Chapter 2 Biased Parents

• Amelia whispered, "Mister, can we keep our marriage private for now? I'm still in school and don’t want people gossiping about it."
• "Sure," Ethan replied.
• "Thank you, Mister. You're very nice!"
• Ethan handed her a card. "It has 100 million dollars on it, and the password is your birthday."
• Amelia was taken aback. "How did you know my birthday?"
• Ethan smiled slightly. He had expected her to be a bit of a golddigger, but her genuine innocence was a surprise.
• As the former heir of the Carter family, Ethan was used to a life of grandeur and prestige. However, after an accident left him disabled, he was forced into hiding at Oceancliff.
• Before marriage, he made sure to learn everything about Amelia.
• He held her hand. "From now on, you’re my wife, and I’ll give you everything you want."
• ……
• Ethan arranged for Amelia to be driven back to the Harper family home.
• She stepped out of the car, feeling disoriented.
• Did I really just marry so hastily? Is it too impulsive?
• Sophia saw Amelia get out of a luxurious, low-profile car, dressed in the latest fashion.
• This was an outfit Sophia had seen in magazines, a limited-edition piece with only one hundred sets available worldwide. The outfit was so exclusive that even money couldn’t buy it!
• Sophia approached her. "Amelia, have you become someone's mistress?"
• Amelia came to her senses and looked at Sophia calmly.
• To their parents, Sophia was the ideal daughter: smart, obedient, and a source of pride.
• But Amelia knew the ugly truth about Sophia’s true nature.
• Sophia looked down at Amelia with disdain and taunted, "You must have taken money from some old, unattractive rich man. How much did he give you? Just for this outfit?"
• She moved closer, her face twisted in anger, and hissed, "You’re the true heiress of the Harper family, so what? I’ll take everything from you—your parents, your status, and everything else that’s yours! You’re just a stepping stone for me!"
• Sophia smirked, anticipating an angry reaction from Amelia. But this time, she was disappointed.
• Amelia replied coolly, "If you want to take away my ridiculously unfair parents, go ahead. I don’t care."
• With that, she walked past Sophia and into the house.
• Sophia stood there, bewildered. What was happening?
• In the past, every time she provoked Amelia, Amelia would lose her composure, lashing out or fighting back.
• Their parents would then become more critical of Amelia and more indulgent toward Sophia.
• Was Amelia behaving unusually today?
• Her father, Lucas, and her mother, Isabella, were both present.
• When Isabella saw Amelia return, her expression soured immediately. "Amelia, how dare you come back? Didn’t you say you were running away? I thought you’d stay away since you were so temperamental!"
• "What are you wearing? What have you been up to outside? If you bring shame to the Harper family, you better go back to the countryside!"
• Amelia, expressionless, asked, "Wasn’t it you who said that if I brought out 2 million dollars, you’d let me continue my studies and not force me into marriage?"
• She had completely lost hope in her family and their biased treatment.
• Isabella sneered, "Do you really think you can come up with 2 million with your part-time jobs?"
• Without a word, Amelia took out stacks of hundred-dollar bills from her backpack and poured them onto the floor.
• The piles of cash, brightly stacked and impressive, left Lucas and Isabella in shock.
• “Here’s 2 million. You no longer have any say over my marriage,” Amelia declared, then turned and went back to her room.
• Lucas angrily demanded, “Stop right there! Where did you get this money? Did you steal it?”
• Amelia cast her eyes down, trying to hide the emotions churning inside her.
• This was how her own parents treated her.
• To them, she was as insignificant as dirt, even less valuable than an ant.
• “I worked for a wealthy individual outside. I borrowed this money from my boss, who agreed to let me pay him back after I graduate. These clothes were also a gift from him because he no longer wanted them.”
• Amelia had no desire to share the full truth with her parents; she was completely disillusioned with this family.
• Ignoring their stunned and confused looks, Amelia walked away with a blank expression.
• Despite being the true heiress of the Harper family, Amelia’s room was in a dark, cramped attic, a converted storage area.
• Sophia, on the other hand, lived in the largest, sunniest room on the second floor.
• While Sophia enjoyed lessons in piano, tea ceremony, flower arranging, and art, Amelia worked at a fried chicken shop, served at a karaoke bar, and tutored students.
• Sophia received all their affection effortlessly, while Amelia only got contempt and insults.
• Amelia took a deep breath.
• Suddenly, she missed Mister intensely.
• A WhatsApp notification pinged.
• The profile picture was a black silhouette, and the nickname simply read: Carter.
• Amelia’s heart raced as she quickly opened the message.
• Carter's message read, "Are you doing okay?”
• Amelia replied, “Mister?”
• Carter then answered, “Yes.”
• Amelia texted, “Mister, I’m doing well! I gave my parents the 2 million, and they were shocked! Hahaha!”
• Ethan looked at the smiley face emoji Amelia had sent, a soft smile forming on his lips that he didn’t even notice.
• Carter messaged her, “Don’t worry, I’ll support you.”
• Amelia replied, “You’re so kind, Mister!”
• Carter texted, “I’ve sent you an address.”
• Carter messaged again, “Come see me there tomorrow.”
• Amelia replied, “Alright, Mister!”
• She hugged her phone to her chest and smiled happily.
• ……
• With the 2 million, Isabella stopped pressing Amelia about marriage.
• During dinner, Lucas sighed deeply.
• "Ah! If only the Harper Group could collaborate with the Carter Group. Even though Carter Group is just a branch in Oceancliff, their resources could be worth more than Harper Group’s annual income."
• Amelia was intrigued. The Carter family?
• With the same surname as Mister, could they be related?
• She listened closely.
• Isabella suddenly recalled something. "Oh, isn’t Mr. William pursuing Sophia? The Brooks family and the Carter family have a history of working together. Why not ask Mr. William to assist us? Sophia, what do you think?"
• Sophia smiled confidently. "Sure, I’ll call Mr. William right away."
• "Sophia, you’re so considerate!" Isabella kept serving Sophia more food.
• Amelia looked on with disdain.
• Mr. William was just a creepy, ridiculous simp!
• "Amelia, what’s with that look?" Isabella scolded. "Don’t think that because it’s summer break, you can just lounge around at home. You’ll continue working tomorrow. I won’t cover your tuition!"