Chapter 51: The Superstar (12)

My cheeks felt slightly warm, and I quickly turned my head to avoid looking at him.

Single for nearly thirty years, I suddenly realized—it might just be time to indulge in a little eye candy.

Behind me, a low, rich laugh sounded, "Emily, you’re not… interested in me, are you?"

"Who--"

I barely got a word out before I froze.

Not far away, Anna was waving her arms frantically, calling for help. It looked like she was drowning.

Her character might be questionable, but she didn’t deserve to die.

And besides, I couldn’t just stand by and watch.

"I’ll be right back."

Throwing the words over my shoulder, I grabbed a swim ring and dove into the water.

The swim ring was meant for Anna but was cumbersome, so I slipped it around myself for convenience.

The area where Anna was flailing was part of the deep water zone.

It took me five or six minutes to reach her.

Thankfully, she had only swallowed a few mouthfuls of water and wasn’t in danger.

"If you can’t swim, why head into the deep water?"

I asked, slightly exasperated, as I removed the swim ring from myself and prepared to slip it over her.

Before I could remove the swim ring, it suddenly deflated, the air hissing out until it was completely flat.

Beside me, Anna held up her hand, showing off a sharp ring on her finger. Her expression was venomous and smug.

There wasn’t even a trace of someone who’d just been drowning.

"Emily, you idiot! It’s all your fault! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be hated by so many people. It’s all because of you. You should die!"

I stared at her calmly.

All right, I admit it. I shouldn’t have let a moment of compassion get the better of me.

But I couldn’t stand by and let someone die in front of me.

Perhaps convinced I wouldn’t leave this alive, Anna seemed to grow more talkative.

"Did you think Morton had even the slightest affection for you? Last time, when he went diving, we planned to get rid of you. Why do you think you found Morton so easily? It was all part of our plan."

Her voice dripped with malice as she continued, "He can’t stand you, that annoying pest, so I came up with the perfect idea. I knew you couldn’t swim, so I suggested the scheme to him."

"Who would’ve thought, you idiot, that you’d believe he was drowning? The fact that you’re still alive is pure dumb luck! Morton only pulled you out after he was sure you’d stopped breathing. Who knew you’d come back to life?"

"Do you think you’ll be so lucky again today?"

I had long suspected that the real Emily’s death was no accident.

But I hadn’t expected the truth to be so vile.

What was a human life to them? Nothing more than a tool to be disposed of.

Without hesitation, I raised my hand and delivered a resounding slap to Anna’s face.