Chapter 53

Word about the Eastside Project's public bidding spread quickly the next morning, catching the attention of every savvy investor in town. The Morrison household hummed with a feverish kind of energy because of the matter.

"Seriously, Mom? What's so earth-shattering that you made me come back now?" Jaxton grumbled.

Just a few hours ago, he had been out at a bar, lost in the music and laughter. Laura's call had forced him to ditch his friends, and as he left, the guys had heckled him with enough sarcasm to spoil his night.

Back in Kretol, most heirs of wealthy families his age could sway the family's decisions,but he still had no right to make decisions in the Morrison family.

This was just another example. Laura called him, and he was forced to drop everything and race home.

The instant he stepped inside, Laura wrinkled her nose at the sharp scent of alcohol and smacked him on the arm. "I called you here for a reason. You need to go find Amelia and-"

"You called me back here just so I can go fetch Amelia?" Jaxton exclaimed.

Just hearing Amelia's name made his eyes flash with anger.

Laura's patience wore thin. "Will you stop interrupting me? Weren't you always complaining I never trusted you to manage a project on your own? Well, here you go-the entire Eastside Project is yours."

At the mention of the Eastside Project, the fury in Jaxton's eyes shifted to shock."Didn't you always say that project was so important that it could make or break the company? And now, you're dropping it in my lap?"

Jaxton struggled to process his mother's decision.

Choosing to ignore his skepticism, Laura said, "You're the only son I have. The company will be yours one day, so it's only right you step up and handle the Eastside Project." Laura's words sparked a hidden excitement in Jaxton, though confusion still lingered. "What's Amelia got to do with the Eastside Project bidding anyway?"

Laura let out a weary sigh, clearly bothered by his inability to understand the situation. "Don't you remember? Amelia's working at the Stewart Group now. We're not the only family chasing after the Eastside Project in Kretol. If you want an edge, you'll need to get some inside info. That's where Amelia comes in-"

"You're giving Amelia way too much credit. She barely has any pull in the Stewart Group, and I doubt she's allowed near anything important," Jaxton interjected, his sneer unmistakable.

"You're underestimating her. I had someone look into it. Amelia is Wyatt's chief secretary now," Laura said.

Leaning back on the sofa, Jaxton widened his eyes in disbelief, but he quickly said, "No way! Everyone working for Wyatt is the best of the best. He could have picked any person with exceptional skills. Why would he make Amelia his chief secretary?"

Laura always believed that Jaxton never gave Amelia enough credit, butit still stunned her to see him dismiss her entirely. A sharp reply left her lips. "Do you really not remember that Amelia graduated at the top of her class from Kretol University? With talent like hers, it's only natural she'd become Wyatt's secretary."

As the bidding for the Eastside Project drew closer, Amelia was working late at the Stewart Group. She didn't set foot in her apartment until almost ten o'clock that night.

Outside her apartment building, Jaxton had been waiting for hours. The instant her headlights appeared, he straightened, wearing a smile that rarely found its way onto his face, and waved.

When a waving figure appeared in the glow of her headlights, instinct told Amelia to slow down. Once she realized the figure was Jaxton, though, she stomped on the gas pedal instead.

Her car shot forward, the tires almost touching Jaxton's foot. He had to leap back, or else the wheel would have smashed his toes.

Annoyance already gnawed at him from the waiting. Amelia's reckless driving made his anger snap. He bolted across the grass, rushing straight to the front of her car.

As her car was forced to a stop, Jaxton's lips curled into a cocky grin.

He was about to approach the car door to talk to Amelia when he noticed her car reversing.

Puzzled, Jaxton watched her car back up until it suddenly moved forward and accelerated, heading straight for him.

A wave of panic swept over his face as he shouted, "Amelia, have you lost your mind? Hit the brakes, now!"

The wheels screeched on the road, the car stopping just inches from Jaxton.

Terror drained the color from his cheeks, and he tumbled to the ground.

Only when the engine fell silent and the car door creaked open did Jaxton scramble upright and charge at Amelia in anger. He swung an arm to strike, but Amelia slammed her door into his chest, sending him sprawling onto the pavement.

Glancing down at him without a shred of pity, Amelia said coldly, "Maybe next time I won't stop in time. You keep throwing yourself at my car, so if you get hurt, don't blame me."

Without another word, she strode off toward the apartment building, never once glancing back.