SWNOVELS Chapter Fiancé Uncle 189
Chapter 189
"Chelsea, where are you now? Don't worry. I'll be there soon. Wait for me." With that, Max abandoned Joyce and dashed out
Joyce caught fragments of the conversation, enough to gather that the other voice was a woman's, soft and fragile, undoubtedly someone dear to him. Now she finally understood why Max held such disdain for her. Joyce wondered what that woman spun to the Rowland family just to ensure her place in marrying Max.
When Joyce realized she couldn't escape her fate, she tried resigning herself to the idea of marrying a man she didn't love. assuming they'd at least live in mutual respect. But never had she anticipated that her future would be tied to Max. The overwhelming sense of helplessness and suffocation was closing in on Joyce, making her unable to even envision what her future would look like Surely, it would be miserable.
Maybe Joyce'd even lose Thea, her best friend. She couldn't bring herself to confess the truth to Thea, fearing that Thea would despise her as she did the Rowland family Joyer buried her face in her hands, and soft sobs escaped her. The click of high heels approached, and someone stopped right in front of her
"Oh dear, isn't this Emmalie! Why are you crying like this" Emalie covered her mouth in mock surprise, but her eyes betrayed the gloating and scorn she felt
Joyce held back her trars and shot her a glare "And what does have to do with you
it
i
"Why, everything, of course male hatted her lashes, then beside her, linking her arm with Joyce's in an overly familiar way
Joyce frowned, uncomfortably pulling her arm away and speaking in a cold tone. Emmalie, I don't think we're that clone "You fell out with Thea a long time ago and the my friend Do you really think we could just sit here and have a nice little chat
Emmalie was momentarily taken aback, her face briefly reflecting embarrassment, but she wasn't ready to back down "Bup Joyor, you're going to marry Mai, and you'll be living in the Rowland tridence
"Thea probably won't be coming back anymore, so in the end, youll have to live with us. If you insist on taking her side, you'll end up alienated from us and that's not going to make your life any rauer
One of Emmalies remarks struck a nerve, and Joyce abruptly stood up, grabbing a nearby vase and smashing it to the ground. The vase shattered instantly
"Do you think I begged to stay in the Rowland residence? That threw myself at you all just to be here? Even if every one of you in the Rowland family despises the from now on, it has nothing to do with me" Joyce roared. Emmate flinched in surprise, instinctively patting her chest to steady her breathing before forcing a smile back onto her
She began. "Oh, don't get so worked up. Joyce I came here to help you. If you don't want to stay here, well, there are others. who don't want you here, either. Everyone knows how close you are to Thea I coulhelp you leave" Joyce took a deep breath, her emotions slowly settling. She turned around, eyeing Emmalie with suspicion. "You help mer
Emmale lips curled in a small sturk "Max is the best brother have, and he has someone he truly cares about I wouldn't want him to marry someone he doesn't love "And honestly, I don't want you around here. If you marry into this family, it ould be like having Theas little spy underfoot"
Joyer didn't bebeve the first part, but the second part was right. Thea had once confided in her that se Emmale returned, she il been acting strange, but Thea hadn't had the time to keep a close eye on her 09:41 Mon, Nov 4
Chapter 189
Enimalie must have served that Thea was suspicious of her, so it was only natural she'd want no one connected to Thea lingering in the Rowland family.
"Just being honest. Emmalie stood up. "Since the day they found me and brought me hack, Thea's done nothing but bully me. Honestly, I'd be thrilled if she never returned"
She took a few slow steps closer, her eyes chilling. "You know, if there's anyone you should resent, it's Thea. If you hadn't met her, maybe things with Max wouldn't be this strained
Sure, you two might not be in love, but at least you'd have some mutual respect. You wouldn't be in this mess."
Joyce clenched her fists, her gaze steady and filled with disdain for Emmalie. "Save it. Your petty little attempts at sowing discord won't work on me. Only your two clueless brothers would fall for this nonsense."
Emmalie grit her teeth and stormed up to Joyce, practically hissing. "Fine, but like it or not, I'm all you have left to rely on It's up to you if you want to leave, but my advice is to go now, or you might not have a place to cry when it's too late." Joyce nodded slowly. "Fine. I'll agree to work with you, but only this once."
With that, Joyce pulled out her phone, waving it in the air. "I recorded our conversation just now. If anything happens, you won't be getting off the hook."
Emmalie let out a disbelieving laugh. "You actually recorded me.
Joyce's tone was openly mocking. "Thea's dealt with you plenty and warned me that, behind that innocent and pure front. you're as poisonous as a viper. It only makes sense to prepare for someone as twisted as you."
The moment Emmalie had entered, Joyce had discreetly pressed the record button. She'd never personally witnessed Emmalie's tactics, but Thea had given her plenty of warnings.
Emmalie was like a snake lurking in the dark, striking without warning. But the Rowland family members were completely blind to Emmalie's true nature.
Emmalie took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, though her smile twisted into something menacing. "Of course, I wouldn't dream of playing tricks, Joyce. Here's to a successful partnership." With that, she stormed off, seething Joyce let out a deep breath, picking up her phone to tell Thea what had just happened. But after a moment's thought, she stopped herself.
Joyce heard bits and pieces of outside news while dealing with Kelly recently. Apparently, for some unknown reason, Thea had left Key Biskane,
Even though Thea messaged her every day, she hadn't mentioned a word about her departure. They were alike in this way, both unwilling to burden the other with bad news.
If Thea wasn't saying anything, it had to be something serious she didn't want Joyce worrying about. Just as Thea was thinking of her, Joyce felt she couldn't make Thea worry about her in return.
Joyce took a deep breath, pocketing her phone again. She'd wait until she got out of this situation before sharing anything with Thea.
Meanwhile, Thea had spent a sleepless night, haunted by visions of Joyce crying. Her worry was eating at her, and first thing in the morning, she booked a flight back. Just as she confirmed her ticket, her phone rang. It was Darwin. Thea's frustration turned into a laugh, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Does Mr. Hendrix have a 24-hour tracker on me? It seems like every single move I make is under your surveillance.
09:41 Mon, Nov 4