Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 92

The Vance Estate was situated in the most exclusive area of the city, boasting state-of-the-art security.

George Vance was taking a stroll through the courtyard when he spotted the car pulling slowly through the main gates, a beaming smile immediately lighting up his face.

"Ugh, why is it just you, you brat? Where's Em? Didn't you say you were bringing her home?"

The genial expression George had just worn vanished, replaced by a stern glare as he assumed his son had lied to him. "Your mother is cooking dinner herself tonight. If Emma isn't here, she'll throw both of us out on the street."

"Dad, I'm here!"

Emma called out with a radiant, cheerful smile, practically bouncing out of the car the second it parked.

Carter stepped out right behind her, his gaze utterly glued to her. It was rare to see her so vibrant and lively.

"Mr. Vance, it's an honor. I'm Carter Harrington."

Carter adjusted his suit jacket and stepped forward to introduce himself.

George's warm smile, which had been directed entirely at Emma, vanished in an instant. "The current head of the Harrington family."

"And Emma's husband."

Carter delivered the title with an unmistakable hint of pride and joy, even adding to George's shocked, bewildered stare, "Legally married, as of today."

"Excuse me?!"

George's eyebrows shot up into his hairline. He scanned Carter from head to toe, let out a cold scoff, and spun on his heel, marching straight into the house.

Julian shook his head in exasperation and muttered to Carter, "Don't take it personally. She's his adoptive daughter, and he had to fight off quite a few rivals to claim her. It's completely normal that he hates your guts right now."

Carter was mildly surprised, though he knew a bit about the Vance family's background.

They came from a long line of decorated military heroes dating back generations, with several renowned combat medics in their lineage. The first major central hospital built in the country was founded by the Vances.

George himself was covered in medals. If a man like that had to fight to adopt Emma, exactly who was he competing against?

"How about... you head back first?"

Emma offered hesitantly. George's reaction was relatively tame compared to Marian's, who was fiercely protective of her.

Julian let out a cold laugh, glaring at Carter. Both parents immediately shifted their piercing gazes toward him, George's expression darkening as the realization hit.

"Right. Wasn't Emma's fiancé that Harrington boy... what was his name..."

"Percy Harrington," Carter interjected smoothly, his tone dead serious. "Percy is an idiot with terrible judgment. The Harrington family was entirely in the wrong regarding the broken engagement, and I intend to make it up to Emma."

George scoffed loudly. Marian nudged her husband before asking cautiously, "So... you two really signed the papers?"

"Yes, we did." Carter carefully pulled out the marriage certificates to show them, handling the documents like fragile glass.

Seeing the irrepressible affection in his eyes as he presented the paperwork, Marian's heart softened slightly, understanding dawning on her.

"Let's have dinner first."

Right at that moment, the butler walked in.

"Sir, ma'am, you have guests. They said they're from the Lockwood family."