Chapter 208: Please Forgive Me

After sorting things out with Raymond, Elizabeth sent a quick text to Alice and headed out.

Raymond watched her leave, sighed, and looked down at his feet.

Sometimes, he really hated how he couldn't find the guts to tell her how he felt.

Now, as he watched her walk away, regret gnawed at him, but he still couldn't bring himself to spill his heart out.

Raymond had always been the guy everyone noticed, never short on female attention.

But none of them mattered until Elizabeth came along.

Her tough past made Raymond want to stick around as a friend, rather than risk losing her altogether.

Elizabeth had no clue about any of this. When she got to the mall, Alice popped out of nowhere and hugged her with a big grin.

"So, how'd it go with you two?"

Elizabeth sighed and pulled away. "You gotta stop with that. He doesn't see me like that. We're just friends."

Alice paused, then added, "Did you inquire directly?"

Elizabeth nodded, and Alice grabbed her shoulders in frustration, glaring at her.

"He's just scared of getting shot down. How could he just come out and say it?"

Elizabeth believed what Raymond had told her. She acknowledged that she only considered him a friend. Even if Raymond confessed one day, she wouldn't accept it.

Feelings can't be forced, and she couldn't fake it.

Seeing Elizabeth's expression, Alice gave up.

"Alright, I lost the bet. Pick whatever you want, it's on me today!"

Elizabeth's gloomy mood lifted. She looked around the mall, ready to shop.

Alice followed her, feeling her wallet getting emptier.

She definitely needed to have a talk with Raymond!

Elizabeth had been planning to buy a necklace as a treat for herself. With Alice there, she could help her choose.

But after browsing the jewelry store for a while, nothing caught their eye.

Elizabeth remembered a diamond necklace Nola had, passed down through her family. Its vintage design and unique craftsmanship had captivated young Elizabeth.

Nola cherished that necklace, keeping it locked in a safe.

Until one year, it mysteriously appeared around Jessa's neck.

Elizabeth had looked for it since returning home but hadn't found it.

Alice noticed Elizabeth's preoccupation and patted her chest in assurance.

"If we can't find one, I'll design one for you! I haven't worked with diamonds before, but for you, I'll learn anything!"

Elizabeth's eyes welled up as she looked at Alice.

Just as they were feeling emotional, an untimely voice interrupted.

"Elizabeth."

Elizabeth frowned at the sound and turned to see Emily standing not far behind her, her face darkening.

Hadn't Leandro taken her away? How was she here now?

Alice had the same question and disliked Emily even more. She stepped in front of Elizabeth protectively, glaring at the weary-looking Emily.

"This is a public place. Don't try anything! And you don't deserve to call her by her name. You should address her as Ms. Perez!"

Emily looked awkward and spoke softly, "I'm sorry, but I'm not here to cause trouble. I just want your forgiveness. We're half-sisters, after all. If you insist on sending me to jail, my life will be ruined!"

Emily had finally gotten into Verdantia National Laboratory, and her future was looking hopeful. She couldn't give up now.

Elizabeth frowned and coldly questioned her. "How did you get out?"

Emily forced a smile, noticing the attention they were attracting, and hesitated to speak.

She valued her remaining dignity and didn't want to be humiliated in public.

But the gathering crowd had already recognized her, whispering in surprise.

"Isn't that the girl who claimed to be the Perez family heir? Emily, right?"

Someone nearby added coldly, "Yeah, I remember. The illegitimate daughter from that scandal."

"She's the daughter of the mistress? So the other one is the legitimate heir?"

"Exactly. The real Perez family heir is the other one. Emily can't compare!"

Emily lowered her head, wanting to escape quickly, on the verge of tears.

"Elizabeth, I found out you were here after a lot of effort. I really need to talk to you. Can we go somewhere private?"

Go somewhere else? Elizabeth wasn't interested. She leaned against a nearby counter and smiled faintly.

"I don't want to go anywhere. What now? My patience is limited. You have two minutes to explain yourself in front of everyone. If you can't, don't blame me for not giving you a chance."

Elizabeth was deliberately pressuring her, and Emily felt it.

She stared at Elizabeth, the woman she had once disparaged, and the stark contrast in their statuses was almost too much to bear.

Emily bit her lip and, under the scrutinizing eyes of the crowd, reluctantly spoke, "My mom's former lover got me out of the police station, but what I did that day was a crime..."

Elizabeth interrupted her. "What did you do?"

Emily gritted her teeth, staring at her in disbelief.

Elizabeth was going to strip her of her last shred of dignity in public!

Sensing her gaze, Elizabeth smiled again.

"What, you can't admit to what you did?"

The two locked eyes for a while before Emily lowered her head in defeat.

"That day, I broke into your house, insulted and threatened your mom. It was a crime, and I could be sentenced. Please forgive me."

The crowd erupted in astonished murmurs.