Chapter 663 Expose Rachelโs Charade
Emilia was not just any acquaintance. She was Merylโs classmate and Christopherโs fiancรฉe.
They were supposed to get married soon, but just days before the ceremony, Emilia had been abducted.
The kidnappers demanded an outrageous ransom of 100 million dollars, threatening to kill her if they didnโt get it.
Felix had been right by Merylโs side when Philip reported this shocking news, and Meryl had overheard everything.
Knowing that the Clarke family was scrambling to gather the funds, Meryl felt compelled to help.
Even though she hadnโt kept in touch with Emilia over the years, she couldnโt stand by and watch her beautiful classmate face such a grim fate.
So, Meryl transferred 30 million dollars to the Clarke family.
While it was still a long way from the full ransom, her generous gesture was met with immense gratitude from them.
Today, Emilia had come to thank her in person.
Seeing Emilia at the door, Meryl quickly ushered her inside.
Emilia said, her tone earnest, โMeryl, I donโt want to take advantage of your kindness. Letโs call that 30 million dollars a loan for now. Once my family is back on its feet, I promise to pay you back with interest.โ
The Clarke family was in dire straits after being extorted for such an enormous sum, and they had significant debts to settle.
Meryl nodded, knowing her help had come from a place of goodwill with no strings attached.
Yet, Meryl couldnโt help but notice how different Emilia seemed. Growing up as the princess of the Clarke family, Emilia had always been pampered and a bit high-handed.
But now, she appeared more grounded, as if the ordeal had changed her.
โI heard you had a reunion a couple of days ago,โ Emilia remarked, her eyes downcast.
โYeah, I did. Why didnโt you come?โ Meryl asked, genuinely curious.
Emilia replied softly, โI had just been released from the kidnappers. I wasnโt in the mood for a party.โ
Merylโs heart ached for her. โI can only imagine what you went through.
โBut at least youโre safe now. Everything will get better from here on out.โ
Emilia sighed, a hint of sadness in her voice, โBetter? The word is out everywhere that I was violated by the kidnappers. The Powell family is calling off my engagement to Christopher.โ
Their union had always been more of an arrangement than a love match, but canceling the engagement now would be like kicking the Clarke family while they were down.
Merylโs eyes widened in shock.
She thought, โIf the Powell family backs out now, it would only confirm everyoneโs suspicion that Emilia was indeed violated by the kidnapper.โ
Emilia said with a resigned shrug, โHonestly, it doesnโt matter. This whole experience has opened my eyes to the true colors of some people. Maybe itโs for the best that the engagement is off.โ
Meryl nodded, feeling a sense of solidarity. โIt just shows Christopher wasnโt worthy of you. You deserve someone who truly values you. No need to shed a tear over that.โ
Emilia chuckled, her mood lifting, โYouโre quite the charmer, Meryl. I never noticed how good you were with words back in school. I like it!โ
Their conversation flowed easily, revealing a side of Emilia that Meryl found refreshing. She was straightforward and surprisingly engaging, far from the aloof persona Meryl had remembered.
As lunchtime approached, Meryl invited Emilia to join her for a meal at home.
Emilia accepted without hesitation.
Once Susan set the table, Meryl headed upstairs to fetch Rachel.
Rachel didnโt want to join them but realized she hadnโt eaten breakfast and didnโt want to starve herself. After a momentโs hesitation, she decided to come down.
Emilia was taken aback to see another woman in the house.
As Rachel slowly descended the stairs with Susanโs assistance, Emilia leaned in slightly and whispered, โWhoโs that?โ
Meryl blinked at Emilia, a playful smile creeping onto her face. โSheโs my husbandโs childhood friend.โ
Emiliaโs eyes widened in disbelief. โWait, what? Your husband brought his childhood friend to live with you? Is he taking care of her or something? Thatโs a bit much, isnโt it?โ
Meryl shook her head gently. โItโs not my husbandโs idea. Itโs mine.โ
Emilia looked utterly bewildered.
โYouโre keeping a rival so close? Isnโt that just asking for trouble? Doesnโt it make you feel uneasy?โ
Meryl leaned in and whispered a few words in Emiliaโs ear.
As Emilia listened, admiration lit her face.
She thought, โWhoโs to say whoโs feeling uneasy?โ
Just then, Rachel, noticing the commotion, decided to interject, โI hear there are more people in this house. Did we have guests?โ
Spotting Emilia but not recognizing her, Rachel feigned ignorance, eager to know who this woman was.
Emilia, quick on her feet, smiled and said, โHello, Ms. Morgan. Iโm Merylโs friend.โ
Rachelโs expression turned icy at the mention of Merylโs friend. โOh.โ
โBut I have another identity too. Want to know what it is?โ Emilia added softly, a hint of mischief in her voice.
Rachel, uninterested, plopped down at the dining table. โSorry, but Iโm not curious about your other identity.โ
As she spoke, she gestured for Susan to help her with the food.
Given her blindness, she figured she might as well have someone assist her during meals.
Emilia took a seat as well, casually picking up a glass of water from the table, her eyes sparkling with an unspoken intent.
โMs. Morgan, I can fix your eyes,โ she said, her voice steady.
Before Rachel could process her words, Emilia suddenly splashed the water right into Rachelโs face.
The liquid hit Rachel like a slap, soaking her completely.
Rachelโs chest heaved with anger as she wiped the water from her forehead, glaring at Emilia. โAre you out of your mind?!โ
Emilia smiled, a glint of satisfaction in her eyes, โI told you I could fix your eyes. Look at you now โ you can see!โ
Meryl, mindful of Chandlerโs presence, couldnโt do anything but watch. But Emilia was free to act as she pleased.
Subconscious actions couldnโt be faked.
At that moment, Rachel instinctively flinched away from the splash, a clear indication that her blindness was a ruse.
The high-definition cameras in the living room captured every second.
Rachel had long grown tired of pretending.
These past few days had been the most stifling of her life, and being exposed felt oddly liberating.
โSo what if I was faking it? Whatโs it to you? Mind your own business!โ Rachel shot back, her voice rising.
She replied coolly, โIโm Emilia Clarke. Merylโs my friend. Being a mistress doesnโt lead anywhere good. I suggest you get your act together.โ
Rachel froze for a moment, realization dawning on her.
She thought, โEmilia? As in Christopherโs fiancรฉe?โ
The thought of her tangled relationship with Christopher made Rachel feel unexpectedly guilty.
Her bravado faded, and she lost her appetite for lunch.
โI canโt deal with this right now,โ she thought, retreating to her room and shutting the door behind her.
After lunch, Emilia prepared to leave.
Meryl walked her to the door, wrapping her in a warm hug.
โI canโt believe she came over today and helped me expose Rachelโs charade,โ Meryl thought, grateful.
Emilia shrugged, a hint of amusement in her eyes. โHonestly, Iโve been in a bad mood since the kidnapping. That little splash felt so refreshing. It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders.โ
As they parted ways, Emilia got into her car, ready to drive off. But just as she was about to pull away, she caught sight of a familiar figure near the house.
Her heart raced as she squinted, shock widening her eyes.
The man looked eerily similar to the kidnapper!