Amelia tugged her coat tighter as she stepped into the softly lit restaurant, the sound of murmured conversations and clinking glasses greeting her. She had only agreed to meet Robert Hale because his assistant had insisted the matter was urgent. Despite her better judgment, she knew she needed more information about Horizon’s schemes.
Hale stood as she approached, his tailored suit immaculate. His piercing gaze locked on hers, and a practiced smile spread across his face. “Amelia,” he said smoothly, extending a hand. “Thank you for coming.”
“I won’t stay long,” Amelia replied curtly, ignoring his hand and taking a seat across from him. “Say what you need to say.”
Hale chuckled softly, unbothered by her cold reception. “Straight to the point. I like that.” He poured her a glass of wine, which she left untouched. “I wanted to personally apologize for any... unfortunate actions taken by my company. It was never my intention for your family to be harmed.”
Amelia’s jaw tightened. “You mean the threats? The stalker? The attempted kidnapping of my son?” Her voice was steady but laced with anger.
Hale leaned back, his expression almost contrite. “A regrettable series of events. But I assure you, Amelia, those were not my orders. I had no knowledge of such measures.”
She met his gaze, her eyes narrowing. “I don’t want your charity or your friendship, Hale. I want the truth.”
He smiled, as if her defiance amused him. “The truth is, I admire you. Your resilience, your devotion to your children—it’s rare to find someone with your strength.”
Amelia’s patience wore thin. “Flattery won’t get you anywhere. If you have nothing else to say, I’m leaving.”
As she moved to stand, Hale reached out, his hand lightly brushing hers. She froze, her pulse quickening—not with attraction but with the unease of being cornered.
“Amelia,” Hale said, his voice soft but insistent. “I didn’t expect to meet someone like you. You’re extraordinary. And you deserve better than the chaos Ryan has dragged you into.”
Her lips parted in a sharp retort, but the sincerity in his tone stopped her. He withdrew his hand, as if sensing her discomfort, and leaned back.
“I understand your hesitation,” he continued, his demeanor calm but calculated. “But consider this: I can offer you a way out. A fresh start. All you have to do is trust me.”
Amelia stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the polished floor. “I don’t trust you, Hale. And I never will.”
She turned on her heel and strode toward the exit, her heart pounding. Hale’s voice followed her, low and knowing.
“Think about it, Amelia. The door’s always open.”
She didn’t look back, her mind churning with questions and doubts. As she stepped into the cold night air, her phone buzzed with a message from Hale: You’ll see I’m right, eventually.