Chapter 11 Chapter Eleven
1397 Words
Amelia's brow twitched hard, but before she could say a word, James beat her to it.
"Yeah, she's doing pretty well."
Simon gave a short chuckle. "In that case, Mr. Campbell, ever thought about working together?"
"Oh really?" James raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't Mr. Johnson already have a whole legal team?"
Simon smiled faintly. "Sure, but sometimes I like to hear an outside opinion too."
His eyes didn't leave Amelia. "Like in cases where employees breach their contracts."
Amelia's face lost all color, and she rushed to explain. "Mr. Johnson, I met with James today strictly for business."
Simon shot her a blank look. "Seems like Miss Clarke's got quite the range of... business interests."
It wasn't hard for Amelia to catch the irony dripping from his tone.
When he said "business," he clearly wasn't talking about work—but about her selling herself.
Still upset over what she said yesterday. About going to find another sugar daddy.
She had clearly struck a nerve, and now he was making sure she paid for it.
Amelia clamped her mouth shut.
This was not the place to have it out.
Especially since James was involved. She didn't want to drag him into her mess.
James was no fool. He glanced at Simon, then at Amelia, a subtle flicker in his eyes, but chose to keep his mouth shut.
His silence didn't last long, though—someone else just couldn't resist jumping in.
Fiona was clearly out to get Amelia today, seizing every chance to stir the pot.
"Miss Clarke, well since we've bumped into each other, why not eat together? It's just the two of us with Simon, and honestly, he's so quiet during meals, it gets boring," she said, raising a brow at Amelia.
Amelia was about to turn her down when Simon suddenly cut in.
"Sit."
Just one word, but it left no room for refusal. Whatever Amelia was going to say got stuck in her throat.
She glanced at James, giving him an apologetic smile.
James didn't mind at all. In fact, dining with Simon was something he wouldn't pass up.
Once they sat down, Fiona nudged Amelia lightly with her elbow.
"Be honest, you two on a date or what?"
Amelia instinctively looked at Simon. Seeing no reaction from him, she calmly replied, "I don't think that's any of your business, Fiona."
Fiona didn't seem even a little offended. Instead, she glanced over at Simon with mock annoyance.
"Seriously, Simon? You're tracking who your employees are dating now? I mean, look at Miss Clarke and this gentleman—don't they make a great pair?"
She finished speaking, gave Amelia a glance, and winked at her.
"Miss Clarke, no need to be scared of him. Dating isn't a crime, right? Even if he's the boss, he can't control who you see after work."
Amelia raised her eyebrows slightly, lips curving.
"Fiona, you'd think a steak would keep you too busy to run your mouth."
Fiona instantly put on a hurt face.
"Miss Clarke, why would you say that? I was only trying to help you."
"Well, thanks for going out of your way then," Amelia replied flatly, not sparing her a sliver of courtesy.
The atmosphere started to get tense.
But Simon was acting like nothing was happening, slicing his steak slowly like he was at a solo dinner party.
With a loud clatter, Fiona slammed her cutlery down on the table.
James instinctively shifted to shield Amelia.
It was only then that Simon looked up, eyes briefly pausing on James's arm in front of Amelia. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Quite the gentleman, Mr. Campbell."
James chuckled.
"I'm not nearly as calm as you, Mr. Johnson. Since Amelia's my friend, there's no way I'm just gonna sit back and let anyone take a shot at her."
Amelia's mind buzzed—at this rate, things were just going to spiral and drag more innocent people into it.
She stood up without hesitation. "Sorry, Mr. Johnson, I've lost my appetite. You and Fiona enjoy your meal."
With that, she turned around and walked out.
James glanced at her, then got up and followed.
At the entrance of the restaurant, Amelia finally spoke, "Sorry about that, Mr. Campbell. I'll treat you another day."
James gave a relaxed smile. "No worries. It's just one meal, not a big deal."
After a short pause, he asked, "You okay?"
Amelia nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Need a ride?" he raised an eyebrow.
"It's alright. I don't want to be a bother."
James chuckled, clearly catching what she meant. "Alright then, I'll touch base when there's news about the hearing. That work for you?"
"Sure," Amelia replied without hesitation.
"Great. Catch you later."
Once James left, she turned and headed in the opposite direction.
Back inside the restaurant.
Simon continued slicing his steak, his fingers holding the utensils with a calm grace.
"Simon, why didn't you say anything just now?" Fiona whined, looking aggrieved. "That Amelia was totally out of line. She jumped in on our meeting yesterday on purpose, and now this again."
Simon glanced at her. "You really don't know if she did it on purpose or if you're just stirring things up yourself? Fiona, spare me the act."
Fiona's face turned pale in an instant.
"Simon, what are you even saying? I was just trying to help! Didn't it look like they were on a date or something? That lawyer guy?"
Simon finished cutting the steak without touching a bite. He set the plate aside and picked up a napkin to wipe his hands slowly.
"Fiona, we're done working together."
"W-what?" Fiona froze, face drained of color. "But didn't we agree to sign the contract right after dinner?"
Simon tossed the napkin onto the table and stood up.
"I don't do business with people who don't know their place."
And with that, he walked out, not even sparing her a glance no matter how loudly she called after him.
...
Amelia hadn't called a cab.
She just walked along the street aimlessly, letting her heels click on the pavement.
Until a familiar car pulled up beside her.
The window rolled down, revealing Simon's face.
"Get in."
Amelia hesitated for a second, then opened the door and slid into the seat.
"When will the test results come out?"
"Three this afternoon."
Simon gave a half-hearted "Yeah" and didn't say more.
Amelia offered an explanation. "I was asking him something about my dad."
Simon turned his head slightly toward her. "And that calls for dinner together?"
"I just didn't want to owe him."
"Money settles most things."
"I'm broke," Amelia replied immediately.
She glanced over at him.
If anyone knew how tight her finances were, it was this man.
One hand on the steering wheel, Simon let out a mocking smile.
"Finished off that million already? Don't tell me you're keeping a boy toy on the side, Miss Clarke?"
"I'm not!" Amelia blurted out instinctively.
Simon snorted.
She didn't argue further. She had no intention of dragging him into her family drama.
Not to mention, he probably didn't care.
She still remembered the look of disdain in his eyes when Richard first showed up at the company.
Luckily, Simon didn't dig deeper.
Amelia quietly exhaled in relief.
When they reached her place, Simon dropped her off.
Before she got out, he reminded her, "Don't forget our agreement, Miss Clarke."
Between Simon and Amelia, there wasn't just an employment contract—there was also a kept arrangement written in black and white.
That agreement spelled it all out: he was the patron, and she was the companion.
And that same contract left zero ambiguity—it strictly forbade her from having even the slightest romantic involvement with any other guy while it was still valid.
Amelia gave a faint smile. "Don't worry, Mr. Johnson. I know the rules."
Simon cast her a brief glance but held back from saying more. He started the engine and drove off.
It was just past three in the afternoon.
His executive assistant walked into his office, holding a piece of paper.
"Mr. Johnson, Amelia's test results are in."
He took the pregnancy report, giving it a quick glance before asking, "You were there when her blood was drawn?"
"Yes."
Simon gave a quiet hum, then tossed the paper straight into the shredder.
- Writer
