Chapter 385 Stay Overnight
Philip shot back, "Mom! If she moves in, I'm moving out!"
Emma leaned back in her chair, smiling sweetly. "Mrs. Windsor, I could never treat this place like my own home. My real home doesn't even feed me. This is already a huge upgrade."
Aurora's expression softened instantly. "You poor thing... No wonder you're so thin. From now on, you can eat with Catherine. I'll make sure you get proper meals and tonics to build your strength. I'll speak to your mother myself."
"Thank you, Mrs. Windsor."
Philip opened his mouth to argue, but Aurora's sharp glance shut him up. Emma had clearly been through enough, and she had known Catherine for years. What was the harm in letting her stay a few days?
"You talk too much," Emma said, her tone light but cutting. "This house isn't even yours. If you want to leave, the door's right there."
Philip stared at her, speechless. Truth was, he had no intention of leaving.
Aurora turned her attention to Gabriella, who was sitting a little stiffly. "And you, Gabriella. It's late. Why not stay the night? We've got plenty of empty rooms. The guest room next to Charles's is free."
"That's not my—" Philip began.
"You no longer have a study in this house," Aurora said coolly. "Remember that."
Philip froze, and then it hit him. Charles... was dating Gabriella? How had he missed that? Well, if giving up his study meant helping Charles's love life, so be it. Who needed a study anyway?
Gabriella quickly waved her hands. "No, no, I don't want to trouble anyone. I'll go home."
She had barely stood up when Aurora clutched her chest and collapsed onto the sofa. "Oh, my heart... Charles, I think I just saw your great-grandmother. She said Gabriella must stay. It's far too dangerous to go out at this hour."
Charles stared at her theatrical performance. He knew she was acting, but if he didn't play along, she'd probably ban him from the house for a week. And truth be told... he had his own reasons for wanting Gabriella to stay.
He turned to her with a gentle smile. "We do have a spare room. This place was originally bought for Catherine when she was in school. It's close to your office. Why not stay?"
Emma covered half her face with her hand and leaned toward Philip. "Mr. Windsor, want to bet I can make her stay with just one sentence?"
"I doubt it. Who do you think you are?"
"If I win, you hand over that case with the Kate family to me."
Philip frowned. "That case? The Kate family has no chance of winning. You can't possibly—"
"Who said I want them to win? Just agree. You won't lose anything."
It wasn't even Philip's case, but giving it to Emma wouldn't change the outcome. The evidence was airtight.
"Fine. Go ahead."
Emma moved to Gabriella's side, took her hand, and brushed her bangs aside to reveal the faint scar at her hairline. "Remember me?"
Gabriella blinked, then her eyes widened. "It's you!"
"That's right. I get scared living alone. Stay with me, please?"
Gabriella gave a short laugh. "You? Scared? Forgive me, but I have never seen a 'fragile girl' take on a gang single-handed."
Years ago, while studying abroad, Gabriella had been cornered by a group of bikers who stole her bag—a gift from Charles. She had been ready to give it up when Emma appeared out of nowhere, grabbed a metal pipe, and chased them down, returning the bag with her face streaked in blood and her hair matted. She had waved off Gabriella's concern with a cocky grin and walked away.
Gabriella hadn't recognized her until now. Back then, Emma had been a completely different person.
Emma shrugged. "I was going through a rough patch."
Catherine's voice cut in. "I told you to buy groceries. You went off playing hero and came back half-dead."
"I saw her crying on the street. I can't stand to see a beautiful woman cry."
Gabriella smiled faintly. "Fine. I'll stay the night. Thank you."
Philip stared, astonished that Emma had actually pulled it off. His lips twitched. "You really are a violent woman."
Emma rolled up her sleeves and grabbed him by the collar. "Want to test me, Mr. Windsor?"
"Emma," Catherine's voice came from behind, cold and sharp. "Put him down. Gently. No throwing."
If she'd known Emma had this much raw strength, Catherine might have thought twice before teaching her judo. Now, watching her, Catherine could only feel a headache coming on.
Later that night, Catherine released Emma's wrist after checking her pulse. "Nothing serious. No smoking, no alcohol, no coffee, no late nights. Rest. Go to bed."
"That's not living, that's prison!"
"If you keep this up and ruin your health, you can kiss whatever's left of the Kate family fortune goodbye."
Emma met her warning gaze and gave an awkward laugh. "Alright, I get it."
Catherine suddenly asked, "Why didn't you come to me?"
"I was worried you were struggling. I wanted to wait until I had everything from the Kate family, so I could bring you back in style."
Catherine shook her head. "The flowers at Grandma's grave—were they from you?"
"Yes. She was like family to me. Not being there for her at the end is my biggest regret. Visiting her grave was the least I could do."
"That was very thoughtful of you. Now, go get some rest."
Emma stood, but froze when she heard voices outside. She crossed to the window, pushed it open, and spotted Alexander on the balcony. She stared at him, caught off-guard, but he didn't seem to care. He simply turned and stepped into Catherine's room.
Emma tilted her head, trying to place the other voice. It was coming from the upstairs guest room.
"Gabriella, you're getting bolder. Not coming home at night?"
Gabriella's voice was steady. "I'm almost thirty. I have the right to stay out."
"Don't give me that. I know you better than you think. You're not staying out for work—you're out chasing men. Is that it? That desperate? That cheap?
"You always pick the wrong men. Only the ones I introduce are good enough. Stop being so picky. A woman who can't have children is useless. Stop dreaming."
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