Emily was stunned. She didn't expect Sebastian to be so thoughtful for she always thought that he was simple and honest.
Joyce also came to her senses and quickly asked, "Emily, is it true? Did he threaten you with us?"
Emily smiled awkwardly and said, "Sebastian, how did you think of this?"
Sebastian sighed and said, "It's not that difficult for he was the one who provided the storefront of our flower shop. The shop is in the busiest part of the city, and the prices of the shops around it have been rising all these years. If we have to pay the rent, the money we make won't be enough for the rent. But because we don't need to worry about the rent, business has been good all these years. I also quit my job to help Joyce run the store, and we bought a house. Without this store, we would have nothing. And the store was originally provided by him, so it's easy for him to mess with us."
Emily smiled bitterly, "You're getting smarter and smarter."
Joyce said, "Franklin, this is too much. Emily, don't give in and be afraid of him because of this. At the worst, we can just close the flower shop."
"Joyce, don't be angry. You have been doing so well in this flower shop. You and Sebastian still have to depend on it. Deny is still so young, how can you quit it now? He just wants to get back at me. He would probably let me go when he gets bored." Emily sighed.
Sebastian said, "Actually, Joyce may have a point. I've thought about it before. Joyce's parents and mine are not in Lancaster. In the end, we are just people who come to Lancaster to make a living. Sooner or later, we will return to our roots. When the flower shop is closed, we will sell the house here and go back to our hometown. Then we will be able to look after our parents."
"Ah, I can't believe you have even thought about that." Joyce said in surprise.
Sebastian fondly rubbed her hair and said, "Of course, didn't your parents and mine keep urging us to go back? We just didn't want to give up what we built up here. Now it's different, we can leave without hesitation."
Joyce was touched and said, "Sebastian, you're so thoughtful. It's my blessing to marry you."
Emily looked at the happy couple, relieved, and sighed. She believed that she would never get such simple happiness for the rest of her life.
"In that case, we don't have any worries. Emily, break up with him immediately. We will not be threatened by him." Joyce said confidently.
Emily shook her head and said, "Franklin is not as simple as we thought. You see, James' family is not in Lancaster. Still, he was able to give him a hard time. If he wants to plot against a person, whether that person is in Lancaster or not, he can find a way. This has to be reconsidered. Take your time," Emily said.
Sebastian nodded and said, "That's what I mean. We should take it slow. Let's work hard for one last time, earn enough money, sell the store, and then leave Lancaster on the grounds that our parents are old and need care. Let Emily stabilize Franklin first. After we settle down in our hometown, Emily can talk about leaving Franklin then, and he won't be able to suspect us. So we'll keep Emily's money first. After Emily leaves Franklin, she surely will not stay in Lancaster. We can buy her a house in her hometown and stay together in the future."
"Sebastian, you're so smart." Joyce hugged Sebastian excitedly.
Sebastian blushed and quickly pushed her away, "Don't be like this. Emily is still here."
Joyce smiled shyly and happily.
Emily also felt that what Sebastian said made sense. Since it was all planned like this, she still wanted to get some money from Franklin so that she could live on it in the future.
In the past, she didn't want to spend Franklin's money for she felt that he didn't owe her. She had no position then. But it would be different in the future. She felt that Franklin had to give her a sum of money at least for Bryce.
After leaving Joyce's house, Emily went to the shopping mall.
Suddenly asking Franklin for money would definitely arouse his suspicion, so she had to take it slow.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Hello, Mr. Brent