Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 13

Emma didn't accept Carter's offer and left in a cab by herself.

"Boss, Ms. Lockwood just posted a rental request online."

The special assistant took out his phone, awaiting further orders.

"Go sort it out. Don't let her find out it's us," Carter instructed. His gaze landed on the suit jacket resting nearby, a hint of a smile in his eyes.

The assistant hesitated slightly and murmured, "But Ms. Lockwood is looking to rent a one- or two-bedroom apartment. You don't have any properties that small under your name."

Carter pursed his lips and frowned at his assistant. "If I don't have one, can't you go buy one?"

"Yes, understood."

That afternoon, Emma received a message inviting her to view an apartment.

Although it was a three-bedroom place and didn't exactly match her requirements.

The apartment was pristine—so new it looked as though no one had ever lived in it since it was bought. She found the price completely reasonable, and most importantly, the landlord accepted her condition to terminate the lease at any time.

Emma signed the contract on the spot and then headed to a luxury car dealership.

She was going to live domestically for a while, and it would be inconvenient without a car. It was the perfect time to check on the gift she had shipped back and planned to give away.

"Emma?"

Someone walked out of the lounge. Emma turned toward the voice and didn't expect to run into him here.

"Tristan."

Emma wasn't particularly enthusiastic. Tristan hadn't shown up at her engagement party.

Whether he was too busy or silently stating his position, she didn't know.

But she had grown up with her brothers, and their bond was extraordinary. Even though she had a falling out with her parents, she still wanted to give her brother some respect.

To Emma, Tristan had been her greatest source of security during her childhood.

Whenever naughty boys picked on her when she was little, Tristan had always protected her.

She walked over, only to be met with a look of sheer annoyance. "Don't call me that. Who is your brother? You should know your place by now."

Emma paused, the probing look in her eyes instantly masked by a meaningful smile. "So you don't plan on acknowledging me as your sister anymore?"

"Gillian is my only biological sister. You're just a thief who stole someone else's life. You are not my sister, and I hope you recognize your own status," Tristan said as he held up his phone. He was on a video call.

Gillian's face appeared prominently on the screen.

Finding the whole encounter sickening, Emma turned to leave. The sales consultant attending to her quickly asked, "Miss, are you no longer looking at cars?"

"Let's just sign the contract. I don't have a license, so I'll send my driver to pick it up later. Just pick a comfortable daily driver for me."

After Emma finished speaking, she glanced at Tristan. Seeing that he had hung up the phone, she resolved to make a clean break with him.

So, while the consultant prepared the paperwork, Emma walked over.

"I ordered a car before returning to the country. Consider it—"

Tristan scoffed mockingly. "What kind of car could you possibly afford? Aren't you still using the money that rightfully belongs to Gillian?"

Emma had originally intended to use the car as a thank-you gift for Tristan's years of protection, thereby drawing a clear line between them.

But upon hearing his words, she couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "The measly pennies the Lockwood family gave me wouldn't even cover one of my cars."

The tension between them was palpable. Terrified they might cause a scene, the consultant hurried back with the contract and asked awkwardly, "Miss, are we still signing?"

Emma nodded, then suddenly remembered she hadn't had the time to swap her bank cards since coming back.

"I'm afraid it'll have to wait a bit. I only have my overseas bank card."

Tristan sneered audibly. "I knew it. You're just here to pull a scam."