Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 173

Emma's blunt words wiped the smug look off Beatrice's face.

She was about to lash out when Charles hastily intervened.

"Emma, don't speak like that. You are still a daughter of the Lockwood family."

Emma sat down gracefully, tilting her head with a faint smile. "I've completely removed my name from your household registry. We share no blood. By what metric are we family?"

Charles tightened his lips in embarrassment, and Beatrice scoffed. "Stop throwing yourself at her. She's got richer, more powerful parents now. Why would she remember anything we did for her?"

Emma didn't bother explaining. She looked up and asked casually, "I was gone for six years. Do you still hit Violet? You probably do. I heard you slapped her not too long ago."

Her words caused Arthur Jennings's head to snap up. Suppressing his fury, he glared at Charles. "What is she talking about?"

"She's lying!" Beatrice shot out of her chair, defensive and loud. "She's just making up stories to drive a wedge between our families!"

"You beat Violet constantly when I was a kid, and you're still doing it now. What's the matter? Too scared to admit it?"

Emma had zero respect for the old woman. Her entire childhood was filled with memories of Beatrice bullying Violet.

"Emma Lockwood!"

Charles barked, desperately trying to salvage the tense atmosphere.

"Stop talking nonsense. Our two families finally sat down for a nice meal. Your grandfather missed you. Don't ruin it for him."

Charles played the role of the peacemaker, attempting to smooth over the embarrassment.

Emma crossed her arms, but before her hands could settle, Carter gently stopped her.

"Your shoulder."

Emma sighed and dropped her hands, but her gaze remained piercing as she stared down Charles.

"Who is family with you?"

Humiliated, Charles wanted to flip the table.

But remembering the immense resources backing Emma, he forced his anger down.

"Grandfather, the Jennings family's secret formula is never shared with outsiders, nor is it mass-produced. I know the rules. You don't need to boost my portfolio. I'll be fine."

Emma was immensely touched, but beside her, Charles gritted his teeth in sheer jealousy.

He had begged the Jennings family for years, and they hadn't even given him distribution rights. Not even a proxy agreement.

Now they were willing to break generations of rules just for Emma?

"Dad, the Jennings family has upheld this rule for generations. Breaking it just to give Emma a sales boost... don't you think that's inappropriate?"

Arthur snorted and shot him an icy glare. He spoke with absolute authority:

"I will do whatever I please with my own family's formula."

Emma's heart swelled with gratitude, and she simply promised to think about it.

The conversation soon shifted. Midway through the meal, Emma got up to use the restroom. As she was walking down the hallway, someone blocked her path.

"You're Emma Lockwood? Sienna Ryder wants to see you."