Due to the extensive number of tests involved in the medical examination, the complete report would take three days to be finalized. By the time Emma accompanied her grandfather, James, back home, the evening sun had already cast its golden glow over the courtyard, and the warm light from the living room added a cozy ambiance to the scene.
Inside the living room, William and Sophia were sitting on the couch, chatting leisurely. As Emma helped James through the door, William raised an eyebrow, his expression tinged with mild curiosity. A faint, knowing smile played on his lips as he said, "Emma, I'm surprised you didn't go out on a date with Noah today. Where have you been with Grandfather?"
Emma looked up at William, her gaze briefly flickering with disgust before she quickly masked it. Facing her father's hypocritical display of concern, she took a deep breath, forcing herself to appear calm and composed. "Dad, I went with Grandfather to attend a gathering with his old friends today," she replied evenly.
James, hearing this, turned slightly to glance at Emma, his face showing a hint of surprise. Emma, aware of his reaction, subtly tightened her grip on his arm. She leaned closer to his ear, her tone playful as though she were sharing a little secret. "Grandfather," she whispered, "let's keep today's health checkup just between us, okay? I don't want Mom and Dad to worry before the results come out."
James was momentarily taken aback but soon nodded gently. "Alright, Grandfather will do as you say."
Sophia approached them then, affectionately patting Emma's head. Her voice brimmed with warmth and indulgence. "Our Emma is becoming more and more thoughtful—she even knows how to spend time with Grandfather now."
Emma looped her arm around her mother's, flashing a bright smile as she playfully retorted, "Mom, I've always been thoughtful!"
James and Sophia both laughed at her words. James's eyes were full of doting affection as he said, "Yes, yes, our Emma is the most caring and considerate little princess."
Standing off to the side, William felt a subtle yet undeniable sense of exclusion. A fleeting trace of dissatisfaction flickered across his expression, though he quickly masked it. Leaning casually against the couch, William's tone was half-joking, half-probing as he remarked, "Emma, you've seemed a bit distant from me these past couple of days. What's wrong? Did I upset you somehow?"
Hearing this, Emma laughed inwardly but maintained an air of composure. She raised her head, her lips curving into a faint, almost teasing smile as she gazed at William. Her tone was innocent, but there was a sharpness underlying her words. "Dad, how could you think that? I've always admired you. Unless… have you done something behind my back that would disappoint me?"
William's smile faltered momentarily, but he quickly regained his composure, shaking his head with a low chuckle. "Of course not. You're the most cherished little princess in the Smith family."
Looking at his hypocritical facade, Emma felt a wave of revulsion rise within her. Growing up, William's love and attention toward her had always been scarce, his focus seemingly split between family affairs and her mother. In her naivety as a child, Emma had once believed her father was simply devoted to her mother, leaving little room for attention to anyone else. Thankfully, she had her grandfather, and she learned early on that she didn't need her father's approval to thrive.
But in her past life, she had discovered the bitter truth only at the very end. His heart had always belonged to the illegitimate children he had secretly fathered outside the family. Even his supposed devotion to her mother had been more of a calculated performance than genuine affection. Otherwise, how could he have allowed Mia Armstrong, that despicable woman, to brazenly flaunt her existence before her mother, ultimately driving her mother to despair and an untimely death?
Thinking of the harsh realities from her previous life, Emma had to resist the urge to slap William across the face. But now was not the time. Suppressing the rage simmering in her heart, she casually remarked, "But Dad, you seem a bit distracted today. Is something troubling you at work?"
As soon as she said this, Sophia's eyes turned toward William with concern. "Yes, William. Is everything okay at work? You've been so busy lately."
James, hearing this, paused from fiddling with his cane. He lifted his gaze to William, his expression calm but carrying a hint of scrutiny.
William's face lit up with a perfectly measured smile, his tone light and assured. "Nothing major. Everything's running smoothly. It's just that Charlotte submitted a project proposal today with a few minor flaws, and I've been mulling over how to refine it."
His response was flawless, but Emma caught the brief flicker of tension in his demeanor. Over the past few months, her grandfather had gradually begun transferring some of his authority to William. Yet, it was clear William didn't dare let his guard down, afraid that even the slightest misstep might lead James to retract the power he had so painstakingly gained.
At that moment, a servant entered from the dining area and respectfully announced, "Sir, Madam, Young Master, and Miss, dinner is ready."
Hearing this, James stood up, his expression brightening. "It's getting late. Let's head to the dining room and eat," he said warmly.
Emma supported her grandfather as they walked toward the dining room. As they passed William, her gaze briefly swept over him, her expression neutral. Yet hidden in her eyes was a deep sense of vigilance and cold resolve.
Inwardly, Emma made a solemn vow. This time, no matter what, she would never allow her father's schemes to succeed.