Marry My Billionaire Second Husband - Chapter 46

Beady Eyes
There had to be at least thirty pairs of eyes staring at them.

Amelia could feel the back of her neck burn from the very moment she and Matteo stepped out of his sleek black Maybach, their gazes trailing after her every movement. She had her hand looped around his as he gracefully led her to their table. As this was a high-end restaurant whereby their entire clientele only included the richest people in the city, there wasn’t a need to get a private room.

On the contrary, Matteo’s very intentions were to make sure they witnessed everything that happened on their dinner date.

The wealthy women of Sol City often stayed at home to be rich housewives― they had no jobs and spent most of their time dining at fancy restaurants or blasting their cash on expensive spa packages. As such, Matteo could depend on them to spread the word to everyone― their friends, their relatives, or even the beloved luxury pets in their home.

“They’re all looking at us,” Amelia whispered beneath her breath as they followed the host to their table.

It was situated on the second floor, looking right over the gold-gilded railings at the level below. Paired with the crystal chandelier that illuminated the entire restaurant, it was easily considered the best table available at the location.

“They should,” Matteo calmly said. He pulled out the chair for Amelia to sit on, and she brushed down her dress before sitting down. As Matteo took his own seat, he continued, “You’re the most beautiful woman here tonight.”

The other patrons tonight were seated a good distance away. While they could see Amelia and Matteo’s every movement, they couldn’t necessarily hear their conversation. Furthermore, Matteo’s voice hadn’t been loud― it was something said solely for both their ears and no one else’s.

As such, Amelia couldn’t help the raging blush that crept onto her cheeks. There was no need for such flattery, and yet he was coating it on thick and heavy.

She did need that little confidence booster. Caleb had been nothing short of lavish when it came to words of affection back during their dating days, but ever since they got married, those words were few and far between.

It wasn’t for the lack of trying — Caleb was a stellar actor when it came to playing the part of a loving husband — but simply because most of the time, Amelia wouldn’t even see him. She worked long hours to keep their little family afloat, and sometimes when she returned from her late night shifts at the club, Caleb was already asleep.

“Thank you,” Amelia whispered back, controlling her lips to prevent herself from smiling too brightly.

She even felt a skip in her chest, a sensation that had her furrowing her brows. Her hand came to touch the area right where her heart was. The butterfly flutters were not a good sign, and Matteo — despite his cold demeanor and simple words — had succeeded one too many times in causing her heart to race.

He hadn’t even done anything, and yet, somehow, he managed to make Amelia feel everything.

***

Unbeknownst to them, two women who were seated on the first floor had seen Amelia and Matteo enter the restaurant, hand in hand. They hadn’t noticed these two women, but like the rest of the restaurant, no one could miss the entrance of the hottest topic in high society currently.

“Is that Matteo?” Annalise said, flabbergasted.

The corner of her lips was pulled into a sneer as she watched them ascend the stairs and take their places at the best seat available at the restaurant― a seat which was usually empty and refused to other diners.

“The engagement party is in less than two weeks!” she continued, unable to tear her eyes away from the young couple.

Matteo had said something, which caused Amelia to beam in reply. Watching their youthfully in love interactions brought a bitter taste to Annalise’s mouth.

“What is he still doing with that skank?”

“Watch your language, Annalise,” Catherine calmly said as she dug her knife into her steak. Elegantly, she pierced a small, neatly cut cube of meat before placing it past her lips. After she was done chewing, she said, “Your father-in-law will get a heart attack if he heard you with that colorful language.”

“It’s about time that man died,” Annalise snapped, careful to keep her voice low. There were one too many listening ears, and in a circle where everyone knew everyone, she couldn’t be too careful. If Horace Hawthorne heard about this, she would be kicked out to the streets in a minute flat. “He’s still unwilling to pass down the company to Benjamin, even though my husband’s been managing the damn thing for years! Who knows what on earth he is waiting for?”

“Maybe for Elaine’s return?” Catherine said, amusement sparkling in her eyes.

“That woman has to be dead,” Annalise hissed through her teeth. She has been gone for nearly three decades. Disappeared without a trace. Even her own father, who was the most powerful man at that time, couldn’t trace her. The only way for that is if she had died in a ditch somewhere, her corpse left to rot.”

At those words, Catherine made a face.

“Annalise, can you refrain from such topics?” she said disapprovingly. “I am trying to enjoy my steak.”

“How awfully carefree of you,” Annalise said with a roll of her eyes. “If Matteo doesn’t marry Emmeline, your darling boy Aiden will never be able to take over X’el. He will always be the shadow while his brother is a flame.”

Her fisted hands tightly clutched her utensils as she stared dead into Catherine’s eyes.

“And flames do not have shadows,” Annalise reminded.

At the mention of her son, Catherine’s expression finally dimmed. The nonchalant attitude she wore quickly melted away as she met Annalise’s gaze with fierce determination. Then, she reached for her purse, pulling out her phone.

“Amelia Kentwood, is it?” Catherine idly said as she tapped her screen. “It seems like she’s currently the media’s favorite topic after her scandal with the Walton heir.”

She then grinned evilly at Annalise. “How much do you think they will pay for a tip-off on her current location?”