Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 276

Seeing that her attitude seemed sincere enough, and considering Carter's physical condition, Emma reluctantly agreed to let him stay.

During dinner that evening, she went to meet Phoebe alone.

"Emma, the truth is, when you first came back, I acted that way because of a misunderstanding. I know now that I had it all wrong."

Phoebe's explanation left Emma bewildered. "What misunderstanding?"

"When my mom was sick, I thought you just didn't want to help. Now I realize you didn't know anything about it."

Phoebe omitted the part about Gillian sending the text message, not wanting to fuel the existing conflict between the two women.

But hearing this, Emma simply let out a soft laugh.

"That's it?"

So Phoebe had completely ignored her disappearance and unilaterally severed their friendship over a simple misunderstanding—without even bothering to ask for an explanation.

Emma's emotions were a tangled mess. Phoebe bowed her head in shame.

"Emma, I'm sorry. My mom was critically ill, and I was so panicked and terrified. Plus, the Lockwood family told everyone you chose to study abroad on your own. I thought you had abandoned our friendship first."

As an outsider, Phoebe had no right to demand answers from the Lockwood family.

Especially after she became friends with Gillian. Gillian threw a fit anytime Emma's name was mentioned, so Phoebe had been even more terrified to bring it up.

"I know my actions caused a lot of trouble for you after you came back. I don't expect you to forgive me, but I really did treasure our friendship."

Phoebe bit her lip, genuinely wanting to salvage their relationship.

Emma didn't say anything else. She simply picked up her fork and said, "Let's eat."

During the meal, Phoebe made an excuse to step away from the table to take a call from Gillian.

"Phoebe, Emma still hasn't forgiven you, has she?" Gillian's concerned voice came through the receiver. Without waiting for an answer, she plowed on, "The apartment your mom was renting got bought out for a premium, but don't worry, I've already relocated her to a new place."

The tension in Phoebe's chest instantly vanished. "Thank you, Gillian."

"Don't mention it. But I do need to warn you about something. Emma has made quite a few enemies in Garrison City. You need to be careful when you're around her."

Gillian hung up right after delivering her warning. As Phoebe was walking back, she noticed a highly suspicious figure hovering near the entrance, staring intently at Emma.

"Emma!"

"Call an ambulance."

Emma moved quickly to apply a makeshift tourniquet. Seeing Emma's grave expression, Phoebe managed a weak smile.

"Emma, I'm really okay. It just... hurts a little bit. Thank God it wasn't you."

All the color had drained from Phoebe's face. Emma's features remained tight with intense concentration.

"Stop talking."

Emma pressed her lips into a thin line, silently cursing Phoebe for being an absolute idiot.

A tiny pocket knife couldn't have seriously hurt her anyway. Why did Phoebe have to play the hero?

But her increasingly ragged breathing was proof enough of her overwhelming anxiety and fear.

Phoebe's consciousness began to slip. She instinctively gripped Emma's hand, her voice barely a whisper:

"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. Could you please... not be mad at me anymore?"