Chapter 65
I thought Jasper would come find me soon, but to my surprise, it was Gregory who showed up instead.
He sat in the reception room looking somewhat uneasy. When he saw me slowly walking over, he quickly stood up with an odd smile: "Ms. Wilson, you're not busy right now, are you?"
"What's up?" I smiled at him and asked directly.
Gregory hesitated a bit. Just before my patience ran out, he finally worked up the courage to ask: "Actually, someone asked me to come. Jasper mentioned that you know Emma? So I was right before, wasn't I?"
"And then?" I crossed my legs and settled into a comfortable position. "Did he send you to beg for mercy? Or did you come here to question me?"
Gregory quickly said, "No, Ms. Wilson, I just want to know - is Emma doing okay? Is she still mad at me?"
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Seeing him like this now, even my desire for revenge had faded quite a bit: "Let's not even talk about whether I know Emma or not. Gregory, who are you putting on this act for?"
Gregory's expression was full of pain, looking at me as if trying to see someone else through me: "I'm not putting on an act for anyone. I'm genuinely remorseful. Ms. Wilson, actually, my parents had more than just me - I originally had an older brother. Growing up, I was constantly compared to him. He was so outstanding that everyone could only see him, so I always felt really inferior."
I got a bit impatient and cut him off: "And then? Why don't you start from your family's ancestors ten generations back?"
He smiled apologetically at me: "Ms. Wilson, you're so funny. Back then, Emma had just been brought back to the family. The first time she came to our house was for my brother's college acceptance party. She saw me in the corner and made me realize that I could also be cared about, that I could be seen."
He paused, seeming to sink into memories: "She was really, really wonderful. Even though to the Brown Family, she was more like an intruder, she didn't feel inferior at all. Instead, she was positive and optimistic, bringing light and warmth into my world too."
Watching him look so serious, I felt a bit dazed myself. We did seem to have had a carefree time like that once - going to and from school together, planning our future together, describing our dreams. But when did everything change?
Gregory seemed unable to pull himself out of the memories: "Later, after my brother's car accident, I became the focus of my parents' attention. They shifted all their attention to me. I'm not being cruel, but there really was a moment when I felt somewhat glad about it."
He seemed to be hiding nothing - he hadn't even told me this much back then.
Gregory looked at me with a bleak smile: "I thought things were finally getting better for me, that I could give Emma a better life in the future. She didn't feel she belonged in that family, so I would give her a brand-new home. But later... actually, Sophia really didn't have bad intentions. Back then, she always felt like she had stolen Emma's life and wanted to make it up to her, so she asked me to help create some surprises for her."
I almost laughed. Those so-called surprises of hers - like nearly setting my tent on fire, or pushing me into the river? Or deliberately getting everyone to isolate me?
If that's what they were, I couldn't handle surprises like that.
Gregory smiled bitterly: "She was a bit clumsy and couldn't do many things well. We went boating, Emma fell into the water, and I jumped in to save her without thinking. But the water was too cold and too deep - we both almost drowned in the lake. Sophia desperately held onto my hand and pulled us back from the edge of death. She saved both our lives. Tell me, with a sister like that, she's better than blood. So I don't understand - why couldn't Emma accept Sophia at all?"
I looked at him coldly. Is there any chance that she was the one who pushed me into the lake back then? Did she deliberately throw the life ring too far? How could I possibly treat my attacker as my savior?
"So what are you trying to tell me with all this? I'm not Emma. You don't need to explain to me." I cut him off coldly, not wanting to hear about how hard things were for him.
Gregory took a deep breath, his slightly red eyes a bit moist: "Maybe it's a kind of comfort for me. I've tried to explain these things to Emma countless times, but she won't listen. I don't know who else to tell. I don't expect you to pass this on to her - I just want her to know that I never stopped loving her."
I laughed coldly and looked at him: "Love? Gregory, if I remember correctly, you just slept with Sophia a few days ago, didn't you? Haven't you basically agreed that you'll be together in a year? Is that how you love? You should be praying that Emma doesn't come back within a year, right? And hey, is there any chance that Emma is already dead?"
Gregory's eyes immediately turned red: "How can you curse her like that? She just went away to clear her head. She's fine."
I laughed lightly: "But have you heard any news from her? Or has she sent you any messages? Missing for three years - you can file a death report. That way you won't be delayed in marrying her dear sister, right?"
Gregory glared at me: "I told you she's not dead. Who says I haven't heard from her? I've seen her feed - she's just been traveling around the world. If you're really her friend, stop cursing her like this."
"Okay, let's say I misspoke. Actually, Emma, she..." I looked at him.
"How is she?" Seeing me finally respond directly, Gregory quickly stepped forward and grabbed my hand urgently.
I slowly pulled my hand from his grip. "She probably just couldn't think straight for a while. She just wants someone who truly cares about her. But... now that you and Sophia have this kind of relationship, if she comes back, won't you still have a hard time choosing?"
Gregory quickly distanced himself: "I've actually made things clear with Sophia. That was just an accident. She's promised me that we'll just pretend it never happened, and I'll try to make it up to her in the future."
I put on a relieved expression: "Actually, I misunderstood you at first, too, but seeing you like this now, I'm really touched. It's not easy to meet someone so devoted. Emma will come around."
Hearing me say this, Gregory looked excited, as if he'd found a kindred spirit: "I'm glad Ms. Wilson understands. Knowing Emma is okay puts my mind at ease. Besides Emma's situation, someone asked me to inquire about the Brown Group. Jasper said you want to acquire their company - is that true?"
"Since you now know that things between Emma and Sophia were just misunderstandings, you should convince her to come back soon. Actually, partnering with the Brown Group would be a good choice too. I'm sure you and Jasper just have some misunderstanding. Let's find a time to have dinner together and clear things up."
Gregory smiled at me warmly, with the attitude of a savior.