother like Nina and such a background, what else could she do?Andthese things could be used as weapons to attack her.

Amelia thought, 'Look, even my mother doesn't protect me; what can I do?

Amelia turned and walked away, her figure thin but determined.

"You brat, come back here. Chris. I hope you don't mind.I'll bring her back to apologize to you..." Before Nina could finish, Chris had already turned and left.