Chapter 56

Among Kretol's elite, the city's influental families often expected the women to attend countless social events. Ricky could never shake the anxiety that Lainey's unpredictable behavior might someday affect his reputation.

Rising from bed, Ricky wasted no time putting on his clothes and hurrying downstairs.

Janessa didn't waste any time, quickly heading downstairs after him.

But their search for Lainey turned up nothing in the dining area. A scowl formed on Ricky's face as he looked at Janessa.

Before she could offer any explanation, laughter floated in from the backyard-Lainey's voice mingling with Amelia's. Ricky exchanged glances with Janessa, and together, they strode toward the backyard.

In the backyard, Amelia gently guided Lainey along the path to the pavilion. It was uInclear how Amelia had managed to please Lainey, but Lainey, usually stern and cold, was now grinning broadly.

Witnessing this scene, Janessa suddenly felt a tightness in her chest, making it difficult to breathe.

Without hesitation, Ricky walked over. Shadows flickered across his gaze as he greeted Lainey. Then, he turned to Amelia, his tone sharp and cold. "Were you the one who invited your grandmother over?"

"That's right. I made arrangements for someone to bring Grandma from our hometown to Kretol."

Ricky clenched his jaw, nearly raising his voice, but. he held back his anger since Lainey was here."Why didn't you tell me before you brought her here?"

"Why do I need to do that? Grandma's not getting any younger. She deserves to come to Kretol from time to time and enjoy the life here."

Janessa couldn't hold her tongue anymore and said sarcastically,"SOcaring,are you? Why didn't you invite her to your own house then?" Amelia stared at her."Janessa, have you really forgotten this house still belongs to me? There's nothing wrong with letting my grandmother stay here. It isn't my place to judge, but shouldn't you, as her daughter-in-law, show a little more care for her? When my mother was alive, she always invited Grandma over."

"Don't even try to compare her to your mother! Your mother was born for this lifestyle. She can't even hold a candle to your mother," Lainey said.

Listening to the exchange, Janessa fought the urge to storm over and hit them both, but Ricky's presence forced her to grit her teeth and endure.

In fact, Lainey never truly liked Janessa, nor did she care much for Katrina.

Still, Katrina's fortune and generosity meant Lainey never dared cross her, even if she didn't like her.

Now that Katrina was gone, Lainey believed all the Flynn family wealth would eventually fall into Ricky's lap.

And the idea that Amelia would marry into wealth made Lainey soften her attitude toward her slightly.

Long ago, Amelia had seen her grandmother's true colors-her loveof riches always outweighed any family loyalty.

She might not hold much affection for her grandmother, but she did not hesitate to use her to get under Janessa's skin.

Without another word, Ricky decided he had had enough and motioned for Amelia to follow him inside,leaving Janessa behind with Lainey.

Stepping into the study, Amelia steadied herself, sure that Ricky was about to scold her.

But to her surprise, Ricky asked if she liked the birthday gift he had prepared for her.

Amelia's thoughts jumped to Dayna's visit yesterday. She pieced things together, guessing Dayna had come to her place at that time to give her something. "I don't know anything about a gift. What are you talking about?" she said.

The look of genuine confusion on her face prompted Ricky to pull out his phone and call Dayna. When he realized that Dayna's phone was off, irritation flashed in his eyes. Without a word, he turned and handed Amelia a small box from his desk drawer.

Right away, Amelia spotted Katrina's cherished diamond necklace inside the box; it was the piece she'd searched for the last time she was here. She hadn't found it then, and it turned out Ricky had it.

Without a second thought, she accepted the necklace.

Watching her accept the gift, Ricky hesitated before asking, "Who was with you at the Pearl Bay Auction House that day?"

It had struck Amelia as odd to see Ricky, always tight-fisted, suddenly acting generous. But now,she realized he had an ulterior motive.

Fixing him with a cool stare, she responded, "Just a friend. I can't reveal his identity."

Given Wyatt's status, she kept things vague.

Ricky, however, took her guarded reply as a sign she was unwilling to tell him the truth. His attitude flipped in a heartbeat. "Fine, don't tell me anything then."

Even though she knew how slippery and self-serving Ricky could be, Amelia couldn't resist a small, mocking smile at how quickly he had changed his attitude this time.

She gathered her things, preparing to leave, but Ricky suddenly said,"|heard you're working as Wyatt's secretary now."

Wyatt's name put her on alert. Amelia looked at Ricky, trying to read his intent.

Ricky continued, "Wyatt is the one who has come up with the Eastside Project. If the Flynn Group can land that contract, it would transform our standing. Don't forget that the Flynn Group is your mother's legacy.You owe it to-"

"I'd advise you to forget about that project if you want the Flynn Group to survive in Kretol," Amelia interjected, unable to keep quiet when she heard Ricky mention her mother.

Ricky's face darkened at her blunt warning. Seeing that, Amelia pushed down her frustration and continued, "You understand the weight the Stewart Group carries around here. Sure, that project looks tempting, but ask yourself-can the Flynn Group actually handle it with its current situation?"