Chapter 3 Meeting in the Rain

Amelia vanished into the rainy night, and Eudora's worried look disappeared just as quickly.

"Nathaniel, didn't the car come back from the shop this afternoon?" Eudora asked, turning to him with a sly smile, her tone casual but probing.

Nathaniel froze for a second, then caught on and nodded with a forced grin. "Yes, Miss Boleyn, you're right. I messed up. The car did come back this afternoon. My apologies, Miss Boleyn."

Eudora's smile widened. She gave Nathaniel a friendly pat on the shoulder, her face showing concern. "Nathaniel, you've been with the Boleyn Family for almost twenty years, right? You've worked hard. Perhaps it's time to consider retirement. I'll double your salary this month as a token of our appreciation."

Nathaniel's eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly nodded. "Thank you, Miss Boleyn. You're very generous. I'm really grateful."

"Alright, it's late. My parents are still inside waiting. I'll head in. You should get some rest too," Eudora said, waving off his thanks and heading into the villa.

As she stepped into the living room, she heard Pearl scolding Amelia. "Look at Amelia, always with that sour face. People will think we're mistreating her! Eudora's been so accommodating all these years, but Amelia doesn't appreciate it at all. It's infuriating."

Wesley sighed. "Just keep it down."

"Mom, don't be mad. Amelia might just be in a bad mood. I'll talk to her another day," Eudora said gently, her face showing just the right mix of concern and helplessness.

"You're the sensible one, much better than Amelia," Pearl said, hugging Eudora, her tone full of dissatisfaction towards Amelia.

Eudora nestled into Pearl's arms, a barely noticeable cold smile playing on her lips.

Meanwhile, outside, raindrops pelted down on Amelia like broken strings of pearls.

In the dark night, Amelia's figure looked so lonely.

A large business car pulled up not far from her.

The window rolled down, revealing Bella Talbot's surprised face. "Why are you standing in the rain, Amelia?"

Amelia immediately recognized that it was her classmate, so she composed herself and spoke slowly. "Hey, Bella. I'm fine, just waiting for a car."

"Get in!" Bella insisted, starting to open the door. "I'll take you home."

"No need, I'm soaked. I don't want to get your car wet." Amelia said, stepping back instinctively.

"Don't be silly!" Bella insisted, opening the door and pulling Amelia inside.

The door closed, shutting out the cold rainy night.

Inside, the car was warm, a stark contrast to the outside.

Amelia sat awkwardly in the passenger seat, water dripping from her hair and staining the leather seat.

Bella looked at Amelia's wet state and couldn't help but complain, "Uncle Dorian, didn't you see Amelia getting soaked? You should've given her a coat!"

Amelia looked up sharply at this, finally noticing Dorian in the back seat, dressed in a black suit, sitting upright. His cold face showed no expression, and his deep eyes were fixed on her, making it impossible to read his thoughts.

Their eyes met, and the air seemed to freeze.

Amelia's heart started pounding, and she instinctively reached for the car door to get out.

Bella quickly grabbed her arm, her voice anxious. "Where are you going? It's still pouring out there!"

"I..." Amelia began, but she couldn't find the words to explain.

Why was Dorian here? Wasn't he supposed to be at the hotel?

"Dorian's really nice, don't be scared," Bella said, thinking Amelia was frightened of him, and tried to comfort her with a smile.

Amelia stayed silent. She just wanted to get away.

Dorian frowned slightly, his well-defined fingers tapping lightly on his knee as if he was deep in thought.

After a moment, he unbuttoned his suit jacket and handed it to Amelia. "Here, put this on."

Amelia hesitated, wanting to refuse, but her wet clothes clung to her, making her shiver from the cold.

"Thanks, I'll wash it and return it to you later," she finally said, taking the jacket. The faint scent of men's cologne brought back memories from a few hours ago.

Dorian looked at her, his gaze lingering on her face for a few seconds, frowning slightly as if trying to remember something.

"Have we met before?" Dorian's voice was low and magnetic, with a hint of curiosity.

Amelia's heart skipped a beat, her fingers tightening around the jacket, her face turning pale.

He didn't recognize her!

Bella, sitting in the back, couldn't help but laugh, breaking the awkward silence in the car.

"Uncle Dorian, are you hitting on her? Using such a cliché pick-up line?" Bella teased playfully.

Amelia's face instantly felt hot with embarrassment.

"She's my classmate, she hasn't even graduated yet. How could she have any connection with you, Uncle Dorian?" Bella said with a smile.

Dorian glanced at Bella indifferently, not saying a word, his deep eyes once again falling on Amelia, scrutinizing her.

"Amelia, why are you in our villa area? Are you out of money and working as a tutor at night?" Bella leaned closer to Amelia, her voice low, teasing but with a hint of concern.

Amelia was slightly stunned, unable to think of another excuse, so she lowered her eyes and admitted softly.

"I knew it, there's no such thing as a Cinderella story nowadays," Bella sighed dramatically, then gently patted Amelia's hand, her tone more sympathetic. "It's tough being poor, but don't work too hard. It's dangerous for a pretty girl like you to be out late."

Amelia didn't argue, just nodded silently.

Seeing Amelia's submissive demeanor, Bella felt even more sympathetic. She remembered something and asked, "By the way, it's so late, your school should be closed, right? Where are you staying tonight?"

"School. I can climb over the back wall," Amelia said calmly, as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

"Climb the wall?" Bella exclaimed, her eyes wide. "Oh my God, how can you be so bold? What if you get hurt?"

Seeing Bella's exaggerated reaction, Amelia's lips curled into a barely noticeable smile. "I'm used to it."

Dorian had been sitting silently, listening to their conversation, his gaze on Amelia carrying a hint of curiosity.

"Uncle Dorian, what are you looking at?" Bella noticed Dorian's gaze and couldn't help but tease, "Are you really interested in Amelia? Do you want me to help you?"

Dorian withdrew his gaze, glanced at Bella indifferently, and warned, "Cut it out."