Chapter 5

Julian’s eyes glinted with malice.

His voice was so low that only the two of us could hear it.

The ambulance was about to leave, and I still didn't have proof to make them force their way in.

Just as I was about to call the police, Amelia’s call came through to Julian’s phone.

"Why are you asking about my mom’s birthmark?" her voice echoed.

Before Julian could answer, I snatched the phone from his hand.

"Amelia! Your mother is having a severe asthma attack inside this villa!"

"Julian is blocking the paramedics from going in! If we wait any longer, she’s going to die!"

Amelia snapped instantly. "Liam, are you out of your mind? How dare you curse my mother!"

"My mom is currently in Europe! How could Julian block her in some villa?!"

"I bet your own useless mother is the one dying, and you’re trying to use my mom to get my attention. I'm not helping you beg Julian!"

I froze. A cold dread washed over me.

Amelia knew Julian was going after my mother. And she had approved of it!

I clenched my jaw so hard my teeth ached.

For years, I had treated her parents like my own family, and this was how she treated mine.

Mary must have returned from Europe early without telling anyone, and Julian kidnapped her by mistake.

To make Amelia take this seriously, I threatened her. "The company is at a critical stage. If this gets out and the stocks plunge, you know exactly what will happen to your inheritance."

That finally struck a nerve. Amelia screamed through the phone.

"Liam! Are you threatening me?!"

"I’m coming over right now. I want to see what kind of game you’re playing!"

I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Standing next to me, Julian saw my sweaty, pale face and laughed.

"You think Amelia will side with you when she gets here?"

"Let me tell you something, she will protect me no matter what. Even if your mother dies here today, she won't stay mad at me for long."

Just as Julian finished his sentence, his assistant ran out of the villa, panicking. "Julian! The old lady... she’s stopped moving!"

The paramedic’s face turned serious instantly. He grabbed his trauma kit from the truck and ran toward the house.

But Julian quickly slammed the iron gates shut. "What do you think you’re doing? This is private property! I’ll sue you for trespassing!"

"Someone is dying in there!" the paramedic yelled.

"So what?!" Julian yelled back arrogantly. "I said I’ll take responsibility! Are you deaf?!"

The paramedics cursed at him for being heartless.

But no matter what they said, and even though I called the police right in front of him, Julian kept the gates locked, looking completely fearless.

My only hope was the police.

But before the police arrived, Amelia’s sports car screeched to a halt.

She stepped out, frowning at the ambulance. "Who called them? Having an ambulance outside my house is so bad for PR!"

She walked over and glared at me. "You called them for your mother, didn't you?"

"Julian was just playing a little joke to blow off some steam. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?"

"It’s not like she’s actually that fragile."

"If she’s really that weak, she wouldn't have lived much longer anyway!"

Hearing Amelia say this, Julian looked even more smug.

He smiled and told his assistant, "Liam and these doctors really want to see the old lady. Go on, drag her out."

The assistant was fast. Within two minutes, he dragged Mary out of the front door and threw her onto the grass like a sack of potatoes.

The paramedics tried to run forward, but Amelia stepped in front of them. "Let me see if she actually needs help first."

She walked toward the limp body on the grass with disgust.

But the moment she saw the woman’s face, all the color drained from her cheeks, and she froze.