Since She Met Lucian

"Yes, Mr. Lucian. I already took the hit so you better fulfill your promise," Jasper said, his tone full of resentment and pain.

Lucian's calm look turned into a glare. Coldly he replied, "Is this how you respond when you've hurt others?"

Jasper answered in a disapproving tone, "So what else would you have me do?"

"Jasper, stop! Don't say anything more," Vernon said in panic.

Jasper tried his best to control his temper. Finally, he smirked and tried to flatter Lucian. "Well, you're the big boss of the city. Whatever you wish will be done."

"I asked them to slap you because of Amelia. You've done her something terrible and I wanted to even things out as her ex-husband. You have to apologize to her," Lucian said without any hint of expression.

Jasper was having a hard time control his anger in front of Lucian. His face was beginning to turn red when he said, "You've already hit me. What else do you want? Why won't you just let things go?"

"Jasper, don't..."

"Dad! Why don't you tell him the truth? The only reason I've been trying to put up with this guy is because of your stupid company!" Jasper shouted as he faced Vernon.

Vernon's face contorted into a mix of shame and fear. He slowly turned to Lucian and said, "Mr. Lucian, I hope you can help me for the sake of our family."

Lucian had never been cold-hearted. After Zhan Group went through its own financial crisis, Lucian knew what it was like to not have enough money. But what really got him upset was the fact that Jasper had slapped Amelia and he did not show even a hint of remorse. And to top it all off, Jasper only took the hit so they could ask for capital for their project.

"What family? Did you ever treat Amelia like she's part of your family?" Lucian sneered.

Speechless, Vernon merely frowned and looked at Lucian with pleading eyes. The whole situation was making the old man anxious.

"Amelia is not..."

"Jasper, enough!" Vernon snapped. With a smile that conveyed nothing but apology, Vernon turned back to Lucian and said, "You're right, Mr. Lucian. I do owe Amelia an apology."

Lucian raised an eyebrow. He was unconvinced of the old man's sincerity so he said quite bluntly, "I don't like beating around the bush. I will give you the funds and invest in your company, but only if you would own up to your mistakes and apologize to Amelia. In addition, you will no longer say anything that will hurt her for the rest of your lives. Otherwise, I will make sure that no business endeavor of yours would ever succeed."

Having said this, Lucian picked up his cup of tea and took a sip.

intimidated Vernon

shuddered after hearing his threat. Jasper could

It had a reputation for buying out any business that dared compete against it. No business owner in his right mind would dare go against Zhan

Lucian." Vernon stood up and smiled. He didn't want to make the situation

what about the money, dad?" Jasper

better do as he said

his father-in-law's cue,

you really going to help them?" Eric broke the silence

darker. Without answering Eric's question, he said as if he were speaking to himself, "Jasper just said something that got me a little confused. What would he have said

Jasper's so he's in urgent need of money.

leave it to you then, Eric. Oh, and

confusion, "I thought you didn't want to meet with Mr. Edmund?

Lucian's assistant, Eric always understood how Lucian's mind worked, but he

be fun, Eric. It's time for the man hiding backstage to

Eric had left. He couldn't help

was tired from a whole day of working, Carlotta

cleaned up the shop before leaving for

didn't want to shell out much for cab fare so she opted to

of the night. Rubbing her exposed arms with her bare hands, Amelia walked quietly along the dimly lit avenue. Shivering as she made her way home, she felt terribly

immediately flooded

she mindlessly thought, 'Baby, your dad loves mom

trying to shake those thoughts off when a Porsche parked near the intersection caught her

wearing a white shirt got out of the car.

made of lead as she couldn't move from where she stood. She considered going the opposite direction to avoid him, but she

it was not a surprise that he knew where she was. She wondered how long he had been

watched as he closed the distance between them. When he finally got to her, the light above his head cast

eyes to meet his gaze. She tried to maintain

handed her a big coat, which she took

only blush. She looked up at him, but the light behind his head rendered his

coat over her shoulders instantly warmed Amelia. When she propped the collar up her neck, Lucian's familiar scent wrapped her senses and