Chapter 4

In the next few days, news of Jake pursuing the newly crowned campus belle spread throughout the entire school.

Everyone knew that the talented girl from the dance department was now dating the heir of the Phantom family.

Jake was generous—luxury bags, bank transfers, attending classes together, shopping, dining—he spared no expense.

While people envied the couple, they also subtly mocked Emily.

Emily ignored them completely and went about her life as usual.

However, the news eventually reached Emily's mother.

When she received her mother's call, Emily was browsing famous landmarks in Jelaston.

"Hello, Mom..."

Before she could finish speaking, a barrage of sharp questions came from the other end of the line.

"What's going on between you and Jake? Let me tell you, if our partnership with the Phantom family falls through, I won't forgive you."

Emily let out a sigh. "Mom, Jake has someone he likes. We've already broken up."

"Hasn't this happened before? Go coax him again this time."

Emily's grip on her phone tightened involuntarily. A suffocating bitterness welled up in her chest.

She sighed and said softly, "Mom, this time is different. Jake and I are really over."

"Useless thing. You can't even hold on to a man. I don't care what you do, even if you have to kneel and beg Jake—"

When she heard her mother's words, a sharp pain shot through Emily's heart. She couldn't hold back and interrupted.

"Mom, I plan to go to Jelaston—"

Before she could finish, her mother's shrill voice pierced through the phone.

"You want to get rid of us? Dream on! I'm telling you, you're not going anywhere. Don't even think about escaping this family for the rest of your life. This is what you owe—"

Emily hung up before her mother could finish.

She didn't need to listen. She already knew what her mother was going to say.

From the moment she caused her father to become a vegetable, she had owed this family. So, she had to pay for it her whole life.

"Emily, what's going on with you and Jake? Lately, he's been flaunting his relationship with Helen all over campus."

Across from her, Wendy Rane, who was applying eyeliner in front of the mirror, glanced at Emily hanging up the phone and asked casually.

Emily put her phone away and replied indifferently, "We broke up."

Wendy chuckled disapprovingly. "How many days do you plan to stay broken up this time?"

Emily choked on her words.

No one knew better than Wendy, her roommate and close friend, about the messy entanglement between her and Jake over the years.

At first, Wendy had tried persuading her to break up, but after countless failed attempts, she had given up.

"It's not just a few days. I really don't want to be with him anymore."

Wendy didn't take it seriously. She grabbed her bag and changed her shoes. "Alright, I have several interviews today. I'm heading out."

On Saturday, Emily's mother called again, instructing her to attend a banquet hosted by the Phantom family that afternoon.

Emily knew this was her mother's last attempt—hoping she would use this opportunity to reconcile with Jake.

When she arrived at the Phantom family's residence, she hadn't expected to see Helen at the banquet.

It seemed like this was the real deal. He had even brought her home to meet his parents.

Emily had originally planned to greet Jake's parents briefly before leaving. Unexpectedly, Jake pulled Helen over to block her path.

"Didn't you say you were leaving Oceanfield? Why are you shamelessly showing up at my house now?"

Jake looked at Emily with undisguised disgust.

Before Emily could respond, Helen enthusiastically linked arms with her and said sweetly, "Emily, I'm with Jake now. You don't mind, right?"

Emily ignored her sugary words and instead looked directly at Jake.

She smiled. "Congratulations."

Jake's expression darkened.

Why wasn't this going as he had expected? Things had come to this point—shouldn't Emily be begging him not to be with someone else?

Why was she so calm?

The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became. His irritation flared.

"What right does she have to mind? She has nothing to do with me. Just looking at her makes me sick."

After saying that, he turned to leave, dragging Helen with him.

Helen pouted playfully. "Jake, you go ahead. I want to have a quick chat with Emily."

Jake impatiently waved her off and left.

As soon as he was gone, Helen's smile vanished. She lifted her hand slightly and said smugly, "Emily, do you see this? Jake gave it to me."

Emily's gaze landed on the sparkling diamond bracelet around Helen's wrist.

She froze for a brief moment before smiling. "It's beautiful."

"Yes, I love it. Jake had it custom-made just for me. I heard that in all the time you were with him, he never bought you anything, right?"

Emily lowered her eyes and stayed silent.

Helen was right.

In the past three years, Jake had never spent a single cent on her. In a way, that had saved her a lot of trouble.

Helen thought she had struck a nerve. Her smile grew even more triumphant. "Emily, you see it now, don't you? Jake loves me. So, stay away from him from now on."

Emily lifted her eyes to meet hers and nodded slightly.

Helen leaned closer and whispered, "To completely sever your connection with him, I need your help with something."

Emily remained expressionless. "What is it?"

Helen glanced at the pool behind Emily and smirked. "What do you think Jake would do if he saw you push me into the water? He knows I can't swim—"

Before she could finish, Emily lifted her foot and kicked Helen straight into the pool.

A loud splash echoed through the air.

Then came Helen's shrill cries.

"Help! I—I can't swim!"

Emily stood calmly by the poolside, looking down at the flailing girl. She smiled.

"Instead of letting you frame me, I might as well do it myself. Saves me the frustration."

After all, someone once told her—never let herself be wronged.

Hearing Helen's cries for help, the crowd quickly gathered.

In the next second, Emily saw a figure dive into the pool.

Jake scooped Helen out, draped his wet suit jacket over her, and glared at Emily with a dark expression.

"Emily, how can you be so vicious? Helen can't swim, and you pushed her in!"

Emily looked at him indifferently and said flatly, "She asked me to. She wanted to make sure you and I were truly done, so I helped her."

Jake was stunned. He hadn't expected her to say that.

Helen, on the other hand, panicked. She choked back tears. "No, I would never do that."

Jake's expression darkened. "Apologize. Apologize to my girlfriend."

The atmosphere instantly tensed.

Helen shrank into his embrace and whispered pitifully, "Jake, forget it. I'm sure Emily didn't do it on purpose."

Jake snorted coldly. "Helen, you're too kind."

Then, he turned to Emily again, his gaze icy. "Apologize to my girlfriend. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Before Emily could respond, a lazy, teasing voice came from the crowd.

"Oh? What's this? Some kind of major conference? Why is everyone gathered here?"

Emily's breath hitched. Her eyes widened.

That voice...

She turned her head mechanically and saw a man walking towards her against the light.

The sunlight was too strong, making it hard for her to see his face clearly.

But she heard the murmurs around her.

"Why is Luke suddenly back in the country?"

"I believe he's here to take over the family business."

“I heard Mr. Freeman wants his youngest son to take the helm of the group.”

As the murmurs continued, the man advanced towards Emily, step by step...