Chapter 94

Daniel and Aiden were as handsome as Liam, each possessing a distinct personality and style. Liam was cold and austere; Daniel, refined; and Aiden, dashing. Each man stirred Tess's heart.

However, Daniel's arrival was anything but amiable. "Mr. Simon," he stated, "my niece and Liam are married. What is the meaning of this?" Daniel, a financial novice, usually deferred to seniors like Simon. This aggressive questioning was uncharacteristic, born of his indignation for Emma.

Simon, caught off guard by this coincidence, coughed, attempting to diffuse the tension. "It's merely a family gathering, Mr. Rivera. Please don't overreact."

"A family gathering?" Aiden retorted mockingly. "Is it customary to leave your daughter-in-law outside during a family gathering?" He turned to Tess. "And is sharing a steak a necessary part of a 'family gathering'?"

Unaware of Aiden's identity—his connection to the Nuverland royal family—the Currys reacted with surprise.

Tess's mother frowned. "Who are you? What right do you have to speak to Tess like this? Are you also Emma's uncle?"

Aiden remained unfazed, offering a cold smile. "I'm no relation to Emma, but as a bystander, I find your behavior objectionable."

Tess's father interjected, "Since you're a bystander, mind your own business."

Daniel's cold gaze swept over the Currys. "Aiden is a member of the Nuverland royal family. He has considerable influence over your family's projects there."

This revelation instantly altered the Currys' demeanor. Simon regarded Aiden with a complex expression; he hadn't known about his royal connection. The Currys dared not act rashly.

Liam and Aiden exchanged a tense glance.

Daniel and Aiden's arrival effectively ended the dinner. The Currys departed early, Simon leaving with a grim expression. Only Emma, Liam, Daniel, and Aiden remained at the club entrance.

As their drivers arrived, Daniel addressed Emma, "Next time, don't be too accommodating when it matters. Your uncles don't want you to be disrespected, understand?" Unlike Sean, Daniel's demeanor toward Emma was always steady and mature.

Emma nodded. "I understand."

Liam and Aiden remained silent.

Before departing in his sports car, Aiden lazily remarked to Liam, "Your wife is a wonderful cook. Make her unhappy, and I'll steal her." He ignored Liam's darkened expression and left.

Daniel's car arrived. "I won't keep you. Call if you need anything, alright?"

"Yes, Uncle Daniel," Emma replied, then turned to Liam, whose expression was ominous. She playfully pinched his cheek. "Jealous again?"

Seeing Emma's immediate attention and bright smile, Liam's anger dissipated, despite Aiden's words. "What about you? Aren't you jealous?"

Emma considered. "A little. But you did well today." She hugged his arm. "The moment you ate the steak, Tess almost—"

Before she could finish, a figure rushed toward them, carrying a large bucket. "Emma, you bitch!"

The bucket emitted a foul odor. Liam instinctively shielded Emma, but fearing sulfuric acid, she kicked it away. The bucket, containing red paint, splattered the attacker. The culprit, an eighteen- or nineteen-year-old girl, screamed, "Emma, I'm taking revenge! I'll kill you!"

The commotion attracted onlookers and security.

Liam frowned. "She's causing trouble. Take her to the police station."

The security guards apprehended Fiona Hill. Liam draped his jacket over Emma. "Are you scared?"

Emma shook her head. "I'm fine. Should we go to the police station?"

"Let's go," Liam said.

At the station, Emma learned that while Fiona held no personal grudge, her cousin, Kate, had a blood feud with Emma. Fiona's revenge was prompted by Kate's death.

"I'll speak to her alone," Emma said, offering Liam a reassuring touch before entering the interrogation room.

Fiona sat with remnants of paint on her hair and clothes, a pungent smell lingering.

"I did nothing to Kate. She deserved it," Emma stated.

Fiona wept. "But...without her, I have no family left."

Emma frowned, aware that Kate, though not close to Fiona, had provided for her.

"Everything you do has consequences," Emma said. "Today, it's trouble; if you continue, you'll end up like your cousin. I can be kind, or I can send you to jail, just like I did to your cousin."

Fiona remained silent, her tears falling. Powerless, she offered no resistance.

Liam waited outside. "How did it go?"

"I made my position clear," Emma replied. "Let's go."

As Liam drove, Emma realized they weren't heading home. Remembering a similar situation, she grew wary. "Where are we going? Aren't we going home?"

Chapter 95