Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 86

Eleanor Kent was already waiting inside The Ciel Cafe.

"You must be Emma. I've heard all about the stupid stunt my son pulled. We know we're in the wrong here, and we're perfectly willing to negotiate whatever compensation you want."

Eleanor offered a placating smile. She wasn't afraid of a discarded Lockwood daughter. What terrified her was the unknown entity backing Emma—the person who had kept Harvey locked away for days without leaving a single trace.

"Mrs. Kent, I don't need your money," Emma replied.

Eleanor frowned, her smile instantly vanishing.

"Then what do you want? A house? A car? Name your price."

Emma smirked. "I've lived abroad for years. I have two cars to my name, and I'm sure you've heard of at least one of them."

Eleanor's expression darkened. She suddenly recalled that Emma owned one of the most exclusive supercars in the world.

"Whatever you had before was provided by the Lockwoods. As long as you let my son go, I promise you won't be bullied by anyone in this city ever again—and that includes the Lockwoods."

Eleanor spoke with absolute confidence. Emma's smile only grew wider.

"Did you happen to miss Alfred Shaw's birthday banquet?"

She didn't need protection in this city.

"Besides, since I returned to this country, the only person who's dared to cross me is your son."

Eleanor's face turned completely ugly. "Then what exactly do you want?"

"I suggest the Kent family look into finding a new heir."

Emma dropped the words effortlessly. Eleanor slammed her coffee cup onto the table.

"Harvey is my only son!"

Emma smirked. "But he isn't the only child in the Kent family. The fact that I'm sitting here having a civil conversation with you means I have no intention of dragging your entire family's business down with him."

Eleanor stared at her, then suddenly burst into a bitter laugh.

"Fine! I'd love to see exactly how you plan to take down the Kent family!"

Eleanor stood up furiously, just as Carter walked into the cafe.

His dark eyes swept the room as he stepped up behind Emma. A single, chilling glance from him made Eleanor's chest tighten in sheer panic.

"I have Harvey."

"I just don't know what condition you want him in when you finally see him."

Two sentences were all it took for all the color to drain from Eleanor's face.

Her fury and defiance crumbled, quickly morphing into desperation as she looked at Emma.

"I swear he will never show his face in front of you again. He will never cross you again. If... if you need someone to punish, take it out on me."

Eleanor's eyes welled with pleading tears. "I'm begging you, please don't hurt my boy."

Emma looked at her calmly. Before she could respond, Charles and Violet rushed into the cafe.

Carter's voice cut through the air, his cold, arrogant gaze sweeping over them.

"He is receiving treatment at a rehabilitation center."

Eleanor's heart dropped to her stomach. If Carter Harrington had thrown her son into a rehab center, he had a thousand perfectly legal ways to ensure Harvey never saw the light of day again. And if he did get out, he would likely be driven utterly insane.

Her last shred of confidence evaporated. After a long, agonizing pause, she gritted her teeth.

"I will have him turn himself in and serve time. I'll also hand over all the recent itinerary details for the Vance Group's CEO. Emma, you work for CFT. If you can secure a partnership with Vance, your position in the company will skyrocket, and it will help the Harringtons expand their business empire."

Charles was immediately sold, practically itching to agree on the spot.

He shot frantic looks at Emma, but she simply stood up and offered a faint smile.

"I accept the terms of him turning himself in. As for the CEO's itinerary, if I find out anyone else has seen it..."

Emma let the threat hang in the air, offering a smile that looked pleasant but sent a violent shudder down Eleanor's spine.

A terrifying thought crossed Eleanor's mind: if the Kent family failed to meet her demands, she truly might never see her son again.

"Don't worry. We will absolutely not share that information with anyone else."

Eleanor agreed frantically. Emma grabbed Carter's wrist and turned toward the door.

Charles immediately chased after them, calling out just as she was about to get into the car.

"Haven't you always wanted to come back to the family? Get in. We're going home."