Amelia woke up early that morning and went out for a bit. By the time she got back, she had to calm Dennis down, which left her feeling completely drained. She crashed for a nap and when she finally woke up, she realized an hour and a half had slipped by. Dinner was still two hours away.
She dragged herself out of bed and grabbed her easel from the corner. After setting it up, she clipped a blank sheet of paper onto it and just stood there for a moment.
She had studied art at a university overseas. Thanks to the Lane family’s support, she’d managed a few exhibitions, and now her name had a bit of weight in the international art scene. But honestly, painting was never really her passion. She didn’t feel like chasing after any big career either. If it were up to her, she’d just coast through life under her family’s wing.
But Kevin Lane had insisted she do something with herself. All the other adult kids in the family had jobs or responsibilities. Even Ethan was working at one of the subsidiaries. She was the only one with nothing going on, so eventually she picked painting, though not exactly with enthusiasm.
Her skills were nothing special, nowhere near what her college diploma might suggest. Still, people were always happy to buy her art, mostly because she was a Lane and investing in her work was a way to stay on the family’s good side. That was pretty much her whole “career.”
Amelia didn’t have any big dreams. She wasn’t hoping to paint a masterpiece. The only reason she’d set up the easel now was because she felt wound up and needed something to take her mind off things.
She hadn’t been painting long when her phone buzzed with a message. She figured it was Tanner Miller and ignored it. About half an hour later, after she’d sketched out the basics on her canvas, she finally checked her phone.
She was right—there was a message from Tanner—but that wasn’t all. Another message was waiting from Isabella Austin’s mother.
Amelia’s heart skipped. She put down her brush and opened the message.
Isabella’s Mother: Amelia, I’m getting really anxious. Do you have any updates from the Lane family? Is there anything I can do to help? I just want to know what’s happening and if I can be useful.


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