Chapter 349: Fear for Your Safety
"Charles, I'm not an idiot. You suddenly flew to Seraphim, where the Campbell family has their stronghold. Did you think I wouldn't figure it out?"
She stepped closer, staring him down. "Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you let me help? Is that what you think of me? That I'm useless? That I can't be trusted?"
Charles said urgently, "No! Emily, I've never thought you were useless. Quite the opposite—you're too capable, I... I was afraid you'd get hurt."
There was a barely perceptible tremor in his voice.
Emily froze. She hadn't expected this reason.
"You were afraid I'd get hurt?" she repeated, her tone complex.
"Yes. Emily, I know you're capable, independent. But this situation is different. The Campbell family has enormous power in Seraphim, and Kismet is plotting God knows what. I didn't want you caught up in the danger."
He reached out to take her hand, but Emily pulled away.
"So you lied to me? Came here alone to take risks? Charles, did you ever think about what would happen to me if something happened to you?"
Charles fell silent.
"Did you ever think about what I'd have to face if you didn't come back?"
Her eyes reddened slightly, but she fought back the tears.
Charles's heart clenched. Looking at Emily, he suddenly realized he'd been wrong.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "Emily, I'm sorry."
Emily turned her face away, refusing to look at him. "Charles, I don't want your apologies. I want your trust."
Charles studied her stubborn profile, a complex mix of emotions washing over him.
Guilt, heartache, but more than that... an indescribable warmth.
His Emily had never been a delicate flower needing his protection.
She was his partner, someone who could stand beside him in battle.
And he... he'd been approaching this all wrong.
Emily looked at him for several seconds. "Well? What exactly brought you to Seraphim this time?"
Charles hesitated. "This isn't the place to talk. Let's discuss it tonight."
"Fine."
Just then, Samuel approached, looking concerned. "Jane, are you two... alright?"
Charles's expression grew cold again at the sight of Samuel. But he restrained himself, saying coolly, "We're fine. Just some personal matters. Already resolved."
Samuel glanced between Emily and Charles, seeming to understand something. "That's good then. Jane, about dinner tonight..."
"Sorry, Samuel. I might not be able to make it tonight. Some things have come up that need handling."
Samuel looked disappointed but nodded understandingly. "Okay. Rain check then?"
"Sure, rain check." Emily smiled.
After Samuel left, Charles looked at Emily, his tone slightly sour. "You two... seem close."
Emily raised an eyebrow. "What's this? Is Mr. Windsor jealous?"
Charles looked away. "No."
Emily moved closer to him, deliberately saying, "No? Then why did you look so miserable just now? Seeing Samuel talk to me, didn't that really bother you?"
Charles, caught in his lie, grew somewhat flustered. "Emily!"
Emily stared back fearlessly. "What? You can lie to me and run off to Seraphim, but I can't catch up with an old friend? Charles, you're being a bit tyrannical."
Charles was left speechless by her retort, only able to look at her helplessly.
Emily, seeing his frustrated expression, finally felt somewhat satisfied.
"Alright, I'm done teasing you. Charles, I'm telling you, I'm very angry about this whole thing. But considering your attitude seems genuinely apologetic, I'll forgive you for now. However..."
She paused, her expression turning serious. "If you ever dare to hide something from me again, I really won't speak to you anymore. Do you hear me?"
Charles looked at her, warmth flooding his chest.
"I hear you. "
Only then did Emily nod with satisfaction. "That's more like it. Come on, let's go back to your room. We need to properly discuss what to do next."
She turned to leave but was stopped by Charles.
"Emily, thank you."
Emily turned back to him, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Thank me for what?"
"Thank you for coming. Thank you for dropping everything to find me."
Emily looked at him, finally showing her first genuine smile of the day. "After all, you're my husband, the father of my children."
She took his hand of her own accord. "Come on. This time, we'll face it together."
Charles gripped her hand tightly, feeling an unprecedented sense of determination.
With her by his side, what did he have to fear?
The two left the coffee lounge together.
Not far away, Samuel watched their retreating figures, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes.
Gregory came over and patted his shoulder. "Stop looking, Samuel. That Mr. Windsor isn't just anyone."
Samuel smiled bitterly. "I know. It's just... there's some regret."
"Regret about what?" Gregory asked.
"Regret that I didn't meet her sooner," Samuel said softly, then shook his head. "Forget it. Come on, I'll buy you a drink."
The two also left the coffee lounge.
But all of this was being watched by someone hiding in the shadows.
She stood in the corner of the coffee lounge, watching Charles and Emily's retreating figures, a vicious gleam flashing in her eyes.
Emily, so you came too.
Perfect.
This time, I'll send you both to hell together.
She pulled out her phone and dialed a number. "They're here. The plan can begin."
From the other end came a cold voice: "Excellent. Proceed as planned."
The woman hung up, her lips curving into a sinister smile.
Charles, Emily, your nightmare is about to begin.
Emily and Charles walked side by side out of the coffee lounge, heading back to Charles's room. The hotel lobby bustled with activity, many guests being fashion industry figures here for the Arcturus runway events.
They'd barely taken a few steps when a fashionably dressed Seraphim man approached them. He was in his thirties, with a carefully groomed beard, his eyes boldly appraising Emily.
"Miss, are you here for the Arcturus runway events as well? I'm the editor-in-chief of Fashion Pioneer magazine. Might I have the honor of making your acquaintance?"
He moved to hand her his business card.
Charles frowned, and before Emily could respond, he stepped forward to block her. "Sorry, she's busy."
The man paused, glancing between Charles and Emily, seemingly understanding the situation, and shrugged as he walked away.