Chapter 18

Emma frowned, thinking, “Why would Mrs. Baker want me in her office this morning? Does she know about Liam and me already?” Jack, worried, followed her.

At the office, Elijah’s parents, Madeline and Michael, were already there, looking distraught. Madeline rushed to Emma. “Emma, you were right about Aria. She lied to us.”

The revelation that Aria's baby wasn't Elijah's was a devastating blow, compounded by Elijah's conviction for malicious drug abuse, facing license suspension and jail time. Madeline pleaded, “Emma, Elijah isn’t a bad person. He must be brainwashed by Aria. Please tell the police the truth. Don't let them jail him!”

Unexpectedly confronted, Emma frowned and headed for the door. Madeline yelled, “Emma!”

Emma retorted, “Elijah did what he did. Why act like he’s innocent? He and Aria deserve jail.” Her patience with the Taylors was exhausted, fueled by memories of Elijah's actions in her previous life.

Madeline's response was uncontrolled fury. “What do you mean he deserves it? My son has been exemplary! He wouldn't be here if he hadn't met you and your sister! You, your sisters, and your mother—all the women in your family are shameless!”

Initially calm, Emma’s anger flared at the mention of her mother. She almost slapped Madeline but was distracted by a glint of light. Michael Taylor’s tie clip clashed with his shirt. Stepping forward, Emma snatched the clip.

“What are you doing?” Michael asked, his guilt evident.

Holding the clip, Emma smiled coldly. “Playing a little trick, huh? Is this a pinhole camera?”

Madeline and Michael had intended to provoke her into a physical altercation, secretly recording it for online publication. Michael, with his psychology background, almost succeeded.

Michael protested, “What pinhole camera? It’s just a tie clip! Give it back!”

Emma scoffed, crushing the clip under her foot. “Think you can frame me? You’re mistaken!” She then began recording. “Repeat what you just said. Your son is accused of drug abuse and attempted rape. He’s been arrested, and you’re threatening me to secure his acquittal. Mr. Taylor, as a post-doctoral fellow, is this how you teach your son? How did you become a professor? By similar means?”

Madeline screamed, “Bullshit! Stop recording, bitch! Put that phone away, or I’ll kill you!” She lunged at Emma.

Emma dodged the attack, turning her phone on Madeline. “This woman is even funnier! Instead of teaching her son decency, she comes to my school and goes crazy. Look at this—what a family!” She immediately posted the video online.

“Go to hell!” Madeline shrieked, throwing a vase at Emma’s head. A large hand pulled Madeline back; a vase shattered against someone’s head. Blood flowed, the smell pungent in the air.

“Jack?” Emma gasped, disbelieving.

Jack, pale and clutching his wound, gasped, “Emma, are you alright?”

Emma’s eyes burned with rage as she looked at Madeline. “Like mother, like son. Enjoy your family reunion in jail.”

Despite his own hurt feelings over seeing Emma with Liam, Jack had instinctively protected her from Madeline’s attack. Severely injured, he stumbled beside Emma as she rushed him to the infirmary.

While the doctor treated Jack, Emma thought of Liam. To prevent misunderstandings, she messaged him: “[Elijah’s parents caused a scene. Jack saved me and is injured. I’m with him at the infirmary. I’ll leave after he’s treated. Don’t worry. I won’t cross the line. Kiss!]”

Relieved, Emma sighed. Her foremost desire since returning was to cherish Liam, protecting him from harm.

Back in the infirmary, Emma watched the doctor bandage Jack. “Thanks, but don’t do that again. It’d be a shame to injure your brilliant brain.”

Jack, embarrassed, mumbled, “No problem. As long as you’re okay.”

Emma’s mind drifted to their past animosity; he had nearly gotten her killed in Africa. Solving this conflict was a significant relief.

Minutes later, the door opened. Seeing the visitor, Emma sprang up. “Why are you here?”

Liam, having heard Emma was alone with Jack, had returned. He glanced at Jack and said to Emma, “Come with me.”

Excusing herself to Jack, Emma followed Liam out, standing behind him. “Mr. Hall…”