Chapter 392 She Hopes to Protect the Light in Those Eyes That Has Yet to Fade

Chapter 392 She Hopes to Protect the Light in Those Eyes That Has Yet to Fade

Emily froze.

"They're not looking for Bethany anymore?"

"NovaStar Entertainment already filed a police report. Finding him is the cops' job now. The company isn't Bethany's parents or legal guardians. He's not their only talent—if Bethany's gone, they'll just push another artist forward. They're not going to waste manpower and resources on some kid who hasn't even made it big yet."

Emily fell silent.

"Emily, NovaStar Entertainment is still a small company. They're desperate to launch a few breakout stars to establish themselves in Emerald City. They were planning to throw all their resources behind Bethany, but then this happened at the worst possible time. I'm not surprised they made this choice."

"I get it. It's just... sad."

Emily gave a bitter smile and looked down at the photo on the table.

The boy in the picture had a shy, innocent smile. His eyes, untainted by the world, sparkled with fragments of light.

What had this pure-hearted kid been thinking when NovaStar Entertainment first scouted him?

Was he eager for the fame to come?

Or afraid of the uncertain future ahead?

"I need to head over to NovaStar Entertainment and see how they're planning to handle this."

Matilda let out a soft sigh, stood up, and headed toward the front door.

Just then, Faye emerged from the kitchen and called out to Matilda's retreating figure. "Ms. Thomas, the food's all warmed up. Aren't you going to eat?"

"Not hungry."

Matilda didn't even look back. She waved dismissively over her shoulder, and with a soft click of the door, she disappeared.

"Ms. Thomas, honestly. No matter how busy you are, you still need to eat."

Faye shook her head and returned to the kitchen.

Only James and Emily remained in the living room, sitting side by side on the sofa with a person's width between them. Neither spoke.

After a moment, Emily broke the silence. "What do you think about all this?"

James glanced at her and let out a cold snort.

"You want to get involved? Since when did you become such a busybody?"

The sarcasm in his voice grated on Emily's nerves. Annoyed, she started to get up and leave, but James grabbed her wrist and yanked her into his arms.

"James—"

"Emily, do I need to remind you? We've got our own problems. You don't have the energy to worry about other people's business."

James gripped her chin, forcing her to turn and look at him.

"Let the police handle it. Maybe things aren't as bad as you think. The kid could be lying low for some reason."

Emily said nothing. She knew James was right. They weren't related to this boy—they had no reason or right to get involved.

But somehow, when she looked at the pure brightness in that child's eyes, Emily felt like she was seeing her younger self.

Back in college, she used to look at the world with that same untainted gaze. She'd had dreams, believed that through hard work alone, she could make life better for herself and the people she cared about.

Until... her world, the people she loved, the people she cared about—all of it was trampled and hurt by someone's malice. The light in her eyes was no longer pure. Now it burned with the flames of vengeance.

If she could help it, no matter what had happened to that boy, she hoped the light in his eyes wouldn't be snuffed out.

"What are you thinking about?"

Perhaps Emily had been silent too long. James frowned and pinched her cheek in irritation.

Emily swatted his hand away and shot him a glare.

"I'm going to talk to Grandma. Do whatever you want."

She tried to stand, but the arm around her waist tightened, holding her in place.

"Emily, in your heart, it's Grandma first, then some kid. Where exactly do I rank?"

James lowered his voice, his breath hot against her sensitive earlobe, sending a shiver through her body.

"Dead last, probably."

Emily's tone was dismissive.

"That low?"

James gritted his teeth in displeasure. He stared down at her reddening earlobe, then leaned in and bit it lightly.

"James, what are you doing?!"

"Where does that guy rank in your heart?"

"What guy?"

"Don't play dumb! That man was all over you earlier. You obviously know him. Who is he? An old flame?"

"How is that any of your business?"

"Of course it's my business. You're my wife. I don't care how many men you had before—you belong to me now. Cut ties with all your exes!"

"James, how many times do I have to remind you? We're divorced! Do I need to slap the divorce papers in your face before you'll accept it?"

"Then let's go get remarried right now!"

"In your dreams!"

---

Out in the courtyard, Mason and Briar hid behind a large banyan tree, secretly observing the scene in the living room.

"Daddy and Mommy are fighting again."

Briar shook her head. "Daddy's so dumb. Mommy doesn't respond to bullying—she responds to kindness. If Daddy would just apologize and say something sweet to her, she'd soften up."

Mason frowned slightly. He was equally exasperated by James's clumsy, domineering approach.

Mommy was strong-willed and independent. This kind of overbearing pursuit would only push her further away.

"Mason, should we help Daddy out?"

Briar leaned closer to Mason and whispered, "At this rate, he'll never win Mommy back. What if that man swoops in and steals her away?"

Briar's little face scrunched up with worry.

She'd disliked Nico from the moment she met him. Even though he smiled gently and elegantly and brought them lots of gifts, Briar thought his smile was sinister. It made her uncomfortable.

James was better.

Mason didn't like Nico either. But his reasoning was simpler than Briar's. He just wanted his family to live together. No one could be replaced.

But how could they help their clueless daddy win over Emily?

Mason furrowed his brow in thought. He pulled out his phone to text Briar, but suddenly a chill ran down his spine—like he was being watched by a predator.

This feeling... he'd had it before.

Mason whipped his head around toward the villa next to the estate. All the windows were shut tight. No one was visible. But sweat broke out on Mason's forehead, and then—he suddenly collapsed to the ground.

"Mason!"

"Daddy, Mommy, come quick! Mason passed out!"