Chapter 82

The spacious room was dead silent as Amelia stared at the strand of hair between her fingers, a sly smnile curling on her lips.

Then-click. The door opened.

She whipped around, the smile frozen mid-air.

"O-Oliver."

Oliver stepped in. His sharp jawline and straight nose gave off a composed elegance, but under that calm exterior, there was always a trace of sharpness that made people wary. He casually hung his suit jacket on the coat rack, his eyes cool and examining.

"What are you doing in here?"

Amelia took a breath, trying to steady herself before forcing a calm face. "The competition's tomorrow. I just remembered I left a decoration piece at home.I thought you'd be around, so l popped in to say hi."

Oliver's expression darkened instantly. "Mrs. Clark told me you stopped by-and asked if we were at home together. You clearly knew I wasn't here. Why sneak into my room?"

He took a step forward. Amelia could feel a chill climb up her spine, sweat starting to bead at her back.

"What's in your hand?" he asked coldly.

She casually let the hair slip through her fingers and fall to the floor like it meant nothing. With a seemingly innocent smile, she brought both her hands to the front and opened her palms to show to him,letting him check.

Oliver's gaze stayed skeptical. "Leave. And don't ever come into my room again."

Her face dropped, as if genuinely hurt. "Got it.Oliver." As she walked past him with her head down, his voice turned colder: "Don't play games behind the Lewis family's back. What's not yours will never be."

She quickly left the room.

Oliver looked around. The bed-it had clearly been disturbed. He went over to where she was standing earlier. Nothing there. Maybe he was just overthinking it.

With that thought, he walked out and headed to the study for a video meeting-completely unaware of the lone hair strand still lying quietly on the gray carpet.

Back in her room, Amelia leaned against the door and then slowly slid to the floor, hands slightly trembling.

No rush. There'll be another chance to get a clean sample tested.

After packing a few accessories, she left the Lewis estate.

At Dreamscape Manor, Tristan was in a video meeting when his phone buzzed. He picked up the call.

"Talk."

Cameron's voice came through, "Boss, Samuel went to Capital Hospital. Had Director Kyan Hall run a hair sample test. Amelia also showed up later dressed as a nurse, went into the lab but didn't stay long."

Tristan rubbed his chin. "What were the results?"

Cameron answered, "The two samples came back with no blood relation."

"Did we confirm whose samples they tested?"

"No sir, but it's pretty clear Amelia swapped hers in."

Tristan's tone stayed relaxed, "The Lewis family's been trying to find their real daughter for years.Hundreds of attempts, all dead ends. Wouldn't be shocked if the real one slipped through ages ago.That imposter clearly hasn't been sitting idle."

Cameron asked, "What about the sample switch?"

Tristan twirled the pen in his hand. "Leave it for now. Let's see what happens tomorrow night."

Next morning.

Megan lazily rolled over and snuggled close into the man's chest.

Tristan pressed a kiss to the crown of her head."Babe, didn't you say someone's coming over today?"

Her eyes snapped open and she suddenly sat upright. "What time is it?!"

He glanced at the watch on the nightstand. "Nine twenty."

She leaped out of bed, dashed to the bathroom to wash up, and reappeared minutes later in a crisp shirt,jeans, and peach-red flats, bounding out of the walk-in closet.

Meanwhile, Tristan stood at the door in a clean white casual outfit. "You going too?" he asked.Tristan pulled Megan into his arms, his warm hand sliding under her shirt, lazily caressing her smooth waist.

He smirked, "You went to the airport yourself to get a friend, of course l've gotta meet them."

Megan's heart skipped a beat. If Mia slipped up and said the wrong thing, that'd be bad.

As she zoned out, the hand on her waist gave a firmer squeeze. "Don't tell me... it's a guy?"

Megan gave a little snort. "So what if it is?"

Tristan leaned in, nibbling at her ear with a grin."Then I guess I'll just have to teach you a lesson."

"You sure you've got what it takes to tame me tonight?" Megan shot back, fingers working to undo one of her shell buttons.

Then another. And another.

Tristan's eyes darkened. He quickly buttoned them back up and cleared his throat. "Uh... we're gonna be late picking up your friend."

Megan arched a brow at him. "Wow, Tristan. Acting like a noble gentleman now? Meanwhile, I look like a total flirt."

Tristan chuckled, driving her to the Capital City Airport himself.

But Megan didn't let him tag along inside-he was too tall, too good-looking. Way too noticeable. She slipped on the newest LX sunglasses, grabbed her bag, and got out of the car.

Those shades covered half her face-celeb must-have.

Soon,a curvy woman with loose waves came walking out, pulling a suitcase behind.

Once she spotted Megan, she rushed over and hugged her tight.

"My queen! I've been losing sleep these past six months without you!" Megan patted her back. "Drama queen. You got all the stuff?"

Mia gave her chest a confident tap. "Relax, I came fully loaded. We're gonna kill it tonight. But seriously,you need to catch up on the autumn-winter line.While you vanished, I was here trying to copy your designs just to hold the line!"

Megan walked alongside her. "I got married. To Tristan."

Mia's jaw dropped. "Didn't you say he was a nutjob?"

"He's actually wonderfuI," Megan said seriously. "He doesn't know I'm Lila Moore though, so don't blow it."

Mia looked shocked. "Why not tell him?"

Megan smiled softly. "I want to stand beside him,not behind."

Mia looked at her like a fangirl. "Classic queen move.Never a man's shadow." As they stepped out of the airport, Mia spotted a guy in a face mask and cap leaning coolly against the car,hands in pockets.

"Oh. My. God. That's just... unfair levels of handsome." Mia pretended to wipe drool. "You were outta your mind not marrying him sooner."

Megan sighed, "Trust me, I know. I was blind as a bat."

The man spotted Megan and smiled beneath his mask,walking over.

"This is Mia, dedicated tailor for designer LiMo,"Megan said,making introductions.

Mia gave a polite nod. "Nice to meet you, Mr.Reid."

Tristan blinked, then chuckled. "So that's why Megan hasn't been buried in sketches lately-she had someone to handle it for her."

Mia glanced at Megan and laughed awkwardly."She does the drawings-I just help when I can." Tristan tugged Megan into his arms. "Looks like my girl and LiMo are super close, huh?"

Megan's scalp tingled all of a sudden. Did he figure it out?

Then he turned to Mia and asked casually, "So...LiMo's a guy,or...?"

No one's ever actually seen Lila Moore, so there's always been speculation.

Okay-that was definitely jealousy.

Megan breathed easy.

Mia's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, definitely a man."