Crowned by the Man They Feared (Amelia and Jeremy) novel Chapter 381

**TITLE: Broken by Destiny by George Orwell**

**Chapter 381: A Verbal Sparring Match**

Regina flashed a smile at Amelia, her expression appearing friendly and courteous on the surface. Yet, if one were to look into her eyes, they would find a simmering annoyance that she could no longer contain. The irritation was palpable, growing steadily like a storm cloud ready to burst.

Amelia, undeterred by the tension, had no intention of playing nice. She shot back with a sharp retort, her voice steady and confident. “Maybe your eyesight’s failing. No one ever said I look like any of them.”

“Amelia, how can you speak to Gianna’s aunt like that? That’s so disrespectful! She’s an elder!” Miguel interjected, his voice rising in an attempt to seize the attention of those around them. His indignation was as transparent as his desperation to appear important.

Before Amelia could formulate a response, Jeremy’s voice cut through the air, firm and unwavering. “Who Amelia chooses to speak to, how she speaks, and whether she speaks at all—that’s her prerogative. It’s not up to a useless brother like you to control her.”

His words were laced with a sharpness that could slice through the tension. Jeremy didn’t shy away from being seen as harsh; he relished the opportunity to defend Amelia. He would gladly bear the weight of any label if it meant standing up for her.

For the first time, Amelia regarded him with genuine admiration. Not bad at all. Well done, Jeremy. Some people truly deserve to be called out for their arrogance. She silently awarded him another point in her mind, appreciating his courage.

Miguel’s face flushed with embarrassment and anger. He longed to retaliate, to unleash his pent-up frustrations, but the gravity of the event weighed heavily upon him. With prominent guests observing their every move, he swallowed his words, the last remnants of his rationality forcing him into silence. The expression on his face—caught between the urge to speak and the fear of looking foolish—was almost comical, and Amelia stifled a laugh at the sight.

“Mr. Curran, I’ve heard you’re a man of few words and not exactly known for your warmth,” Regina remarked smoothly, her tone dripping with feigned politeness. “I didn’t expect you to be quite so talkative today.”

In the realm of conversation, Regina was a master, her words flowing like honey, sweet but laced with a hint of venom. Beneath her elegant facade lay a subtle mockery, a sarcasm that often ensnared the pretentious elite. Yet, when it came to Jeremy, her tactics fell flat. He refused to grant her the respect she sought.

“My attitude is dictated by the company I keep. And people like you? This is the best treatment you’ll receive from me,” he replied, his voice calm yet edged with steel. “Who cares whose aunt you are? You have no claim over Amelia. She doesn’t even bother with her real brother or her real mother. Who do you think you are?”

He didn’t hesitate to defend Amelia, ready to strike down anyone who dared to bully her. Regina, in particular, had crossed a line with her scheming and her alliance with Wade; Jeremy was done pretending to be polite.

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