Chapter 301: Emily and Gabriel
“Don’t cry, sweetie.” Emily smiled and pinched Sophia’s cheek, her eyes brimming with affection.
“You and my mommy look just alike!” Sophia pointed at Alison, stopping crying.
Emily took a step forward with Sophia in her arms and stood beside Alison.
Setting Sophia down, she said, “Look carefully. Do you see the resemblance?”
Sophia and Ethan studied them closely. Then they clapped their hands. “Yes! Auntie, if you straightened your hair, you’d look even more like my mommy.”
“That makes sense. How about I get a new hairstyle and then compare it with your mom’s? Okay?” Emily said with a smile.
“Okay! Auntie, what’s your name?” Sophia asked.
Alison froze for a beat, surprised.
Compared to the Emily she’d met on the yacht last time, today’s version seemed far warmer and more welcoming.
Aidan, however, couldn’t contain himself. Knowing what Emily had done to Alison in the past, he let go of Lucia’s hand and walked straight up to her.
“Emily,” he said. “My sister-in-law?”
Emily responded with a smile. “Hi! Aidan.”
Aidan pressed on. “Hi! What brings you to Logan Mountain? Hike?” His gaze darted toward Gabriel as he spoke.
News of Rock and Emily’s engagement was common knowledge in S City. Yet, Gabriel and Emily had just been acting so intimately.
Emily answered with a smile. “Heh, we came for the hiking.”
Aidan pressed, “Then why isn’t Rock here?” By now, the smile had vanished from his face, replaced by a hint of accusation.
Emily explained, “Rock had something come up, so Gabriel and I came together. Gabriel, come over here. Let me introduce you.” She added, “Gabriel, this is Rock’s second brother, Aidan Wiston.” Then, turning to Alison, her smile faded slightly. “This must be Jack’s wife, Alison Fairchild. But Jack…” She trailed off and turned to the kids, “These two little ones are Jack and Alison’s children. As for those two…” Gesturing toward Alison, she added, “I’ll leave it to you to introduce them.”
Alison’s expression shifted slightly. Noticing this, Colton tugged on Erin’s sleeve and introduced himself instinctively.
“I’m Colton.”
“I’m Erin.”
Lucia followed, saying, “I’m Lucia.”
Emily smiled. “Wow, you’re quite the lively bunch!”
Unexpectedly, Erin suggested, “Would Miss Bruce and Mr. Laroche like to join us?”
Emily glanced at Gabriel, hesitated briefly, and said, “No, thanks. Gabriel and I will just take a walk and head back. We don’t want to spoil your hiking fun.”
“Emily, let’s go.” Gabriel cast an indifferent glance around the group. Emily flashed a friendly smile at everyone before turning to leave.
Alison frowned as she watched their intimate look.
Suddenly, a plan flashed through her mind — Use Gabriel to infiltrate the Bruce family, instead of Pierre, who only wanted her body.
She smiled at Gabriel’s retreating and called out, “Gabriel, thank you for driving me home last time, also for the medicine and bandages.”
Gabriel replied without turning around. “Miss Fairchild, you must be mistaken. I never drove you home, nor did I give you any medicine or bandages.” His tone was icy and tinged with mockery, instantly making Alison’s face flush.
“Gabriel, stop right there!” Alison shouted. “I want you to clarify. Who exactly took me home last time?”
He turned around slowly, his arm still around Emily’s shoulders—clearly showing their relationship. He gave Alison a fleeting glance and said, “Do you want me to tell everyone here that you came to my attic to bother me? Is that enough for you to let it go?”
Rage boiled inside Alison, tempting her to lunge forward and slap him. But when she saw the faint smile on Emily’s lips, she stopped herself. Instead, she replied coolly, “I went because I’m conducting an investigation, and you happen to be my subject.”
“Alison, what kind of investigation are you doing? Tell us!” Erin chimed in, fanning the gossip.
“Hmph, nothing really. I’m researching how people start using drugs, whether out of curiosity or because they’re tricked into it.” Deciding to fight fire with fire, she blurred out.
She had expected Gabriel to confront her, but he didn’t. He absolutely ignored her, keeping walking forward.
Watching his retreating, Alison swore inside. Gabriel, we’ll see. I won’t let you off the hook.