Chapter 526 Flattery
Wanda linked arms with Scarlett, her tone warm. "Mrs. Russell, I came early to pick up George. You look fantastic today."
Emma watched the sudden display of "mother-in-law and daughter-in-law affection," feeling a sharp pain in her heart. She instinctively looked at George, only to find him standing there expressionless, as if he was used to all this.
"And who might this be?" Wanda asked, feigning surprise as she looked at Emma, her eyes full of provocation.
Scarlett snorted. "Just an unwelcome guest." She raised her voice deliberately. "Wanda, you're so considerate. Unlike some people who pretend to be noble but do all sorts of dirty things behind the scenes."
Wanda covered her mouth and giggled. "Mrs. Russell, don't say that. Ms. Stuart is quite the talk of the town now." She glanced at Emma with a hint of malice. "Those photos are really artistic."
Emma clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
"Those photos are fake," Emma said coldly. "Just like some people's fake kindness."
Wanda's face changed slightly but quickly recovered with a smile. "Ms. Stuart, you have quite the sense of humor." She turned to Scarlett. "Mrs. Russell, I brought you the latest Hermes scarf, a limited edition."
Scarlett took the beautifully wrapped gift box, her eyes lighting up. "This must be expensive! Wanda, you're too generous."
"As long as Mrs. Russell likes it," Wanda said sweetly. "George's family is my family."
Scarlett was moved to tears. "If George had met you earlier, he wouldn't have been harmed by those two bitches." She glared at Emma pointedly. "A murderer and a liar, our Russell family is truly unlucky."
Wanda's smile stiffened. Although she hated Emma, hearing Scarlett insult Anna still made her uncomfortable.
"Mrs. Russell, let the past be the past," Wanda said, forcing a smile.
"How can it be past?" Scarlett grew more agitated. "That Anna deserved to die! If it weren't for her, George wouldn't have..."
"Mother!" George suddenly interrupted. "It's time to go to the hospital."
Wanda took the opportunity to link arms with George. "Let's go then." She looked provocatively at Emma. "Ms. Stuart, would you like to join us? Though there might be many reporters waiting for you at the hospital entrance."
Emma watched George silently allow Wanda's intimate gesture, feeling as if a knife was twisting in her heart. But she wouldn't give up easily.
"Sure, I have something to ask the doctor anyway." Emma lifted her chin and walked straight to George's other side.
Scarlett was furious. "You shameless bitch! Still trying to cling to my son?"
"Mrs. Russell," Emma said calmly, "I'm just going the same way. Besides, your son is an adult and doesn't need you to make decisions for him."
"You!" Scarlett was trembling with anger. She turned to Wanda. "Wanda, look at how arrogant this bitch is!"
Wanda cursed the old hag inwardly but gently advised, "Mrs. Russell, don't get angry. It's not worth it for your health." She lowered her voice. "I have a way to embarrass her."
The three arrived at the hospital, each with their own thoughts. Along the way, Emma noticed that although George allowed Wanda to support him, he maintained a subtle distance.
"George, watch the steps," Wanda said loudly, making a show of being considerate.
Emma couldn't help but speak up. "His vision might be impaired, but his spatial awareness is spot on. No need to make a fuss."
Wanda's face darkened. "Ms. Stuart seems to know George well?"
"Better than you," Emma said, meeting her gaze. "At least I know he hates being treated like he's helpless."
George's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Wanda was about to retort when a nurse hurried over. "Mr. Russell, Dr. Salazar, you're here. The therapy room is ready."
The nurse's words hit Emma like a thunderclap.
"Dr. Salazar?" She turned sharply to Wanda, who showed a flicker of panic.
"Yes, I'm George's psychologist," Wanda quickly composed herself, showing a professional smile. "And his girlfriend." She emphasized the last word, looking provocatively at Emma.
George frowned slightly but quickly nodded in agreement. "Yes, Wanda is my girlfriend and doctor."
Emma stared into George's eyes, those once deeply affectionate eyes now empty and hollow, yet she couldn't look away. She suddenly laughed, a laugh that made Wanda uneasy.
"George, when did you learn to lie?" Emma stepped closer, almost touching George. "You can't even look at me. How can you prove you love her?"
George instinctively stepped back but was held by Wanda.
"Ms. Stuart, please respect the patient's privacy," Wanda said coldly. "We need to start the therapy now."
Watching the two walk into the therapy room, Emma clenched her fists. She knew George too well; the more he avoided, the more it proved he was hiding something. The George who once shielded her from a knife, how could he suddenly fall for someone else?
"I'll wait," Emma said to the closed therapy room door. "Until you're willing to face me."
She sat on a bench in the hallway, taking out her phone to look at the fabricated photos. Each one was meticulously edited, almost convincing her they were real.
"Who's trying to frame me?" Emma narrowed her eyes. "What's their goal?"
Time ticked by, and faint voices could be heard from the therapy room. Emma strained to listen but couldn't make out the words. She got up and pressed her ear to the door, suddenly hearing George's raised voice: "I can't drag her down anymore!"
Her heart skipped a beat, and she was about to knock when the phone at the nurse's station rang, startling her back to her seat.
The sunlight outside gradually slanted, and the hallway grew emptier. Emma checked her watch; three hours had passed. She got up to stretch her stiff limbs and walked to the nurse's station. "Excuse me, how much longer will Mr. Russell's therapy take?"
The nurse looked up at her. "Dr. Salazar's patient? It ended a while ago."
"What?" Emma was stunned. "But they haven't come out..."
"Mr. Russell always leaves through the back door after therapy," the nurse whispered. "Dr. Salazar arranged it to avoid media attention."
Emma felt like she'd been struck by lightning. She rushed to the therapy room, ignoring the nurse's attempts to stop her, and pushed the door open. It was empty, with only the curtains gently swaying in the breeze.
"George!" Emma was trembling with anger. "You ran away again!"
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