Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 304

A cold glint flashed in Carter's eyes as he heard those words.

He shot an icy glare at him. Percy simply smirked and continued, "When you were young, you loved visiting Garrison City. You were always happier there, and you never really clicked with Sylvia and that crowd. That's why I asked Raymond to arrange for Phoebe to live with us so you two could attend the same school and be in the same class."

Emma furrowed her brow. "Why are you here?"

Percy pressed his lips together. "I heard about the Vance family. I was worried about you."

His blunt confession made Carter's expression darken further. Carter silently stepped forward, but before he could speak, Percy beat him to the punch.

"Don't misunderstand, cousin. I know you're staying by her side. I just came to drop something off for her."

Percy carefully pulled a protective amulet from his coat pocket.

Emma stared at it, momentarily dazed.

"When you were living abroad, you mentioned that protective amulets really work. I believe this one will work, too. George and Marian are going to be fine."

Percy opened his hand, revealing a small purple satin amulet resting quietly in his palm.

"Thank you."

Under Carter's watchful gaze, Emma reached out and took the amulet.

A smile played on Percy's lips. While Emma wasn't looking, he cast a provocative glance at Carter.

"How did you find out about my parents? Has the news spread already?"

Emma sat back down on the sofa, tucking the amulet into her pocket as she pulled out her phone.

Percy took the opportunity to sit across from her. "It hasn't spread through our circles yet. Only a select few know about it."

Emma raised an eyebrow. The waters behind Percy were deeper than she had anticipated.

It was highly classified information. Even Julian had only just found out, yet Percy already knew and had managed to acquire an amulet.

This wasn't something you could just buy anywhere. It was sold at the temple on the peak of the mountain in the suburbs, and the temple wasn't open to the public every day. If she remembered correctly, yesterday was the only open day.

Which meant Percy had known about her parents' crisis since yesterday.

Emma planned to subtly test the waters later. The moment she stepped into the walk-in closet, she saw Carter shucking off his shirt, revealing broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and perfectly sculpted muscles.

"You go ahead."

Emma turned to leave, but just as her fingers curled around the doorknob, Carter stepped up behind her. His large hand covered hers, trapping it completely.

"What are you doing?" Emma whispered, acutely aware of his imposing presence looming over her.

Carter was significantly taller and impeccably built. Pressed like this, she was entirely caged between him and the heavy oak door.

Carter didn't answer immediately. Instead, his free arm wrapped around her waist from behind, his hand sliding directly into her pocket to pull out the amulet.

His gaze darkened as he squeezed the charm. When he finally spoke, his deep voice carried a rare, predatory dominance.

"Believing in this is useless."

"You're better off believing in me."