Page 105 of Obsessing Over His Favorite

“Maybe the rumors were wrong,” someone else in the group muttered. “Maybe he was never with Amelia. Maybe it’s always been Emily.”

A hush fell around the small circle of onlookers, their eyes bouncing between Emily and Lucas. The way Lucas stood beside her—his arm casually resting behind her, his eyes soft with what looked like affection—was enough to make every rumor feel like a lie.

One woman leaned in and whispered, “But they look… close. Like there’s still something going on.”

Another added, “Maybe the breakup was just gossip. He’s smiling at her like he’s going to marry her soon.”

Their murmurs filled the air, the assumptions spreading like wildfire.

Not far away, Amelia stood with a drink in her hand, her perfectly done smile cracking ever so slightly as anger burned behind her eyes. Her fingers tightened around her glass before she set it down with a softclinkand walked straight toward Lucas.

With a tight, practiced smile, she stopped beside him.

“Lucas! You should’ve told me you were coming,” she said sweetly. “We could’ve come together. Can we talk? Alone—just for a minute?”

Lucas didn’t even glance at her.

“I’m busy,” he replied coldly, his gaze still fixed on Emily.

Amelia’s smile faltered.

The group nearby, who had just been whispering about Emily, now tried to hold back their laughter. Their eyes flicked between the trio—between the obvious tension and Amelia’s very public rejection.

Emily didn’t say a word, but she could feel Amelia’s rage boiling beside her.

With forced concern, Amelia asked in a soft voice, “Are you afraid Emily will misunderstand if you talk to me?” Then she turned to Emily. “Emily, it’s just business. Something about my design revisions. I promise I won’t take up much time. You don’t mind, do you?”

Emily took a slow sip from her drink before answering with the smile matching Amelia’s. “What kind of business needs to be discussed in private corners, Amelia?” Her tone sharpened. “And designs? You mean the ones you steal and slap your name on?”

Amelia's face twisted with offense. “Those aremydesigns! Don’t talk like that! My name is already established—I don’t need to steal from you. I haven’t done anything to hurt you, Emily. Why are you always trying to ruin me?”

Emily took a step forward, her eyes blazing. “You humiliated me. Ruined my career. Lied to the world and built your success on my work.” Her voice rose, low and dangerous. “Did you really think I’d let you get away with it? That I’d let you walk around like you’re innocent?”

Amelia’s face went pale. The crowd was watching. Her reputation was slipping from her grip, inch by inch.

Just then, Jacob stepped beside Emily, placing a hand lightly on her back. “Are you alright?” he asked, his voice low, protective.

Emily didn’t even blink. “I’m fine,” she said, turning to him. “Let’s go.”

But as she started to move, Lucas grabbed her wrist, halting her.

“Emily,” he said quietly, his grip tightening just slightly. He stepped in closer, his voice raw. “Please… just stay here with me.”

Emily turned to face Lucas, her voice laced with ice. “Mr. Countrell,” she said coolly, “don’t you already have Amelia as your go-to partner for these events?”

Her eyes flicked to the crowd, then back to him. “You’ve always brought her to every party. So why ask me to stay with you now?”

Without waiting for a response, she pulled her hand free from his grip and walked away.

Lucas’s jaw tightened. He turned toward Amelia with barely contained fury. “From now on, talk to my goddamn secretary about your work. Not me!”

Amelia flinched at the venom in his voice.

“Lucas, are you saying this because of Emily?” she asked softly, reaching out to gently grasp his arm, her touch almost pleading.Her eyes softened, but there was something calculating beneath the surface.

“We were just talking business. Emily gets upset so easily.”

Her voice dropped to a gentle whisper as she leaned in, her tone carefully laced with vulnerability.