Chapter 60 Trouble Brewing
“Let go! What are you doing?” Emma’s voice carried before she reached them.
Claire and Ryan followed behind.
The two men locked in the struggle turned toward her.
Emma pulled Hunter back and shielded him behind her.
Taking a closer look, Ryan was about to speak, but Emma beat him to it.
“How could you hit an elderly man, sir?” she questioned.
The man remained silent. With his hands in his pockets, he glanced at Hunter, who was smirking.
“What? Got nothing to say? You’re a man. Even if someone messes up, you can’t treat people like this,” Emma continued.
“Emma, this is…” Ryan whispered from the side.
“Shut up! Whose side are you on?” Emma yelled angrily at him.
“You’ve got quite the temper, lady,” the man said, his tone noticeably softer now.
“That depends on who it’s against! What kind of man picks on an old man?” Her anger cooled slightly as she spoke.
“Yeah, I didn’t think it through.”
“Then apologize.”
The man’s eyes darkened.
He nodded slightly and said to Hunter, “I’m sorry, Dad.”
Oh no, trouble’s brewing.
Emma froze as she glanced at Ryan.
He lowered his head, unable to meet her gaze.
She swallowed hard.
“Mr. Hayes…” She stammered.
“Mhm.” Logan Hayes nodded meaningfully. Of course, he recognized Emma.
He had studied the wedding photos of Liam and Emma for a long time after Liam posted them in the family group chat.
…
Ryan, Emma, and Claire sat side by side.
Logan stood with his arms crossed, one leg casually crossed over the other.
Sophia poured coffee and quickly left the room.
“The checkup tomorrow? Go or no?” Logan asked Hunter.
“Yes.” Hunter smiled and nodded.
“Everyone’s here,” Logan stated. “If you back out now, you’ll have zero credibility.”
“I won’t back out. Absolutely not.”
“All right.” Logan smoothed his clothes and stood up.
The three people across from him promptly stood as well.
His gaze fell on Emma.
“Take good care of Grandpa, Emma. If he doesn’t listen, tell me.”
“Okay.” Emma nodded.
“Bring Liam home for dinner sometime.”
“Okay.”
Then, he turned and walked away. The two men in suits behind him followed suit.
⸻
The moment Logan left, everyone relaxed.
“Don’t you even know your father-in-law?” Claire teased.
“We rushed through the marriage registration. I didn’t even get to meet everyone properly,” Emma explained.
“I made it clear,” Ryan interjected.
Hunter slowly stood up and waved his hand dismissively.
“Hey! It’s no big deal! Come on! I’ll take you guys out for something delicious!” he declared.
…
As soon as he got into the car, Logan sent the secretly taken photo to Lillian.
Logan: \[Ask Emma if they’re coming home for Thanksgiving this year.\]
Lillian: \[Why didn’t you ask her yourself?\]
Logan: \[I got yelled at. I can’t bring myself to ask now.\]
Lillian: \[You actually got yelled at?\]
Logan: \[Ask her ASAP so I can prepare. Liam hasn’t been home in years. If Emma can bring him back, getting yelled at would be worth it.\]
…
After the buffet, the group was heading to T Bar, including Hunter.
They made their way toward a private room.
John, who was munching on nuts at the front desk, froze.
He quickly snapped a photo and sent it to Liam.
John: \[Emma took Hunter clubbing. Can you believe it?\]
Working late in the office, Liam chuckled at the picture.
Liam: \[Keep an eye on him.\]
…
Inside the private room, Claire had invited several other people.
The music was turned down as they gathered around the beer pong table. Plastic cups clattered as they were smashed, spilling liquid across the surface.
Emma sat beside Hunter, teaching him aiming skills.
Outside the private room door, a pair of bloodshot eyes stared at her, filled with hatred.
“Hey, Ben, what are you doing here? Come on in for a couple of drinks!” a drunken man called.
“Just stepping out to clear my head,” Ben replied.
The man glanced at him, then peered into the private room.
“Oh, your ex-girlfriend, huh? Heh…” He chuckled. “You’ve got pretty unique taste in partners…”
Ben shot him a glare before walking back to his own private room not far away.
⸻
It was past eleven at night.
Emma asked Sophia to help send Hunter home.
She walked with them to the first-floor entrance.
“I’ll have to come back another time,” Hunter said.
“Alright. As long as you get that checkup and get better, I’ll take you somewhere else to play.”
“Keep your promises!”
“Okay!”
…
“Emma.”
An unnerving voice echoed.
Emma turned and saw a drunk man, recognizing him as Walter Price — the one who always hung around with Ben.
Sneering, she turned to leave.
“Hey, don’t go!” He stepped forward and blocked her path.
“Are we that close?”
“You can’t stop associating with men forever because of Ben, Emma.”
“You’re right. I don’t want anything to do with people like you,” she said and walked straight inside.
“We distanced ourselves from him ages ago. I only came because I heard he got married,” he said, keeping pace beside her.
“Is he also here?” she asked.
“Yes. He was just peeking at you earlier.”
“What do you want?” Emma stopped and glanced back at him.
Walter hesitated, his voice dropping.
“I need a favor.”
“Sorry, I’m not capable of much,” she sneered. “What could possibly stump you, Walter?”
“I heard you became Liam’s mistress—”
Before he could finish, her hand flew out and struck him across the face.
“Fine! I won’t mention it!” Walter covered his face, still blocking her path. “Just hear me out…”
Emma paused, curious to hear what other vile words might follow.
“Don’t push me to hit you again!” she warned.
“If you want revenge on Ben, I can help. But I have a favor to ask in return. You’re close with Liam. Could you—”
“Revenge on Ben? Forget it! I’d rather not dirty my hands.” She cut him off.
“Don’t you want Ben and Chloe to break up?” he insisted.
“No, I don’t want that at all. It’s none of my business!” she said, turning to leave.
“The child in Chloe’s womb might be mine,” Walter blurted out.
“!” Emma froze.