Chapter 382: Philip is Teased

Chapter 382: Philip is Teased

The embrace in the car came after many years.

There was no romantic tension, only warmth and hardship.

The adult world doesn't have that many rules to speak of—what it has is pain riddled with holes.

When Charles’s phone rang, it played a distinct, melodic chime reserved specifically for members of the Windsor family.

Gabriella nudged him gently.

"Your phone..."

Charles didn't let go. With his other hand, he fished out the phone from the pocket of the suit jacket draped over Gabriella.

He pressed the answer button, and Philip's voice came through.

"Charles! Are you sick? You sent Ms. Kate to find me?"

"I asked her to find you and Richard. Looks like she chose you."

Philip crouched in an alley, looking at Emma who leaned against the alley entrance with a big smile on her face, watching him.

"Charles, don't you know this woman is crazy? I had beef with her back in school! Beef!"

Though they had attended the same institution, their paths rarely aligned. Emma had specialized in international law, while Philip focused on criminal litigation.
Charles said flatly, "Since you know each other, working together should be even easier."

"You’re throwing me to the wolves, Charles! You’re single why don't you handle her yourself? Political marriages are standard practice in our circle, aren't they?"

"No, thank you, I have a girlfriend."

Philip was very confused.

"What? You have a girlfriend? Since when? How come I don't know about this?"

Charles didn't avoid Gabriella while taking the call. He raised an eyebrow looking at Gabriella who was so close to him, and smiled roguishly.

"You see? If you won't have me, I’ll be forced into a business arrangement."

Gabriella still had tears on her face.

Charles's sudden words made her a bit nervous.

Philip’s temper flared.
"Charles, you dumped this woman on me and went off to date? Charles, you bastard! I'm going to tell Mom!.

"Go ahead," Charles countered. "You’re in your twenties and still running to Mother. It's pathetic."

Philip slammed the end-call button and immediately dialed Aurora to vent.

Hearing that Emma went to find Philip, Aurora casually removed the face mask from her face.

"Emma went to find you? Not Charles?"

"Charles is with his girlfriend right now! Mom, don't you think Charles is being too much... Hello? Mom? Mom!"

The line went dead. Aurora had hung up the moment she got the information she needed.

Philip stared at his phone in disbelief, his frustration reaching a breaking point.

He ran a hand through his hair and stood up, addressing Emma irritably. "Look Emma, it's no use finding me. I don't care about the business benefits from a marriage alliance and besides..."

He shrugged dismissively.

"I'm not into you either."

Emma snorted coldly, her previous sweet demeanor disappearing.

She pulled out a slim women's cigarette and lit it. Her sleeve slid down, revealing a colorful ukiyo-e tattoo on her arm.

"I told you, beat me and I’ll walk away." she said, exhaling a plume of smoke. "But if you can't, you’ll agree to my proposal."

"You violent maniac! Don't think I won't hit a woman."

Aurora had no idea what Emma was really like when she asked her to go on a blind date with Charles.

She wasn't some sweet woman at all—she was an unreasonable violent maniac.

Emma exhaled a puff of smoke, the corners of her slender eyes lifting slightly, looking extremely seductive.

"Mr. Windsor, you have such a handsome face. I wonder... would you look just as pretty while crying?"

Philip felt deeply insulted.

The problem was Emma had won international judo championships—most people were no match for her.

His eyes caught sight of someone passing by outside the alley and Philip shouted.

"Catherine, save me!!"

Recognizing the voice, Catherine doubled back. She found Philip standing amidst a cluster of bins, looking harried.

"Philip? What are you doing here?"

"Catherine, this woman is threatening me!"

Catherine's gaze fell on Emma leaning against the wall.

The seductive-looking Emma appeared delicate and weak, but the tattoo pattern on her arm looked very familiar. The moment she saw Catherine, she frantically stubbed out her cigarette.

With an awkward smile, she rushed over.

"Ms. Windsor! I missed you so much."

Catherine pushed her away with disgust.

"Didn't I tell you to quit smoking? If you value your life, stop ignoring my medical advice, or find another doctor."

Emma knew she was in the wrong and grabbed Catherine's arm, refusing to let go.

If Catherine hadn't taught her judo and given her a foothold in the Kate family, she might have been screwed over by those people at home long ago.

To Emma, Catherine was the greatest benefactor of her life.

Catherine glanced at Philip. "Don't tell me you didn't know this is my brother?"

Emma said with a smile, "I really didn't know. I knew Ms. Windsor you were from the Windsor family, but the Windsor family in Imperia City is huge—counting relatives' kids, there are so many! Plus I only just found out he's Philip."

The people in the Kate family were enough for her to deal with.

Where would she have the energy to know who all was in the Windsor family?

Philip saw Emma clinging to Catherine and wouldn't let go. In his anxiety, he rushed up and pried Emma off.

"Get away from Catherine! She won't work with you either! Give up on that idea!"

"Catherine doesn't like women, and she's about to get engaged anyway. You pervert, stay away from Catherine!"

Knowing Philip was Catherine's brother, Emma restrained her fierce appearance.

She said obediently, "Ms. Windsor, I didn't mean it like that. Mommy made me come find someone from the Windsor family to date, or she won't let me eat. I'm having a hard time too."

Catherine patted Emma's head.

"Then come back to the Windsor Villa with me for dinner. As for dating... that depends on whether Philip is willing. Don't force it."

"Okay! Mr. Windsor is so mean, I'm scared."

Philip was speechless.

Who's the mean one here?

Who was the one who just cornered him in this narrow alley and wouldn't let him out?

Emma's eyes curved with a meaningful smile.

"Mr. Windsor and I used to be classmates, we had such a good relationship, right, Mr. Windsor?"

Philip rubbed his still-aching arm, met Catherine's concerned face, and said through gritted teeth.

"Yes! Very good relationship."

Satisfied, Emma leaned into Catherine affectionately.

"Ms. Windsor, my personal business will be settled soon, but I may need to borrow a bit of the Windsor family’s influence."

Catherine said calmly, "I'm also part of the Windsor family. Whatever you need to do, I'll help you."

Emma's eyes brightened.

In her world of shadows, Catherine was the only light she trusted.
Then thinking about it, Emma hesitated a bit, "...but you can't marry me either, right?"