Chapter 10
“Hey, Justin, Zac!” Sean greeted enthusiastically.
“Ah, it’s Sean,” Zac replied casually.
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Justin gave a quick nod in acknowledgment.
Emily’s eyes widened in surprise. She glanced back at the young man. “Do they know each other?” she wondered.
Zac caught her expression and offered an explanation. “The Whites, the Yates, and the Smiths, are some of the Lincourt city’s old families. We all go way back.”
Emily understood now. “Of course,” she thought, “rich kids… no wonder he’s driving around recklessly in a luxury car.
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Sean noticed her expression and, as if reading her thoughts, quickly spoke up, his tone carrying a hint of apology. “Miss Emily,” he said softly.
The way he called her “Miss Emily” made everyone around pause in surprise.
Emma, who had been lingering nearby, wasn’t happy about being ignored. She stepped a little closer to Justin, positioning herself so it looked almost as if he was holding her. She looked up at him with an affectionate smile, as if to assert her place.
“I just got out of the hospital yesterday,” Emma began. “Justin thought I’d get bored, so he brought me out for some fresh air. What a coincidence running into Miss Yates here.”
She smiled at Emily, her tone a mix of apology and possessiveness. “About that incident at the hospital,” she continued, “Justin explained it to me. I must’ve misheard. I misunderstood you, Miss Yates, and I hope you can forgive me.”
It sounded like an apology, but Emily saw it for what it was. Emma was marking her territory, as if only Justin had the right to correct her.
Emily’s face remained calm and expressionless. She met their gaze with a detached look and replied in an even tone, “Now that you understand, Miss Xander, I suggest you don’t repeat the mistake.”
Emma’s smile wavered, her mouth curving down just slightly.
“Did I really say something so terrible?” Emily wondered.
Justin, silent until now, finally interjected. “Let’s leave it in the past. No need to bring it up again.”
Emma looked up at him and nodded. “Of course. Whatever you say, Justin.”
Emily couldn’t hide her disdain. “Are they doing this just to make me uncomfortable?” she thought, already feeling the need to escape and get some fresh air.
As she turned to leave, Sean followed, keeping up with her steps.
“Miss Yates, is Sean your new boyfriend?” Emma asked with feigned innocence.
Emily kept walking, refusing to dignify the question with a response. “Who do they think they are? I’m not wasting my time on them,” she thought.
Sean caught up to her, casually draping an arm around her shoulder. He grinned and, glancing back at Emma, replied cheerfully, “Thanks for the well wishes! I’m pretty confident I’ll win her over soon.”
Justin’s expression was dark, his eyes icy as he watched Emily walk away with Sean’s arm slung over her
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Chapter 10
shoulder. He didn’t hesitate to sneer, “Shameless.”
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Zac saw the whole thing unfold and couldn’t help but notice Justin’s reaction. He knew his friend well enough to understand that Justin’s harsh words were usually a cover for his true feelings.
Emma furrowed her brows, feigning concern. “Do you think Miss Yates can really be happy with Sean without any formal commitment?”
Justin let out a derisive snort. “That’s her choice.”
Emma felt a wave of satisfaction wash over her. “A woman who strays from the right path will never find happiness,” she mused to herself.
Meanwhile, a few steps away, Sean glanced over at Emily with a carefree grin. “We’re far enough now. No need to walk so fast.”
Emily stopped in her tracks, glaring at him. “Get your hand off me.”
But instead of letting go, Sean pulled her a little closer, leaning down to whisper, “Just so you know, they can still see us.”
Emily hadn’t even realized his arm was still on her shoulder in her haste to leave. She shoved him off with a forceful push.
“Alright, I’m sorry, Miss Emily. I didn’t mean to upset you Sean quickly apologized, sensing her irritation. “I promise I won’t do it again.
“Don’t be mad,” he added, flashing a mischievous grin. “I only did it to get under their skin.”
“Get under their skin? What’s the point?” Emily asked, genuinely puzzled.
Sean gave her a knowing look, raising his brows. “Come on, anyone can see it. She’s the current, you’re the ex. It’s written all over their faces.”
He shrugged playfully. “Need a hand stirring things up? I can spend the next few days helping you make him jealous. I mean, breakups are about showing who’s doing better, right?”
He leaned in, adding with a sly smile, “He’s moved on and you should too.”
Emily stopped and crossed her arms, eyeing him suspiciously. “Aren’t you and Justin part of the same social circle?”
“Eh, that’s more of a family thing. Our parents know each other. I’m not exactly friends with him,” Sean replied, waving it off.
He started to follow her again, but she turned sharply. “Enough. Stop following me. I’m not interested in whatever game you’re playing.”
Emily walked away gracefully, leaving Sean standing alone.
He sighed, running a hand over his forehead, watching her retreat with a mix of longing and frustration.
“Who knew that chasing someone who caught my eye right away could be this tough!” he muttered.
Meanwhile, Emily made her way through the crowd in the lobby, scanning for Helen. “Where did that troublemaker disappear to? Once I find her, she’s in big trouble for pushing me out there. If it weren’t for her, none of this would’ve happened, and I wouldn’t have run into that reckless kid from the parking lot,” she thought, feeling a twinge of irritation.
She headed toward the beach, eyes sweeping the area, and soon spotted Mr. Gibson sketching the night scene by
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Chapter 10
the shore. She planned to greet him quickly and ask if he had seen Helen, but he insisted on getting her opinion on his latest work.
Mr. Gibson, a retired official and Emily’s art classmate, was a skilled painter but often struggled with capturing the right mood in his pieces.
“Emily, I haven’t seen you in class lately. Heard you took a break. Was it family stuff, or were you not feeling well?” he asked, putting down his brush, genuine concern evident in his voice.
“Your absence has left quite a void in class. It just isn’t the same,” he added with a hint of regret.
“Yeah, I had something come up, but it’s all taken care of now. I’ll be back for the next class,” Emily assured him.
Mr. Gibson nodded and then glanced over her shoulder, noticing a familiar face approaching from behind.
“Emily, it’s perfect timing! I’d like to introduce you to a friend of mine. You two seem to have quite the connection,” Mr. Gibson said, waving the newcomer over.
“This is Justin Yates,” he continued, smiling warmly. “He’s one of the people I’m really proud of. He’s talented, hardworking, and has a good head on his shoulders. And look, you both have the same last name. Maybe a few hundred years ago, you were even part of the same family!” Mr. Gibson laughed heartily.
Emily mentally rolled her eyes. “Seriously? This estate is huge, and somehow I keep running into him,” she silently remarked. She could agree with Mr. Gibson on Justin’s professional abilities, but as for his character? Well, that was up for debate.
“Emily Yates, a classmate from art school. Don’t let her young age fool you. She’s incredibly talented. She’s the best in the whole school. Even the instructors say she’s better than them,” Mr. Gibson added proudly, introducing her with a smile.
Justin, pretending this was their first encounter, gave her a polite nod and extended his hand. “Miss Yates, nice to meet you.”
Emily returned his polite smile, shaking his hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Yates.”
Mr. Gibson, clearly delighted, chuckled as he watched them. “Justin, you should listen to some of Emily’s insights. She has a real knack for art.”
