Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 248

Emma's gaze settled on her. She crossed her arms, the last shred of empathy she held for Phoebe evaporating into nothingness.

"Fine. Then do me a favor and control your mother so she stops coming to me for handouts."

Phoebe was fiercely proud. Begging for help was the one thing she loathed more than anything else.

Emma's words felt like a vicious slap across the face, instantly shattering the self-righteous momentum Phoebe had walked in with, leaving her burning with humiliation.

"Are we done here?"

Seeing the smile on Emma's face widen, Jocelyn casually walked over.

She knew Emma wasn't the type to smile for no reason. When she did, it meant someone was about to get wrecked.

Seeing Jocelyn approach, Emma took a breath and cooled her temper.

Dropping the smile, she said, "We're done. Let's get back to shopping. Tell me if you see anything you like—it's my treat."

Hearing those painfully familiar words, Phoebe's frown deepened.

Emma used to speak to her in that exact same gentle tone.

'Tell me what you like, Phoebe. I'll buy it for you as a gift!'

Memories from their teenage years flooded Phoebe's mind, a fierce sense of righteous indignation igniting in her chest.

This was just another one of Emma's sick psychological games. She had to stop her from tricking someone else into a fake friendship.

"Mom, head home first. I need to take care of something."

Boiling with rage, Phoebe felt like Emma had taken her most treasured memories and turned them into a cruel joke.

The moment Miriam left, Phoebe began scanning the mall for Emma.

She eventually spotted her in a high-end boutique.

"This would look stunning on you."

Jocelyn pointed at a pale yellow chiffon dress. Emma's skin was already so luminous that a color like this would make her practically glow.

"Go try it on."

Jocelyn was suddenly entirely invested. Nothing was more fun than dressing up Emma. She was as flawless as a runway model, making any outfit look spectacular.

Emma obediently took the dress to the fitting room. Seeing her chance, Phoebe marched right up to Jocelyn.

"You're being manipulated. Emma doesn't actually see you as a real friend."

Because Jocelyn was wearing a mask, Phoebe hadn't recognized her face. Terrified that Emma might step out at any moment, the words tumbled out of her mouth in a rushed panic.

"You're the girl from the café." Jocelyn recognized her instantly and arched a brow. "What makes you say that? Did she manipulate you?"

Phoebe nodded vigorously. "We've known each other for years. Back in school, she pretended to be so sweet to me, but underneath it all, she's completely heartless. She will never treat you like a real friend."

When Jocelyn texted him to come to the mall, he dropped everything.

Jocelyn turned back toward the fitting rooms, a mischievous glint in her eye as one of the doors clicked open.

"See for yourself."

Carter turned. Emma stood there in a flowing pale yellow dress, delicately adjusting the hem with one hand.

She looked impossibly radiant, exuding a soft, breathtaking elegance, like a princess stepping straight out of a fairytale.

She was stunning.

Carter stared, utterly entranced. Every ounce of his attention locked onto her. The entire world seemed to fade away.

The only thing that existed was Emma, slowly walking toward him.

Jocelyn watched his reaction and tried to hold back a laugh. Pulling out her phone, she stealthily snapped a picture of his awestruck face and sent it to Julian.

[I agree with you. So far, he barely passes the test for a brother-in-law. I'll keep observing him. Leave Travis to me.]

Moments later, Travis, who was reviewing lab data at the hospital, received a message.

It was a photo of Emma blushing, her arm linked with a very smitten Carter Harrington, followed by a caption:

[Our girl has good taste. Don't you agree?]