After dinner, Emma sat alone in her room, opened her laptop, and focused her thoughts on planning her next steps. The company's affairs were not an immediate concern; as long as her grandfather was around, no major issues would arise for now. The more pressing matter was the situation at home. She needed to root out the scheming servants and expel them from the Smith family once and for all.
Her thoughts drifted back to her previous life. Until the car accident that ended everything, she had never been able to confirm which of the household staff had betrayed them. However, one thing was almost certain: the butler, Joseph, was very likely one of William's people. Otherwise, how could it be so "coincidental" that when her grandfather suffered a sudden illness, no servants were around? And even when that woman—Mia Armstrong—came to provoke her mother, the house had been eerily empty. The only person with the authority to control the servants' movements so precisely was Joseph.
But why? Joseph's father, Old Mr. Arendelle, had been the previous butler for the Smith family, serving with unwavering loyalty for over forty years. It wasn't until he turned seventy that her grandfather, out of concern for his health, relieved him of his duties and passed the position to Joseph. By all accounts, Joseph should have shared the family's interests and stayed loyal. Why would he side with William?
The thought gave Emma a headache. She had too little information at hand. Mere intuition and a series of coincidences weren't enough to confirm anyone's betrayal. She needed concrete evidence.
At that moment, she recalled an interesting piece of gossip her friend Isabella had shared a few days ago. A newly established private detective agency had recently risen to fame. According to Isabella, someone had used the agency's services to uncover a cheating spouse, not only winning their divorce case but also securing a massive settlement. Perhaps hiring a private investigator was worth a shot.
The thought took root quickly. Emma grabbed her phone and dialed Isabella's number. The call connected after a few rings, and Isabella's cheerful voice came through: "Emma? What's the occasion for this call?"
Hearing her friend's familiar tone, warmth filled Emma's heart. She remembered how, in her previous life, Isabella had stood by her side, helping her weather countless storms. Smiling slightly, Emma said, her voice tinged with gratitude, "Isabella, I need your help with something."
"What is it?" Isabella asked curiously.
Emma hesitated for a moment before replying, "Do you remember mentioning that private detective agency a couple of days ago? The one making waves lately. Do you have their contact information?"
Isabella paused briefly, then her tone became slightly alarmed. "Wait—why do you need a private detective? Don't tell me that jerk Noah did something to hurt you! If he did, just say the word, and I'll go punch him right now!"
Hearing Noah's name, Emma's expression darkened slightly. Noah was indeed untrustworthy, but dealing with him would have to wait. Breaking off the engagement was inevitable, but her focus right now was resolving the threats within her own home. Pushing down her annoyance, she replied with a light laugh, "It's not Noah. I'll deal with him later. Actually, I've noticed some strange behavior among the household staff recently and want to have them investigated. If there are any issues, I'll replace them immediately."
Relieved, Isabella's tone relaxed. "Oh, I see. You scared me for a second—I thought something serious had happened. But you're right; if you're suspicious of the staff, you absolutely need to look into it. Let me check—I remember the name of the agency, but I'm not sure about their contact details. Give me a bit, and I'll get back to you."
"Thank you, Isabella," Emma said sincerely.
"Oh, come on, there's no need for that between us!" Isabella chuckled before hanging up.
Less than thirty minutes later, Emma's phone buzzed with a message from Isabella. Along with the detective agency's contact details, there was a voice message: "Emma, I found it! This agency is really solid. They helped a friend of mine with a huge problem, and they're super efficient. Just a heads-up, though—they're pricey. I've sent you the contact info. Keep me updated, okay?"
Emma stared at the screen, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She sent a quick thank-you message: "Thanks, Isabella! Dinner's on me next time." Then, she took a deep breath, opened her contacts, and dialed the number.
The call connected after a few rings, and a deep male voice came through the line. "This is Rick Detective Agency. How can I assist you?"
Emma straightened slightly in her chair, her tone calm and composed. "Good evening, Mr. Rick. This is Emma Smith. I have a matter I'd like to commission your agency for. Absolute confidentiality is essential, and I'll need results quickly. Cost is not an issue."
There was a brief pause before Rick's voice returned, tinged with caution. "Emma Smith? As in the Smith family heiress? Just so we're clear, I don't get involved in corporate power plays or family feuds. If that's your angle, you've got the wrong guy."
Emma arched a brow, a satisfied smirk forming on her lips. His wariness and professionalism only added to her confidence in his abilities. "You can relax, Mr. Rick. This has nothing to do with business rivalries. I simply want to investigate the household staff, including their personal connections and financial transactions."
Rick was silent for a moment, seemingly weighing the request. "That's a straightforward case," he said finally. "But my services aren't cheap: one million dollars, and I'll have the report ready in a week. Deal?"
Without hesitation, Emma replied, "Deal. I'll transfer the money to your account shortly."
"Understood," Rick said, his tone steady. "I'll send you a contract by email. Sign it, and we'll get started immediately. Looking forward to working with you."
After hanging up, Emma let out a long exhale and glanced at the clock. It was already past eleven. Her mind, which had been running at full speed all day, now felt utterly exhausted.
She stepped into the bathroom, quickly washed up, and returned to her bed. Sitting on the edge of the mattress, she allowed herself a moment to reflect. Her thoughts drifted back to her past life and the betrayals that had silently festered around her. But this time, she vowed, things would be different.
With her grandfather's health report and the household investigation results on the horizon, Emma's next steps would become clearer. She also needed to start making her mark in the Smith family business—she couldn't allow William to gain any more leverage. Resolving to stay ahead of the game, Emma finally lay down and let sleep take her.