Amelia was beyond speechless. Seriously, does everything have to be some kind of mind game? I meant what I said.

Sabrina tugged on Ethan's sleeve, pouting. "Ethan, why don't you take my sister instead? I don't want her to be upset because of me..."

Ethan shot Amelia a cold glance. "Forget it. Let's go." With that, he walked off with Sabrina.

Amelia watched them leave, her gaze cooling slightly.

Not long after, Sabrina returned.

"Sis, I've got great news!" she said with a bright smile.

Amelia sighed softly. "The only good news right now would be going to that party with Ethan... but I know that's not happening."

"Who says it's not?" Sabrina handed her an envelope, grinning. "Here-I got you an invitation from a friend."

Amelia opened it and peeked inside, her face lighting up. "Sabrina, thank you! This really means a lot!"

"I didn't tell Ethan," Sabrina added quickly. "He might get upset, so keep this between us, okay? Don't let anyone know I gave it to you." Her eyes gleamed slyly. So easy to fool.

Just like last time-Amelia had taken the fake invitation straight to the venue, excited, only to be stopped at the door and thrown out by security. They nearly called the police.

When Richard found out, he'd been furious and slapped Amelia so hard her face stayed swollen for half a month.

And Sabrina? She played the innocent victim perfectly-claimed she'd been scammed by a ticket scalper and spent a fortune on a fake invite. Poor Amelia got caught in the crossfire. Richard didn't even scold Sabrina; he comforted her instead.

Amelia took Sabrina's hand gently. "You're really the best sister. Don't worry, I won't say a word."

Sabrina paused. Why did that sound a little... off? Almost like Amelia's tone was colder than usual? No, must be overthinking. Tonight's going to be a disaster for Amelia. Can't wait to watch the show.

*****

Later that afternoon, Amelia headed out.

She didn't have a car at the Johnson residence. She'd brought it up once before, but Grace told Richard, "Amelia grew up in the countryside. She's not familiar with the city-it's not safe for her to drive."

After that, Amelia never mentioned it again.

In truth, she did have a car-it was just parked at Rowan's place.

Rowan lived in one of the most upscale neighborhoods in the capital-Rosemont Heights.

The moment Amelia arrived, Rowan all but pounced on her. "You're finally here! I thought you were going full hermit on me."

Amelia gave him a flat look and pushed him away. "Let's not bring up my past foolishness, okay?"

"Fine, fine-whatever you say, as long as you've come back to your senses." Then Rowan noticed the bag Amelia was holding and raised his brows. "Wait, don't tell me someone like you actually fell for a knockoff?"

"Sabrina gave it to me," Amelia said, tossing the bag onto the table like it was nothing more than trash. "Wore it once and got mocked all day."

Rowan let out a low whistle. "Then why wear it in the first place?"

"I didn't know it was fake. She told me it was a limited edition straight from overseas." There was a bitter edge to Amelia's voice. Back then, she trusted Sabrina too much to doubt her. "It's barely worth using as a rag now."

"You think your sister knew it was fake?" Rowan asked.

Amelia let out a humorless laugh. "Of course she did. That was the whole point-she wanted me humiliated."

"So much for being 'super nice' to you," Rowan muttered. "I always thought she treated you pretty well."

Amelia sighed. "Rowan, you're literally the only person I can trust."

Rowan's expression shifted, the teasing gone. "What happened?"

Amelia met his gaze steadily. "It's been happening all along. I just didn't see it until now."

"If living at the Johnson house is hell, then move in here," Rowan said, surprisingly serious. "You know this place is yours whenever you want."

Amelia nodded. "Yeah."

But now wasn't the time. She hadn't done anything wrong. If someone had to leave, it should be that two-faced mother-daughter pair.

Amelia rubbed her stomach. "I'm starving. I'm going to grab something to eat."

The moment she stepped outside, Rowan opened the bag she had brought, spread the counterfeit items on the floor, and began taking a few photos.

*****

What Amelia didn't expect was to run right into him-right at the neighborhood entrance.

Running into Amelia here surprised Damien. "I didn't expect to see you in this neighborhood, Miss Johnson. Do you live around here?"

"My friend lives here," Amelia answered with a light smile. "I was just heading to the supermarket."

"I'm going there myself," Damien replied.

"What a coincidence. Shall we go together, then?" It was mostly a polite gesture-after all, she barely knew him, and shopping together might feel a bit awkward.

"Sure," Damien said calmly, though there was a faint warmth in his eyes.

Amelia found Damien surprisingly approachable-not at all like the cold, distant man rumors made him out to be.

Earlier that day, she had looked him up online out of curiosity. Among the business articles, she stumbled upon a few gossip pieces-including speculation that Damien might prefer men. No wonder he didn't make a move last night, she thought. Maybe he really isn't interested in women.

But then again, a man like Damien-at the top of the social ladder-could have anyone he wanted. Even if he did like women, she doubted he'd take notice of someone like her.

After picking up some snacks, they walked back toward the villas.

When Damien continued alongside her, Amelia tilted her head slightly. "Which villa is yours, Mr. Taylor?"

"Right next to your friend's," he replied.

"You knew my friend lives in Number Sixteen?" Amelia looked surprised.

"There are only two villas on this lane. It wasn't hard to guess," Damien said mildly.

Amelia nodded, not thinking too much of it.

As soon as she entered Rowan's villa, Damien made a quick call. "Check if Villa Fifteen at Rosemont Heights is still on the market."

Two minutes later, his assistant called back. "Master Taylor, it's still available."

"I'll take it. Bring me the keys within ten minutes."

The keys arrived quickly-but it wasn't his assistant who delivered them. It was Liam Taylor, his younger brother.

"You already have a place here. Why buy another?" Liam grinned teasingly. "Don't tell me you're planning to keep someone here?"

Damien shot him a sidelong glance. "What gave it away?"

"Wait-seriously?!" Liam's eyes went wide.

Damien didn't answer. He simply unlocked the door to the fully furnished villa.

Liam followed eagerly. "Bro, you have to tell me! The whole family's waiting for good news!"

Damien didn't look at him. "Replace all the furniture. I want it styled like the old house."

"Who is she?!" Liam's face lit up with gossip.

"Start now," was all Damien said.

"Is she pretty? Nice figure?" Liam was practically bouncing with curiosity. So many society girls had tried to get close to Damien, with no success. He couldn't wait to meet the one who'd actually caught his brother's eye.

Damien's expression didn't change. "If you're not doing it, leave."

"No perks, no work," Liam bargained with a sly smile.

Damien raised a brow. "What do you want?"

"That Black Feather sports car of yours." Liam's eyes gleamed.

Damien gave him a look that clearly said, Don't push it.

"Come on, bro, you don't even race. That car's wasted on you. Give it to me-I'll make it shine." Liam turned on the puppy-dog eyes.

"Take any of the others. Not that one." Damien didn't care much for cars, but the Black Feather was different.

*****

Next door, at Villa Sixteen-

Amelia tore open a bag of chips and flopped onto the sofa, flipping through channels. "You know Master Taylor, right?"

Rowan, mid-sip of milk, shot her a puzzled look. "Of course. Why?"

"He lives next door. Did you know that?"

Rowan shook his head. "No way. That place has been empty for ages."

"It's his. He just doesn't stay there often."

Rowan frowned. "And how exactly do you know that?"

"I ran into him at the gate. We even went grocery shopping together."

Rowan leaned over and pressed the back of his hand to her forehead. "Are you feeling okay? It's the middle of the day-you sound like you're hallucinating."

"You might not believe it, but yesterday we-"

Just then, the doorbell chimed crisply through the house.

"Who's there?" Rowan got up to open the door.

Damien stood outside. "Is Miss Johnson here?"

The moment Rowan saw him, he froze, jaw dropping. "You're... Damien... Damien..."

"Mr. Taylor, is there something you need?" Amelia walked over and pulled Rowan aside.

Damien handed her a gift box. "This is a dress I picked for you. Try it on. If it doesn't suit you, we can go to the store and choose another."

Only after Damien left did Rowan finally regain his voice. "Who was that just now?"

"Damien Taylor," Amelia said as she opened the box.

Rowan swallowed. "That was Master Taylor? I thought I was hallucinating."

Amelia gave him a look. "Yeah. I told you he's your next-door neighbor."

Rowan narrowed his eyes at her. "And how exactly did you two meet? Start talking."

Amelia lifted the dress from the box. "It's a long story. I'll tell you another time."

Rowan walked over to get a closer look, then suddenly sucked in a breath. "No way. This dress..."

Amelia frowned. "How does he have this gown?"

Rowan's expression turned meaningful. "This is Joey's legendary masterpiece. Go put it on. No one could wear it better."

Amelia raised a brow. "Why do you look like that?"

Rowan shrugged, trying to look innocent. "I'm just saying... Master Taylor might be into you."

Amelia laughed and tossed a pillow at him. "Yeah right. You're such a gossip."

Five minutes later, Amelia stepped out wearing the crimson off-shoulder evening gown.

Rowan's eyes widened. "Amelia, if you'd dressed like this before, Ethan would've fallen for you on the spot. You've been hiding that figure for years!"

Amelia used to wear mostly casual clothes or whatever Sabrina bought for her. "Men are shallow. I don't want his love anyway."

"Come on, you were practically obsessed with him before. Now you expect me to believe you don't care?" Rowan still didn't buy it.

Amelia didn't want to argue. She checked the mirror. "What should I do with my hair? Should I put on makeup?"

Standing behind her, Rowan waved her off. "Leave it down. And no makeup. You look gorgeous as is."

Amelia blinked at him. "You sure?"

Rowan wasn't joking. "Absolutely. You've got everything you need-just have some confidence. You're the brightest thing in this city."

Ever since returning to the Johnson family, Amelia had lost all her confidence and become a people-pleaser.

When she was two, her parents divorced. Her mother vanished, and her father Richard immediately brought Grace and one-year-old Sabrina into the home.

That same year, Amelia disappeared. In truth, Grace had abandoned her in a remote area, intending to get rid of her.

Amelia was lucky-she was found by a kind couple who raised her.

At eighteen, Sabrina was in a car accident and needed a rare blood type. Amelia happened to be in the same hospital with the same rare type and donated blood to save her.

That was how they discovered the two girls were biological sisters, and Amelia was brought back to the family.

Amelia and Ethan had a prearranged marriage agreement. Before her return, everyone assumed Ethan and Sabrina would end up together.

After Amelia came back, Sabrina grew resentful and constantly set her up, humiliating her in front of both families.

Grace and Sabrina kept hinting to others that Amelia was just some country bumpkin. They were masters at manipulating people.

They made Amelia believe her role was simply to look pretty and become Ethan's decorative housewife. She almost abandoned her own career because of it.

Her mentor had warned her not to trust people so easily, but she'd been too naive and kind-hearted to see the truth.

Looking back now, she realized she had ruined every good chance she ever had.

*****

At half past five, Amelia received a message from Damien. She grabbed her coat and stepped out.

A sleek black Rolls-Royce was parked outside, and Damien stepped out of the backseat.

From a distance, he looked like some divine figure come to life.

The image of last night's dream resurfaced in Amelia's mind, and her cheeks turned a bright shade of pink.