029. Fake smiles

The return journey to the mansion unfolded in tense silence. Amelia tried to maintain a composed expression, while Mei and Li Wei conversed softly in the back seat. Jason, at the wheel, exchanged worried glances with Amelia through the rearview mirror, aware of the tension hanging in the air.

For some reason, his sister remained determined to discredit Amelia despite even her friend Li Wei's conciliatory and friendly attitude towards her. This was beginning to anger him. Mei had always been his favorite family member, and he even spoiled her excessively, but everything had its limits.

Amelia's thoughts revolved around how to win Mei over. She understood the importance of Mei to Jason and desired her approval. Although she didn't truly need it, she was aware of Jason's affection and his strong dislike for accepting a wife imposed by others. In that regard, Amelia was different: she had been entrusted to Inmaculada Montalbán by him and was fully aware of her position—essentially a slave, though treated like a princess by Jason.

With Jason and Amelia lost in their thoughts, the conversation between Mei and Li Wei continued in whispers.

"Could you stop being so nice to Amelia?" Mei scolded her friend, not taking her eyes off Jason and Amelia. For her, Li Wei was the perfect wife for her brother: beautiful, from one of the best families, intelligent, attentive, and, above all, her friend.

"I explained this to you on the plane, and I'll say it again. Jason has found his ideal woman. As long as she doesn't seem evil to your brother, you shouldn't intimidate her."

Mei glared at her friend. Since when had she developed a fondness for disobeying her? Li Wei had always been the perfect wife for Jason because she had always been obedient towards her. This new girlfriend was unknown to her, and although she seemed eager to please, her loyalty was not yet assured.

"Li, you're the best wife for my brother, and that way, we'd always be together."

That was the problem, Li Wei thought. They had always been together. Her family had many business dealings with the Xiting family, but they were clearly dependent on those relationships. Since she was young, her father had forced her to be respectful towards Mei. When she was finally accepted into Mei's circle at university, her father's expectations had increased even more.

All of that was in the past. Now, they remained very good friends, but given her intelligence and skills, Li Wei had quickly climbed the ranks in a technology company and no longer depended on her father. She no longer wanted to be Mei's servant.

"And have you thought about what your brother wants? Amelia might be the best thing for him, even if she isn't for you."

Mei leaned back angrily in the leather seat of the car and stared out the window for the rest of the drive. Why couldn't her friend understand her?

She had launched the discrediting campaign against Amelia as soon as she learned from Jason's housekeeper about this new girlfriend's arrival. She had managed to convince her father of her brother's poor decision, but Jason remained determined to keep this woman.

Upon arriving at the mansion, the staff was ready to receive them. The bodyguards hurried to unload the luggage from the Maserati and the following BMW, carrying it to the designated rooms.

Jason helped Mei out of the car while Amelia did the same with Li Wei.

"I hope the return journey was pleasant," Jason said, smiling at his sister.

"Yes, brother, it was quiet," Mei replied, though her tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction.

Amelia stepped ahead, opening the mansion's doors and leading the group towards the main hall. The high columns and marble floors reflected the sunlight, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

"Your room is in the east wing of the mansion, overlooking the garden and the Mediterranean," Amelia explained as they walked. "I hope everything meets your expectations. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to let me know."

Mei scrutinized every detail with a critical eye, from the paintings on the walls to the arrangement of the furniture. She knew the current decor was her brother's doing. Amelia hadn't been there long enough, and criticizing something in this regard would offend her brother, not her future sister-in-law.

Li Wei, on the other hand, appeared more relaxed, although she remained close to her friend. She was slightly worried about Mei's anger in the car after she refused to make things difficult for Amelia. Mei was Jason's sister, and she might overlook her friend's disrespect, but if she were the offender, she doubted it would go unnoticed.

Upon reaching Mei's room door, Amelia stopped and smiled.

"Here we are. This is your room, and the one next door is Li Wei's. I tried to think of everything you might need."

Mei entered first, followed by Li Wei and Jason. Amelia remained at the door, watching their reactions.

The room was spacious and bright, with a large canopy bed in the center. The sheets were a soft ivory tone, and fresh floral arrangements adorned the bedside tables. A large window offered a panoramic view of the garden.

Mei walked straight to the bed, running her hand over the sheets.

"Do you really think this color for the sheets is appropriate?" she asked, turning towards Amelia with a raised eyebrow. "I expected something more… refined."

Amelia felt a knot in her stomach but maintained her composure. "I'm sorry it's not to your liking. I can have them changed immediately to a color you prefer."

Jason, noticing the tension, intervened. "I'm sure Amelia did everything possible to ensure your comfort. If there's something you don't like, we can fix it."

Li Wei, trying to defuse the situation, added, "The room is lovely, Amelia. Thank you for taking the time to prepare it for us."

"Thank you, Li Wei," Amelia replied, grateful for the support. "I'll have the sheets changed right away, Mei. What color would you prefer?"

Mei shrugged, apparently satisfied at having found something to criticize. "Maybe a darker tone, something that better reflects the elegance of this mansion."

"Understood," Amelia said, gesturing to one of the servants to handle the change.

As the servants hurried to fulfill the request, Jason approached Amelia and whispered in her ear, "You're doing great. Don't let it get to you."

Amelia nodded, appreciative of Jason's support, and turned back to Mei and Li Wei. "If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to tell me. I want your stay here to be as pleasant as possible."

Mei nodded, her expression slightly more relaxed but still searching for an opportunity to launch another critique. "Thank you, Amelia. I hope we can enjoy our stay here. What's the plan for the rest of the day?"

Amelia looked towards Jason, knowing there were no specific plans until the following day. "Today, I thought we'd let you rest and enjoy the amenities of my home," Jason responded, emphasizing the word "my" to underline who was in charge, trying not to escalate the tension. "We planned to have dinner in the garden and rest for tomorrow."

Mei remembered the report she received from the housekeeper. She knew Amelia was very sensitive to alcohol, and that weakness could be an opportunity to embarrass her. "Sleep? It's summer, and this area is known for its nightlife. Are you old folks? Let's go to a nightclub."

Jason glanced at Amelia, seeking an escape. "We could assign a couple of bodyguards to take you. I have to get up early tomorrow for work," he replied, hoping to avoid the night out.

Mei's gaze turned to Amelia, almost licking her lips at the thought of what she could do. "And Amelia? She was supposed to be our guide," she argued, knowing that without Jason, she would have more freedom to execute her plan. Her intention was clear: get Amelia drunk, obtain some compromising photos, and ruin her reputation.

Amelia looked at Jason with pleading eyes, silently begging him to get her out of this situation. She didn't trust Mei completely, and she had reasons to suspect she was planning something. However, Jason misinterpreted her gaze.

"It sounds like a great idea. You'll get to know each other better. You'll see that Amelia is a wonderful person," Jason said, convinced that this outing would help strengthen bonds.

Amelia lowered her gaze, trying to hide her anger towards both Jason and Mei. Mei's proposal was an obvious trap, and Jason was pushing her straight into it.

"I'm not much of a dancer, but I'll join you," Amelia responded, resigned.

Mei smiled, satisfied to see her trap closing around Amelia. She needed to obtain some Valium or antihistamine to mix into her drink and cause a more intense drunkenness. She would seek out the housekeeper to see if she could get it. "Don't worry, we can get a private area and enjoy the atmosphere and some drinks. Are there private areas here?"

"Of course, they're expensive for ordinary people, but I'll arrange one for us," Amelia replied, worried about whether she could secure a private space on such short notice. "We'll leave you to settle into your rooms. We'll see you in a bit by the pool or at dinner."

Li Wei, sensing the tension, tried to ease the situation. "Thank you, Amelia. I'm sure we'll have a good time."

With that, Jason and Amelia headed to their quarters. Amelia, desperate, searched on her smartphone for how to book a private area at one of the trendy nightclubs. Meanwhile, Jason tried to comfort her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want you to feel pressured," Jason said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Amelia put down her smartphone, her eyes flashing with contained rage. "Pressured? Jason, it's a trap, and you know it! Mei is looking for any excuse to discredit me. I can't afford to fail. I need you to come with me!"

Jason frowned, his expression hardening. "Amelia, understand your position. You're the hostess to my sister, and you need to fulfill your responsibilities."

"My position? My position is to make a fool of myself in front of your sister and her friend while you stay here comfortably!" Amelia raised her voice, her emotions overflowing. "She hates me and wants to destroy me, and you're sending me straight into her trap."

Jason stared at her, letting her vent. When Amelia finally fell silent, exhausted, he spoke firmly. "I understand your stance and your fear, but you need to comply with my decision. Mei is my sister, and you need to show her you're a good hostess."

Amelia took a deep breath, trying to calm down. "Jason, please, I beg you. Come with me. I can't face her alone."

"I can't, Amelia. Tomorrow, I need to fix your issue with the rumors and other very important matters. You have to handle this yourself," Jason responded, his tone inflexible.

Amelia lowered her head, accepting in resignation. "Fine. I'll go with them to the nightclub, even though I don't know how I'll secure a private area in such a short time."

Jason smiled slightly and showed her his smartphone. "I've already taken care of it. You have a private area waiting for you. I trust you, Amelia. I know you'll do well."

Amelia looked up, seeing the determination in Jason's eyes. Although she was still angry, his confidence in her reassured her somewhat. "Thank you," she murmured, accepting her fate with a mix of fear and resolve.

Jason hugged her once more, whispering in her ear. "You're strong, Amelia. Don't let Mei make you doubt yourself."

Amelia nodded, feeling her anger transform into bitterness. She knew she was a lamb being led to slaughter. She pulled away from Jason and took the smartphone before disappearing into her dressing room to decide what to wear that night and to put on a bikini to relax in the jacuzzi.

"Is something wrong?" Jason asked, appearing in the dressing room with a wide smile.

Amelia looked at him; he was only wearing swim trunks and flip-flops, making her lick her lips with desire at the sight of his bare Greek god-like torso. She shook her head to clear her lascivious thoughts before replying.

"I was thinking about what to wear tonight, but I'm ready to join you at the pool."

When they reached the pool area, neither Mei nor Li Wei had arrived yet, so they got into the jacuzzi to relax for a while. Without the two nuisances, Amelia tried a desperate tactic to avoid going alone to the nightclub with them.

Amelia straddled Jason's legs and began kissing him as she spoke in a sweet voice. "Jason, my love, you know how alcohol affects me. If you come with me tonight, you could take advantage of me after a couple of drinks, and then we could… you know." Jason reacted instantly, and Amelia felt his erection. "Your little friend down there agrees with me."

"Amelia, stop. I'd take you right here, but you know very well. I'm not going. I don't like staying up late or loud music."

"But you like my body, don't you?"

Jason realized Amelia's desperate attempt to seduce him and drag him along that night. He remembered how the worm inside Amelia reacted to alcohol and how she would become somewhat shameless, trying to get sex. If he went, he'd be impaired the next day; if he didn't, it could be dangerous if Mei insisted on making her drink.

"Behave, Amelia, you're not in your room."

Mei's irritating voice pierced Amelia like two daggers. She turned and smiled at her sister-in-law before observing Li Wei. In her clothes, she looked cute, but now, wearing a bikini that barely covered anything, her figure was enviable. Amelia glanced at Jason, who was clearly surprised by Li Wei's bikini. She returned her gaze to Mei as she sat beside Jason.

"Sorry, I was trying to convince your brother to join us, but maybe it's better if he stays home."

Jason got the hint and looked amused, shifting his gaze from Li Wei and leaning over to whisper in Amelia's ear. "Don't worry; I was just surprised by her bikini." After that, he turned to his sister and her friend, adding, "You've become quite daring in the last two years I haven't seen you."

"Your sister insisted I wear this. Honestly, I feel a bit uncomfortable. Will you join us, then?"

Jason hesitated on how to get out of this. After Amelia's last attempt to convince him, he realized the danger of not going, but if he answered affirmatively now, Amelia would think it was because of Li Wei. He looked at Amelia again, who was watching him, ready to protest in any way.

"Amelia made me an offer I can't refuse, so I'll join you, but only on the condition that we return home soon."

Mei smiled at Jason's words. Her plan was to get a photo of a drunken Amelia in the arms of another, but she could still get her drunk and make her look foolish in front of her brother. Mei had already obtained the antihistamine, which was why they had taken a bit longer, and she hoped to slip it into Amelia's drink.