Chapter 97
Emily was incredibly skilled at reading people and playing all sides.
Brian hadn't even said anything yet, and she already understood perfectly.
Where else could you find such sharp instincts?
Most importantly, he was the one holding all the cards now. No matter how much Emily hated him, she had to do what he said.
Emily didn't want to waste any more words with Brian. She'd never had any good feelings toward this father of hers anyway - she'd be better off without him.
But just as Emily was about to hang up and head to the Johnson Villa, Brian spoke again, "You think you can come and go as you please? It's not that easy."
Emily was stunned. "Then what do you want? You took my mom just to make me beg you, didn't you? I'm doing what you asked, isn't that enough? What will it take for you to leave my mom and me alone!"
Emily practically roared out that last sentence.
She didn't understand - her mother and Brian had been divorced for so long. Now that she'd brought her mother to live with her, she hadn't wronged anyone. Why would Brian come after her mother?
Hearing how smug he sounded on the phone, Emily was seething with anger.
How could such a shameless person exist in this world?
What made it worse was that this person was actually her father - what a disgrace!
Brian shook his head on the other end, full of confidence, his voice calm and slow. "Emily, I just praised you for being smart. How did you suddenly become so confused?"
"I told you, as long as you do what I say, things will go exactly as you hope, without any deviation. Don't you understand?"
"I don't understand!" Emily's tone was harsh.
She was already this anxious - how could she have the patience to play guessing games with Brian?
She just wanted to see her mother safe and sound. Only when she was safe could Emily's heart, which had been hanging for so long, finally settle.
But clearly, Brian had no intention of letting Emily have her way.
He'd been smiling just a moment ago, but in the blink of an eye, his expression turned cold. "You spread rumors about me online, said so many things you shouldn't have. Those were all made-up lies, but people believed them. Shouldn't you do something about that?"
Emily finally understood.
Brian had kidnapped Amelia to force Emily to clarify things online.
Whether Emily was willing or not, as long as she came forward and said a few words, people would naturally stop attacking Brian, giving him a chance to catch his breath and handle the public opinion.
This crisis would quietly pass. He'd spend some money to smooth things over, find some hot news to cover this up and divert people's attention. Then naturally no one would keep watching him.
Even if someone wanted to keep an eye on Brian, they wouldn't be able to stir up much trouble.
"Dad, you've really got it all figured out, haven't you?" Emily finally understood everything and let out a cold laugh.
Brian leisurely took a sip of tea. "I've given you the solution. Whether you do it or not is up to you."
"As for your mother, well, she's really pitiful. She just left the care facility and hasn't had a chance to enjoy life yet, and suddenly she's gone missing. How strange. I wonder if you'll be able to find her."
"But anyway, she is my ex-wife after all. Even though we've been divorced for years, I can't bear to see her like this. As her daughter, you should really take good care of your mother."
Emily's teeth were practically grinding to dust, but Brian hung up the phone.
Emily said "hello" into the phone a few times, but the dial tone left her feeling desperate.
Brian was indeed very careful. From start to finish, he never said anything clearly, never explicitly stated that Emily's mother was with him - he just let Emily guess and figure it out herself.
Even if Emily had recorded that conversation and taken it to the police, they still wouldn't be able to find anything incriminating. He really was clever.
Emily only felt it was ironic.
What had she done wrong in her past life to end up with a father like this in this one?
But now wasn't the time to think about that. She had to quickly figure out how to get Amelia back.
Just thinking about her staying with Brian, being bullied by him, and maybe even by Harper too, made Emily's heart ache.
Oscar and Nina were waiting at home.
Nina couldn't sit still, constantly glancing toward the door.
Before Emily left, she'd given strict instructions - no matter what happened, even if someone knocked on the door, as long as she hadn't returned, they absolutely couldn't open the door unless they heard her voice.
Emily had repeated this warning many times. She knew Oscar always listened to her and wouldn't cause trouble.
But Emily had been gone for so long without returning. Nina was anxious, and even Oscar was getting restless.
He suddenly stood up and walked toward the front door.
Aiden quickly came over. "Oscar, where are you going?"
"I'm going to find Mommy." Oscar's brow was furrowed, his little mouth pressed tight. "Mommy's been gone so long and hasn't come back. She might be in trouble. I need to find her."
"No, Oscar, come back." Aiden walked over quickly and stood in front of the door, blocking Oscar.
"Your mother made it very clear before she left - no matter what happens, we have to wait here for her to come back."
"You have to listen to her. You promised her. What if you leave and your mother comes back right away? She'll be even more worried."
"But I can't just sit here." Oscar's brow was tightly furrowed. He was the most mature of all the children.
Emily had run out in such a panic, and even her instructions were rushed. Plus Amelia still hadn't come back - of course he was worried.
"Oscar, your mother will be fine," Aiden said, seeing Oscar's worry and trying to comfort him. "And your grandmother too - she'll definitely come back safely."
"No, I want to find Mommy too!"
Nina jumped down from her chair and grabbed Oscar's hand tightly. "Brother, let's go together, okay?"
"Mommy said this neighborhood isn't very big. If we split up and search, we'll definitely find Mommy quickly. Maybe we can find Grandma too?"
"No, no, you can't go." Aiden stood firm at the door. "Your mother gave instructions before she left - you can't just go out."
"I promised her too. I can't let you go out, or she won't be able to find you and she'll be even more upset."
"Move aside." Oscar walked to the door holding Nina's hand, his tone icy.
That expression was exactly like William when he was angry. For just a moment, Aiden was a bit dazed.
Everyone said he looked just like William, almost identical.