Chapter 93
Emilia paused mid–step. She alway
Chapter 93
Emilia paused mid–step. She always felt like Barry was looking for a fight at any moment.
Just as she was about to speak, Barry said in his usual nonchalant tone, “Or are you planning to go play peacemaker, and then watch them act all lovey–dovey and have their affection rubbed right in your face? Are you sure you can handle that?”
Emilia froze slightly. For a moment, she couldn’t tell if Barry was siding with her or with Autumn.
“Did you say that just to disgust me?”
“We’ve known each other for so many years, so how could I possibly be trying to disgust you? Besides, I know how Damien feels about you. You don’t even have to do anything, and he’ll love you no matter what. So, there’s no need for you to go stirring things up.”
Usually, they all tacitly avoided speaking this plainly. But right now, Barry wished those two would just get married already. Hence, he said it outright.
As much as Emilia liked hearing those words, she didn’t want anyone seeing through what she was really thinking. Still, one thing was for certain–Barry was definitely on her side.
Emilia sat down on a nearby bench and said lightly, “Barry, I know your type. You’re like this with every woman.”
Then, with a mix of pride and disdain in her tone, she added, “But you’d better think this through, because this is Autumn we’re talking about. Stay away from her if you can. Even if you’re not picky and you actually find someone like her appealing, I’ll respect that.
“But don’t forget, she’s still Damien’s wife right now. So, you’d better rein yourself in, or we won’t be able to get along.”
“You say that like you really care she’s his wife,” Barry retorted.
“Barry Walters, are you dead set on pissing me off today?” Emilia snapped.
“Oh, come on, Emilia. I’d never have the guts to cross you. With the way Damien protects you, if he ever found out I was messing with you, he’d kill me for sure.”
Barry sounded utterly sincere.
Emilia chuckled coldly. “It was just a reminder. Wouldn’t want you two to stop being friends.”
“Thanks for the reminder.” Barry narrowed his eyes, the smile not reaching them. “I’ll be sure to cherish my friendship with Damien.”
It was the kind of “cherish” that existed between people who were destined to part ways but hadn’t yet completely turned on each other.
Then, twirling a tennis ball on his racket, Barry casually added, “Still, you might want to stop telling me what to do.”
Emilia was caught off guard.
Barry flicked the ball away with a swing. His tall figure stood in the sunlight, casting a long shadow.
He tilted his head slightly to look at Emilia. Those seductive eyes always carried a touch of tenderness, no matter if they were looking at an angel or a devil. But right now, there wasn’t the slightest trace of warmth in there.
“I don’t need a mom.”
“But right after saying that, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly, and the sharp glint in his eyes faded away.
It was simply in his nature not to hurt others. That cold expression lasted barely a second before he was back to his usual easygoing self. This was the quiet gentleness at the heart of his character.
But Emilia suddenly froze as a jolt of unease shot through her.
Damien had been treating her far too well lately, and Barry, being her old classmate, always flattered her.
As for Jayden, since he managed his family’s tech subsidiary, which had something to do with her field, he stayed close to her. Even the son of Havenmoor’s richest man had to treat her with
respect.
On top of that, Emilia had earned her own place in Luther’s lab, was skilled at racing, and radiated confidence. Even Britney, the spoiled socialite, worshiped her. And just last night, she had even connected with Joanne, a powerhouse woman with huge influence in both politics and business.
With all these people propping her up, Emilia had unknowingly grown a bit reckless and spoke with less caution now.
The Mason family’s affairs were all managed by Christine. Even though Green Group had now become Mason Group, the true person in charge was still Christine, an outsider.
confidence.
Emilia’s father was the typical intellectual type and never concerned himself with these things. The money and power were all in the hands of Christine. That was why Emilia lacked so much
Although Christine had helped the Mason family rise into the ranks of tycoons, giving them a foothold among the wealthy elite, there were still tiers within the world of tycoons. And they were nowhere near the level of top families like the Caldwells, the Walterses, and the Sanderses.
That only made Emilia feel even less confident.
s felt like Barry was looking for a fight at any moment.
Just as she was about to speak, Barry said in his usual nonchalant tone, “Or are you planning to go play peacemaker, and then watch them act all lovey–dovey and have their affection rubbed right in your face? Are you sure you can handle that?”
Emilia froze slightly. For a moment, she couldn’t tell if Barry was siding with her or with Autumn.
“Did you say that just to disgust me?”
“We’ve known each other for so many years, so how could I possibly be trying to disgust you? Besides, I know how Damien feels about you. You don’t even have to do anything, and he’ll love you no matter what. So, there’s no need for you to go stirring things up.”
Usually, they all tacitly avoided speaking this plainly. But right now, Barry wished those two would just get married already. Hence, he said it outright.
As much as Emilia liked hearing those words, she didn’t want anyone seeing through what she was really thinking. Still, one thing was for certain–Barry was definitely on her side.
Emilia sat down on a nearby bench and said lightly, “Barry, I know your type. You’re like this with every woman.”
Then, with a mix of pride and disdain in her tone, she added, “But you’d better think this through, because this is Autumn we’re talking about. Stay away from her if you can. Even if you’re not picky and you actually find someone like her appealing, I’ll respect that.
“But don’t forget, she’s still Damien’s wife right now. So, you’d better rein yourself in, or we won’t be able to get along.”
“You say that like you really care she’s his wife,” Barry retorted.
“Barry Walters, are you dead set on pissing me off today?” Emilia snapped.
“Oh, come on, Emilia. I’d never have the guts to cross you. With the way Damien protects you, if he ever found out I was messing with you, he’d kill me for sure.”
Barry sounded utterly sincere.
Emilia chuckled coldly. “It was just a reminder. Wouldn’t want you two to stop being friends.”
“Thanks for the reminder.” Barry narrowed his eyes, the smile not reaching them. “I’ll be sure to cherish my friendship with Damien.”
It was the kind of “cherish” that existed between people who were destined to part ways but hadn’t yet completely turned on each other.
Then, twirling a tennis ball on his racket, Barry casually added, “Still, you might want to stop telling me what to do.”
Emilia was caught off guard.
Barry flicked the ball away with a swing. His tall figure stood in the sunlight, casting a long shadow.
He tilted his head slightly to look at Emilia. Those seductive eyes always carried a touch of tenderness, no matter if they were looking at an angel or a devil. But right now, there wasn’t the slightest trace of warmth in there.
“I don’t need a mom.”
“But right after saying that, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly, and the sharp glint in his eyes faded away.
It was simply in his nature not to hurt others. That cold expression lasted barely a second before he was back to his usual easygoing self. This was the quiet gentleness at the heart of his character.
But Emilia suddenly froze as a jolt of unease shot through her.
Damien had been treating her far too well lately, and Barry, being her old classmate, always flattered her.
As for Jayden, since he managed his family’s tech subsidiary, which had something to do with her field, he stayed close to her. Even the son of Havenmoor’s richest man had to treat her with
respect.
On top of that, Emilia had earned her own place in Luther’s lab, was skilled at racing, and radiated confidence. Even Britney, the spoiled socialite, worshiped her. And just last night, she had even connected with Joanne, a powerhouse woman with huge influence in both politics and business.
With all these people propping her up, Emilia had unknowingly grown a bit reckless and spoke with less caution now.
The Mason family’s affairs were all managed by Christine. Even though Green Group had now become Mason Group, the true person in charge was still Christine, an outsider.
confidence.
Emilia’s father was the typical intellectual type and never concerned himself with these things. The money and power were all in the hands of Christine. That was why Emilia lacked so much
Although Christine had helped the Mason family rise into the ranks of tycoons, giving them a foothold among the wealthy elite, there were still tiers within the world of tycoons. And they were nowhere near the level of top families like the Caldwells, the Walterses, and the Sanderses.
That only made Emilia feel even less confident.
