Clive licked his dry lips, his voice coming out rough as he tried to explain himself to Amelia.
“Robert called me—your mentor. Kristen really did put something in Penny’s sachet, something that messes with your mind. That’s why Penny’s been so sleepy and out of it lately. And… Kristen’s mom, Bianca, she’s a top-tier hypnotist.”
A sedative on top of hypnosis—for a five-year-old, that was enough to make her completely controllable.
Clive shut his eyes, guilt twisting his features.
“I let Penny down. I let you down too.” The admission was heavy, his words thick with regret. “When you disappeared, I hired a team to look for you. I haven’t really slept. I’ve just been waiting, hoping for any news about you…”
He searched her face, desperate for some sign that she still cared.
But there was nothing.
The Amelia who used to love him with all her heart was gone—maybe she’d died on that operating table five years ago.
The woman in front of him now only looked at him with cold indifference, her eyes full of disgust.
“So, did you ever call the police? Did you tell Shane what Kristen did? Did you make sure she paid for what she did to Penny?” Amelia’s voice was icy.
Clive froze, his gaze darting away.
“Amelia, I…”
“You keep saying you’re sorry, but in the end, you’re still protecting Kristen, aren’t you? Even after everything she’s done. Even though you know she’s hurting Penny! You’re still standing up for her!” Amelia saw right through him.
He always talked about doing the right thing, but he never actually did it.
Clive rubbed his face with his palm, frustrated.
“Amelia, let me take care of Kristen, okay? Just... give me a little more time.”
Amelia stared at him, something clicking in her mind. Ignoring the pain in her body, she lurched forward and grabbed Clive’s collar with shaking hands.
“You haven’t done a thing, have you? Clive, you’re still letting Kristen near Penny!” Her anger shook her whole body, her hands trembling with the urge to tear him apart.
She was too weak to do much, but Clive didn’t dare fight back. He was afraid of hurting her.
“Amelia, I swear, I’ve assigned bodyguards to Penny, and the house is covered with security now. Kristen can’t get near her anymore. It’s just... the engagement news just went public, and the company is about to start a new round of fundraising. We can’t afford a scandal right now… Amelia, please, trust me one more time, I—”

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