Chapter 176: Morning Reveals

Emily was chewing her instant noodles with big, satisfied bites.

After a few mouthfuls, fine beads of sweat broke out on her forehead.

"Eat slower. There's plenty more in the fridge."

I pulled out a tissue to wipe the sweat off her face, handed her some orange juice, and reminded her, "Don't choke."

Her unfocused eyes cleared up a little, and some color came back to her face.

"Why didn't you call me to pick you up if you were drinking?"

"I called a designated driver!"

She picked up the bowl and took a sip of the hot soup, let out a loud burp, and grinned at me foolishly.

"Eleanor."

"Hm?"

"Can I stay at your place for a couple of days?"

"Of course! What's yours is mine!"

I agreed without hesitation, then couldn't help asking, "Drinking that much, were you with Michael?"

"Yeah, that's right."

At the mention of Michael, a flicker of disappointment crossed her eyes, and she laughed at herself. "He said he doesn't want to break up with me, that he's willing to give up the arranged marriage just to be with me."

I looked at her, stunned. "Did he really say that?"

"Just take it as him saying whatever to brush me off."

She took a sip of orange juice, let out another drunken burp, reeking of alcohol, and looked at me with hazy eyes. "In the Brown family, he never gets to decide things for himself. The Brown family may not have the standing of the Spencer family, but they're still way out of reach for someone ordinary like me."

"Love is just a brief hormonal rush, no different from placing a bet at a gambling table. Anyone controlled by their emotions is bound to lose. That's how I am, and that's how stubborn Michael is too."

"Besides, even if I really did marry into the Brown family, I wouldn't get many peaceful days out of it."

"I refuse to be a caged canary. I want to be a hawk soaring free."

Just seconds ago she'd been perfectly coherent, and now she was already rambling nonsense.

My heart softened, and I pinched her soft cheek gently.

"Eleanor... hehe."

She smiled at me, but I could clearly see the glint of tears in her eyes.

"I used to drink to celebrate, for the sake of it. Now that things aren't going well, drinking is the only way I can numb myself."

But she stayed too clear-headed, unwilling to let herself have even a moment of reckless release.

Isn't that its own kind of sadness.

Emily got up and hugged me, swaying as she rested her head on my lap, eyes closed, the corners slightly damp. "Do you know why Cinderella got to be with the prince?"

I had nothing to say for a moment. Maybe everyone thinks it was a gift from fate.

But actually it's neither. It's just a fairy tale made up by some bestselling author, meant to comfort people who can't get what they want.

"Because Cinderella was born a noble. They were always a proper match, silly."

Outside, thick snowflakes drifted down slowly, the night falling silent under the snow.

She stared out the window, laughing to herself in a daze. "At best, I'm like the little match girl."

"Burning up the only faint light I have, wearing out all my hopes in numbness."

"Don't talk nonsense."

I comforted her softly, gently stroking her hair. "It's freezing outside, but you're in a warm room, and I'm here with you."

"I'll buy up every last match you have, so you're completely free of hardship, so your struggles become your trademark, so you live like someone rich and free."

This apartment, the assets William had given me over the years, plus my own professional skills—supporting Emily had never been a problem.

The next morning.

I slept until I woke up naturally.

Beside me, Emily was sprawled across most of the bed, sound asleep.

I couldn't help laughing helplessly. She's always restless when she sleeps—tossing and turning, hugging whatever's nearby, and often talking in her sleep.

I got up, washed up, and went into the kitchen to make breakfast.

I fried up salmon egg sandwiches, paired with fresh grapes and a vegetable salad, and finished by warming up two cups of milk.

I carried the breakfast out of the kitchen and saw Emily slumped at the dining table, holding her forehead, her voice weak. "I'm never drinking again."

"You say that every time you're hungover."

I handed her the milk. "Stop drowning your sorrows in alcohol. Don't drink just because you're upset."

Emily tilted her head back and drank most of the glass, then perked up a bit and looked me over. "You seem to be in an unusually good mood today."

I handed her a sandwich, took a bite of fruit myself, and said, "I've got a meeting with William. We're finalizing the divorce today."

"Today?"

She rubbed her eyes and did the math. "The cooling-off period isn't over yet. Isn't it supposed to be next month?"

"With his standing and connections in Silverlight City, one phone call is all it takes."

Emily frowned. "He's in that much of a hurry to get out?"

"It was my idea."

I said with a smile, then suddenly remembered last night and got curious. "You were right before. Daniel and Jane really are having an affair."

Pfft—

Emily spat out the milk in her mouth, eyes wide. "Are you serious? Did you catch actual proof?"

"Not exactly caught in the act. Just see for yourself."

I couldn't find the right words, so I just handed her my phone.

"Wow, Eleanor, you actually recorded the whole thing."

"It's pretty explicit. Watch at your own discretion."

"It's fine, I've seen plenty. I can handle it."

Emily held my phone, clearly thrilled, flipping through it while gasping in amazement.

"With their luck lately, they could've pivoted to making adult content—full production, performances, everything—and easily outdone half the influencers out there."

I nearly choked on my food, rolled my eyes helplessly, and told her to hurry up and finish eating.

I really have no idea how much random content she's watched on her own time.

After breakfast, Emily took it upon herself to do the dishes and handle all the housework for the next few days.

She said she owed me a favor and had to pay it back.

I walked out to the balcony and called William.

The call connected after just one ring. He'd clearly been waiting for it.