Emma involuntarily shuddered when she saw the smiling, friendly face in front of her.
Samuel Lu.
Her left hand grabbed her wrist behind her back, trying to stabilize her mood.
Once he used to be a trusted and reliable older brother, but only after her father died, he revealed his fangs. He coaxed her to rely on him in her previous life and then had her submit all rights to the company to him.
After he transferred away all the money from the company, he announced his departure, and the responsibility of the debts fell on her shoulders.
"Why are standing like that? Are you mad at me for returning late from the business trip?" Samuel asked.
Coming over to her, he pinched on her cheek. "You're making trouble again. It was for the sake of business. Now, smile, alright? I brought you a lot of gifts."
Her father was always away on business, and as for her mother, she didn't enjoy being around children much, spending most of her time outside that's why.
Therefore, the responsibility for raising her fell on Samuel. Samuel's father was Jude's older brother. He lost his life when Samuel was young. As a result, Samuel stayed in Lin mansion and looked after her.
He was the most familiar with her.
Emma hardened her heart.
She couldn't slip up in front of this sly fox.
Emma scrunched up her nose and slapped his hand away.
"Don't touch me. You promised to take me to visit the new resort on the opening day. All of my friends went, except me! Do you know how embarrassing it was for me?" Emma complained, wearing a pout on her face.
Samuel wrapped his arm around her neck, roughly pulling her close to him. Then, ignoring her struggle, he ruffled her hair.
"Is that so? How much embarrassed were you?" Samuel teased. "Did you cry?"
"Samuel!" Emma exclaimed helpless. "I will not talk to you if you do this."
Samuel laughed heartily and released her.
"Don't be mad at me, alright? I brought you your favorite bag— the one you have been eyeing for months now," said Samuel, "take that to brag to your friends."
Emma's eyes brightened up. "Is that the one from LV?"
The man nodded.
Emma wrapped her hands around Samuel's neck in excitement and jumped high.
"I knew you're the best! I asked my dad about it! But he says it is too expensive! Tch! That miser!" Emma scoffed. Then, in an eager voice, she asked, "Where is it?"
"I placed it on your bed," Samuel replied.
Emma released him and ran upstairs, shouting, "I will go check it out. You can ask my mom to keep you company."
With that, Emma entered her room and shut her door down.
Her heart beat rapidly in her chest. Nausea began to bubble in her stomach from the disgust. Smile immediately wiped out of her face.
She bit down on her lower lip, trying to bring her emotions under reign. There was an entire night to go through. She couldn't get shaken up so easily.
Downstairs, Jude stared at Samuel with a frown and asked, "What about it?"
The easygoing smile on Samuel's face was replaced with a solemn expression. He stated, "She is behaving as usual. You're being suspicious for no reason."
Jude shook her head.
"She is being too hostile to me, Vanessa as well, all of a sudden," Jude voiced out. "I am afraid she has found out something."
Creases formed between Samuel's brows.
Before he could respond, Emma rushed down the staircase, hugging the baby blue bag to her chest.
"Samuel! This is so pretty!" Emma exclaimed. "Everyone will be so jealous! I am the first one in the country to get hand on this!"
"Emma, slow down," Samuel vocalized, "you're going to trip."
Jude shook her head. "You're spoiling the child again. It must have been expensive. You barely make any money.
Why waste it on Emma? It's about time you save money. You need to start a family as well."
Emma rolled her eyes at her. "Why are you interfering again? If you feel bad for him, you can pay for the bag. Anyways, you have a lot of money."
Samuel switched to a sterner tone. "Emma, how many times do I have to tell you that's not the way to talk to your mother?"
Then, Samuel's gaze fell on Jude. "Aunt Lin, I am willing to do it. Emma is my only younger sister. Who else am I going to spend my money on?"
Jude shook her head.
"You must be hungry. I will arrange some snacks for you." As the woman walked away, she silently signalled Samuel with her eyes.
"Emma, are you upset with your mom?" Samuel carefully asked.
"I don't know why she is trying to be a virtuous mother now when she was always absent from my life.
All of a sudden, she wants to decide what is good and bad for me, interfering in everything. I don't need her," complained Emma.
A sigh left the man's mouth. "I know you're upset. You have the right to be. But Aunt Lin is your mother. It is normal she is worried about you," Samuel explained.
Emma went quiet and lowered her line of sight. She softly said, "I am just not used to it."
Samuel placed his hand around her shoulder, bringing her closer to him. Patting on her arm, he expressed, "Our Emma is the sweetest baby. That's why, be nicer to your mother. You know she gets sad when you're being this way."
Emma clenched her hand into a tight fist.
Samuel was really good at deceiving her with his words.
"Do you want to go with me to the club? Few of my friends gathered there."
"The club?" Emma uttered.