By the time they returned to Blumedale, it was already evening. Andrew parted ways with Chantelle and headed back to Serenity Villa with Eric.

As for that bastard Hank, Andrew needed to hand him over to Derek first for official processing before he could escort him to the Keller family for a formal handover.

When they were leaving, Emily hesitated and seemed like she wanted to say something. However, Andrew had no interest in dealing with her and just left.

Emily’s chest tightened. At first, she felt the urge to be mad, but in the end, she only sighed and quietly returned home. She knew better now and no longer dared to show any attitude toward Andrew.

Theo followed after her and demanded, “Emily, you’ve been ignoring me this whole trip. What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Emily replied flatly, “Theo, you should head to the hospital and get your injuries looked at. From now on, you and I have nothing to do with each other.”

Theo’s face darkened. “I went all the way to Verhampton Valley for you! I nearly lost my life out there, and you won’t even ask if I’m okay? You’re seriously just cutting me off like that?”

Emily finally lost her patience and turned to him with visible disgust. “Theo, I’ve already seen your true colors. What more do you want from me? Look at yourself! Next to Andrew, you’re just pathetic!”

Theo laughed bitterly. “So that’s it, huh? You damn slut! Your heart’s set on Andrew now? But have you looked in the mirror lately? You think a guy like him would even glance at trash like you?”

He added, “Emily, you’re a joke. I know exactly what you’re thinking. You see how powerful he is, and now you want to cling to him, don’t you? But are you even worthy? Chantelle’s already his woman, and she’s the government’s golden girl. Compared to her, you’re nothing but a low-grade wannabe!”

Enraged, Emily raised her hand to slap him, but Theo was faster. He struck first, slapping her so hard she fell to the ground with a cry.

Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled over. In that moment, she realized the brutal truth: being the Keller family’s so-called heiress meant nothing.

Men like Theo and Hank had no problem abusing her. Yet, in front of Andrew, they tucked their tails and shut their mouths.

That was the difference.

Theo snapped, “Stupid bitch! You’re wasting my damn time! Get the hell out of my face! You think I even want someone like you? You and your whole Keller family… Hell, even that Andrew! Just wait and see! When the Fischer family steps in, you’ll all be on your knees, begging!”

Frustrated that he did not get to sleep with Emily, Theo stormed off, cursing as he called a cab to head to the hospital.

Emily wiped her tears and slowly pushed herself off the ground. If it had been the old her, she would have exploded, either by going head-to-head with Theo or running to her family for help. She might have demanded that George or Logan put Theo in his place or caused a scene to ruin him socially.

Nonetheless, after everything that had happened, she had finally begun to grow.

The Keller family was not in a position to challenge the Fischer family right now. So, she swallowed the pain of being hit. She did not want to drag her family into deeper trouble.

When she returned to the Keller residence, Freya gasped the moment she saw her. “Emily! What happened to you?"

Emily shook her head and forced a smile. “I’m fine. Where's Hannah?”

Hannah was pale and out of it. She was still clearly traumatized by what Hank had done.

Emily walked over and hugged her, heartbroken at the vacant look in her sister’s eyes. She broke down in tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

Hannah clung to her and cried too, overwhelmed by the shared pain.

Seeing them like that, Freya also started crying.

Logan approached the three of them, his expression heavy. “Emily, does that mean Hank got away?”

Emily choked out through her tears, “No. He was caught. Andrew got him. Once the authorities finish their review, he’ll bring Hank here to personally apologize to Hannah.”