Reclaiming My Heiress Identity

After swallowing the pill, the red spots on Emma's face gradually faded. Seeing the worry on their faces, her heart softened. Do they still care about me? Does this mean I still have a place in their hearts? After all, I’ve been with them for five years. Emma suddenly remembered what Emilly had told her before—if the two of them ever fell in love with her, she would be given a chance to stay. She wasn’t made of stone. Over the years, their occasional kindness had tempted her, and made her wonder if she could belong here. The thought lingered, and before she could stop herself, she asked, "Mike, Jeff, after all this time… have you ever fallen for me? Even for just a moment?" She wasn’t hoping to be their priority, just to have a small place in their hearts. But the warmth in their expressions vanished the moment the words left her lips. Mike scoffed, casually tossing the anti-allergy medicine onto the ground. His voice was filled with cold determination. "Emma, have you forgotten? You're just a stand-in." "Love you? Are we crazy?" His eyes darkened with disdain. "What makes you think you could ever compare to Emilly?" As if driving the point home, he grabbed her wrist, pressing down on the fading red spot, his grip firm and unyielding. "Don't get ideas above your station." Then, without hesitation, they turned and left. Leaving Emma standing there, frozen. After a long silence, she let out a bitter laugh. Of course. She had been foolish. How could she have expected them to love her? With trembling fingers, she sent a message to Emilly. The reply came almost instantly, as if Emilly had been expecting it. "I’ll be in Boston in four days. I’ll transfer the final payment then. Take the money and never come back." Four more days. Then, her five-year role as a stand-in would finally come to an end. She would leave this city filled with memories behind. The next day, perhaps due to the allergy, Emma developed a high fever. She drifted in and out of consciousness. By the time the nanny woke her, her vision was so blurred she could barely make out faces. "Miss Knapp, the gentlemen have requested a massage." Emma wanted to refuse. But the nanny, close to tears, kept pleading. Not wanting to cause trouble, she forced herself up despite the dizziness. When she stepped into the courtyard, Mike and Jeff were already lounging on the recliners, waiting for her. Emma's adoptive mother had been a farmer, constantly suffering from exhaustion. Out of necessity, Emma had learned how to give massages to ease her pain. One day, she massaged Mike and Jeff on a whim. Since then, it had become an unspoken rule—she had to continue. Taking a deep breath, she slipped on her gloves and began. Her technique hadn’t changed, but her hands trembled. Her eyes, bloodshot from the fever, struggled to focus. She felt herself weakening with each passing second. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she licked her dry lips and whispered, "Can we stop here for today? I’m not feeling well." She feared that if she stayed any longer, she would collapse in front of them. But the moment the words left her lips, their expressions hardened. "Emma, what do you mean by that?" Mike’s narrowed eyes were a clear warning—he was on the verge of anger. Emma had always been obedient. This was the first time she had ever defied them. But she couldn’t hold on any longer. Her body swayed, and she leaned against the wall for support, bending slightly as her strength gave out. Mike and Jeff, however, didn’t believe her. Jeff’s voice was laced with cold impatience. "Drop the act." "Just because we told you we don’t love you yesterday, you’re throwing a tantrum today?" He scoffed. "The gifts I bought for you are in the living room. Stop pretending."

"I… I’m not feeling well today. I feel terrible." Emma was drenched in sweat, struggling to explain herself. But neither of them listened. Especially Mike—his temper had always been volatile. Seeing her act so defiant, he snapped, "Emma, don’t push your luck. What’s so special about a stand-in like you? Have we spoiled you too much these past few years? Is that why you think you can act this way?" "We don’t love you—let’s be clear on that. What makes you think you even deserve our love?" Emma was already weak, her body barely holding up. She hadn’t expected that just trying to explain herself would anger them this much. "I’ll take you to pick it out in person tomorrow, alright? Stop acting entitled. You really think you’re something special?" Mike didn’t wait for a response. He had already made up his mind. Mike always kept his word, so early the next morning, he dragged Emma to a high-end boutique. Luxury designer clothes filled the store, but Mike and Jeff didn’t bother asking Emma what she liked. They simply ordered the sales staff to bring out all the latest collections. Without hesitation, they swiped their cards, clearing out entire racks within minutes. Just then, a salesgirl approached them with a respectful smile. "Gentlemen, the exclusive designer S gown you pre-ordered has just arrived. Would you like to see it now?" The moment they heard this, Mike and Jeff straightened up. "Bring it out." Several salesgirls carefully wheeled out a covered rack, the white silk cloth draped over it, making it clear just how valuable the item inside was. When they pulled back the cloth, a dazzling white diamond dress was revealed. It was crafted from rare, custom-made silk—one of the most expensive fabrics in the world. Emma had only ever seen dresses like this in the news, ordered by heiresses for their loved ones. Now, it was obvious—Mike and Jeff had ordered it. And the "loved one" could only be Emilly. Just as the two men leaned in to examine the suit details, a sudden commotion broke out at the entrance. All heads turned to see a group of tattooed men swaggering in. The man leading them stepped forward and ran his hands over the dress without care. "How much for this one? I’ll take it." The moment Emma saw his face, her blood ran cold. Quinn Payton. The Knapp family's biggest creditor. The second she recognized him, a sense of dread sank into her stomach. This man wasn’t here to buy a dress. Before the Knapp family went bankrupt, they had ruined several of the Payton family’s major business deals. Quinn had never let it go. He had tried to settle the score with Emma countless times, but each time, Mike and Jeff intervened. And now, he was here. It definitely wasn’t just about this dress. The instant Quinn laid a hand on the gown, Mike and Jeff’s faces darkened. Without hesitation, Mike smacked his hand away and warned coldly, "What, Master Payton? Do you want to lose another finger?" At those words, Quinn’s expression twisted. The last time he had come looking for Emma, Mike’s bodyguards had broken one of his fingers. He had spent over a month in the hospital recovering. He had never forgotten. And now, were these two daring to stand against him again? Quinn clenched his fists tightly, but his lips curled into a smirk. "Oh? So you two can buy it, but I can’t?" "I happen to like this dress today. I think I’ll take it with me." Despite his gangster-like attitude, Quinn’s family had deep connections. Taking something from him wouldn’t be so easy.

Mike found this man nothing but a nuisance. Jeff, on the other hand, looked completely exasperated. "Quinn, don’t court death." But the warning did nothing to deter Quinn. Instead, it only fueled his amusement. "Oh? Is this rag of a dress really that important to you?" He smirked before his gaze slithered toward Emma, sharp and calculating. "How about this—you hand Emma over to me, and I’ll give you the dress." His cold, snake-like stare sent a shiver down Emma’s spine. A flicker of malice danced in his eyes, making her skin prickle with unease. She knew exactly what kind of man Quinn was. What else could one expect from a Payton heir, born from a family drenched in filth? The last time she escaped from him, she barely survived. That horrifying experience was still etched into her bones. Mike and Jeff were beyond his reach, but she wasn’t. For Quinn, crushing her would be as effortless as squashing an ant. Emma’s breath hitched. But within moments, she forced herself to calm down. No. Mike and Jeff wouldn’t let her die—not with them here. Even if she was just a stand-in, five years together meant something… right? They wouldn’t— But then, her heart faltered. This time, the choice was between her life and Emilly’s dress. Whenever Emilly was involved, she ceased to exist in their eyes. The room fell into suffocating silence. Growing impatient, Quinn abruptly kicked the clothing rack, making the salesgirl next to him tremble in fear. "Well? Have you decided?" His voice dripped with mockery. "If you keep stalling, I’ll just give this dress to my men. And then… heh, don’t even think about begging me. I heard this dress is Emilly’s favorite designer piece, isn’t it?" He ran his fingers over the pristine white fabric, his filthy hands leaving a disgusting contrast against its purity. Jeff’s jaw clenched. His temples throbbed. "Enough." He shoved Quinn aside, his expression eerily calm. Then, without hesitation, he glanced at Mike and gave a slight nod. "You can take her." Emma’s mind went blank. Her lips parted, but no words came out. Did she hear that correctly? Quinn let out a delighted chuckle, signaling his men to seize Emma by arms. Cold sweat drenched her skin. Before she could even process what was happening, Jeff suddenly turned to the salesgirl. "What are you waiting for? Get them out of here. If they so much as touch the dress we ordered again, it’s on your heads." Without a second thought, the staff rushed to shove both Quinn and Emma toward the exit. As the heavy doors slammed shut behind her, Emma screamed their names with all the strength she had left. But they didn’t turn around. They didn’t even glance in her direction. Instead, with pleased expressions, they admired the dress they were about to gift to Emilly. Smack! A sharp slap sent Emma’s head whipping to the side. Quinn let out a dark chuckle. "Still think they’d protect you?" he sneered. "Wake up. They’ve loved Emilly for over ten years—always watching her, worshiping her. You? You’re nothing. Just a replacement. A toy. Did you really think this was real?" His laughter echoed in her ears. "Hah! I bet they wouldn’t even blink if I killed you right now." With that, his men hauled her toward the waiting car. Emma barely resisted. Because there was nothing left to resist. The curtains inside the boutique had already been drawn. She had been abandoned. Between her and Emilly, Mike and Jeff had chosen without hesitation. A rough bag was yanked over her head, plunging her into darkness. Laughter and taunts filled the air, but Emma didn’t react. Instead, she silently curled her fingers around the door handle, preparing herself for what came next.

Without hesitation, Emma stomped hard on Quinn’s foot. A sharp scream tore through the air. Taking advantage of the moment, she yanked the door handle and hurled herself out of the car. The violent impact sent her rolling across the rough pavement, her headgear flying off from the force of friction. Jagged stones scraped against her skin, tearing open fresh wounds on her cheek. Blood trickled down her forehead as she gasped for breath, her wrists burning from the tight rope digging into her skin. Gritting her teeth, she struggled to break free. Despite the searing pain, she forced herself onto unsteady feet and stumbled toward the city lights in the distance. She had no idea how long she had been walking. At some point, she managed to hail a taxi. When she finally arrived home, barely conscious, the nanny’s horrified gasp filled the air. "Miss Knapp! I’ll call the gentlemen right away!" Emma’s trembling fingers shot out, gripping the nanny’s wrist. She shook her head violently. The memory of the boutique played in her mind, and a cold chill crawled up her spine. She was exhausted. Drained. Terrified. Without another word, she dragged her battered body to her room and disappeared into the bathroom. Standing before the mirror, she stared at the bloodied woman reflecting back at her. Silently, she reached for the medicine box. As she poured saline over her wounds, a sharp sting shot through her nerves, but she barely flinched. By the time she was done, dawn had already crept in. The house was eerily quiet. Mike and Jeff hadn’t come home all night. Only three days remained before Emilly’s return. Time was slipping away too quickly. She leaned against the cold wall, her gaze falling on the framed photos covering it. Snapshots of the three of them. Smiling. Happy. A lie. Slowly, Emma pushed herself up and tore the pictures down one by one. When the last one hit the floor, she scooped them all up and tossed them into the trash. Things that didn’t matter didn’t deserve to remain. That night, she slept deeply. For the first time in a long while, she let go. The noise woke her. As her eyes fluttered open, she found Mike and Jeff standing at the edge of her bed. Their faces were clouded with anger. Before she could sit up, Mike hurled his phone at her, the device landing hard on the mattress beside her. "Take a good look at what you’ve done!" he snapped. Emma’s gaze dropped to the screen. A news article flashed before her. Quinn was in the hospital. The Payton family had issued a statement, demanding that whoever had harmed their son come forward, kneel, and beg for forgiveness. She studied the article for a long time. Mike’s impatience flared. Just as he was about to lash out again, Emma finally spoke. "Okay." His brows furrowed. "What?" "I’ll apologize," she said simply. Then, she pulled the blanket over herself, retreating into silence. The room was warm, but the chill inside her felt unbearable. A bitter smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Her reaction unsettled them. If she had fought back, screamed, or argued, it would have made sense. But her quiet compliance left Mike and Jeff uneasy. Jeff cleared his throat and spoke, his voice unusually soft. "Didn’t you say you wanted to watch the shooting stars?" Emma blinked. "Let’s go tonight," he continued. "We pushed back our schedules." She had mentioned it once. A long time ago. It had been one of her wishes. Something that wasn’t tied to Emilly. For the first time, she had felt seen—like she mattered. They had never agreed before. But now, suddenly, they did. She knew what it was. A last-minute attempt to ease their guilt. Crocodile tears. It didn’t matter anymore. "Only three days left," she murmured. Jeff frowned. "What?" "Nothing," she said, shaking her head. Everything was ready. That afternoon, Mike and Jeff took her to Payton estate. For the first time since the Knapp family’s downfall, she stepped onto its grounds. Inside, Quinn lounged on the sofa, his posture lazy yet exuding arrogance. As Emma entered, his lips curled into a smirk.

As if to say, What’s the point of running? You’ll still come back and suffer at my hands. Emma didn’t spare Quinn a single glance. She stepped forward, bowed at a perfect ninety-degree angle, and said, “I’m sorry.” The room fell into stunned silence. No one expected her to be so direct. “That’s it?” Quinn sneered. “I’m waiting for you to kneel and apologize properly!” Mike’s expression darkened. No matter what, Emma was his person. For Quinn to demand this—wasn’t he humiliating him too? Just as he was about to speak, Emma suddenly dropped to her knees with a loud thud. “I’m sorry.” Laughter erupted. “Hahahaha! Damn, you’re so pathetic. Are you this desperate to stay with them? So obedient, so spineless!” Quinn’s mockery was sharp, his amusement evident. The atmosphere turned tense. Emma remained unfazed. She lifted her head, her face was void of emotion. “Can I leave now?” Quinn scoffed. “Hah! Go, go, get out of sight! No wonder they don’t love you. You’re nothing like Emilly!” If she had any dignity left, she wouldn’t have agreed to be a substitute in the first place. Emma thought so, but she kept the words to herself. From beginning to end, Mike and Jeff remained silent. She used to be gentle, yet never someone who bowed easily. But lately… she had changed. The realization unsettled them, and left them confused. Still, they said nothing. Maybe they were just overthinking it. After leaving Payton estate, Mike wordlessly set the GPS and drove. His destination? The mountain Emma had always wanted to visit. This was the place she had longed for the most. As a child, her adoptive mother had been frail and sickly. She once heard of a mountain in Boston where shooting stars appeared every night. And if you made a wish, it would come true. She had wished for her mother’s health to improve. Recently, snow had blanketed the path. The road was steep, treacherous. Each step was risky—one misstep, and you could slip. Mike and Jeff hesitated, wanting to turn back multiple times. But when they saw the unwavering determination in Emma’s eyes, they swallowed their words. Finally, they reached the summit. The night sky stretched above them, a sea of twinkling stars. Emma gazed upward, anticipation glimmering in her eyes. Suddenly, a gust of wind howled through the mountain. Then, the rain came. Mike quickly reached for her, attempting to guide her into the tent. But before she could move, her foot slipped. She fell hard. A jagged branch tore a long gash along her ankle, sending searing pain through her body. “My foot…” Mike and Jeff immediately realized she was hurt. They pulled her into the tent, their faces tense. Without hesitation, they called for help. Just then, Mike’s phone rang. It was the boutique manager. “Mr. Ray, the dress you custom-ordered for Miss Emilly is missing. Can you come back?” Mike barely hesitated. “I’ll be right there.” The moment the call ended, he turned to Jeff. “Let’s go.” Emma’s stomach twisted. “Wait for me—” she started, but Jeff simply glanced back. By now, the rain had intensified. If they didn’t descend immediately, they’d be stranded at the peak. But Emma was injured. Bringing her down would slow them down significantly. Jeff made the decision. “You stay here. We’ll be back soon.” Without another word, they disappeared into the woods. Emma’s face turned pale. Even if they returned quickly, it would take at least an hour. She knew what that meant. If she stayed, she might not make it. Her fingers clenched into fists. Biting down on her lip, she gritted her teeth and forced herself to move. One step at a time, she dragged her injured leg down the mountain.

The rain poured relentlessly, blurring Emma’s vision as she tried to find her way down the mountain. Suddenly, she missed a step. Her foot slipped. She fell hard, her body crashing against a tree. Pain exploded through her, and before she could react, darkness consumed her. The sharp scent of disinfectant pulled her back to consciousness. Emma’s eyelids fluttered open. The sterile white ceiling greeted her. The moment she realized where she was, she reached for her phone. “Book me a flight to Canada.” She couldn't stay here any longer! Just then, the hospital room door swung open. Mike and Jeff walked in. “What flight? Where are you going?” Emma’s fingers tightened around her phone. She hung up the call immediately and forced a smile. “I’ve been feeling down lately. Thought I’d take a trip to clear my head.” She tilted her head slightly, her tone light. “Why? Do you want to come with me?” It was a question, but Mike heard something else entirely. He and Jeff had stayed in Boston for one reason—waiting for Emilly’s return. And now, she was coming back soon. How could he possibly leave Emma? But something about this didn’t sit right. Emma never talked about traveling. She was either at home or at work. Why was she suddenly planning a trip? Mike’s brows furrowed. Was she upset because they had abandoned her on the mountain yesterday? That thought made his expression darken. “When did we say you could leave?” His voice was sharp. “Cancel the ticket.” Jeff chimed in, his tone equally firm. “Emma, what did you promise us before? You said you’d stay with us forever.” Back then, after agreeing to be Emilly’s substitute, Emma had followed them around shamelessly, vowing to replace her and never leave. But now that Emilly was returning… Did that promise still mean anything? Of course not. Emma wasn’t foolish enough to tell them that. Right now, her priority was dispelling their suspicions. Lowering her gaze, she moved her fingers quickly, canceling the ticket before flashing a small smile. “It’s done,” she said. “The ticket is canceled.” The tension in the room eased. Both men smiled. Jeff placed a bag of fresh fruit on the bedside table and sat down beside her, trying to sound appeasing. “Alright, Mike and I were wrong yesterday. We shouldn’t have left you alone on that mountain.” His tone softened. “Don’t be mad. How about I take you to see Ella?” Emma’s posture straightened instantly. Surprise flickered in her eyes. “You’re not lying to me?” Since the Knapp family’s downfall, her parents had taken their own lives. The only family she had left was Ella Knapp, her younger sister. But Ella had always been in fragile health, confined to a hospital under the watch of Mike and Jeff. Emma hadn’t seen her in a long time. She knew this was a manipulation tactic—one hit, then a sweet reward. Still, she desperately wanted to see Ella. And Mike and Jeff kept their word. As soon as Emma was discharged from the hospital, they took her straight to see her sister. The moment she stepped into the hospital room, her heart clenched. “Ella, why have you lost so much weight?” Ella had been born with a congenital heart condition. Her health had always been fragile. Emma had assumed Mike and Jeff would take good care of her. But now, looking at her, she realized she had been terribly wrong. Ella looked even more frail—her skin paler, her frame thinner. She was lying on the hospital bed, struggling to sit up. “Sis,” Ella said softly, her voice laced with worry. “I should be the one asking you. Why haven’t you come to see me for so long?” Her brows furrowed. “The creditors… have they been coming after you again?” She had always known how much weight Emma carried on her shoulders. When the Knapp family was thriving, Emma had nowhere to be found. But when everything crumbled, when their family name became synonymous with disgrace, Emma was the one left standing. Bearing it all. Alone. Emma swallowed the lump in her throat. She couldn’t let Ella worry. She shook her head. But Ella’s sharp eyes caught something—bruises. Faint blue and purple marks peeking through her sleeves. Her breath hitched. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Sis…” Her voice trembled. In the next second, she threw herself into Emma’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Sis, are you okay? Have they been treating you badly?" Ella wasn’t naive. She knew Mike and Jeff only had eyes for Emilly. The only reason Emma had stayed by their side was because, at some point, they had treated her well. But now, looking at her—tired, worn down, a shadow of her former self—Ella knew the truth. Emma hadn’t been living well under Mike and Jeff’s control. She had suffered. The thought of it made Ella’s chest tighten, and in Emma’s arms, she sobbed uncontrollably. At that moment, countless memories flooded Emma’s mind—years of being abandoned, of being forced into submission, of hoping, only to be let down. Once, she had dreamed of a future with one of them. But now, it was time to wake up. “Ella,” Emma said softly, “do you want to leave with me?” If she left alone, Mike and Jeff would surely retaliate against Ella. She had to take her sister with her. But before Ella could respond, the hospital room door swung open. Mike and Jeff stepped inside. “What are you two talking about?” Ella sniffled and quickly tried to cover up the conversation. “Mr. Ray, it’s nothing. I just haven’t seen my sister in so long. I got emotional.” Mike narrowed his eyes. “Really?” His gaze shifted to Emma. She stood beside Ella, her expression calm, unreadable. Yet he was sure he had heard something about leaving. Had he imagined it? After a long pause, Mike let his guard down. “Alright, time’s up. We should go.” “Wait,” Emma said suddenly. “I want to discharge Ella early.” She had anticipated their suspicion. That’s why she brought it up now—before they could think too much about it. The timing was perfect. As soon as the words left her mouth, Mike and Jeff tense. “Why?” Emma thought fast. “Emilly hates the Knapp family. If she finds out you’ve been taking care of Ella behind her back, she’ll be furious.” At the mention of Emilly, their expressions darkened. Jeff hesitated only a moment before nodding. “Fine. I’ll have someone take care of it now.” Emma let out a quiet, bitter laugh. Of course. The moment Emilly was involved, no matter how small the risk, they acted immediately. But that worked in her favor. At least she didn’t have to fight them on this. Once the discharge papers were signed, Emma left the hospital with Ella. When they arrived home, she immediately sensed something was wrong. The house was empty. She entered the passcode on the door— Invalid. Her stomach dropped. They had changed the code. She tried again. And again. Nothing. Heart pounding, she grabbed her phone and called Mike. Once. Twice. Three times. Each time, the call went unanswered, the cold, mechanical voice of the operator ringing in her ears. She switched to Jeff. Same result. Frustrated, she scrolled through social media—and there they were. Both of them, were at the same party. Emma’s jaw clenched. She checked the location and immediately set off. When she arrived, she found the private lounge door slightly ajar. Laughter spilled from inside—loud, drunken voices, teasing, mocking. “I heard Ella was discharged?” a woman’s voice sneered. “Mike, you do remember that Emilly despises the Knapp family, don’t you? Yet you’ve been protecting Ella this whole time?” There was a pause before the woman laughed again. “Don’t tell me you’ve actually fallen for Emma?” It was Emilly’s former best friend, her tone dripping with amusement. Mike scoffed. “Fallen for her? Don’t be ridiculous. She’s just a substitute.” “Really?” someone else chimed in, their voice taunting. “We won’t believe it unless you prove it. Stop Ella’s medication.” The room erupted into cheers.

Hearing those words, Emma's eyes turned bloodshot, and cold sweat broke out on her back. She knew all too well—when it came to Emilly, Mike and Jeff wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice anyone. And sure enough, to prove himself, Jeff reached for his phone, ready to call the hospital. Emma’s heart pounded. Without thinking, she pushed the door open and burst in. “No!” she shouted. Ella was still in recovery and heavily reliant on her medication. If her treatment was suddenly stopped, the consequences would be devastating. The room fell into a stunned silence as all eyes turned to her. Mike frowned. “Why are you here?” Emma’s mind reeled with the thought of what they had nearly done. Her fists clenched, but she forced herself to remain calm. “Ella’s medication cannot be stopped,” she said firmly. The woman who had made the cruel suggestion smirked. “Oh? Since when does a mere substitute get to give orders?” She chuckled mockingly before glancing at the table. “Fine. Do you want to keep the medication? Then drink every glass of wine here. How about that?” The rich boys around them immediately joined in, egging her on. Emma’s jaw tightened. She knew exactly what this woman was trying to do—humiliate her, push her into a corner. These spoiled brats had never valued human life. They enjoyed the spectacle, the thrill of control. And the alcohol on the table wasn’t just any liquor—it was high-proof, dangerous even in small amounts. Forget an entire table; just a few glasses could be fatal. Emma locked eyes with the woman, unflinching. She had no choice. Without hesitation, she grabbed a glass and downed it in one go. Then another. And another. The sharp bitterness burned down her throat, spreading like fire in her stomach. She fought against the nausea rising inside her, her hands trembling as she forced herself to keep drinking. The room watched in eerie silence as she drained cup after cup. By the time she finished the last one, her vision swam. Her head spun violently, and before she could steady herself— She collapsed. Heat surged through her body. Her face was flushed deep red, tinged with purple, while her lips turned pale and trembled uncontrollably. She struggled to lift her gaze to the people lounging on the sofas. "Are you satisfied now?" she rasped, her voice hoarse. "Remember your promise." With unsteady steps, she turned and stumbled toward the door, barely managing to push it open before staggering out. The moment the door shut behind her— Her strength gave out. Darkness swallowed her whole. In her delirium, she thought she saw Mike’s figure, his face filled with panic. Heard Jeff calling her name, his voice unusually anxious. I must be hallucinating, Emma thought. I must have drunk myself to death. When she opened her eyes again, all she saw was a blindingly white ceiling. The familiar, sterile scent of disinfectant filled her nose. She sat up slowly, scanning the room. Only a nurse was there, changing her IV drip. No Mike. No Jeff. Emma let out a bitter laugh. Of course. Thinking of last night, she immediately called Ella’s doctor. When she heard that Ella’s condition had improved and that Mike and Jeff hadn’t stopped the medication, she finally exhaled in relief. At least for now, Ella was safe. When Emma returned home, she found Mike and Jeff waiting for her in the living room. “You’re back.” Jeff smiled. “I asked Aunt Payton to make some tonic soup and your favorite dishes. Come have some.” He stepped forward, reaching for her— Emma stepped back. Her expression was cold, distant. “No need.” The warmth on their faces instantly froze. They had prepared a meal today as a way to smooth things over. But not only did Emma refuse to accept it, she was completely shutting them out. Mike and Jeff exchanged glances, their expressions darkening. Still, remembering what had happened yesterday, they forced themselves to hold back. “Emma, we know you were upset,” Mike said carefully. “But don’t worry, we wouldn’t actually gamble with Ella’s life.” Emma looked at them, her gaze unreadable. Really? But if I hadn’t shown up last night, the call would’ve already been made. And maybe right now, Ella would be fighting for her life in the ICU. She wasn’t a fool—she knew the two men in front of her were just trying to coax her. “Well, I’m a little tired. I’ll go upstairs and rest.” Emma’s tone remained indifferent, unwilling to entertain them any further. Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked upstairs alone. The moment she stepped into her room, her phone buzzed with a message from a former business partner of the Knapp family. “Tonight, Knapp’s mother’s relics will be exhibited at the Boston auction.” Emma’s grip tightened around the phone. It was a necklace made of sea crystal—not worth much of monetary value, but priceless to her. It was the last thing Knapp’s mother had left behind before she passed away. For Emma, it carried deep significance. Without hesitation, she transferred all the money left in her account. Ten thousand. If something belonged to the Knapp family, most people would stay away from it. Maybe…she just maybe, she had a chance to get it. Holding onto that slim hope, Emma grabbed her coat and left. The two men downstairs were nowhere to be seen, but she didn’t care. She hailed a taxi and headed straight for the auction. The venue was packed with the city’s elite, each attendee wearing a mask. One by one, the auctioned items were sold, until finally— Knapp’s mother’s necklace was brought onto the stage. As Emma had expected, the starting price wasn’t high, and no one placed a bid. She waited. Seconds ticked by. With only twenty seconds left on the countdown, she finally raised her paddle. “One million.” The host began the final countdown. Five seconds. Emma’s palms were drenched in sweat, but relief was already washing over her. Then— A deep male voice cuts through the silence. “Two million.” Emma’s face turned pale. Two million—an amount she couldn’t possibly afford. With just one second left, the necklace slipped through her fingers, landing in the hands of the man behind her. The auction ended. Emma didn’t hesitate—she rushed toward the buyer. “Sir, this necklace means a lot to me. Can you let me have it?” As soon as the words left her mouth, the man removed his mask. Her breath caught. Mike.