Winning Her Heart Back

 All to Deceive You

Emelie slept in until noon the next day.

She rubbed her throbbing temples and went into the bathroom. Then, she went to take a shower, hoping it would clear her groggy mind.

While she was brushing her teeth, she glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were bloodshot. She remembered that she had returned to the old house around four in the morning.

William's comment that last night had been the happiest he had been in three years echoed in her mind. Her brushing motion slowed as she thought about that.

After she spat out the toothpaste and rinsed her mouth, she grabbed a face towel and dried her face as she made her way out of the room.

She decided to head downstairs and get herself some water. Unexpectedly, when she opened the door, she found Wesley sitting on the sofa in the hallway.

For a moment, Emelie thought that she might be imagining things. However, a closer look confirmed that it was indeed Wesley.

"When did you get back?" she asked in surprise.

"I arrived this morning," Wesley replied, looking her from head to toe as he stood up.

"Why the rush? Have you sorted out the theme park issue?" Emelie suddenly recalled the events of theUpstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

previous night and realized she had forgotten to call him and ask for an update.

Wesley looked at her deeply, his eyes filled with emotions that Emelie found hard to decipher.

She instinctively touched her face. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Wesley had already asked the bodyguards about Emelie's return. They had noted the time she came back and that she was wearing different clothes from the ones she wore in the morning.

He could already guess what happened last night. He swallowed hard as he observed Emelie for several moments.

In the end, he didn't ask the questions he wanted to and simply said, "The theme park situation is quite complicated. It seems my aunt is involved. I wanted to discuss how we should handle it."

"Mis. Russo? Why is she involved again?' Emelie's face fell. 'I haven't even had the chance to address the car accident with her yet since I'm busy with things here. She's always causing trouble with her schemes.

Wesley noticed a fresh cut on her lip, similar to one she had previously. His gaze darkened as he spoke. 'She's quick to stir up trouble, that's for sure."

He seemed to be implying something.

"You should have let me know. I would have come to Eprand to see you. There was no need for you to wear yourself out by flying back and forth," Emelie said.

As she approached Wesley, he suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her closer. She almost collided with his chest.

She looked up at him, puzzled. "What's wrong?"

Wesley's grip on her arm was tight, as if he were holding a fragile kite string. He was afraid that if he let go, she might drift away, much like the decade they had been apart.

Emelie called out again, 'Wesley?"

Wesley gradually released her. "Help me down the stairs."

Emelie supported him as they made their way down the stairs together.

"How did things go at the Swansons last night?" Wesley asked.

Emelie chose not to mention the drugging incident. "They brought Daphne to me, claiming it was an apology. That seems to be Bryan's intention, but Beathan might have other plans.

"He might have been hoping to provoke me into an outburst and kill Daphne, which would give him an excuse to accuse me of another crime. I managed to hold back, so his plans were in vain."

Wesley's tone was calm. 'You're oversimplifying things. Bryan and Mrs. Russo have allied against us. Their goal is not to reconcile but to ensure our destruction.'

He continued, 'It's not just Bryan. There are others involved as well. Those who seem friendly or harmless are merely playing a part. Their aim is to deceive you, lower your guard, soften your resentment, and then strike when the moment is right."