Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 272

Phoebe didn't know what Gillian meant about the past, but she came to see her anyway.

The moment Gillian saw her, she burst into tears.

"Phoebe, I'm so sorry. I lied to you."

Gillian's eyes were red and swollen. Phoebe quickly tried to comfort her. "It's okay, it's okay. Please don't cry. What are you talking about?"

"It's about... when your mom was critically ill in the hospital, and you texted Emma for help..."

Gillian bit her lip, her voice dropping to a whisper. Phoebe instantly froze.

"What?"

Wiping her tears pitifully, Gillian explained, "When I first returned to the Lockwood family, I didn't have a new phone, so my parents gave me Emma's old one. When that message came through that night, I didn't understand the context at first.

I thought Emma was conspiring with a friend to scam money out of the family, so I replied the way I did on purpose."

Phoebe's hand, which had been resting on Gillian's shoulder, stiffened. She stared at Gillian in sheer disbelief. "But all these years, you never..."

For years, Gillian had maintained that it was Emma who sent that callous reply.

Gillian sobbed harder. "Later, I was too scared to tell you. I was terrified you'd stop talking to me. Especially when Emma came back—she was so successful, surrounded by people who adored her. But I only had you."

Hearing this, Phoebe's heart softened slightly. Gillian wasn't wrong; for years, Phoebe had been her only true friend.

"Phoebe, I'm so sorry. This has weighed on me for so long, and it's been agonizing. I wanted to tell you the truth so many times, but whenever I saw the nostalgic way you looked at Emma, I got scared. I was wrong. I should have told you much sooner."

Gillian was weeping uncontrollably. Phoebe's emotions were in complete turmoil, and she genuinely didn't know what to say.

"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have had a falling out with Emma, and you wouldn't have been kicked out by the Harringtons. And now your job... It's all my fault. I never meant to ruin things for you like this."

By taking all the blame, Gillian was subtly reminding Phoebe of everything she had sacrificed for her over the years.

Phoebe pursed her lips and gently patted Gillian's shoulder.

"It's not your fault. You had just returned to the family back then. I understand why you disliked her, so it's not surprising you'd assume the worst."

Phoebe lowered her gaze. Gillian had helped her countlessly; she couldn't just turn her back on her now.

Gillian tentatively tugged at Phoebe's sleeve. "Will you... will you still be my friend?"

Gillian's words brought a warmth to Phoebe's heart. That abruptly shattered friendship was indeed a regret she had never been able to let go of.

"Gillian, are you sure you don't mind?" Phoebe wanted to be certain of where she stood.

Gillian nodded solemnly, her eyes perfectly devoid of any hidden malice. "I really don't mind. My issues with Emma have nothing to do with you."

Phoebe offered a soft laugh. This was truly for the best.

"Emma has gone back to Garrison City. With everything she's been through lately, she probably needs your company and comfort."

Gillian sounded so supportive that Phoebe felt deeply moved and grateful. "Thank you, Gillian. I'll head over there today."

Phoebe left. The moment she disappeared from sight, the innocent, pitiful facade dropped from Gillian's face, replaced by a cold, calculating glare.

Her eyes gleamed with pure malice.

She picked up her phone and dialed a number.

"Tell the tenant that a Ms. Lockwood is paying a premium to rent that apartment. Compensate her handsomely, but make sure she moves out immediately."