Amelia returned to the coffee shop and instructed the clerk to head to the nearby supermarket to pick up some ingredients they were running low on.
Once the assistant returned with the supplies, she stepped into the kitchen and started working. She was only halfway through when her phone suddenly rang.
Seeing the caller ID flash her eldest brother's name, she perked up instantly. She answered the call, her voice clear and sweet.
"Hey, big brother, what time are you coming?"
"I'm heading to your in-laws' place with your sister-in-law, so I won't make it today."
Liam briefly explained the situation to Amelia, his voice carrying not a hint of guilt. The cheerful expression on Amelia's face froze. It took her a moment to realize her brother had already hung up, the dull tone on the other end of the line confirming it.
Amelia stared at the disconnected call, then, unable to control herself, hurled her phone away. The shop assistant quickly jumped to the side, narrowly avoiding being hit by the flying device.
Emma Johnson, you're definitely working against me. Brother clearly promised to come to my place for dinner. How could you suddenly drag him home to see your parents?
Amelia's eyes darkened with resentment as the thought crossed her mind.
She tore off her apron, losing all interest in the meat and vegetables scattered across the kitchen. She told the clerk to throw everything away. The assistant reluctantly picked up the items, thinking it was a terrible waste since the dishes weren't even cooked yet.
Outside, a Rolls-Royce pulled up at the entrance. Amelia spotted the handsome man stepping out of the car, and a flicker of gloom passed through her beautiful apricot eyes. But the moment he looked her way, her face lit up with a sweet, happy smile. All traces of anger vanished, making her appear like an angel untouched by worry—someone who inspired endless pity and affection.
"Second brother, you're here. What perfect timing. I just happened to cook several dishes in the kitchen and was wondering how I'd finish them all by myself. You came just in time."
Amelia stepped forward and lovingly took Benjamin's arm. Benjamin looked at her with a face full of tenderness, his eyes brimming with warmth.
"Is that so? It seems I'm in for a treat. I haven't had your cooking in days."
"It's easy enough to eat what I make. As long as you can come every day, I'll cook for you at noon every day."
Amelia said with a smile.
"No, your body is still recovering. You shouldn't tire yourself out like this. You shouldn't even be coming to this coffee shop every day. It's fine to check in every three or five days. After all, you're the boss—there's no need to work so hard."
Benjamin said, his eyes filled with concern.
Amelia thought to herself that they were truly brothers—both cared about her. But the eldest was different. Compared to him, Benjamin's advice was clearly more detailed and heartfelt.
Yet in her eyes and heart, even a simple word of care from her eldest brother could make her happy for days. Unlike her second brother, whose words she forgot as soon as he finished speaking.
When Emma and Liam arrived home, they didn't expect to see their aunt and Isabella there. They had come bearing gifts. Seeing Emma, her aunt gratefully took her hand and patted it.
"If it weren't for you, how could the contract issue have been resolved so easily? Auntie is here to thank you."
Isabella greeted the couple with a smile, her face wearing a grateful expression. But compared to her mother, her sincerity was lacking. She secretly regretted that if the agent hadn't left early yesterday, she wouldn't have run into her mother, who had come to see her, and wouldn't have mentioned the film deal.
So today, her mother wouldn't have come to thank them.
"She and Isabella are sisters. What's there to say between family? You'd better take this card back. Although Isabella's acting career is going well, there are plenty of expenses. If you take out so much, what will you do if you run out of money?"
James handed the card to his sister.
"Brother, this matter should have been handled by Isabella. A million isn't a small sum. Isabella can still earn it back in the future. But it's not for you to pay."
Watching her aunt and father argue over there, Emma realized that her aunt wasn't just here to thank them—she also wanted to repay the money.
"Aunt, take the money back. That's not a small amount for Isabella. As my father said, she has many expenses. It'll be the same when we're better off."
Emma didn't want the money right away. She saw the reluctant smile on Isabella's face beneath the embarrassment. Clearly, it was very difficult for her to part with the money. Besides, if she truly didn't care about the money, she wouldn't have been so embarrassed to call herself.
Finally, she secretly tugged at Liam's sleeve. Liam stepped forward and eventually convinced her aunt to reluctantly take back the card. After all, Liam was the biggest shareholder behind Isabella's performing arts company and Emma's husband. As long as he didn't mind, Isabella naturally didn't have to rush to repay the money.
However, she still insisted on writing an IOU to Emma. Isabella gritted her teeth secretly, thinking her mother was too serious. Anyway, Emma's husband is so rich. For her, what difference does a million make? It's like a hundred dollars to ordinary people. It really pissed her off.
As the family sat down to eat, Isabella's mother looked at Liam and sighed. Even though her daughter had stolen her niece's boyfriend, her niece could still find a better husband. Suddenly, she had become a famous lady. Watching her nephew-in-law thoughtfully bring food to her niece, she had never seen Lu xuzhe treat Isabella like that. Ah, I only blame my own Isabella for not having good fortune. In the future, I don't ask her to marry a diamond CEO like my nephew's son-in-law, but at least she should find someone who knows how to care for her.
That way, she could rest completely at ease.
After dinner, Emma's aunt left with Isabella.
"Your cousin is really a lucky woman. Her husband is so good. Even if she doesn't work, she can live the best life. He's so considerate to her. Look, the dishes he brought were all her favorites. You can see he has her in his heart."
Isabella's aunt said emotionally as she sat in the car.
"Even if it looks good now, who can guarantee the future? Mom, don't forget the value of your cousin's brother-in-law. I don't know how many excellent women have taken the initiative to pursue him. Maybe he likes his cousin now, but who can guarantee that in the future? There are too few men who stay in love."