Marry My Billionaire Second Husband - Chapter 137

Chapter 137: Half-Baked Truths
“Preposterous,” Amelia gritted her teeth. “Especially when all I have now is your word against the memory of my mother.”

She stood to her feet, the legs of the chair scraping against the floor as she did so.

“If that’s all you have to say, then it’s no wonder you were kicked out of the apartment that other day,” Amelia said. “You don’t care about your dead partner and child. All you care about is the money their death can bring you.”

Joshua barked in laughter as though highly amused by Amelia’s words. “And what would you know about grief?” He gestured to her and said, “Look at you― you are enveloped by wealth. You suffered for barely even a couple of years before your rich grandfather brought you up the social ladder.”

“You know nothing about me nor my struggles,” Amelia hissed. “I offer you my condolences for your lost family, but what you’re requesting is unreasonable.”

If he had asked for a couple of grand, perhaps Amelia could still reason with herself. It had been years and she highly doubted this money would be going into any actual grieving, but if that was what would mend her father and Joshua’s relationship, Amelia wouldn’t mind it too much. However, seven digits was a whole other story.

“Struggles?” Joshua echoed. “You married a rich boy and played pretend with him for a couple of years. After that, you two got a divorce and you became the heiress of the wealthiest and most influential family in all of Solara. Now you’ve got yourself a fancy little new fiancé from an equally wealthy family.”

Joshua rolled his eyes, standing up as well. Only, he was much rougher, causing the seat to fall back as he rose to his full height.

“What struggle do you have, Amelia Kentwood?” Joshua roared, taking a step forward. His voice rose even higher as he took another step forward, the glass shards still held in his hand. “What do you know about the struggles of us poor, average citizens when you’re rolling in dough?”

Just then, the door to the private dining room burst open, and in stormed a group of burly men. They quickly formed a human barricade around Amelia, separating her from Joshua. Matteo stepped in after them, his face dark as a thundercloud as he joined Amelia’s side.

“What we do with our money is none of your business, isn’t it, Mr. Kentwood?” Matteo said.

With his height so much taller than Joshua, he looked down on the other man as though he was nothing more than the scum stuck to the bottom of his shoe. Instantly, Joshua withdrew, shrinking a little due to Matteo’s oppressive aura.

When Joshua made no move to reply or move, Matteo turned to Amelia, his gaze immediately softening. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” she replied. “I just…”

“I know,” Matteo comforted. He then addressed Joshua, “I believe Amelia’s generosity has been shown in the form of a very expensive meal.”

Matteo looked pointedly at the empty plates that once held famously lavish foods.

“If you show up anywhere near her again, forgive me for disregarding your once-familial ties, but the cops will be notified.”

“Just like your mother and father,” Joshua said, sneering. “Heartless and cruel in the face of money. If you have something good, the lot of you have always been too selfish to share.”

“You have the right to be upset,” Amelia said. “Just as I have the right to check with my dad first on what it is that really happened that day.”

“Do you expect your old man to tell you the truth?” Joshua questioned. “If he’s so willing to be Elaine’s little lapdog back then, do you think her death will mean any different? He’s too proud to admit his lover’s wrongdoings!”

“Take him away,” Matteo instructed the guards. Instantly, the men marched over to Joshua’s side, flanking him before escorting him out of the restaurant.

“Three days, Amelia Kentwood!” Joshua yelled as the bodyguards brought him out of the restaurant. “You have three days to send me the money, or I will go to the paps!”

Then, his voice faded into inaudible mutters that were muffled by the distance and the closed door.

Amelia fell back into her seat, cradling her head. Immediately, Matteo went down on his knee and leaned in so that he could watch her closely.

“What’s wrong?” Matteo asked. “Is it the injuries? Come, I’ll bring you to the hospital to get them checked―”

“No, it’s not that,” Amelia said, sighing.

She cracked open her eyes and began to recount the story Joshua had just told her. Every single detail was relayed, and by the time Amelia was done regurgitating everything Joshua had said, she felt even more exhausted than before.

“For all I know, he could be lying,” Amelia said with a shrug, coldly chuckling at herself. “But the look in his eyes… It was so raw, so filled with pain and hatred. I don’t think he told a complete lie.”

“Perhaps you need to speak to your father about this,” Matteo said. “He was present when it happened. Unless you’re worried that your father will lie to you?”

“No!” Amelia hastily said. “No, of course not. I believe he will tell me the truth, but I just don’t know if I’ll be prepared to hear it.”

Her mother had always been a hero to her. If what Joshua said was the truth, Amelia would be shattered. However, Matteo was right. Rather than boiling herself with half-baked truths and lies, it was better to get to the bottom of it.

“You’re right,” she said, getting up to her feet. Matteo rose with her, helping her stand. “I need to talk to my father. He’s the only one who will be able to tell me what happened.”

She tightly held Matteo’s hand.

“Do you mind bringing me to Ronan’s?” she asked. “I want to get to the bottom of this before trouble comes knocking.”

***

Cast out on the streets after the meeting went wrong, Joshua cursed under his breath. He had hoped that Amelia would be a pushover just like his older brother, but it seemed like she had inherited more of her mother’s traits than he would’ve liked.

Engrossed with his thoughts, Joshua hadn’t even noticed when he nearly walked straight into a woman. He cussed out loud, irritation darting through his body.

“Watch it―!” Then, he stopped himself short.

When he raised his eyes to properly look at the woman he had nearly run into, his eyes widened in surprise.

“I can’t help but overhear bits of your conversation back at the restaurant,” she said. “I hope I am not being too nosy, but could you tell me the full story? Perhaps I could offer some assistance.”