Chapter 224 Game within a Game
Emma kept staring at the message with wide eyes.
She gripped her phone tightly, countless thoughts flashing through her mind.
She had to verify if this message was real.
She left the dining room and returned to her bedroom.
Emma bit her red lip and quickly typed a reply: "What am I hiding from the Nightingale family?"
Elara quickly responded, [Of course you're hiding the fact that Elizabeth is a Nightingale family heiress. Or what else did you think it was?]
Emma's breathing almost stopped. She stared at the phone screen, her mind in complete chaos.
Elara really knew!
If the Nightingale family discovered Elizabeth's identity, she would have nothing left that could compare to Elizabeth.
Her life and status would be completely destroyed.
No, absolutely not!
Emma forced herself to calm down and took a deep breath.
Emma knew she had to make a decision and couldn't let things spiral out of control.
Emma picked up her phone, hesitated for a moment, and finally dialed the number.
The instant the call connected, Elara's smiling voice came through, "Ms. Sutter, looks like you've finally decided to accept my help."
Emma suppressed the fear in her heart, her voice trembling slightly, "What exactly do you want?"
Elara laughed softly, her voice carrying a hint of undeniable coldness, "Don't worry, my boss is a good person. Good people don't ask for payment when they do things. You just need to cooperate, and I guarantee you'll be satisfied with the results."
Emma's fingers turned white gripping the phone. She had no choice now but to work with them, "Fine, I agree, but you must guarantee that the Nightingale family will never know the truth."
Elara's voice on the other end was full of meaningful confidence, "Don't worry, Ms. Sutter. As long as you listen to me."
After hanging up, Emma felt exhausted.
She leaned back in her chair, her eyes full of confusion.
Why should she work so hard only to end up with nothing?
She felt extremely angry inside, her face terrifyingly dark.
Emma tried to calm herself. She absolutely couldn't let Elizabeth take everything from her.
Emma went downstairs and told the chef to make some desserts.
She planned to deliver them to Herschel at the Nightingale Group that afternoon.
Emma quickly collected herself and sent Herschel a message, [Herschel, I'll bring you some desserts this afternoon. You've really been taking care of me lately, thank you so much]
Herschel took a moment to check the message and replied, [You should rest well, no need to go through the trouble of delivering them yourself. Just have a servant bring them over]
Emma deliberately replied playfully, [I have to deliver them myself to properly express my endless gratitude]
Herschel smiled helplessly, [Whatever you want]
That afternoon.
Russell, who had just returned from the hospital, sat on the office sofa.
Sunlight fell on his excited face, his eyes showing complex emotions.
He clutched the paternity test report between him and Elizabeth, his eyes slightly red.
"Uncle, when do you plan to tell Freya?"
Russell's voice choked up. He composed himself, "I'll go home and tell Freya in a bit. I also need to call Elizabeth first. Herschel, I'm so happy today."
Herschel was happy for Russell too.
He just hadn't expected Elizabeth to be his cousin. Thinking about what he'd done before, Herschel felt a bit awkward.
He planned to apologize to her in person later.
Emma walked into the Nightingale Group, carrying an elegant dessert box.
Since Herschel had already informed the front desk, she could take the elevator straight up.
She arrived at Russell's office door and pushed it open.
The door was only halfway open when Emma heard Russell's happy voice coming from inside the office, "Elizabeth, may I call you that? If you're free, can we meet as a family tonight?"
Russell's voice was gentle, full of a father's excitement at finding his daughter.
Emma nearly dropped the dessert box in her hands. She forced herself to control her inner shock and anger, steadying the box.
What was going on! Elara had clearly promised to help, so why did Russell still find out about Elizabeth's identity?
Emma could barely control her inner rage, gritting her teeth.
Emma pushed the door open and walked in, forcing out a smile. She nodded at Herschel, then placed the dessert box on the coffee table.
Herschel glanced at her and nodded slightly.
Russell was still on the phone with Elizabeth, his face showing an especially kind smile.
Emma looked at Russell's back, lowering her eyes to hide the malice in them.
At that moment, Elizabeth, who was in her office at the Sherman Group, listened to Russell's words on the other end of the phone with mixed feelings.
Elizabeth had found her parents, and she felt an indescribable emotion.
She tried to smile but found she couldn't.
When Russell didn't hear Elizabeth agree to meet tonight, he said carefully, "If tonight doesn't work, tomorrow is fine too, or whenever you're free?"
Elizabeth took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions, and said flatly, "No need, tonight is fine. Just send me the time and place."
Hearing this, Russell's smile grew even brighter, "Alright, Elizabeth, I'll send you the time and place right away."
After hanging up, Russell's face still wore a smile.
Seeing Russell like this, Emma felt even more upset, but she still forced out a smile, "Godfather, did something good happen?"
Russell smiled and nodded, his voice full of joy, "Emma, we found our long-lost daughter. I won't say more now, I need to go home and tell Freya about this."
With that, Russell quickly left the office.
Emma watched Russell's happy departing figure, her heart churning.
After Russell left, she froze for a moment, then looked up at Herschel and smiled, "That's wonderful, I'm happy for godfather and godmother."
She tried to stay calm, "Herschel, I won't disturb your work. I hope the desserts are to your taste."
Herschel smiled lightly, "I'm not picky. Thanks for going to the trouble."
He walked over to Emma and accompanied her out of the office.
He pressed the elevator button for Emma, "You still look a bit pale. Remember to rest more."
"Okay."
The elevator doors opened. Emma walked in, turned to face Herschel with a smile, "Goodbye, Herschel."
After leaving the Nightingale Group, Emma got in her car and dug her fingers in so hard she damaged the seat.
When she got home, she went to her room, took out her phone, and redialed that number.
After the call connected.
Emma lowered her angry voice and shouted urgently, "You said you would help me, but Russell already knows Elizabeth is his daughter!"
A cold laugh came from the other end, carrying mockery and disdain, "Ms. Sutter, don't worry. Letting them reunite is just the foreplay in the plan. You just need to follow my plan next, and there definitely won't be any problems. When the time comes, the Nightingale family will only despise Elizabeth."
Hearing these seductive words, Emma's heartbeat quickened, but she was still doubtful, "Are you sure?"
"Believe it or not, it's up to you." The other person laughed coldly.
Emma had no way out now. She gripped her phone tightly and took a deep breath, "Fine, I'll follow your arrangements."
Elara's tone was calm, "That's right. Don't worry, as long as you cooperate, everything will go smoothly. Elizabeth won't become part of the Nightingale family."