Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 113

Gillian didn't flinch at the accusation.

"My mom didn't want to come. What about it? Do you want to call and ask her yourself?"

Emma smirked, shifting her gaze toward the edge of the crowd.

Everyone followed her line of sight, spotting Violet standing there awkwardly, looking like she wanted the floor to swallow her whole.

"Violet? Why are you here? You... you..." A flash of panic crossed Gillian's eyes. She had deliberately kept the party a secret from her.

She hadn't wanted her mother here. Acting chummy with Pamela in front of Violet always made her uncomfortable.

"Didn't you say you didn't want to come?" Gillian prompted quickly, hoping Violet would play along and take the blame.

Violet felt a pang of hurt, but she still couldn't bear to see her daughter humiliated in public. She hesitated, then cast a guilty look at Emma.

"Emma told me we were meeting the in-laws today, so I came."

Gillian bought the lie instantly, completely missing the warning look Violet shot her way.

She turned on her heel, shooting Marian a mocking sneer. "Mrs. Vance treats Emma like royalty, but it's pretty obvious Emma doesn't view you as a real mother."

Emma shifted her weight. Before she could even respond, Carter had already ordered his men to bring over several chairs.

"Have a seat and talk it out," Carter said, directing the staff to place the remaining chairs in front of his mother and mother-in-law.

Emma sat down, meeting Violet's gaze with a cynical, half-smile.

Violet looked back with a pleading expression. Emma closed her eyes and let out a cold laugh.

"Willing to ruin my relationship with Marian just to save your precious daughter's pride." Emma spoke softly, opening her eyes to reveal a chilling detachment.

"Ms. Jennings, do the Lockwoods really hate seeing me succeed this much?"

All the color drained from Violet's face. Not only did she never expect Emma to ruthlessly expose her lie in public, but the words themselves cut her to the core.

How could she not want Emma to do well?

It was just... it was just...

Gillian was so proud. If she didn't give her an out, Gillian would go home devastated. She felt like she had no other choice.

Pamela, however, maintained her gentle smile, acting as if she hadn't caught the stinging implication.

Raymond thought his wife was being far too accommodating. He shot Emma a sidelong glance, his annoyance thickening.

Emma couldn't care less. She wasn't actually going to be the Harrington daughter-in-law forever anyway.

What the Harringtons thought of her meant absolutely nothing.

Pamela wheeled her husband away, chatting as if nothing was wrong. "I heard Emma sent her adoptive father to a holding cell and assumed things were terrible between them. But she actually invited her adoptive mother today. I guess the rumors are exaggerated."

Raymond, however, thought Pamela was just too naive. He narrowed his eyes. "You're the only one who can't see she did that purely to humiliate Gillian."

"You think so?" Pamela asked in surprise. "Carter seems quite taken with her. Didn't he beat up Percy because of her? If he likes her that much, her character can't be that bad."

Raymond gently squeezed his wife's hand, speaking with practiced patience. "Carter rushing into a marriage and attacking his own cousin is all Emma's doing. That girl is far from simple. She's incredibly calculating."

His expression darkened. He couldn't deal with Emma directly just yet, but as a senior Harrington, it was his duty to keep Carter in line.

"My father is already furious about this sudden marriage. I'll just let him handle teaching Carter a lesson."