Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 23

Carter walked over, his brows furrowed sharply as he shot Gillian a freezing glare.

"Is this the kind of manners a Lockwood daughter is raised with?"

Emma looked up in surprise. What was Carter doing here? And he clearly hadn't seen the whole exchange, so how was he so certain Gillian was the one bullying her?

"Mr. Harrington, I'm not bullying her. She insisted on fighting me for a dress I liked," Gillian instantly lied, twisting the truth without missing a beat.

Carter scoffed. "I'm sure you're more than capable of something like that, but she isn't."

Hearing someone defend her with such unwavering certainty, Emma lowered her head and let out a soft laugh.

That smile felt like a physical strike to Gillian's pride. She ground her teeth in fury.

When did this bitch sink her claws into Carter Harrington? How did she get him to protect her time and time again?

"Did you really want it?" Carter looked down at Emma, his tone softening.

Emma shook her head. "It was just okay."

"Then pick your absolute favorite. But it seems like some people being here is ruining your mood."

Carter's gaze turned somber. He pulled out his phone and made a quick call.

"Contact mall management. Shut the building down."

Emma was stunned again. Before she could say a word, Gillian panicked.

"Mr. Harrington, I'm the one marrying into the Harringtons soon! We're practically family. Why are you taking the side of an outsider?"

Violet returned just in time to hear her daughter snapping at Carter. Her heart plummeted.

"Mr. Harrington, what's going on?" Violet rushed over, grabbing Gillian's arm. "You can't speak to him like that. Apologize right now."

Gillian bit her lip. She absolutely refused to lose face in front of Emma. She huffed, "I won't."

Emma subtly put some distance between them, offering a bright smile. "Thank you for bailing me out."

"I didn't think you actually needed my help. I just went with the flow to earn a little favor," Carter replied smoothly. Right on cue, a boutique assistant wheeled over a cart of exquisite desserts.

"Eat while you browse. It'll improve your mood."

As soon as he finished speaking, staff from nearly every high-end brand in the mall began wheeling racks of their signature dresses, bags, and shoes straight into Carole's boutique.

Emma got to experience the ultimate VIP treatment. Without ever leaving her seat at Carole's, she was able to select from the best every designer had to offer.

"You're looking for me because of a business matter, aren't you?"

After picking out what she wanted—and being stopped by the staff when she tried to pay—she turned her attention back to Carter.

Carter noted the sharp intelligence in her eyes and gave a slow, devastating smile.

"Exactly. CFT Corporation is setting up a domestic branch, and I naturally want a piece of the pie."