Chapter 528 Hot Topics
Emma ignored the pain in her knees and forced herself up, still chasing the black sedan. In the darkness, the taillights glowed like blood-red eyes, mocking her determination.
"George! Stop the car!" she screamed, her voice raw, tears blurring her vision.
Just as she was about to give up, she heard screeching brakes and a loud crash up ahead. Emma looked up in horror to see the black sedan collide violently with a large truck crossing the road.
"No." Her heart nearly stopped.
The car flipped over, the gas tank ruptured, and flames erupted instantly. As Emma watched in despair, the entire vehicle was engulfed in a raging fire. A figure, covered in flames, struggled to crawl out of the window, writhing in agony on the pavement.
"George!" Emma's mind went blank, and she instinctively ran toward the inferno. The heat scorched her skin, but she didn't care.
Just as she was about to reach the burning figure, a strong arm wrapped around her waist from behind, yanking her back forcefully.
"Let me go! George is in there!" She struggled wildly, her nails digging into the person's arm, drawing blood.
"I'm here." A familiar voice, strained with pain, sounded in her ear.
Emma froze, slowly turning around. In the moonlight, George stood before her, unharmed, his usually calm eyes now filled with turmoil.
"You weren't in the car?" She reached out with a trembling hand to touch his face, needing to confirm he was real.
George caught her hand, his voice hoarse. "That wasn't me. How could I drive in my condition?"
Realizing he was truly there, Emma could no longer hold back. She threw herself into George's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. She clung to his shirt as if letting go would make him disappear.
"I thought... I thought you..." Her sobs made it impossible to finish a sentence.
George's body stiffened for a moment before he gently hugged her back. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling her scent, and closed his eyes. "Why did you follow me? I told you..."
"I don't believe anything you say!" Emma looked up, her tear-filled eyes meeting his. "Unless you look me in the eye and tell me you don't love me anymore."
George's Adam's apple bobbed as he looked away. "Emma, don't do this."
In the shadows of the street corner, Wanda held up her phone, recording the entire scene. Her nails dug into her palms, her eyes gleaming with malice.
"So, George, you lied to me." She whispered through gritted teeth, then dialed a number. "Phoenix, get ready to release the second wave of articles. This time, I want to make sure Emma never recovers."
After hanging up, Wanda took one last look at the embracing couple and left with a cold smile. She didn't notice the man in a baseball cap hiding behind a nearby tree, quietly putting away his camera.
The next morning, Emma was jolted awake by the urgent ringing of her phone. Mia's voice nearly pierced her eardrum. "Emma! Check the news! You're trending again!"
Groggy, Emma opened her phone, instantly overwhelmed by the flood of messages. The top trending topic was: #EmmaStuartDatingTwoMen, Proof Inside#
She clicked on the topic, and the first thing she saw was a high-definition video of her hugging George by the roadside last night. The caption read: "Scandalous Emma Stuart caught clinging to her ex-husband, playing the mistress while not letting go of her ex. Proof of her promiscuity!"
The comments section was filled with vitriol: "Disgusting, how does she dare show her face?" "Mr. Russell, run! This woman will drain you dry!" "I heard her sister is a murderer. The whole family is bad news!"
Emma's fingers trembled, and her phone slipped from her grasp. This was a meticulously planned takedown.
"Emma, I've contacted the PR team. They're working to cool down the topic! Don't read the comments..."
"Don't bother." Emma's voice was surprisingly calm. She bent down to pick up her phone, her fingers scrolling through the hateful comments. "Let them talk."
"What?" Mia could hardly believe her ears. "Are you crazy? These rumors will destroy you!"
"Destroy me?" Emma let out a cold laugh, walking to the mirror and swiftly tying up her hair. "They tried to destroy me three years ago. This is just the same old trick." She picked up a lipstick and painted her lips a bold red. "This time, I'm going to unmask the person behind it all."
That afternoon, Emma, dressed in the latest Chanel suit and three-inch heels, walked confidently into Lakeside Haven's most upscale shopping center. She deliberately lingered at the jewelry counter, trying on the most expensive diamond necklace.
"Isn't that Emma Stuart?" Whispers immediately erupted around her.
"Oh my God, how does she dare show her face?"
"She's shameless."
Emma pretended not to hear, admiring the necklace in the mirror and raising her voice. "I'll take this one. Wrap it up."
As she left the mall, she noticed several people with phones following her. Smiling slightly, she turned and walked into a well-known café, choosing a seat by the window.
"A strong coffee, please." She smiled at the waiter, then took out her phone, pretending to take selfies while actually photographing the café's patrons.
Michael's bodyguards mingled with the crowd, discreetly noting anyone who approached Emma. But the entire afternoon yielded nothing suspicious, just a few paparazzi snapping photos.
"Ms. Stuart, no luck today," Lyle reported quietly. "Should we move to another location?"
Emma stirred her coffee, her gaze fixed on the window. "No, I've changed my mind." She set down the spoon. "If they're not after me, they're after George."
She suddenly stood up. "Get the car. I'm going to George's house."
Emma stood at the door of the Russell Villa, taking a deep breath before ringing the bell. The butler answered, looking surprised and uneasy.
"Ms. Stuart, what brings you here?"
"I'm here to see George." Emma smiled, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.
"Ms. Stuart!" The butler tried to stop her, but didn't dare. He followed, whispering, "Mrs. Russell instructed..."
Emma ignored him, heading straight for the stairs. Halfway up, a sharp voice called out, "Stop! Who let you in?"
Looking up, she saw Scarlett, dressed in an opulent robe, glaring down at her with disdain.
"Nice to see you again." Emma nodded politely, continuing up the stairs. "I need to speak with George."
"Speak with George?" Scarlett sneered, descending a few steps to block her path. "What could a shameless woman like you possibly need? Aren't those photos on the trending topics enough humiliation?"
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