"You're heading off to the auction?" asked Charles Lin, her dad.
Emma nodded.
"Me too, Uncle Lin!" exclaimed Ellie, clinging on to Emma's hand.
"Two of you're stuck like peas in a pod," Charles commented, helpless. "Here, take my card for today. Spend generously but wisely."
Ellie took the card from Charles and grinned widely. "Thank you. We will make sure to not max it out. I told my dad you were better! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have a penny to my name."
At that moment, Jude came over and slapped Charles lightly on his arm.
She glared at him and said, "What good has your daughter done that you hand her your card again? Last time, she brought a painting done by a five year old for ten million. Has she not shamed herself enough? You need to teach her how money doesn't grow on trees."
Emma retorted, "That's my dad's money. It's my wish how I spend it. Even if I bankrupt him, at least the money was spent by me, not some outsiders."
Charles sternly stared at Emma. "Young Lady, speak nicely to your mother. She is only saying this out of care for you."
Emma stopped herself from saying anything more. Her mother was her dad's dearest love. He wouldn't endure a slander against her even from Emma.
This is why she couldn't directly expose Jude to her dad. He wouldn't be able to take it and collapse directly.
"Uh, whatever," Emma stated.
Charles eyes narrowed, making him appear more domineering than usual.
Emma had no choice but to yield.
"Mom, I will not overspend on anything. I promise," Emma expressed, choosing to bow her head.
In order to ease the atmosphere, Ellie vibrantly grinned and spoke out, "Aunt Lin, didn't you want a piece from Blue Light collection? Emma and I will get one for you."
As Emma stood there stiffly, Ellie nudged her.
Emma nodded reluctantly.
Jude sighed and walked over to Emma, patting her head gently. All of her nerves frantically resisted her touch, and she wished to jolt away.
She clenched her hand tightly— her nails digging into her palm— as she stood in her position, trying not to flinch.
"Emma, mom loves you. You know that, right? Go and come back soon. I will make your favorite pudding for you," voiced out Jude gently.
Emma had no clue how she made it out the door.
Ellie softly said, "Emma, I know you're mad at Aunt Lin for neglecting you as a child. But she is trying to step up and be a good mother now. Can't you forgive her?"
Emma pulled her hand away and raised her voice. "Do I have to accept her just because she decided to be a good mother to me now? What am I? Some doll?
Whenever she feels like it, she can adore me. And then when she gets bored, she can treat me like a trash!? I can go on well without a mother!"
"Emma," Ellie softly called out.
Emma noticed she lost control of her emotions and let out a deep breath.
"I am sorry," Emma softly said, "there are some hurdles in my heart that I will never get over in this life."
Ellie grabbed on to Emma's cheeks and squeezed it.
"Let's forget about all the unpleasant things tonight. It's nothing retail therapy can't fix," voiced out Ellie.
°°°
As Emma and Ellie entered the venue, they were greeted with the beautifully decorated venue. Protected by a layer of glass, all the precious jewelries of Chen Family was displayed— some dating back to a century ago.
All the prominent family gathered around here, and conversations went around on which pieces they wished to bid on tonight.
"Emma! Ellie!" Samuel called, spotting the two girls admiring the pair of sapphire earrings.
"Ah, there's Samuel," Ellie expressed. Before Emma could say anything, Ellie dragged her over to Samuel.
Ellie then complained, "A little birdie told me you bought a gift for Emma. Where's mine? Don't you know we come in pairs?"
Samuel looked at Ellie and sighed. "I had a feeling you would ask me this question when you saw me here today."
Ellie raised one of her brows. "So, where is it?"
Her attitude made the man scrunch up his nose and express his disapproval: "Look at you. You're more disrespectful than Emma. Is this any way for you to ask for gifts? Be more polite."
"Polite, my ass. You didn't buy anything and are trying to stall for time, right?" Ellie sharply stared at him.
Samuel tapped on her forehead, earning a wince from her.
"Watch your language, Young Lady!"
Ellie rolled her eyes. Then, her eyes fell on Jonathan standing beside Samuel.
The smile on his face didn't take away from the intimidating, ferocious aura around him. And the scar on his face made it worse. Although he cleaned up for a formal setting, he still resembled a wild ruffian.
"Is that a new friend of yours? Doesn't seem like the type you would usually hang out with," Ellie commented.
As one of the top socialites, Ellie was acquainted with almost everyone, and Jonathan's face was new to her. Although she was used to acting recklessly, this man gave her an eerie feeling, making her want to stay away.
"Yeah, that's Jonathan. He is from the Chen Family," introduced Samuel.
"Ah, Jonathan. That illegitimate child? I almost forgot he existed. I remember it creating a lot of stir when I was a child. Well, I almost thought he was dead somewhere. Guess he is alive and well."
Emma shook her head.
Ellie's words remained exactly the same from her previous life. Only Ellie would dare to be so outspoken and blunt to Jonathan's face, not caring whether it was rude.
"Yeah, that's the person, Ellie. But can you be a bit more polite? Jonathan is right in front of you."