Chapter 107

It seemed as though every member of the Lane family was completely taken with Isabella Austin—so much so that they were determined to get rid of anyone who dared to “covet❞ Andrew Lane, especially someone like Emily Blair.
Amelia Lane and Ethan Lane came down the staircase side by side. As soon as they reached the bottom, Amelia bounded over to Isabella’s side, slipped her arm through Isabella’s in a show of girlish affection, and smiled up at her.
“Isabella, you’re finally here! I’ve been waiting forever. You look absolutely gorgeous today.”
Then, turning to Emily with a sly, almost taunting look, Amelia added, “Isabella’s outfit today matches my brother’s perfectly. Not like some people I could mention.”
Of course, Isabella picked up on the shade but only smiled politely. “You look lovely too, Amelia.”
Emily Blair was immune to these petty provocations by now. She’d seen it all before and barely batted an eye.
Ever since that infamous incident-when Ethan Lane’s clothes had been ripped off in front of everyone-Emily hadn’t seen him once. The scandal had spread like wildfire online, and if the Lane family hadn’t intervened, the footage would have gone even more viral.
So, this was the first time they’d crossed paths since then.
Ethan Lane had changed. He used to be warm and approachable, but now there was a brooding darkness in his eyes, as if every glance was a blade. Especially when he looked at Emily. The hostility was palpable.
But Emily met his gaze head-on, unflinching.
She clapped her hands together, breaking the tense silence. “Alright, now that everyone’s here, I think it’s time we had a talk.”
Amelia made a face of disgust. “Talk about what? I have nothing to say to someone like you.”
Emily’s smile didn’t falter. She turned to Kevin Lane, holding out her hand in a businesslike gesture. “Grandpa, do you know why I’m here today?”
Kevin Lane glanced at her but didn’t respond.
Andrew Lane’s voice was cool, almost threatening. “Emily, what exactly are you trying to do?”
She raised an eyebrow. “You really don’t know?”
“Fine, I’ll spell it out.”
“A few years ago, my father died saving Grandpa Kevin. The Lane family promised me compensation for that. I’m here to collect.”
Amelia burst out in a mocking laugh. “So you’re here for money, Emily? Are you really that broke, coming to my grandfather’s birthday just to ask for cash?”
Emily just smirked, turned to Amelia, and held out her palm. “Half a million. Unless you’d like to pay it?”
Amelia’s laughter died in her throat.
Emily knew perfectly well that, no matter how rich the Lanes were, Amelia was just a high schooler-there was no way she’d have that kind of money lying around. Emily took a certain satisfaction in watching Amelia squirm.
Then she turned to Andrew, raising a brow. “What about you? Want to pitch in?”
Kevin Lane frowned deeply. “We’re not trying to cheat you out of anything. We’ve always said, once you get into college, you’ll get your money.”
Emily lowered her eyes, her smile tinged with bitterness.
In her previous life, under the Lane family’s control, she hadn’t even been allowed to take her college entrance exams-let alone get accepted.
She let out a quiet, ironic laugh. “Grandpa Kevin, you once told the world that the Lane family would always be my home. You said it in front of reporters, remember? But now you’ve thrown me out.”
“So forgive me if I’m starting to doubt your promises.”
“That’s why I want to see the money in my account today. Is that too much to ask?”
After she finished speaking, Kevin Lane’s face grew even darker.
Just then, Isabella Austin stepped in, her tone dripping with gentle reproach, as if she were the only reasonable adult in the room.
“Ms. Blair, Grandpa Kevin’s birthday celebration is about to start. Why don’t we
discuss this later? No need to spoil his mood.”
“I know you’re young and maybe you don’t quite understand how these things work. Why don’t you go upstairs and rest for a bit?”