Through the window, Emma clearly saw Olivia Brown—William's illegitimate daughter and her half-sister—snuggled in Noah's arms, with a suggestive smile on her face. Emma slammed the car door open and rushed inside, at which point Olivia and Noah quickly pulled apart.
"Noah, what are you two doing?!" Emma's voice trembled, her anger and anxiety mixing together.
Before Noah could speak, Olivia cut in, speaking in a soft tone, "Sister Emma, please don't misunderstand. I was feeling really down, and Noah was just comforting me. Please don't blame him for this." Her eyes darted away, but she put on a pitiful act, her eyes quickly filling with tears.
Emma stared at her in disbelief, fury almost consuming her. "Comforting? Olivia, how long are you going to keep up this act?!"
Noah frowned and stepped between them, his tone slightly cold. "Emma, don't be so aggressive. Olivia was really upset, and I was just fulfilling my duties as a gentleman. You're always so impulsive; can't you control your temper?"
"Impulsive?" Emma widened her eyes, her voice trembling with anger. "Noah, do you even know who she is?! She's William's illegitimate daughter—my half-sister! Why are you even involved with her?!"
Isabella couldn't hold back any longer and sneered, "Noah, stop making excuses! We saw everything just now. If we hadn't walked in, you two would probably have kissed already." She looked at Olivia with contempt. "And you—stop pretending. Everyone knows what you're really like! Just like your mother, seducing other people's men. You really have some nerve."
Noah's face changed, but he lowered his head and muttered softly, "Isabella, you're going too far. This isn't Olivia's fault… She can't control her background. She just needed some comfort."
"Needed comfort?" Isabella laughed bitterly, her anger now boiling over. "If she needed comfort, then why don't you just break up with Emma and openly be with her?! Don't pretend to be with Emma while flirting with Olivia on the side. It's disgusting!"
Emma's heart completely shattered. She clenched her fists, took a deep breath, and forced herself to suppress her emotions, speaking coldly, "Noah, you've known who Olivia is, haven't you? Since you could hide this from me, what else don't I know? You knew about William's scheme? The Garcia family… Have you all been dividing up the Smith family's interests behind my back?" Noah remained silent, lowering his head.
Emma felt like the ground was slipping from under her, her breath shallow, her chest heavy as if a boulder had landed on it. Her heartbeat was the only sound she could hear. She had once thought Noah was her last support, her only refuge in the storm of fate. But now, that refuge had collapsed into ruins. "From today on," Emma's voice was as cold as winter frost, filled with pain and finality, "we have no connection anymore." Noah opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but Emma turned and left, her back cutting through the night like a knife.
Isabella quickly followed. As she passed by Noah and Olivia, she paused, her eyes sharp as knives, and she glared at them before turning without a second glance to catch up with Emma.
In the car, Emma could no longer hold back her emotions and burst into tears. She collapsed into Isabella's arms, trembling as she asked, "Why? Why did even Noah betray me? We grew up together, we shared more than ten years of friendship, and he… he betrayed me too! Isabella, what should I do? Grandfather and mom are still waiting for me to avenge them, but now... I really don't know what to do!"
Isabella held her tightly, her voice soft yet firm. "Emma, don't be afraid. You're not alone. I'll always be by your side. We can find a way. You can't give up."
Emma raised her tear-streaked face, a glimmer of determination flashing in her eyes, though still filled with confusion. "But what else can I do? The family has been divided up, and I have nothing left."
Isabella thought for a moment, then suddenly grasped Emma's hand. "Emma, you still have your intellect and courage! I heard my father say that the Johnson family from City N is trying to enter City B. This might be your chance."