Chapter 696

After Emily Blair added Helen Ross as a contact, she requested not only the bank transfer confirmation but also official documentation regarding the trust fund.
The trust documents clearly listed Isabella Austin’s name, and the fund still held a handsome seven-figure balance.
But Emily was nothing if not meticulous. She pored over every page, double- checking for any sign of forgery or tampering. Satisfied that the documents were legitimate, she handed the thick stack of evidence-never officially submitted-back to Helen, pressing them into her palm.
“Alright, take good care of these and don’t let anyone else see them,” Emily said, waving her phone as if to dismiss the whole affair. “Well, goodbye then.”
“Wait,” Brandon Ross called out.
She turned back, eyebrow raised. “Is there something else?”
Brandon’s voice was wary. “Are you really done with us? You’re not going to expose us again?”
Emily didn’t hesitate. She smiled, lips curling up in easy confidence. “Of course.”
He watched her, searching for any sign of deception. “Promise me.”
She spread her hands and shrugged. “You have all the evidence now. I’ve got nothing left to report.”
Brandon bit his lip, then pressed, “Then go tell the school you made a mistake. Tell them you’re withdrawing your complaint.”
Emily arched a brow. “Naturally.”
When she returned to the administration office and announced she wanted to withdraw her report, the school administrators looked both puzzled and suspicious. They asked Emily several times if she was truly sure.
Brandon and Helen lingered nearby, tense and anxious, watching her every move.
Emily reiterated, “Yes, I’d like to withdraw the complaint. We just talked outside, and I realize now it was my mistake. I shouldn’t have rushed in with an accusation—my apologies to both students.”
The administrator, still skeptical, probed further. “Did something happen outside? Did you come to an agreement, or were you threatened? You can tell us; the school is here to protect you.”
Brandon and Helen both stiffened, hearts in their throats.
Emily only smiled, unruffled. “It really was a misunderstanding. I’m sorry, but the documents I submitted didn’t have photos, so I misidentified the students. Please don’t let my mistake cast doubt on two outstanding students at your school.”
Though still suspicious, the administrator nodded. “Alright, I understand. But there’s a process for withdrawing a complaint. You should all go home for now—we’ll be in touch once everything’s sorted.”
“Thank you for your help,” Emily replied.
The three of them left the office together.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Brandon couldn’t hold back. “What’s going on between you and Isabella Austin? What are you trying to do to her?”
Emily just smiled. “That’s none of your business. I don’t owe you any explanations.”
Brandon’s jaw tightened, but he lowered his voice, almost pleading. “I just want to know—whatever you’re planning for Isabella, is it going to drag us down too?”
Emily knew before she even arrived that Matthew Ross hadn’t told his siblings about recent events. From the way Brandon asked, it was obvious that neither he nor Helen had any idea their brother was currently sitting in a jail cell.
She had no intention of enlightening them. Why stir up more trouble?
Her expression didn’t falter as she lied, “No. It won’t affect you.”
Neither Brandon nor Helen looked particularly relieved; worry still clouded their faces.
Emily glanced at her watch. “I have a flight to catch, so I’ll be going now.”
Brandon opened his mouth as if to say more, but all he could do was watch her walk away.
She returned home on a late flight, the clock striking eight as she landed. Emily told her assistant to head home for the night and drove herself to the police station.
By chance, the same female officer from before was on duty. When she saw Emily walk in, she greeted her as if they were old acquaintances, striking up casual conversation. “You’re here so late-did you get a chance to eat dinner yet?”