Chapter 2 Don't touch me!
Henry didn't respond, just kept stirring his soup like he hadn't heard a thing.
Amelia sat quietly next to him, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup without thinking.
At the Phillips Villa dining table, everyone wore elegant masks, speaking insincere words.
"Amelia, have some more shrimp," Ava suddenly turned to her, placing a peeled shrimp on her plate. "You look too thin. Henry doesn't seem to care for you. He should make sure you eat better."
"Thanks," Amelia replied.
Rhea chimed in at the right moment, "Speaking of which, Amelia, it's been a month since you married into the family. Why haven't we seen any signs of pregnancy? Is Henry unwilling?"
"That's not true," Amelia said flatly.
"That's good," Rhea smiled, then changed the subject. "By the way, there's a tea party this afternoon. Why don't you come with me? It'll be good for you to meet some ladies from prominent families and help Henry expand his network."
Though the words seemed considerate, they were a reminder to everyone that Amelia, as Henry's wife, hadn't even integrated into the basic social circle.
Before Amelia could respond, Henry suddenly put down his spoon. "She'll be coming with me to the office this afternoon."
Rhea was taken aback. "But..."
"She knows the Phillips Group's new quarterly report better than I do." Henry's tone was calm but carried undeniable authority. "The board meeting is more important than a tea party."
Ava's expression changed slightly, and Finn cleared his throat. "Let's not talk about work during dinner."
The meal was filled with underlying tension.
After dinner, Amelia followed the maid to the kitchen to clean up the dishes.
Just as she placed the plates into the sterilizer, she heard Rhea's voice from the doorway. "Amelia, prepare a fruit platter for the living room. Make sure it has strawberries and blueberries, and they need to be chilled."
Her tone was commanding and entitled.
Amelia turned around to see Rhea leaning against the door frame, arms crossed, watching her with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Got it," Amelia replied, turning to the fruit basket.
Just as she picked up the knife, her wrist was suddenly grabbed.
Startled, she turned to see Henry standing behind her.
"You don't need to do this," he said, releasing her wrist, his fingertips brushing against the base of her thumb.
Amelia pulled her hand back, about to speak when her phone, lying screen-up on the table, suddenly lit up.
[Amelia, I heard Henry's been messing around. I saw it trending!]
The message from her friend Olivia Smith popped up on the screen.
Amelia didn't reply, thinking Olivia wouldn't send another message.
But then...
[Henry's a jerk. If he can't satisfy you, let me know.]
[I can get you a male model!]
The messages kept coming, and the last one caught Henry's eye.
The phone was suddenly taken from her.
Henry looked down at the screen, a playful smile slowly forming on his lips. He looked up at Amelia, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "No need to trouble anyone else. If you have needs, I can fulfill them."
Amelia quickly shoved the phone into her pocket. "I don't need anything."
Henry raised an eyebrow, stepping closer. In the narrow kitchen space, the scent of alcohol mixed with a faint cedar aroma enveloped her. "Grandpa specifically asked us to stay at the Phillips Villa tonight."
Amelia's heart skipped a beat.
Henry's fingers brushed a stray lock of hair by her ear, his tone serious yet teasing. "Since we need to have a child, we should put in some extra effort tonight, right?"
Amelia coldly knocked his hand away. "Don't touch me!"