Chapter 6

The next morning, as Emma came downstairs, she overheard snippets of conversation over breakfast.

“Wow, Aria’s getting all the attention,” Zoe remarked, snatching Aria’s diamond bracelet and glaring at Emma. “It’s not even Valentine’s Day, and she’s already drowning in flowers and gifts. Unlike someone who’s… well, you know.”

Emma sneered. “Sebastian’s a notorious womanizer; that bracelet’s probably just a cheap trinket, worth a few thousand at most. Only someone as shameless as Aria would flaunt it.”

Mateo flung his fork at her. “What’s with the morning drama? Can’t you let us eat in peace?”

Emma dodged the fork. “Wrong for calling her shameless? Look who’s ruining my breakfast.” She gestured to her usual seat, now occupied by Aria’s border collie, Rocky, while Emma’s breakfast sat forlornly beside the doghouse.

Aria feigned apology, struggling to suppress laughter. “Oh, Emma, I’m so sorry. After you flipped the table last night, I assumed you didn’t want breakfast. Rocky really wanted your spot, so I moved your food. It’s sunny out there! But if it bothers you, I can fix it.”

Feeling emboldened by Zoe and Mateo’s apparent dismissal of Emma, Aria reached for the dog bowl. Emma kicked it over, sending dog food flying. Aria cried, “Emma, what are you doing?”

Emma took the egg and chicken breast from Aria’s plate and dumped them into the dog bowl. Then she shoved a handful of dog food into Aria’s mouth. “Dogs are smarter than you, so why bother with people food? Let me help your pea-brain by feeding you some dog food.”

Aria, unable to resist Emma’s strength, sobbed, desperately trying to spit out the dog food as more was shoved into her mouth. She ended up swallowing several pieces.

Zoe looked aghast. Nora shrieked, hiding behind Mateo, who bellowed for someone to stop Emma. Emma ceased her actions just before the servants intervened.

Gripping Aria’s jaw, Emma menacingly asked, “So, how was Rocky’s food? Tasty?”

Aria, released and tearful, ran to Mateo. “Dad, look what Emma did to me!”

“Emma, you’re completely nuts,” Mateo trembled with rage. “Your sister is the hottest thing in Troln City, and you dare do this? You’ll pay for this.”

Emma’s demand for two million dollars to agree to a marriage had shifted Mateo’s investment strategy to Aria. But there was a crucial difference: Emma was being forced into marriage, a transaction akin to selling a daughter. Aria, on the other hand, could use the two million dollars to choose her own husband. Whether selling or marrying off, the Wilson family viewed their daughters as commodities.

With gifts flooding in for Aria, the Wilson family’s expectations soared. Aria’s treatment improved while Emma’s situation worsened.

As Mateo raised a heavy stick to strike Emma, a car horn blared. A flustered servant rushed in. “Emergency! Vehicles from the Hall family are here!”

Mateo nearly dropped the stick at the mention of the Hall family. Zoe gasped, panicked. “Oh shit, we’re screwed. They’re probably here to settle the score for the broken engagement. What do we do? If we offend the Hall family, we’re finished in Troln City.”

Terror gripped the Wilson family. Aria glared at Emma. “This is all your fault! If you hadn’t caused so much trouble, Liam wouldn’t be here!”

Zoe gritted her teeth. “Let’s hand over this wretched girl. The Hall family can deal with her. She made this mess, so let her clean it up. We can’t get involved.”

The Wilson family trembled at the thought of Liam and the Hall family’s immense power. Their ancestors had held prestigious positions since the fourteenth century, and their influence could obliterate the Wilsons effortlessly.

Mateo’s hand shook; Zoe sat on the edge of her seat. Emma smirked coldly. In her previous life, Liam had sought retribution for her rejection; but after their encounter at Vark College, he should understand her feelings. He hadn't come to cause trouble.

“Did Liam come in person?” Mateo’s voice wavered.

“I’m not sure, sir, but there are over twenty vehicles outside,” the servant replied.

“We’re screwed,” Zoe slumped onto the sofa. “Over twenty vehicles?”

Even Aria anxiously glanced at Nora. “Mom, what’s the plan?”

Only Emma calmly walked outside. A grey BMW led the convoy. Liam’s right-hand man, Levi Carter, stepped out, giving Emma a respectful nod. His words stunned the Wilson family.

“Hello, Miss Wilson. On Mr. Hall’s orders, I’ve come to deliver the proposal gifts,” Levi said.

The revelation hit like a bomb. Emma was stunned by the sheer number of vehicles filled with proposal gifts. The Wilson family was speechless.

“What? Proposal gifts? That many?” Aria’s jaw dropped.