The Heiress They Couldn't Break (Amelia) novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1 The Engagement Party Is Canceled

The hotel's banquet hall shone beautifully with glasses clinking all around. A carefully arranged engagement party was happening in full swing.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us tonight to celebrate a very special occasion. It is my great honor to officially introduce to you the engaged couple, Mr. Vincent Dester and Ms. Amelia Nygard ... "

Before the host could finish, a phone started ringing.

Vincent took out his phone. When he answered, a woman's trembling and crying voice came through. "Vincent, I ... I had a car accident. It really hurts. I'm scared ... "

Vincent's expression changed immediately. "Gianna, don't be afraid. I'll come right away."

"But ... it's your engagement party ... "

He didn't wait to hear the rest. Turning to the host, he said, "The engagement is canceled."

Amelia, one of the stars of today's event, stood beside him. She saw the sudden change in his eyes, like he had just been hit in the chest.

Vincent didn't even look at her. He turned around and rushed toward the exit.

"Vincent!" Amelia instinctively reached for his sleeve but only caught empty air.

"Amelia, I'm sorry. Gianna was in a car accident. You should go home first," Vincent said gently.

"What if I don't want you to leave? This is our engagement party. If she's in an accident, shouldn't she call the police? Why do you have to go?"

And besides, she has three older brothers she could've called!

Why does it always have to be him?

Clearly, she's up to something.

Vincent frowned. "Amelia, don't be unreasonable. This is a serious matter."

"You know I don't like her. Are you my fiancé or hers?" Amelia's eyes stayed calm, steady as still water.

She had wanted to ask this for a long time.

Vincent was supposed to be her fiancé, but whenever Gianna Nygard had any trouble, he would drop everything to be by her side.

The worst part was that Gianna knew how to put on an act. She always schemed against Amelia. The Nygards began to dislike Amelia, and her place in the family became weaker.

But Amelia was the real daughter of the Nygards, one of the wealthiest families in Brookhaven.

Six years ago, Amelia disappeared during a family banquet.

The Nygards tried everything to find her, but she was never found.

Rumors spread outside the family. Some said she must be dead or have been taken to a faraway rural place and would never come back.

Six months later, her father, Raymond Nygard, brought home another girl, Gianna Nygard.

He told everyone that Gianna was the daughter of the man who had saved his life.

Before dying, that person asked him to take care of his child.

Gianna's mother had died young, and her past was full of sadness. The Nygards were told to treat her kindly.

Little by little, Gianna took over Amelia's place in the family.

She was sweet, pretty, talented, and knew how to act in front of people. She quickly won over Raymond and the rest of the family.

Even in social circles, she became known as the "daughter of the Nygards."

The Nygards were proud of her, thinking she was the real heiress.

But then, four years later, Amelia suddenly returned.

No one knew what had happened to her during those years.

She had become quieter, more distant, and carried a coldness in her personality.

The Nygards cared a lot about appearances. To them, Amelia was an embarrassment, a stain on the family, hard to like.

But once again, that witch Gianna had ruined it.

Josie couldn't even remember how many times this had happened!

"Ms. Hutton!" Vincent's voice turned icy. "Mind your words!"

Josie was furious. This scumbag was completely under Gianna's spell. "What? Did I hit a nerve? Vincent, have you lost your mind? You're really going to ditch your fiancée for some fake drama queen?"

"Ms. Hutton, this is our family matter. You shouldn't interfere," Emery said, her face cold and stiff.

Vincent looked furious and embarrassed, as if her words had struck a nerve. His embarrassment turned into anger.

Amelia patted Josie on the shoulder, then calmly faced Vincent. "If you walk out that door, it's over between us."

Time was already slipping by. Vincent started to panic. He tried to calm her down. "Amelia, don't say things you don't mean. The engagement party can wait. We'll call it off for now. I just need to check on Gianna, and we'll talk when I get back."

Then he left without looking back.

All he could think about was whether Gianna was badly hurt. He had to see for himself.

He planned to explain everything to Amelia later. She would calm down eventually.

The rest of the Nygards rushed out after him, as if the girl lying in the hospital bed were their birth daughter.

Amelia stood still, watching their backs disappear from sight.

She stood tall, her gaze firm and unwavering.

She had once done everything she could to fit into this family, hoping they would accept her. But now she realized it was useless.

The Nygards had ignored her, all to dote on that fake mean girl, Gianna.

There was no place for her in this family anymore.

So she gave up.