Chapter 338
Chapter 338
Chapter 338 Each Took What They Needed
She pursed her lips and continued, "Back then, when I appeared in your bed, it was a surprise to me too. It wasn't planned by me. After we got married, I started liking you, and seeing Elyse betray you, I thought we could start over together. I'm not saying that I had no grievances against you, but you never promised me anything either. The only unfair thing that you did was that you didn't believe that the incident that night had nothing to do with me. Your family needed me to marry you to settle the chaos, and I wanted to marry you to fulfill my teenage dream. We both got what we wanted, and no one owed anyone anything. As adults, we should take responsibility for our own choices. When I married you and your family mistreated me, it was due to my choice, and I don't want you to feel guilty for it or think that you owe me anything just because I'm 'Big Eyes.'"
Amelie used to feel wronged and upset, but with time, she realized that she could think clearly about these things. "Leo, if you really want to make it up to me, just let me live my life in peace and don't hurt my friends whom I cherish."
She finished speaking and elegantly tilted her chin. With that, she opened the door and got out of the car.
Leo's hand, which was pressing down on her, fell weakly. The sunlight shone on his face, but instead of warmth, it radiated coldness, making one shiver.
At night in Prix Bar, a man's hand was faintly visible through the hazy glow. It was holding a glass of ice cubes that clinked together. After the drink was downed in one gulp, only the faint cold light reflected off the ice remained. It looked desolate and lonely, just like the expression on the man's face. This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.
"What's wrong? Even the great Mr. Alston has his moments of depression?" Toby walked over, sat opposite him, and spoke with a slight smile. This wasn't a private room, but the noisy main hall. The table was in the most inconspicuous corner, and neon lights occasionally flashed, illuminating the scene of the
man drinking and those overly stern eyes of his. This kind of Leo seemed to be no different from his usual self, except to Toby who could sense his bad mood.
Leo finished his drink without responding, his gaze still devoid of emotion.
Toby tapped his fingers lightly with a playful smile on his face. He didn't say anything and simply leaned lazily against the backrest.
"Why did you suddenly want to go to Quima?" Leo asked, his voice still cold and sharp despite the alcohol he had consumed. He was a man who never showed signs of being drunk. At any time, his gaze was sharp and resolute.
Toby lightly pressed his finger to his lips and coughed a little. "What if I say I want to become stronger?"
Leo looked at him. His black eyes were as dark as ink, sharp enough to penetrate a person's soul. Toby met his gaze calmly.
Then, Leo looked away and poured himself another drink, not asking anything else. Smart people could usually tell what was coming next just by hearing a few words.
"She is mine." After a long pause, he spoke, gripping the glass tightly and his fingertips turning blue.
Toby smiled. "I've always been lazy since I was a kid because I don't like to compete with anyone. My biggest wish was to have lots of freedom. Now I realize that my laziness in the past was because there was nothing worth me fighting for. But now, I won't back down!"
He picked up his glass and lightly tapped it against Leo's. "To be honest, you're really not good enough for her."
"Why?" This wasn't the first time Toby had said this, but it was the first time Leo was curious.
Toby smiled. "Don't you know? She's not just your 'Big Eyes,' she's..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Leo's phone rang. The call was from Victor. Leo probably wouldn't have answered if it had been anyone else, but if Victor was looking for him, it was probably important. He walked out of the bar with his phone and appeared in the private meeting room 20 minutes later.
Victor was already waiting there, dressed in a black jacket. He had sharp and cold facial features, and he was standing like a statue.
"Mr. Alston."
When Victor saw Leo, he finally moved and greeted him with a nod.
"Speak."
Leo walked over and sat down on the chair. Then, Victor took out a transparent small bag containing a bullet from his pocket.
"The origin of the bullet has been traced. It came from a border organization that mainly engages in hiring operations and also takes on special tasks, such as sniping." He was talking about the bullet that killed Elyse.
"When did Elyse make enemies with them?" Leo's eyebrows suddenly furrowed. Even he had never dealt with these outlaws. Anyone with a clear mind knew not to get involved with these people.
"I'm not sure about that." Victor shook his head.
Leo frowned in the dimly lit room. The faint light from the window illuminated the faces of the two men. Despite Victor's sharp demeanor, he couldn't match Leo's aristocratic elegance.
"Try to investigate the mastermind behind the setup that framed Amelie and me," Leo said, lost in thought. He had not pursued the matter before because he thought it was solely Amelie's doing. However, now that she had made it clear that she was not involved, Leo had a new theory.
Victor was taken aback. "Isn't it possible that it's a different person behind both incidents?" he asked, skeptical. One was a murder case, and the other was an insignificant setup. Even Victor thought they had no connection.
"Just investigate it!" Leo snapped.
"Very well." Victor then left.
Leo did not leave immediately. He kept his head bowed as he stood by the window in silence, letting the light fall on his stern profile.
Meanwhile, at the Alston Residence, Melissa and Jodie were still discussing Leo and Amelie's situation. "It's definitely Amelie being shameless. She's seducing the boss of Starlight Media while also messing around with Leo. She's trying to have her cake and eat it too," Jodie declared confidently.
In her mind, Amelie was the kind of person who would do anything to climb the social ladder and achieve wealth and status.
Melissa's well-maintained face carried a hesitant expression. "Why do I feel like there's more to it than that?"
She had previously thought the same as Jodie, but over time, she had witnessed Amelie's cunning ways. Coupled with Leo's inexplicable questioning last night, she couldn't help but wonder.
"Leo keeps saying I don't know the real Amelie. I don't know what he means," Melissa continued.
Jodie, who never overthought anything, said dismissively, "What else could it mean? She's one way in front of us and another way in front of men. She's quite skilled at seduction."
Looking down at her watch, she added, "Ah, let's not talk about her anymore; it's been so annoying chatting about her since last night until this morning. Mom, just go back first. I've got to go."
Blake had a local performance today and she couldn't miss it! Melissa wanted to keep discussing, but Jodie thrust Melissa's things into her arms, then drove away.
"Jodie!" Melissa called to her daughter in annoyance, but she couldn't stop the car from speeding away.
In the blink of an eye, Jodie disappeared without a trace. Melissa felt both angry and annoyed as she let out a series of sighs. She felt neither her son nor her daughter understood or cared about her. My son's not very affectionate, and my daughter's always off playing somewhere!
Jodie rushed all the way to the performance site. Not even stopping to park her car properly, she simply parked it by the roadside and then ran all the way backstage with her backpack. She had secured backstage passes through a special connection and was eager not only to see Blake on stage but to have a chance encounter with him backstage. Jodie grew increasingly happy as she ran towards the backstage door. She stopped to check herself in the mirror and adjusted her short skirt and strapless top. Then, she reapplied her makeup before she suddenly heard a gentle male voice.
"It's Blakey!"
Jodie was elated and turned around to look, but instead of Blake, she saw a woman first.