Chapter161 Protecting Emma
When Emma had walked in, Luann Weaver was just standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows.
In the reflection, Emma's every move was crystal clear.
She simply watched as the youngster approached her from behind.
"You don't have it easy, do you?"
"You think you could avenge your brother with those little tricks?"
Luann Weaver sighed, slumped onto the couch, and started playing a video game.
When Emma woke up, she realized she was lying on the cold, hard floor.
Her first instinct was to escape.
But she'd hardly crawled a couple of feet when her calf was gently stepped on.
Tears welled in Emma's eyes as she looked back at Luann Weaver, crying out, "Please, spare me, I was just following orders..."
Luann handed her a couple of tissues without a word.
"Clean yourself up, then we can talk."
Emma immediately wiped away her tears and snot, shaking as she perched on the edge of the sofa.
Luann poured her a cup of water.
"Drink this."
Emma visibly shook her head, her eyes reddened again.
"I don't want to die..."
Luann frowned, "What?"
"Why would you be kind enough to offer me water? There must be poison in it! You're trying to silence me!" Emma analyzed loudly.
Luann took a sip and handed the cup back to her.
"Now do you feel better?"
Emma still shook her head, "You've probably taken the antidote first, then pretend to drink to trick me into drinking it!"
Luann sighed deeply and massaged her temples with frustration.
"I think you and Holly Weiss would make quite the pair..."
Confused, Emma asked, "Who's Holly Weiss?"
Leaning forward with her elbow on her knee, Luann asked patiently, "Never mind who she is. Tell me, are you here to avenge your brother?"
Emma's face registered shock, "How did you know?"
Unable to help herself, Luann flicked Emma's forehead, "Silly girl."
Emma glared at her, puffed up with anger.
Luann stood up and glanced at her watch.
"How about we go grab something to eat?"
"No way, you're up to no good!" Emma refused flatly.
Luann played her ace, mentioning Curtis, "Myron Curtis might come by later."
"Myron?"
At the mention of Myron Curtis, Emma bolted up, "Then let's hurry up and go!"
On their way downstairs, Luann sent a message to Myron Curtis, telling him not to bother coming.
Luann Weaver slid the menu across the table to Emma.
"I didn't bring any cash," Emma confessed.
Luann Weaver's smile was light but reassuring. "Don't worry about it, my treat."
Emma muttered under her breath, but didn't hesitate to order a hefty meal.
The food arrived quickly and Emma dug in, intent on anything but conversation with Luann.
Across the table, Luann ate with a serene grace that befit royalty—her every move the portrait of a lady.
Emma caught herself glancing over, an involuntary thought skipping through her mind:” Wow, talk about class.” But as soon as she remembered the mess Luann had made of her brother's life, Emma stamped down any hint of admiration.
After they finished, Luann went to settle the bill only to return to an empty table.
"Dine and dash?" she said to herself with a resigned chuckle. She was about to leave when a server approached swiftly.
"Miss Weaver?" he began. "Your friend left her purse behind."
Luann accepted the pink wallet. "Which way did she go?"
"She went left after stepping out," he pointed.
"Thank you."
Tucking the wallet away, Luann hurried out.
Meanwhile, Emma roamed aimlessly through the mall, her plan having gone sideways and a heavy load of guilt about her brother weighing on her. She should get him something to make it up, she thought.
With that in mind, she entered a men's accessory store, her eyes lighting up as she admired the ties and bowties. "These are gorgeous. My brother would look so sharp." She was about to have a tie wrapped up when a grating voice called out.
"Well, if it isn't Emma. What a coincidence."
Emma's hand froze mid-reach as she looked up with a barely concealed disgust.
A woman sauntered over with a smirk plastered on her face, oozing insincerity.
Without a word, Emma tried to leave but the woman blocked her path.
"Buying a bowtie? Fancy choice, he'll love it. Right, Emma?"
Emma paled, her voice tight as she turned to go, only to be stopped again.
"I'm talking to you. Why don't you answer?"
"Oh, I get it. The guilt must be eating you up—playing the other woman, avoiding me because you can't face up to it."
Fury simmered in Emma's whisper, "Jenny, stop talking nonsense! I'm not 'the other woman.'"
Jenny sneered, reaching out to toy with Emma's hair, her grip tightening on a braid.
Compared to Luann's playful intimidation, Jenny's strength was on another level entirely. Emma realized then just how gentle Luann had really been.
"Why would Lionel suddenly be into you instead of me if you're not the other woman?"
"You're here buying a bow tie because you knew it was Lionel's birthday and wanted to get him a gift, right?"
Emma clutched her scalp, eyes reddening with pain.
"Let go of me!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about!"
"I have nothing going on with Lionel!"
Jenny's smile was tinged with a cruel edge.
"Emma, who do you think you're fooling?"
"I saw you both hugging each other!"
Jenny's spit flew and landed on Emma's face. Her complexion turned pale with anger, yet she felt powerless to retaliate against Jenny.
The clerk stood awkwardly to the side, unsure of what to do.
Having thoroughly searched the first floor, Luann Weaver arrived at the scene via the staircase just in time to witness the commotion.
A crowd had already gathered, some with their phones out, recording and taking photos, even contemplating captions.
Luann Weaver's expression cooled as she briskly stepped forward and shoved Jenny hard.
With a swift motion, she slapped Jenny across the face!
The sound echoed crisply.
Before Emma could react, she was shielded behind Luann Weaver.
Jenny staggered to regain her balance, holding her face and cursing furiously, "Who the hell are you? Mind your own business! Get lost!"
Luann Weaver's voice was icy cold, devoid of warmth. "You laid hands on my sister, how is that not my business?"
Emma stared wide-eyed in disbelief at Luann's silhouette.
As she stood there dazed, something was pressed into her hand.
Looking down, Emma saw...
Pepper spray?
She immediately grasped Luann's intent, gave it a shake, and without hesitation, sprayed Jenny with it!
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