Chapter 618 Controlled
George, the man who once treated her like a precious gem, was now holding the woman who killed their daughter, looking at her like she was nothing.
"Why?" She clutched her chest, trying to ease the pain tearing her heart apart. "Why is he doing this to me?"
Gray ran over, holding an umbrella. "Emma! Let's get out of here."
"No!" She looked up sharply, her eyes burning with intense hatred. "That's not George!"
Back in the hotel room, Emma sat on the edge of the bed like a puppet, letting Gray dry her hair.
"His eyes were wrong," she suddenly said. "The way George looked at Wanda, it was like..."
Like the way he used to look at her.
The realization twisted her stomach in knots.
"Emma, listen to me." Gray knelt down and held her cold hand. "Something's off about this. We all know how much George loves you. He couldn't possibly..."
"Unless he's not George," Emma said, looking up suddenly. "Or he's being controlled."
Late at night, Emma stood by the window, staring at the brightly lit top floor of the hotel across the street.
She took out her phone and dialed a number she hadn't called in a long time.
"It's me," her voice was chillingly calm. "I need you to look into something for me, about Michael's latest drug research."
There was a brief silence on the other end, then a deep male voice responded, "Ms. Stuart? You finally decided to contact me."
Emma's fingers tightened around the phone, her knuckles turning white. "Dr. Diaz, I need you to investigate something."
"Michael's drug research?" Chris Diaz's voice was heavy with concern. "You think George is being controlled by him?"
"It's not a suspicion, it's a certainty," Emma's voice was as cold as ice. "George could never fall for Wanda, and he would never look at me like that."
Chris sighed. "Michael has indeed been secretly developing a new type of neural drug recently. It's said to affect memory and emotions. But the experimental data is strictly confidential. I need time."
"How long?"
"At least three days."
Emma closed her eyes. "That's too long."
"Ms. Stuart," Chris's voice dropped to a whisper, "if you really want to get to the bottom of this, you should go directly to Michael."
Emma's eyes snapped open. "What do you mean?"
"From what I know, Michael has been frequently visiting the underground lab at the Russell Manor. You might find your answers there."
After hanging up, Emma stood by the window, watching the lights go out on the top floor of the hotel across the street.
Her chest heaved, her nails digging into her palms.
"Emma," Gray entered, carrying a cup of hot coffee. "Are you okay?"
"I'm going to the Russell Manor," she turned, her eyes cold and determined.
Gray's face paled. "Are you crazy? Michael would love for you to walk right into his trap!"
"I have to go," Emma grabbed her coat. "Dr. Diaz said Michael's underground lab might have clues."
Gray grabbed her arm. "At least wait until morning! It's too dangerous to go now!"
"I can't wait," she shook off Gray's hand. "George and I have missed too much already. I can't wait another minute!"
Emma stood in front of the Russell Manor's gate, rain streaming down her face, indistinguishable from tears.
She raised her hand and pressed the doorbell, her knuckles turning white from the pressure.
The butler opened the door, his expression shifting slightly when he saw her. "Ms. Stuart, what are you..."
"Where's Michael?" Her voice was icy cold.
The butler hesitated. "Mr. Russell is in the study, but he said he wouldn't see any guests..."
Emma pushed past him and stormed inside.
The study door flew open, and Michael was sitting on a leather sofa, holding a glass of red wine. His face lit up when he saw her. "Emma, you finally came to see me."
"What did you do to George?" She stared at him, her voice trembling.
Michael's smile vanished, and he swirled his wine glass slowly. "What could I have done to him? He's my nephew. I care for him deeply."
"Care for him?" Emma scoffed. "Turning him into this is your idea of 'care'?"
Michael set down his glass, his gaze growing cold. "Emma, you still don't understand George. Who is George? He's always been a flirt, falling for one woman after another. Now he's just tired of you and has fallen for Wanda. What's so strange about that?"
"Impossible!" Emma slammed her hand on the table. "George isn't like that!"
"Is he?" Michael sneered. "Then tell me, why is he holding Wanda now, not even willing to look at you?"
Emma's chest heaved, her nails digging into her palms. "You drugged him, didn't you? You're controlling him!"
Michael's eyes turned icy. "Emma, you need evidence to make such claims. You know I wouldn't..."
"You wouldn't? You want evidence?" She laughed coldly. "You think you've covered your tracks perfectly? Michael, I will find out the truth!"
Michael sighed and pulled at the corners of his mouth.
"Emma, go ahead and investigate. But would you really rather believe a man who will be back at Lakeside Haven tomorrow, marrying Wanda, than believe me?"
"What?" Emma felt like she'd been struck by lightning, stumbling back a step.
"I don't believe it."
Michael sighed and took out his phone, playing a video... In the video, George was holding Wanda, saying tenderly, "Wanda, let's go back to Lakeside Haven and get married."
Emma's vision darkened, her ears buzzing.
She didn't know how she had left the Russell Manor.
Rain pounded her face, cold and piercing, but it couldn't compare to the chill in her heart.
"Impossible, impossible," she muttered, suddenly raising her hand to hail a cab. "To the hotel! Hurry!"
The driver, startled by Emma's pale face, floored the gas pedal.
The hotel lobby was empty, George long gone.
Emma rushed to the front desk, her voice shaking. "Where's George? Which room was he in?"
The receptionist glanced at her and shook her head politely. "I'm sorry, Mr. Russell has already checked out."
"When?"
"About half an hour ago."
Emma's heart sank to the bottom, and she ran out of the hotel.
She hailed another cab. "To the airport! Hurry!"
The driver, frightened by her nearly frantic expression, sped off.
Emma clutched her phone tightly, dialing Gray's number. "Gray, George is heading back to Lakeside Haven! He and Wanda, they're getting married!"
Gray's voice was heavy on the other end. "Emma, calm down."
"I can't calm down!" Her tears finally broke free. "I have to find out the truth!"
The airport was bustling with people, and Emma stumbled through the crowd, her eyes scanning every corner frantically.
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