Chapter 185: Long-Awaited Reputation

"Ms. Holland, I appreciate your kindness, but I don't deserve this. Please take back the gift." Erick's expression was gentle but detached, devoid of warmth, making him unreadable to Emma. Despite her hope, she had anticipated his refusal, and had practiced her words beforehand.

"Your birthday is coming up. Take this pen as an early birthday present," Emma insisted, thrusting the box toward Erick.

Erick's face remained expressionless. "Thank you for the pen, Ms. Holland," he replied.

Emma let out a relieved sigh. A glimmer of happiness warmed her heart, diluting the unpleasantness of losing the auction to Maggie and Mia. She had planned ahead: if Erick declined, she would cite his upcoming birthday. Given the Hollands' and Adams' acquaintance, a gift was customary; refusing it would raise suspicions. Using his birthday as an excuse would make refusal more difficult. Even if he accepted now, she could give him another gift later, blending it with others and delivering it to his house.

When she handed Erick the pen, her expression softened slightly. He didn't glance at it. "Ms. Holland," he stated, "you've spent money. I'll transfer it to Mr. Holland's card later."

Emma's smile wavered. He appeared to have accepted her gift, yet he declined it in this way.

"There's no need to be so formal," she insisted. "It's too polite of you to offer money."

"No pain, no gain, Ms. Holland. I appreciate your kindness, so I'll accept the pen," Erick nodded, preparing to leave.

Mia stepped forward. "Mr. Adam, I've heard so much about you."

Erick halted, met her gaze, and gave a slight nod. "Ms. Gatlin."

Spotting Mia's arrival, Emma, standing behind her, quickly followed. "What's your intention, Ms. Gatlin?" she asked warily.

Mia chuckled. "That's none of your concern!"

Mia's direct, merciless tone drained the color from Emma's face. "I…"

"Oh, I get it. You're after Mr. Adam!" Mia interjected. Her bossy and beautiful face, yet compassionate demeanor, implied she understood everything.

Chapter 185: Long-Awaited Reputation

Emma quivered with fury. She had never met anyone like Mia before!

"No wonder they call the Gatlins nouveau riche," Emma gritted her teeth, disgusted. "Ms. Gatlin's lack of manners is quite revealing!"

Mia gave a cold chuckle, her captivating eyes dimming slightly as she locked gazes with Emma. "Alright. I dare you to repeat that in front of my father."

"You!!!" Emma's breath hitched, her entire body trembling.

Mia, disregarding her phone, dialled Jordan's number. After a few moments, he answered.

"What's the matter, Mia? Are you not enjoying yourself at the auction? Do you need more money?" Jordan asked. "Dad, do you know the Hollands? Emma just called you nouveau riche and accused me of having no manners!"

Mia confidently recounted the incident. Emma's face paled, and Mia completely ruined Emma's perception of herself.

"Just hold on, I'll have a word with her dad. I'll ask Mr. Holland how he managed to raise such a well-mannered daughter!"

Jordan abruptly ended the call. Emma attempted to speak several times but couldn't.

Mia's attention shifted to the pen box in Erick's grasp. "Ms. Holland, let me make this clear. Even though it's no secret that you have unrequited feelings for Mr. Adam, you can't trouble him like this. Mr. Adam will have to pay an additional hundred thousand dollars because of your 'little scams,' and for no apparent reason, he has become a scapegoat. How pitiful," Mia scowled, offering genuine advice.

"I didn't…" Emma dreaded being involved with Erick. As Mia spoke, she instinctively glanced toward him. Though he remained impassive, Emma felt her heart clench painfully. When he offered her money earlier, she felt uneasy, worried he would be irritated and think she was meddling, forcing him to pay her hundred thousand dollars. His intention to transfer the money to her father was a clear warning. Being pointed out by Mia added another layer of complication.

"Erick, I want you to have this pen. Don't think too much. If you want to thank me, just invite me to dinner another day…" Emma's voice wavered, her eyes turning red as she attempted to salvage some dignity.

Mia arched her eyebrows in surprise. Why does she have such audacity?

Before either Mia or Erick could respond, Emma's phone rang. Seeing her father's incoming call, her expression darkened. She assumed it was about the auction dispute and Jordan's call, and answering would look bad. She promptly ended the call.

"Oh, why isn't Ms. Holland picking up?" Mia's smile took on a sly edge.

"I don't need your concern, Ms. Gatlin," Emma retorted icily.

A friend approached, holding a phone. "Emma, Mr. Holland called me. He said your phone wasn't reachable, and Beth had to leave early." Emma's complexion drained. She had purposely ignored the call, but her friend insisted on bringing the phone to her!

Emma suppressed her anger and answered. "Dad."

"All your foolish antics have spread like wildfire! I warned you not to provoke the Adams, yet here you are dragging the Gatlins into this mess! Do you think Jordan is a pushover? How utterly foolish!!!" her father's voice seethed.