Chapter 517

Tristan Davis curved his lips into a confident smile. “I’m her man,” he announced, voice steady as stone.
The room erupted-people staring at the two of them with looks that ranged from shocked to amused, from curious to downright scandalized.
Emily Blair had to admit, for a split second she’d been touched by Tristan’s gallant defense. But now? She wanted nothing more than to boot him straight out of the atmosphere.
As the crowd’s glances grew more and more pointed, Emily strode over and pulled Tristan to her side, fixing her gaze on Stella Gray. “Any other questions?” she asked coolly.
Stella’s eyes flashed, her anger barely contained. “You-”
“Emily Blair.”
A low, commanding voice sliced through the tension, bringing the confrontation to an abrupt halt.
Everyone turned at once. There wasn’t a soul present who failed to recognize that voice. Instinctively, people parted to make way.
Emily lifted her eyes.
Andrew Lane stood at the threshold, grey-eyed and impassive, lips pressed into a thin, unreadable line.
On his arm, Isabella Austin clung to him with feigned affection, while Dennis Lane trailed behind, clutching Andrew’s leg with a pout and glowering at Emily with suspicion.
Who knew how long the three of them had been there, or how much they’d overheard as this little drama played out?
Emily kept her tone even. “Mr. Lane. Mrs. Lane.”
Isabella’s smile was sly, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Emily brought her boyfriend home?” she teased. “Is she planning to introduce him to Grandpa?”
All eyes swiveled to Emily, waiting.
Emily watched Isabella’s smug expression. The meaning was all too obvious: Isabella had always worried Emily might try to steal Andrew away. Now that Emily had shown up with a “boyfriend,” Isabella could finally breathe easy-there was no threat to her marriage.
Emily arched a brow at Andrew, her voice mild. “That’s a shame. My grandfather passed away not long after I was born.”
A stunned hush fell. Everyone stared at Emily, eyes wide with disbelief.
There was no mistaking which “grandfather” Isabella meant-everyone in that room knew she was talking about Kevin Lane.
Emily’s words were a blatant slap in the face, a public declaration that she didn’t acknowledge Kevin Lane as family.
Unfazed by the shock rippling through the crowd, Emily went on, “But if the chance ever came, I’d be sure to bring him to visit the grave.”
Not a sound. The Lane estate was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. No one there would ever dare say such things, let alone interrupt.
Isabella, inwardly mocking Emily’s foolishness, offered a pitying look. “Emily, you’re a clever girl. I think you know exactly which grandfather I meant.”
Emily gave a faint smile. “Maybe I’d like to, but the feeling’s not mutual. We all know
I was thrown out years ago. Kind of hard to call someone Grandpa when you’ve lost the right, don’t you think?”
Andrew’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
Emily met his gaze. “You were there that day, Mr. Lane. I’m sure you remember
when I was sent packing, forced to rent a tiny apartment just to get by.”
Andrew said nothing.
Tristan leaned in, voice low. “Emily
Emily flashed Andrew a smile, then turned to Tristan and held out her hand. “Give me the gift, please.”
Tristan had been holding the gift since they got out of the car. Emily took it and walked over to Isabella, presenting it with a polite flourish.
“Nearly forgot after all that talk. This is for your anniversary. It’s nothing extravagant, but I hope you’ll accept it anyway.”
Isabella’s eyes crinkled with her smile as she took the gift. “We’re family, Emily. There’s no need to stand on ceremony.”