Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 165

Just as the tension between Carter and Raymond hit a boiling point, Douglas woke up.

"Dad, how do you feel?"

Edward hurried over in concern. Douglas looked remarkably revitalized. He sat up, letting out a long, steady breath.

"I'm fine now."

Carter's mother spoke up quickly, "You terrified us just now! Thank goodness Emma was here and brought out The Miracle Pill."

Douglas waved his hand. He had retained a sliver of consciousness earlier and was fully aware of everything that had transpired.

His face darkened as his gaze swept over the Lockwoods.

"The marriage alliance is hereby annulled. If Raymond's family is so fond of the Lockwood girl, you can take her as your goddaughter. That is your private business. For everything else, follow Carter's orders."

Douglas glanced at his youngest son. Ultimately, he couldn't bear to humiliate Raymond entirely.

He chose a compromise that established Carter's absolute authority over the family without completely undermining his youngest son's dignity in front of outsiders.

The Lockwoods looked utterly grim, but Percy was practically buzzing with joy.

"Go to the family chapel and take your punishment."

Douglas turned his stern gaze to Percy. At the end of the day, all of this chaos had stemmed from him.

With the family officially terminating his engagement to Gillian, Percy was too thrilled to care about a physical beating. He practically marched off to the chapel with a smile on his face.

"I'm taking Emma back to rest."

Carter kept a stony expression as he tried to wheel Emma away, but Douglas stopped him.

"I need to speak with Emma. The rest of you, leave."

Douglas cleared the room, leaving only Emma and the butler who pushed her wheelchair.

The old man led her to the family chapel.

Inside the chapel, Percy was taking his punishment. The sickening thud of heavy blows landing on his flesh echoed dully through the air.

"Your marriage to Carter was born out of an accident. I can tell there isn't much deep affection between the two of you," Douglas sighed heavily.

Emma lowered her eyes and smiled softly. "Why wouldn't there be affection?"

"I don't have the energy to meddle in young people's affairs anymore, nor can I intervene. But both of them are my grandsons, and I refuse to watch them tear each other apart over a woman."

Douglas gripped his cane tightly. "If for no other reason, do it for the sake of your six-year relationship. Stay here and try to talk some sense into him."

Emma pursed her lips, forced to point out, "Grandfather, I am Carter's wife. Isn't it highly inappropriate to ask me to stay for Percy?"

"I merely want you to reason with him. I cannot stand the sight of two brothers at each other's throats."

Emma understood exactly what Douglas meant.

He was terrified that Percy's obsession with her would tear the Harrington corporation apart.

Percy panicked, desperate to explain. But seeing the figure in his peripheral vision growing restless, he swallowed his anxiety and leaned even closer to Emma.

"Let's not talk about that today. How about we discuss a mutually beneficial arrangement instead?"

Emma raised an eyebrow. "What could we possibly have to discuss?"

"I can help you investigate your birth parents."

"Uncle Raymond's security clearance and network are significantly higher than my cousin's."

Emma fell silent in thought. Taking advantage of the moment, Percy intentionally slumped lower as if his legs gave out, letting out a pained groan.

To anyone watching, the posture looked incredibly intimate.

Percy smirked in triumph, but fearing Emma might push him away, he rushed to add:

"Especially in Garrison City. Uncle Raymond's foundational networks have been entrenched there for years. I can find things Carter never could."

"So, will you give me a chance to cooperate with you?"

Carter stood frozen in the corner. Watching Emma reach out—seemingly to check on Percy's wounds—he felt a suffocating crush of agony rip through his chest. Unable to bear it, he turned and stalked away.

He would rather pretend he saw nothing, continuing to deceive himself that Emma had completely moved on from Percy.

Seeing the shadow disappear from the corner, Percy let out a deeply satisfied laugh.

Emma's raised hand firmly gripped Percy's arm. "Get away from me, or I'll snap this arm in half."