Chapter 398 Stay
Phoenix felt suffocated by his imposing presence and lowered her head guiltily. "I just wanted to talk to her."
George let out a cold laugh. "Talk? With a slap?"
Phoenix was momentarily speechless, but quickly shifted to a pitiful expression. "George, how dare you talk to me like that? I'm your mother! Are you really going to disown your own mother for an outsider?"
George's brow furrowed, his tone icy. "Mom, cut the drama. We both know how you feel about Emma. You came here today because you knew I wasn't home, right?"
Realizing her victim act wasn't working, Phoenix adopted a more authoritative stance, hands on her hips, and spoke forcefully. "No matter what you say, I'm not leaving today! I'm your mother, and I have the right to stay here! If you don't let me stay, I'll make a scene outside and let everyone see how you treat your elders!"
Emma, witnessing this, felt a pang of sympathy.
Even though she knew Scarlett had always been hostile towards her, she was still George's mother.
Emma, who had lost her parents at a young age, envied those who had a mother and couldn't help but feel compassion. She tugged on George's sleeve and whispered, "George, maybe we should let her stay for now?"
George looked down at Emma, his eyes filled with helplessness and affection. "Emma, you're too soft-hearted. She doesn't deserve your sympathy."
Emma shook her head gently, her voice tender. "George, for Lucas's sake and for the sake of this family, let's let her stay. I'll handle it carefully."
George was silent for a moment before sighing and nodding. "Alright, I'll listen to you." He then turned to Phoenix, his gaze cold. "You can stay, but I'm warning you, behave yourself and don't cause any trouble. Otherwise, I won't give you another chance, even if Emma pleads for you."
Phoenix, seeing her goal achieved, immediately put on a fake smile and nodded repeatedly. "Don't worry, I care about Emma too much to cause any trouble."
George snorted and said no more. He turned to Emma and whispered, "Emma, I have to get to work. Call me if you need anything."
Emma smiled and nodded. "Okay, be careful on the road."
After George left, Phoenix's smile vanished, replaced by a harsh expression. She glanced at Emma with disdain and said mockingly, "You really know how to play the good person. Just a few words and George listens to you."
Emma maintained her politeness and softly said, "Mom, please have a seat. I'll get you some coffee."
Phoenix sneered, her tone sharp. "Coffee? I wouldn't dare drink anything you make. Who knows if it's poisoned?"
Emma was taken aback, feeling a bit wronged, but she patiently explained, "Mom, you misunderstood. I would never..."
Phoenix impatiently interrupted her. "Enough with the pretense! I'm hungry. Go make me some food. And remember, I want the freshest ingredients. If anything isn't fresh, I won't eat it!"
Emma nodded and headed to the kitchen. As she busied herself, she thought to herself, 'After all, she is George's mother.'
However, Phoenix didn't let up. She sat on the couch, legs crossed, and occasionally shouted towards the kitchen. "Emma, hurry up! I'm starving!"
"Emma, this coffee is too hot! Are you trying to burn me?"
"Emma, why is the floor so dirty? Are you deliberately not cleaning it?"
Emma responded to each complaint without a word of protest. She brought out a plate of freshly made food and softly said, "Mom, the food is ready. Please try it."
Phoenix glanced at the food and wrinkled her nose in disdain. "Why is this so bland? Are you trying to brush me off?"
Emma quickly explained, "Mom, it's better for your health to eat lighter food at your age."
Phoenix sneered, her tone cutting. "Spare me the fake concern! You just don't want me to enjoy a good meal!"
Emma lowered her head and softly said, "Mom, if you don't like it, I'll make something else."
Phoenix waved her hand dismissively, her tone impatient. "Forget it, I don't have time to wait for you! Just bring it over!"
Emma carefully placed the food in front of Phoenix and served her attentively. However, Phoenix continued to nitpick and make sarcastic remarks as she dined.
"This is too salty!"
"This soup is too bland!"
"Are you doing this on purpose? Trying to starve me?"
Emma silently endured, not uttering a single complaint. She didn't want to give Phoenix any reason to criticize her, nor did she want to make things difficult for George.
But Phoenix's troubles didn't stop there. After eating, she ordered Emma to clean the house, do the laundry, and even demanded a massage.
"Emma, my shoulders hurt. Come and massage them!"
Emma walked over and gently massaged Phoenix's shoulders. However, Phoenix immediately complained. "Are you weak? This is so light, there's no strength at all!"
Emma gritted her teeth and applied more pressure. Phoenix instantly cried out, "Are you trying to kill me? Be gentler!"
"Mom, I'm sorry. I'll be more careful."
Phoenix sneered, watching Emma's reaction closely. She wasn't entirely lost in the pleasure of bullying Emma; she still retained some rationality. After all, she had been harshly dealt with by the cold and ruthless Emma in the past. Now that Emma was suddenly so submissive, it felt off, even suspicious.
'Is Emma really suffering from amnesia, or is she just putting on an act?' Phoenix wondered, her brow furrowing.
She couldn't figure out Emma's situation but wasn't willing to be fooled by her facade. She needed a way to test Emma, to see if she was truly amnesiac or just faking it.
'If these little tricks don't work, I'll have to try something more drastic!' A sinister glint flashed in Phoenix's eyes as she mused. 'If Emma is pretending, I'll make sure she shows her true colors!'
So, Phoenix changed her tactics.
At mealtime, Emma carefully prepared a nutritious meal and brought the steaming dishes to feed Charles. Just as she reached the door, Phoenix suddenly appeared with a fake smile, reaching out to take the bowl. "Emma, you've been busy all morning. Let me feed Dad. You should take a break."
Emma's brow furrowed slightly. "Mom, it's okay. I'll do it. I've always been careful with Grandpa's diet. You don't need to worry." She instinctively took a step back, protecting the bowl in her hands, her eyes showing a hint of wariness.
She still remembered the incident where Scarlett was suspected of poisoning Charles in the hospital.
Although there was no concrete evidence or clear motive, she just felt that the person who poisoned Charles was Scarlett.
And this Scarlett was acting very strange.
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