Emmeline was also surprised by what Oscar said. What does he mean? Iâm too bewitching? Am I supposed to be Helen of Troy in this story? Does he think Iâll ruin his family?
âLooks like Adrien isnât that lucky after all.â Abel walked toward her and draped his arm over her shoulder. âEmma, this banquet is getting boring. Letâs go somewhere else.â
Emmeline gently pushed him away. She knew Abel wanted to protect her, but she was worried that his intervention might worsen the situation.
The three boys were pouting. They would never forgive anyone who spoke ill of their mother, even if that person was their great-grandfather!
âYes, Mommy. Thereâs no point staying here. Letâs go home.â
âSituation report! The Ryker family is a no-go.â
âWe love you, Mommy. Youâre the best mommy to all of us, it doesnât matter what other people say!â
Emmeline hugged the three boys tightly. âAlright, letâs go home.â
âIâll give you a ride,â Abel said.
Adrien stepped between him and Emmeline. âSheâs my wife, and theyâre my children!â
Abel sneered. âYou donât deserve to be a father.â
âThe three boys canât leave!â Julianna grabbed Sun, Moon, and Star. âTheyâre my grandchildren..
They canât leave!â
âBut Granny,â Sun said, âGreat- Grandpa doesnât like our mommy, so we canât stay here. Weâll be going home with Mommy.â
âWe are here to assess the situation,â Moon said, âAnd it looks like this place isnât up to par. We should leave with Mommy.â
Oscar said sternly, âYou three are descendants of the Ryker family.
You cannot leave with an outsider!â
âNo!â The three boys cried out together. âWe only want Mommy! We donât care about the Ryker family!â
Oscar was furious. âBut your mother doesnât meet my requirements! I can only ask her to leave!â
âMr. Ryker, youâre getting ahead of yourself,â Emmeline said coolly. âIâve never wanted to marry into the Ryker family, and I gave birth to the children. No one can decide their fate without my consent!â
âYou are in no position to speak like that here! Iâm the one in charge!â
âIâm not beneath you! I donât have to listen to what you say!â
âShow some respect, young woman!â
âIâd give you some respect if you deserve any!â
âSecurity! Take her down!â Oscar roared angrily.
âGrandfather!â Abel spread his arms and stood in front of Emmeline. âYou canât treat Emmeline like that. What did she do wrong?â
Hmph! Iâd rather not separate the mother from the children because itâs better for them to stay together, but I can see that this young woman is extraordinary.â
âOh?â Emmeline smirked, though alarm bells rang in her head. âHow am I extraordinary?â
âThe gown you are wearing,â Oscar said, âIs the pièce de resistance of a world-renowned designer. If youâre not extraordinary, you wouldnât have come into ownership of a priceless item like that.â
Emmeline laughed. âHeheh, I made this gown with my own hands. Itâs only an imitation. How could you have been mistaken?â
âWhat?â
âAn imitation?â
âShe made it herself?â
Everyone was shocked.
Emmeline continued, âThatâs right. I saved up money to buy the materials and spent two years stitching this gown myself. As much as it resembles the original, it is missing the Oceanâs Heart diamond. I had to replace it with a worthless glass bead.â
Everyone turned their gaze toward the trinket on her collar. Just like what she said, it was a glass bead with no luster.
Emmeline smirked. âAny more questions, Mr. Ryker?â
Oscar was feeling embarrassed, though he maintained his eomposure. He smiled kindly and said, âI must have been mistaken!â
âCan I leave with my children now?â Emmeline asked.