Amelia White's face wore a harmless, simple smile, but Emma Johnson felt her cheeks burn. Why on earth hadn't that damn Liam woken her up? If she didn't get up until noon, it would ruin her entire schedule.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"It's fine. But sis, why is your face so red? Are you feeling unwell?"
Amelia asked, her voice laced with concern.
"I'm fine. I think I just had the blanket pulled too tight while I was sleeping. Got too hot."
Emma made up a quick excuse to brush it off. Maybe because Amelia's mind was currently stuck at eighteen years old, she actually bought Emma's explanation. An adult wouldn't have been fooled so easily.
After a simple lunch, Emma and Amelia headed to the new shopping mall together.
"Sis, I know I've been a bit distant with you because of my amnesia. I'm not as familiar with you as I am with Dad and my brothers, but please don't be mad. I'll get used to it soon."
In the car, Amelia nervously explained her behavior toward Emma over the past couple of days.
"I understand. Don't worry, I'm not angry. As long as you get better, that's the greatest comfort for all of us."
Emma naturally didn't take it to heart. She was more worried about how hard it would be for Amelia to face reality. It was already a miracle she hadn't completely fallen apart.
Having opened up in the car, Amelia's attitude toward Emma grew much warmer. When they got out, she even took the initiative to link her arm through Emma's, chatting and laughing with her.
Emma thought the clever, sweet Amelia was incredibly endearing.
After strolling for a while, they spotted a crowd of excited people up ahead, with music blaring all around. It wasn't far off—there must be models walking the runway.
Emma led Amelia through the crowd, and sure enough, she saw models on the catwalk wearing all kinds of beautiful clothes.
Soon, she spotted a familiar face. When Isabella Miller appeared, the audience's excitement surged even higher.
Isabella also saw Emma. She waved with a smile, motioning for her to wait until the show was over. Emma hadn't expected to run into her here, but since she had, she figured they could grab a cup of afternoon tea together.
Besides, Noah Taylor wasn't around. That was definitely better than last time.
"Sis, why is that person waving at you?"
Amelia asked, confused.
"She's my cousin. Want to have afternoon tea with her later?"
"I didn't know your cousin was so beautiful. I saw her on TV today. She seems really famous."
"Yeah, she's a model signed by your big brother's company. She's pretty popular now."
Speaking of Isabella's fame, Emma's answer was completely objective. She showed no hint of displeasure or jealousy. Isabella had earned her success through hard work, and Emma gave her the credit she deserved.
"Cousin, what a coincidence to run into you! Miss White, you're out shopping with your sister-in-law?"
Seeing Amelia with her cousin, Isabella greeted her politely.
Amelia's expression was a bit timid, nothing like the poised, elegant lady she used to be. Isabella looked at Emma, confused.
"I'm sorry. I had an accident and got selective amnesia. I don't remember much from these past few years."
Before Emma could speak, Amelia volunteered the information herself.
Isabella was stunned for a long moment. She hadn't expected Amelia to lose her memory. But she quickly recovered and offered her condolences.
The three of them chatted for half an hour in a coffee shop inside the mall. Since Isabella had to rush off to another TV show, she said her goodbyes.
Emma needed to use the restroom. She had to finish up some orders first. She asked Amelia to wait for her there. Amelia nodded quietly, and Emma felt relieved enough to leave.
When she came out of the bathroom, she found two strangers sitting in her original spot.
Emma quickly called over a waiter.
"Excuse me, where's the woman who was sitting here?"
"She left a while ago."
The waiter's reply sent a jolt of panic through Emma. Amelia didn't have a phone or a wallet. How was she supposed to find her?
Emma rushed back to the bathroom. Amelia wasn't there.
She felt her composure start to crack. Where could Amelia have gone? Emma had to consider the worst-case scenario. She searched the entire mall twice, but it was no use.
Today, because the mall had just opened and was hosting various events, there were tons of customers. Even if she searched all day, it would be nearly impossible.
Thinking of what Amelia was wearing, Emma headed straight to the mall's broadcasting room. She asked the announcer to put out a missing person alert. She hoped someone had seen Amelia and would report to the broadcasting room.
Emma knew she couldn't hide this, even if she'd be blamed. She called Liam Williams. His voice was low.
"Wait for me at the mall. I'll be right there."
Then she heard the click of the phone hanging up. Emma didn't wait quietly in the broadcasting room. After giving the announcer her phone number, she went back out to search for Amelia.
A nagging thought echoed in her ears. She recalled the conversation between the old man and Liam. She felt that if anything happened to Amelia, it would be the biggest blow to the old man.
Amelia was the only blood relative left in the world from his deceased old friend. Nothing could happen to her. As Liam had said, the old man was too old to withstand such a shock.
Emma tried to spot Amelia in the crowd. By the time Liam's phone call came, she still had nothing.
"Where are you?"
There was a cold, oppressive air in Liam's voice. Emma felt her heart tighten.
They met in the broadcasting room. The announcer said that so far, no one had seen Amelia. Emma thought about how many women were wearing purple coats in the mall today, how many young women there were. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
"I just went to the bathroom. I didn't know Amelia would be gone when I came back. It's all my fault."
Emma blamed herself, looking at Liam. But Liam had no time to comfort her. He was busy calling his subordinates, ordering more people to come and search for Amelia.
Watching Liam's grim, gloomy expression, Emma thought that if Amelia was truly lost or something happened to her again, there would be a huge rift between her and Liam—one that could never be repaired.